Sorry for the long post.
This is something I've been meaning to get done for some time, and of course, the recent (non-server related) troubles have just increased the urgency IMO.
My plan is to solicit input from you folks, then move this in front of the membership for feedback, then implement it. Please don't take anything here as written in stone - if you think the time period on something should be shorter, post your opinion. If you think something should be omitted, or something should be added, please post that as well.
Members
Membership at Supramania.com is open and free to everyone. Everyone can browse the site and access the information we have stored here - with one exception, noted below. Joining the community is accomplished by signing up for an account, and carries the benefit of being able to post threads, provide feedback, answer questions, create your own photo gallery, and much more.
How to retire your membership
This is easy - let anyone you wish to know that you are retiring, and off you go. In most cases we won't delete your account, just in case you change your mind and want to return. Also, this allows us to keep track of what you have posted during your stay.
How to lose your membership
In some cases, we have found it neccesary to ban people from the community. Scamming fellow members, griefing (posting with the sole intent to cause grief), refusing to heed repeated warnings from the Moderation team, attempting to hack the site... this type of thing will get your account banned. There are several types of bans as well - a few days, a week, permanent - usually the Moderation team will fit the punishment to the crime.
Furthermore, we have the tools to detect when a banned user just creates a new login name to avoid the punishment. This will always result in more punishment, often of the permanent type. Keep in mind that if your login is banned, you can still read the forums. If your IP is banned, you cannot access the forums at all, not even just to read them or search for information.
Vendors
Supramania takes a rather unique view on Vendors. We managed to swindle our way into free server space and bandwidth, and as such, we have no bills to pay. Therefore, we do not need paid vendors. This makes things interesting, and allows us to pick and choose our vendors - mostly we choose people who have demonstrated support for our generation Supra. Someone who custom manufactures a unique part has a much better chance of becoming a full vendor than a generic parts store.
How to become a Vendor
Vendor Responsibilities
How to retire your vendor
If you need to retire, simply PM an Admin, or email admin@supramania.com, we will recycle your vendor spot to another deserving business. Furthermore, if you want to reduce your involvement - for instance, move from a full forum to simply a locked sticky in the misc section, we can do that as well.
How Vendor status gets revoked
Max Vendor Forums
We do not want to clutter the forums with so many vendor forums that members do not know where to go. Therefore, we have set a limit of 10 vendor forums at a time - if there are already 10 active vendor forums, then you will have to wait for a spot to clear.
Mods
What is a Mod?
Mod is short for Moderator. Mods are essentially service personel that fill a variety of roles for our community.
What does a Mod do?
They enforce rules defined by the community, help keep threads on topic, provide a positive example for new members, move threads into appropriate forums, deal with concerns from the community, and many, many more tasks.
What makes a good Mod?
First of all, good Mods must be here on a regular basis. Mods are expected to be online and available to be contacted most of the time. Everyone knows that we sleep 1/3 of every day, but nobody wants to have to wait for a Mod to wake up! Furthermore, you must be objective, have a history of demonstrated good judgement, an already solid reputation with the membership, and a posses a thick enough skin that you don't attract attention from griefers. Note that we don't encourage griefers, however, the proven method of simply ignoring them still works best.
How do I become a Mod?
Simple. If you think you posses all the qualities listed above, apply by sending a PM to a site Admin. We will review your application and contact you with the results. Alternatively, we will often offer a position to members who consistently demonstrate the above qualities.
Mod rules of conduct
Adding to or modifying the rules of conduct
This list isn't written in stone by any means. If you think of something that needs to be added or changed, bring it up - either in the Mod forum or in the Suggestion forum.
Benefits of being a Mod
There isn't much, I'm afraid. We can set you up with an email address @supramania.com, you can have the 1337 Moderator tag under your Avatar, and you should gain the respect and admiration of the membership and your peers, although this isn't a guarantee by any means.
Mod levels (I think this should be left for v2.0 of the infrastructure, which I don't think will be ready for a few months)
Just like there are varying levels for the general membership and the vendors, there are also progressively more responsible levels for the mods, described below.
