Everybody panic

[Zoop 8,384]

I suppose it isn't exactly a secret that we've lost a few staff members recently, with the remainder being shuffled around a bit. One needs only look at the section moderator group - or what remains of it - in order to notice this.

 

I know a lot of you are curious as to just what in the seven blazing hells is going around here... rather than force everyone to sit around and speculate on matters, most likely reaching horrifying and probably inaccurate conclusions I figured it'd probably be a good time to talk a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes here.

 

 

---

 

For those of you that are not in the know, as it were, next week - October third - marks MLP Forum's first birthday. By that time we will have amassed roughly eight hundred thousand posts, and over seven thousand members.

 

I believe those two numbers deserve a moment of consideration. Say it with me, now - "holy shit!"

 

When this forum went up, nobody had any idea that it would grow nearly to the size that it has, nor did anyone expect it to do so so quickly - quite frankly the speed at which this place has grown managed to outpace the speed at which we, the staff, were adapting to it and dealing with it. Early on there was little need for much in the way of organization - the forum was still young and relatively small; it was easy to deal with and keep things under control.

 

Then we started getting roughly fifty zillion posts per second.

 

Then, in order to deal with that, we recruited approximately two hundred billion moderators, or roughly one boat load.

 

Suddenly, though it should have come to no surprise to anyone, our lack of organization and less than perfect communication started to bite at us a bit. It started gently enough, just an occasional nip at our ankles, but quickly grew to the point that it was really starting to bite us in the collective and proverbial buttock. Bit of a pain in the ass, really.

 

At the moment our primary focus is resolving these issues that have plagued us - with that in mind, we have been taking good, measured steps toward mitigating them.

 

One thing we're doing is creating a proper organizational hierarchy. I realize that this probably sounds like a pointless waste of time for a forum of all things to most people, but when you've got a massive and multifaceted community that has proven itself to have ridiculous growth potential, it's a good idea to make sure that everyone knows exactly what they should be doing - what areas they need to be focusing on, which tasks fall within their domain, and who is best equipped to provide assistance with whatever they may be faced with. By listing all of this out, it allows us to see who's workload is too large, and who can help lighten it without being overburdened themselves. This, in turn, will reduce strain on the staff, and help keep them from feeling potentially overwhelmed or disgruntled.

 

In addition to that, we are going to be bring on additional staffers - since the 'boat loads' incident we've lost about nine moderators, a decent portion of which were fairly established and experienced staffers. Quite frankly, we need additional boots on the ground - while September has been relatively slow in terms of post counts compared to July (due in no small part to that accursed thing called school, no doubt), I don't think it is any stretch to say that there is a bloody good chance that we're going to be hit pretty damn hard once season three starts. We need to get people in place, trained, and ready to go - before the new season inspires another upswing in activity. This is especially important because many of us are already feeling stretched a bit too thin for our liking at our present staffing level.

 

We realize that appointing new moderators is kind of a sensitive thing, but it is vitally important for the sake of preserving the sanity of the existing team. Seriously, we're a bit out-gunned over here by you guys, so try to be gentle when the Boat Loads sequel comes to a theater near you. We're probably not going to bring a huge ton of people in all at once (for practical reasons, it's easy to mentor and train folks when you bring them on in smaller groups), but will instead probably have a multi-phase recruiting process in place.

 

In addition to the above, we've also got a few things cooking in the back room (not meth, I can assure you) to help smooth things out and make things flow a bit better. Most of it's fairly mundane, and a bit too boring for me to want to bother talking about, but I can assure you that it's all very vital. Strategic stuff, munition stockpiles, and all that sort of hogwash.

 

 

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At any rate, I guess the point of this massive chunk of text is just to reassure you lot that things are all fairly kosher back here. We recognize that some (though not all) of the departures we've faced have been a result of issues in our own internal management, and are doing what we can do to resolve them, and keep the issues that have cropped up from causing any additional damage and frustration - there are issues, but there are also solutions.

 

With all of that said and done, I'd also like to assure all of you that the remainder of the staff is completely dedicated to the site and community, and will continue to do everything in our power to see it succeed and reach its full potential. Everyone on the team loves this place, and the people here - otherwise they wouldn't (or shouldn't) be donating their free time to keeping the place going.

