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Changes I think should be made to the neoboards/Moderators
Note: I fully acknowledge that the following ideas I will set forth are HIGHLY improbable, in the sense that TNT would probably never bother to take the steps needed to do something like this, as well as the shear size of the project. Even so, If I had full control over the neoboards and the moderating team, this is what I would do.
Step 1: Bring back the volunteer monitors.
Why? Several reasons. If TNT were to HIRE new moderators, I guarantee they would probably add and another ad-something no one wants. Another big reason is volunteer mods would not be doing there job for money-rather, because they want to keep the boards clean and on-topic, thus they want to their job WELL. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are members on the hired mod team that DO care about what they do, but a lot of them probably do the job simply for the money, and thus results a number of unfair freezings and warnings.
The easiest way to find good volunteer mods would be to have a many-step process, as well as qualifications they must meet. The accounts should be over one year old so the user is quite familiar with neopets, and the user must have no, to maybe one minor warning that was given, but no sooner than 6 months ago. (Minor may be something like, being reported for being off topic, it happens to the best of us for many reasons, if that’s ALL you’ve been reported for, that’s not to bad at all!) There should be an in-depth interview with the applicant, interviews with people in their guild, or perhaps if they are well known on a board, and interview with people from that board. I do not know if neopets stores all posts, but if possible, there should be a review of all posts made by the user. Also, a user cannot apply directly to be a mod-they need to be nominated by another user with the same qualifications that are stated above, thus the user who nominates them must also be a respectable user.
Precautions should be taken with these volunteer mods. The Vol. Mods. Can warn people, issue temporary bans, but cannot freeze accounts. Rather, they can send a request to a paid mod for the issue to be looked into.
Step 2: Changes to the neoboards
1. Sticky topics should be added to the neoboards with information concerning that individual board, and how that board works. The quest board for an example would have info on what you should do if you have a quest, also, perhaps the speed of the board should also be put somewhere. Slow speed means you don’t need to bump your topics very often, medium means the board moves at a good pace, and you may need to bump your post every few minutes if no one is answering. Fast means the board is VERY fast paced, and it may be a bit before you get an answer due to the sheer number of posters.
2. When a user first visits an individual board, they are re-directed to the stickyed post. They are then told they must read the post, and will then be quizzed on the post-if they do not get a decent amount right(say 50%, in all fairness) they cannot move onto the board, and are re-directed to the sticky post again. As an added incentive, you get np, the more questions you get right after the 50% mark, the more np you get. Top amount should be something like 200, enough to make newbies feel rich, if only for a little while. And yes, they can get the 200 on all board quizzes. (That’s why its only 200.)
3. The ability to mass lock, delete, and MOVE topics, plus the return of the general chat. Pleases don’t jump down my throat for that last one, let me explain. The new volunteer mods(There should be a lot of them, enough so there’s at least 5 on at an individual board at all times.) Are going to be the main watchers of the boards now, with the ability to move topics and active enforcement of the rules, neoboarders are much more likely to follow them. All reports are sent to another set of volunteer mods(Not those who are busy modding the forums) who then investigate it. A mod-only board would also be of use if they want to talk about a particular issue in an attempt to find the best way to resolve it. As for the return of the general chat It will be WELL modded, with strict rules as to what can be in it. I personally see nothing wrong with people talking about their daily life, but currently there is no correct board for people to do such without getting yelled at, or ruining another board. Plus, it would be much easier for the mods if anything that could be bad and against the rules is mostly contained in the general chat board.
4. If a mod thinks someone should be frozen, they then temp. ban the person, and send a report to the next level up, the hired mods. Now that these hired mods are not having to deal with the brunt of the force, not to mention the intermediary user-mods, the chances of false freezings fall drastically. The hired mods are more likely to take a good looksy at a report, before simply pressing the “freeze” key.
There probably is more that I think should be done, but I’ve been mulling over this for so long, and its tumbled around so much in my brain, some bits probably fell off somewhere…*shrugs*

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