Probationary Mod
DescriptionThis is a temporary position that lasts (A month? Two?). During this time you have the same roles, responsibilities, and access to the same tools as an experienced Mod. The difference is that at the end of the specified time, we will discuss whether everyone involved still thinks that you are willing and able to fill the position.
Duties include:
Tools:
Mod (similar to our existing Super Mod)
Duties and tools are the same as the probationary Mod, listed above, plus the rights to ban members, search IP addresses, and edit member profiles.
Specialty Mod
This can include a wide array of people - from techical and subject matter experts to Vendor Mod status, and many things in between. These members will have access to the same tools as the Mod group, only this will usually be limited to a single forum.
Team Manager
Basically someone that the Mod team answers to, with the ability to promote / demote Mods when required. Need to flesh out this description, and figure out how to pick someone for this post.
??? List Tools Here
How to retire
If you find that your interest level in the community has dropped, or you cannot be available on a regular basis, and there are many reasons for this - people move to different cars, decide to start families, or sign up for military service - just post in the Mod section or PM an Admin and we will find someone to fill your post.
How and why Mod status can be revoked
There are several reasons this may be required.
Weekly??? Roll Calls Some other schedule may be appropriate... we'll discuss.
(Biweekly for Vendors, Monthly for Mods --Jeff)
(Worth keeping the same schedule to make it easier to track? --Dave)
In order to ensure our moderators and vendors are available on a regular basis to the membership, I put forward the idea that we hold a regularly scheduled Rollcall. Everyone must check in on the rolecall thread, and anyone that misses too many (Say, 2 out of the last 4?) will be put on probation. Anyone on probation more than twice a year gets demoted / dropped, and anyone who stays on probation for more than two weeks also gets demoted / dropped.
Exceptions include:
This is something I've been meaning to get done for some time, and of course, the recent (non-server related) troubles have just increased the urgency IMO.
My plan is to solicit input from you folks, then move this in front of the membership for feedback, then implement it. Please don't take anything here as written in stone - if you think the time period on something should be shorter, post your opinion. If you think something should be omitted, or something should be added, please post that as well.
Members
Membership at Supramania.com is open and free to everyone. Everyone can browse the site and access the information we have stored here - with one exception, noted below. Joining the community is accomplished by signing up for an account, and carries the benefit of being able to post threads, provide feedback, answer questions, create your own photo gallery, and much more.
How to retire your membership
This is easy - let anyone you wish to know that you are retiring, and off you go. In most cases we won't delete your account, just in case you change your mind and want to return. Also, this allows us to keep track of what you have posted during your stay.
How to lose your membership
In some cases, we have found it neccesary to ban people from the community. Scamming fellow members, griefing (posting with the sole intent to cause grief), refusing to heed repeated warnings from the Moderation team, attempting to hack the site... this type of thing will get your account banned. There are several types of bans as well - a few days, a week, permanent - usually the Moderation team will fit the punishment to the crime.
Furthermore, we have the tools to detect when a banned user just creates a new login name to avoid the punishment. This will always result in more punishment, often of the permanent type. Keep in mind that if your login is banned, you can still read the forums. If your IP is banned, you cannot access the forums at all, not even just to read them or search for information.
Vendors
Supramania takes a rather unique view on Vendors. We managed to swindle our way into free server space and bandwidth, and as such, we have no bills to pay. Therefore, we do not need paid vendors. This makes things interesting, and allows us to pick and choose our vendors - mostly we choose people who have demonstrated support for our generation Supra. Someone who custom manufactures a unique part has a much better chance of becoming a full vendor than a generic parts store.
How to become a Vendor
- Misc Vendors: This is easy, just PM the Misc Vendor section Mod, an Admin, or email admin@supramania.com with your request. We generally like to know what kind of products or services you provide, what applies to our vehicles, and if you can offer a discount for our members.
- Misc Vendors Sticky, Locked: This is an Information style post. If a specific place offers a product or service that many members have found to be good, we will create a sticky thread with your contact information and lock it. This requires no input from the vendor themself.