 

Before I wrap things up completely though, I'd like to give Arylett a shout-out for all of the work she put into roleplay world, and this community as a whole - she was exceptionally active as a moderator, and a damn good member to have around - we will miss her quite a bit.

[Fox 5,330]

Zoop your good enough.

Hopefully the forums won't get too much trouble in the next year, and the new moderators are great and well suited for the job.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

*reads topic title*

 

This is kinda like the calm before the storm, for both management changes and user activity because once Season 3 starts the wheels they be turning.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[AegisReflector 886]

I agree. I have encountered very few trolls around here and the post quality is so far excellent. This place is doing a good job in terms of it being a nice and friendly environment.

 

You all deserve a pat for all the awesome things you have done!

[Kapi 215]

Wow, all I can say, its been crazy the past few months. You guys have done an awesome job keeping this place running the way it is, but I agree, when Season 3 comes out.... Its gonna be crazy.

 

Now, prepare for the incoming emergency! AHHHHHHHHH

[Crispy 5,563]

WHAT DO THE FORUM IS BURNING

 

 

And yeah. I can see the season three rush being... a thing. Here's hoping you find some good people to deal with the mindless hordes new users.

 

Edit: @@Fox, that cat face on Zoop's head at the end there is fucking hilarious. I laughed way harder than I should have.

Edited September 28, 2012 by Crispy

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

TL;DR

 

That means Totally Legendary; Diligently Read.

 

The mods have a lot to do around here. So many members and all that. It's a big job, so it makes sense we'd need a proportionally-big staff team. I wasn't a sectional mod for long before I resigned, but I was one long enough to know it's a lot of work to monitor even a couple spots on the forum. And I also got a peek at the top secret MLPforums meth lab, or "crystal pony kingdom".

 

Organization, huh? I can think a certain purple unicorn who could help with that... Anyways, I have no doubts that everypony's worries will be addressed.

 

Don't have much else to say, other than I'm looking forward to see what the future holds. Though, the season 3 rush is gonna be a doozy.

[Starshine 16,333]

At first I would call a party for another admin leaving, turns out it's just an announcement

 

Having some decent staffs leaving the team can be rather laborious for those who were left behind. I hope you can get some decent replacement, or at least forcing the existing staffs to be awake 22 hours a day.

[Whiteshade 1,426]

Judging by the thread title, it seems the PR department was hit the hardest...

 

Also I dug up my own phrase from the original Boatload thread.

"This thread amuses me to no end. The class struggle, a true masterpiece."

The chance that I will use this on the second thread is pretty high, if not certain.

[Chigens and Kay 3,832]

I can only wish them the best of luck in this endeavor.

 

You guys do not have long to prepare before the huge onrush of season 3.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I propose Devin be re-instated as best moderator!

 

I was hoping we'd hear about something other than getting more mods. I don't mean to be rude by saying that, but at least to me, this announcement seemed like it was going to be informing of site changes that go beyond moderation team changes.

 

I am disappoint. http://mlpforums.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.png

 

Thanks for the heads up about mods, anyway.

[NavelColt 22,880]

Wait, so the end isn't neigh? Well, shit. *throws apocalyptic propaganda posters in a fire barrel*

 

I figured most of this, but it's nice to get everyone on the same page. Good luck to any future appointed moderators, I'm sure they'll be well-thought out decisions.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Boatloads of Mods 2: Electric Boogaloo

 

But wait, they'll be expecting boats. Should sneak them in by train. No one ever thinks to check the trains in the US.

 

Well the expanded mod roster and the new, revamped reporting system should make things a lot quicker and smoother once we reach peak activity with waves of newbies coming in.

[Evilshy 5,090]

Thanks for posting this, Zoop. I was wondering what would happen now that we've lost so many staffers recently. I mean, it was fairly obvious that you'd hire more, but the extra info doesn't hurt.

 

I can assure you that, unless it comes with a bunch of massive policy changes in a ton of areas, I won't be nearly as argumentative in Boatloads: Reloaded as I was in the first

[aperture_tech 56]

! Forum wide panic! Apocalypse! Friendship is magic has been cancelled for good! OH the horror! Of all the things that could happen, this is THE WORST THING! Abandon thread!....

