FlyingOrca's Journal: Mods on crack

I am generally a fan of the mod system on /. - I think it's a reasonably elegant solution to a rather difficult problem. Sometimes, though, I just have to shake my head. I've never been one to bitch about moderation, but for some reason this one bugs me.

I should add that I don't always get to use mod points before they expire, being a pretty busy guy and all, but I always meta-moderate when given the chance (which is pretty much every day). I can only hope that someone catches this one in the meta-moderation process. Honestly, I'm baffled.

I made a comment (http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=118096&cid=9979707) related to an on-topic reply to a story. I could see getting modded off-topic, but I'm at a loss to see how my comment could be construed as trolling.

The only explanation I've found (and my meta-mod experience bears this out) is that there are an awful lot of moderators out there who use "Troll" as a way to get rid of a post with which they disagree. And that's just fucked up.

So how about it - have I missed something?

Yeah....

[Captain Splendid]

I'm a chronic metamoderator too (best way to find good stories/threads that you missed), and I've noticed "hateful" modding is on the rise.

Journal posts about this phenomenon are on the rise too :) Seems to be on everyone's mind these days.

Anyway, I had some mod points to spare, so I slipped you an "insightful" to help counterbalance that crap.

Re:Yeah....

[FlyingOrca]

Heheh.... thanks. I wasn't really angling for additional moderation (my karma hasn't budged from Excellent in months), but I appreciate it nonetheless.

I wonder how effectively the metamod system eliminates abuse. I suspect it's actually pretty good, as much as people like to bitch about it. But yes, this topic does seem to be on people's minds, and a lot of people are journaling about the mod system.

One thing that irks me about misuse of the "Troll" modifier is that (according to their journals, and not c

Re:Yeah....

[Captain Splendid]

I wonder how effectively the metamod system eliminates abuse.

Being very optimistic here, but I would hope the answer is very. I certainly judge each mod on its merits, and will spend the time checking out context if I need any help.

the system sometimes bans IPs from posting due to a SINGLE use of the "Troll" mod

Now that is a little frightening, and I hope to god you're wrong on that. I shudder to think how many intelligent/interesting people have been turned off from even coming back to /. becau

Hidden topics...?

[FlyingOrca]

Hi, sorry, been too busy and forgot to reply. I haven't had much luck tracking them down, but I've read a few journal entries here and there that made reference to hidden topics. There seems to be one called "Trolltalk" (kinda morbid curiousity led me there), but it was empty when I tried the only live link I've ever found. I'd have to dig into the Slashcode a bit to find out more, and I haven't really got the time. I too, though, would like to know more about it. Cheers!