- Misc Vendors Sticky, Unlocked: This is for those vendors aspiring to a full forum. They'll get an open stickied thread where they can post information, answer questions, ask for feedback, whatever they want.
- Vendor Forum: This is the top level for Vendors. Vendors with their own forum get a complete subform and the rights to Moderate it. When a slot opens for a complete forum, the Admin team will either pick a Sticky Vendor or create a poll to let the members decide who gets the free spot.
Vendor Responsibilities
- Provide technical and general support for products you carry and/or make
- Respond to inquiries and/or complaints in a timely matter
- Strive to fill voids in the current product offerings
- Work with and not against other vendors as much as possible
How to retire your vendor
If you need to retire, simply PM an Admin, or email admin@supramania.com, we will recycle your vendor spot to another deserving business. Furthermore, if you want to reduce your involvement - for instance, move from a full forum to simply a locked sticky in the misc section, we can do that as well.
How Vendor status gets revoked
- There are several ways for this to happen.
- Missing more than 2 of the last 4 mandatory weekly rolecalls will get your vendor spot suspended. Suspended vendors are placed in quarantine until the vendor can explain what's going on. Getting suspended more than twice, or being on suspension for more than 2 weeks will get your vendor status revoked or at the very least, reduced.
- Failing to respond to members that have problems with your products will get you suspended.
- Failing to respond to threads or PMs in your section will get you suspended.
- ???
Max Vendor Forums
We do not want to clutter the forums with so many vendor forums that members do not know where to go. Therefore, we have set a limit of 10 vendor forums at a time - if there are already 10 active vendor forums, then you will have to wait for a spot to clear.
Mods
What is a Mod?
Mod is short for Moderator. Mods are essentially service personel that fill a variety of roles for our community.
What does a Mod do?
They enforce rules defined by the community, help keep threads on topic, provide a positive example for new members, move threads into appropriate forums, deal with concerns from the community, and many, many more tasks.
What makes a good Mod?
First of all, good Mods must be here on a regular basis. Mods are expected to be online and available to be contacted most of the time. Everyone knows that we sleep 1/3 of every day, but nobody wants to have to wait for a Mod to wake up! Furthermore, you must be objective, have a history of demonstrated good judgement, an already solid reputation with the membership, and a posses a thick enough skin that you don't attract attention from griefers. Note that we don't encourage griefers, however, the proven method of simply ignoring them still works best.
How do I become a Mod?
Simple. If you think you posses all the qualities listed above, apply by sending a PM to a site Admin. We will review your application and contact you with the results. Alternatively, we will often offer a position to members who consistently demonstrate the above qualities.
Mod rules of conduct
- Lead by example - this is really just common sense. Act the way you want others to act, good behavior will 'rub off' on the rest of the membership.
- Always remember that Mods are held to a higher standard than regular members, because they wield greater influence. For example, if a Mod starts a flamewar, the membership might think that this is acceptable, whereas if a member does the same thing, everyone just thinks he's an idiot.
- When deleting a thread, move it into quarantined topics, do not outright delete it. Inform the people on the thread, why it was deleted. You can 'Close' the thread and post your explanation, or delete it right away and PM the offending party.
- Do not use your status to intimidate others. Don't alter others posts without notifying them, and don't threaten banning or thread deletion if they disagree with you on a topic. You can joke about it all you want, though.
- Do not get personally involved in the classic 'unsolvable' situations. Members will argue about politics, or religion, or any number of other subjects that are a matter of opinion at heart and therefore not a debate that can be won from either side of the fence. Keep an eye on these, by all means, and step in to keep the peace if required.
- If you have a complaint with another Moderator or Administrator, bring it up by posting in the Mods forum. Many times others are not aware there are problems, so they cannot help.
- Last, but not least, try not to cause headaches for the Admins, or your fellow mods!
Adding to or modifying the rules of conduct
This list isn't written in stone by any means. If you think of something that needs to be added or changed, bring it up - either in the Mod forum or in the Suggestion forum.