Oh, disregard that. It seems I worked myself into a bit of a panic there. So, all I need to know is if I still count as a hipster, or one of the "old users" since I joined before the first anniversary. If so, I am going to impress all the newbs with stories of the "good old days that occurred two months ago".

[Motion Spark 7,807]

I find it unbeliavable the work you guys do as a mods, I mean, the amount of activity this forums has it's ridiculous! I would dare to say you're like less than 30 people and manage to have order and peace, when it's possible, on the forums. In my opinion the moderating work done it's great, you guys do a great job!

[Batbrony 16,055]

Panic? PANIC?!?!?!?! WHADDYA MEAN PANIC?!?!?!?!?! OH GOSH, THIS IS IT, ISN'T IT!!!!!!!!!! GAME OVER, MAN, GAME OVER!!!!!!!!! PANIC, EVERYPONY, PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA7dGr66aoY

*after about five minutes of running around screaming my head off, I finally read original post*

Huh? Ohhhhhh, so there's nothing to panic about, is there!!! Oh silly, silly me!!! LOL, OK, kidding's over; seriously Zoop, thanks for the update, and it's great to see that you guys are taking your internal affairs so seriously, and, perhaps even more importantly, taking care of this before Season 3 premieres, because Celestia knows we're probably gonna get a plot-ton of new members after it premieres. We all appreciate you guys and gals and the work you do so very much, and I hope you know that!!! Oh, also Zoop, love the new avatar!! Seriously, that is a fantastic avatar!!!

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQrxH1CuuSA

Oh, right, yeah, sorry Pinkie, I kinda forgot to tell ya, turns out there's nothing to panic about!!!

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!!!!! I'LL BRING THE MUFFINS!!!! Well, see ya everypony, I'm off to party with Pinkie!!!

Edited September 27, 2012 by Batbrony

[Strife 455]

Well Zoop, you may not have the most eloquent of lexicons to rival that of Swoop, but you're hilarious when you want to be. Good thing we've got some dedicated staff to watch the forums.

 

I'm sure it'l all get sorted out in due time. The community likes the site, as do I (even though I do a LOT of reading/lurking and not so much posting).

[Shiki 5,855]

I'm pretty excited to see who the mods pick as new moderators. There's really not many who are fit for the job, and those who are would just seem really weird as mods, because I'm so used to seeing them as members. Then you also have people who would decline the position, too. Makes me wonder who could possibly be picked.

 

I love these kinds of things. xD Picking new staff just seems like fun.

[One 498]

I would gladys help monitor theese threads, but I'm to busy so no. Unless if for some reason you want someone who can only really be on 3pm-10pm and 6:45 am- 7:10 am central at the maximum.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Thanks for all you guys have done to keep this place going, but I think we should build a monastary high in the Udzungwa mountains and cloister ourselves away before season 3 arrives. It's our best chance for survival against the coming deluge.

[Shadow Chaser 633]

Just gonna go ahead and leave this right here.

 

In all seriousness, it's good to know you guys are in the recruitment and stockpile ammunition phase of the "Prepare for Season 3" zombies. I've never seen any glaring issues from moderators or the modifications they make. In fact, I don't think I've ever really noticed necessary modifications that have to be made, (Beyond hiding posts.) which I believe is the best way to know your team is doing the best job it can.

[Glaceon 793]

I wish the moderator team the best of luck. I you guys are the best moderators I've ever seen or met. All of you guys do your jobs really well.

Well I hope I can help as much as possible when season 3 starts.

[---------------------- 1,645]

I have noticed we have like no section mods,

 

haveing more mods most definetly woulden't be a bad thing, despite the fact that everyone would essentally throw another hissy fit.

 

Poeple can't seem to grasp how active this forum is, and why so many mods are needed, its like trying to run a 5 star resturont with only 1 person who is the cook, waiter, and janitor (aka zoop)

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

I have noticed we have like no section mods,

 

haveing more mods most definetly woulden't be a bad thing, despite the fact that everyone would essentally throw another hissy fit.

 

Back then for Boatload 1, I think it was more of a mixture of "omg soooo many mods at once" along with "wth? how did _____ become a mod?" which people didn't want to say out loud but I can assure it was thought.

 

Boatload 1 was necessary, but was implemented like a defibrillator shock when all we needed was some ointment and a bandage.