Moderators

[Easydrinker]

A while ago,I recall what seemed like an irate post from someone demanding to know who the mods were on this site,bloody cheek,but for those that can't tap around their own keyboard and the forum menues,Let me introduce myself to you.
I am Robert,a regular bloke living in the Uk (whatever THAT means),with an interest in home distillation.
I stumbled across this site a couple of years ago,and it felt right.
I stumbled into a Moderators role.
Even as a newbie here I clashed and argued with established users.Purely because the tenet that I wished to spread was that there are more ways than one to achieve a result.
I was invited to leave the site.Not by the site owner.
And some of that was pretty ugly,and for that I apologise to anyone with the patience and time to go back into the annals of this site and try and make sense.Or indeed those that witnessed it.
I like guides,they are helpful to someone with no prior knowledge,and can indeed be useful,they are not something to be followed slavishly.
Please let me know if I have this understanding wrong,but I believe that all the members here are posting to help other members? If not I may be wasting my time?
I like to chat,I like to learn.I do have other stuff in my life commanding my attention,for one,I am still working to earn a living wage,and this forum business usually can only happen late at night,-put away the violins,it is mostly pleasurable.

Robert.

[Spirits4BB]

Hi Robert
Great site this, can't believe some people are complete arsehole mischief makers that could find argument in an empty room.
A few of the brewing forums over the years that I use have had their fare share of wankers that come and go, usually after a big drunken behind the keyboard argument.. Cowards!

I find this site very helpful, and as I type my Airstill is spitting out the goods on a stripping run.

Trouble is with forums....
When a newbie posts a question they expect it answered straight away as tho it's a premium rate pay for info site but in reality it's just a group of like-minded guys who take the trouble to help out others when job/life/sparetime allows..

It's so easy to think "FUCK IT" when there's a few bad apple's but for the sake of others and newbies that'll keep coming to the site keep plodding on!!

S4BB

[Mash]

S4BB. I agree with you there. You have to have the new blood, to keep the forum alive. I have seen forum stagnate, and they really do become a dusty old library.

So the problem is if we all want an active forum - the one chance you get is when a newbie arrives.

If you walk down the high Street and see an empty restaurant and a full restaurant which one do you go to.

I thought you were going say "FUCK IT" not that same old question again. "Can't these people read" and then you are tempted by posting a link, rather than an answer. Just one chance to keep that newbie and yes, it's a premium rate service they expect.

So a good forum needs care and attention from members - and a steady trickle of newbies.


Good work, Robert (& all the moderators)

[Frank]

@Easydrinker
IMHO mate, w/out 'the likes of' yourself and your volunteering efforts/focus towards moderating this free public webforum, there is NO Stillsmart....there is, most likely, a different-to-this distilling forum that would not be as attractive.
Sure, the minders may need minding, however this aint bung yet!

For this thread reminder and, more so, your efforts here I say Thank you

[Icefever]

If one takes a look at the list of Mod's on this forum you will find (if the statistics are correct) that one has not logged on since 2012.
Another 2 last logged on back in 2014, and 1 mod last logged on Jan 2015.

Now there maybe very good reasons for this, but if they are not logging on at least say once a week to help check the forum, surely that puts more pressure on the other mods.

Maybe these members could be asked if they wish to continue with this voluntary work??

Like you Robert I found this forum back in 2013, just after I'd bought my Airstill it was a great asset to me in finding my way through the minefield that distilling looked to be.
Forums will always attract undesirables, trolls, spammers, and the like...but with a good band of mods looking out for them, we can sleep sound at night

Keep up the good work boys.

[hampk]

I agree with all the above comments, and I think it is a tribute to the active mods that the board is in such a healthy state.

I've found myself made very welcome; there are any number of people only too happy to offer advice, guidance and pick up on an idea to experiment with - I feel very privileged to be a part of this community.