Benefits of being a Mod
There isn't much, I'm afraid. We can set you up with an email address @supramania.com, you can have the 1337 Moderator tag under your Avatar, and you should gain the respect and admiration of the membership and your peers, although this isn't a guarantee by any means.
Mod levels (I think this should be left for v2.0 of the infrastructure, which I don't think will be ready for a few months)
Just like there are varying levels for the general membership and the vendors, there are also progressively more responsible levels for the mods, described below.
Probationary Mod
DescriptionThis is a temporary position that lasts (A month? Two?). During this time you have the same roles, responsibilities, and access to the same tools as an experienced Mod. The difference is that at the end of the specified time, we will discuss whether everyone involved still thinks that you are willing and able to fill the position.
Duties include:
- Keeping the peace! If a topic is barreling out of control, step in. No racial attacks or physical threats are permitted. Swearing is tolerated if it is somewhat appropriate to the circumstance (F%&# my HG blew again). If it is just swearing for the sake of swearing, warn the poster to clean it up.
- Ensure posts are made in the appropriate section. Who to vote for next election, doesn't belong in Technical, so move it to Off Topic. When you move a thread, either PM the original poster or make a post explaining why it was moved.
- Avoid posting in locked threads. While this is technically possible, it creates the impression that the Mod team has no respect for the rules that run the site.
- Avoid Moderating threads that are not in your assigned area. There are absolutely times when this is appropriate, but they are rare. If this becomes neccesary, make sure to keep the assigned Mods for the area informed.
- Suggest improvements to the forums. We always need more ideas! Please try not to get too upset if we don't instantly adopt all of your ideas though - there are legal and technical issues that must be considered in many cases.
Tools:
- The ability to lock or unlock a thread.
- The ability to delete both individual posts or full threads. You must warn the original poster via PM when this is necessary.
- The ability to move a thread to another forum. Again, you cannot do this without warning the original author, members get grumbly when their threads vanish for some reason.
- The ability to edit other member's posts. Once more, you cannot do this without explaining your actions to the author of the post.
Mod (similar to our existing Super Mod)
Duties and tools are the same as the probationary Mod, listed above, plus the rights to ban members, search IP addresses, and edit member profiles.
Specialty Mod
This can include a wide array of people - from techical and subject matter experts to Vendor Mod status, and many things in between. These members will have access to the same tools as the Mod group, only this will usually be limited to a single forum.
Team Manager
Basically someone that the Mod team answers to, with the ability to promote / demote Mods when required. Need to flesh out this description, and figure out how to pick someone for this post.
??? List Tools Here
How to retire
If you find that your interest level in the community has dropped, or you cannot be available on a regular basis, and there are many reasons for this - people move to different cars, decide to start families, or sign up for military service - just post in the Mod section or PM an Admin and we will find someone to fill your post.
How and why Mod status can be revoked
There are several reasons this may be required.
- Ignoring or abusing the Mod rules of conduct.
- Do we need some sort of recall rules run by the membership? A 'vote of no confidence' or something similar? Remember that sometimes a Mod must make a decision that will not be popular...
Weekly??? Roll Calls Some other schedule may be appropriate... we'll discuss.
(Biweekly for Vendors, Monthly for Mods --Jeff)
(Worth keeping the same schedule to make it easier to track? --Dave)
In order to ensure our moderators and vendors are available on a regular basis to the membership, I put forward the idea that we hold a regularly scheduled Rollcall. Everyone must check in on the rolecall thread, and anyone that misses too many (Say, 2 out of the last 4?) will be put on probation. Anyone on probation more than twice a year gets demoted / dropped, and anyone who stays on probation for more than two weeks also gets demoted / dropped.
Exceptions include:
- Vacations - just post in the mod section when you are going to be away, and for how long, and we'll get another Mod to cover your areas for the duration. Vendors who are going to be away on vacation need to post this in their section so that people know when they will return.
- Leave of absence - do we want to allow this? Or should people on leave simply be demoted and replaced, then kept in mind should a position open again in the future?