Cheers all

Hampk

[mikew41]

I am a Mod on a metal detecting board and that can be very difficult.....it's amazing how deep divisions can occur in a simple hobby of digging scrap metal in fields. So I know that a Mods life is not always easy AND you give up your time free of charge to be greeted sometimes by a wall of abuse that needs sorting. I don't use this site as much as some....usually too busy killing Persians on my Facebook game but I certainly appreciate the efforts of ANYONE who does the job.

But, as a resource and community I think this is a great place. Keep up the good work!

[Phantom]

Well, I mod as well.

I can only do or sort anything that comes up when I'm here.

Time is a premium for me hence my infrequent presence.....

Generally it seems we're better at keeping a sensible and not as emotional/confrontational as some places........

[Easydrinker]

Call this "Moderators-part two."

But first,@ Frank "this aint bung yet!" -I've got it down to SE OZ meaning pretentious,has it another meaning that I am missing? Ta!

OK, for anyone that doesn't know,the Mods here only know each other via the public boards.We do not have coffee mornings or conference calls,or if we do, the buggers have neglected to inform me.

We each work alone,to the best of our ability,to ensure the day to day smooth running of the site.
Coz we like it.

We all have time limitations,I myself,internet limitations,-the short end of the shitty stick where I live,it may get better soon.

Anyway,we all strive,to do what we can for the good of the site.

The Mod last on-line in 2012 has moved on or passed on.
The two last on-line in 2014,checked in because I PM'd all mods during a dispute;they received emails,and checked in to see the fuss.
I don't know,maybe there is mileage in stating upon your CV that you are a Moderator of an internet forum?
I would like to see those two back and active.
When it doesn't pay,but you support it,give what you can.

A final Clarion call to users.
I am about to make my third annual payment to the site,this is not compulsory.
Where would you rather be? And any amount is better than none.

But internet is free innit ,once you have your dish,cable,BT broadband connection?

Jimmy pays for the server that we access to talk to each other.
If he did not pay,no StillSmart.Simples.

Robert.

[chill]

Perhaps we need more moderators, in light of some of the inactive ones? Do we have any volunteers? I find myself with a bit more time on my hands lately, so I would be willing to take on the role.

Chuck

[Easydrinker]

No favouritism here........
I reckon that you would be a cracking addition to the team.
Maybe see you at the next coffee morning?

Robert.

[Icefever]

I have some time during the working day to check in and lend an hand if I'm needed....I have also donated to help with the site...maybe not a bad thing to look at sending another one in now..

[Spirits4BB]

I have also donated to help with the site...maybe not a bad thing to look at sending another one in now..

Did my donation ever show up?

[Icefever]

I have also donated to help with the site...maybe not a bad thing to look at sending another one in now..

Did my donation ever show up?

It doesn't show on your avatar John, perhaps one of the mods can sort it for you.
I'm not sure but I think Jimmy has the power to do that.

[Easydrinker]

A mod cannot change the display under your avatar,only Jimmy can do that,and when he does,to say that you have contributed, you lose the silly title of Master Distiller, after doing nothing other than asking two hundred questions (or whatever else it took to notch up a plethora of posts)- or whatever other level of brewing achievement the mans mind dreamed up back in the day when there were only a couple of dozen members here and the world was new.
Building a better forum costs money....
On the paypal payment form that you are presented with after hitting the contribute button,you could leave a message,and ask not to lose your self-important title of course.
The paypal payment to this site only names the paypal user name,and not this sites user name,and so if you neglect to answer the question asked-"Tell me who you are!" it is unlikely that you will get a response.
@Spirits4BB I have noted than Jimmy has not visited the site since before you registered,a fairly long time even for him and his other commitments,I personally hope he is well and merely busy.
He leaves the day to day running to the mods,and I hate to bother him unless the site goes down,or we have major catastrophe,in his own words,he does not have the time to micro-manage.
He set the site up and manages to keep it going,without annoying adverts!
I am happy to do my part because I am happy that the site exists.

Robert.