If you really must implement moderators, just include and call them Team members.
It has the least negative connotation. We’ll soon discover who the Bad Asses are. lol
None of them fancy-schmancy five syllable words.
If you want to get the true measure of a man, give him some authority.
But this isn't about moderators. 😀
I honestly don't know what is being suggested - people whose job it is to respond to posts to create "traffic"?
I believe the word y'all are looking for is "dementors". : )
Facillitator, sounds mild enough.
Possible alternatives : Arbiter, Ombudsman, Curator, Custodian, Steward, Guardian, Warden, Principal, Time Lord, Caretaker, Janitor.
Perfect!
What about "Host (ess)"?
One mAY assume that a post with no replies is a form of informational noise and may not merit a reply, so an inane encouragement only lenghtens a basically undesirable thread.
If a grand sounding title for such a useless activity is needed, Marschal or Marshall might do. (merr=horse, skalk= serf) Originally a serf who tendered to and herded (marshalled) the horses.Not to be confused with the fieldmarshall who looked after the horses on excursions in the field in wartime and usually was highly rewarded for this onerous task.,
The mechanics of keeping this forum alive and worth reading ought to be based on the novelty and reliability of its content.
If bouncers are required to keep noise (in the form of undesirable texts) out, well qualified "thought police" is more necessary than answering machines.
p.
Why stop here? We could also have a cadre of people who mention the site on Facebook in positive terms. And bloggers could be encouraged to do the same.
</irony>
I really do hope this won't happen! 🤢
Helpers
(MIS)
Make
It
Simple
... and I thought this has already happened and large sums have been paid out by some shady figure who just calls himself 'The Photographer' (singular)! 😉
On-topic: I'm not even sure if that's what is suggested here, but I like the approach of trying to find both an alternative word for 'moderator' with less negative connotations, as well as giving the individuals who are up for the task a different purpose/job description. Of course a conversation can't (and shouldn't) be forced or reanimated by defibrillator, but some people have a talent of getting things back on track in a positive and enriching way for everyone, so - however idealistic it may sound to people used to heavy/strict moderation - I think it might be worth a try to find some of those and ask them (because I'm not sure they're usually the ones who raise their hand for a moderator position), if they'd want to give it a shot.
I have no good idea what to call this position though... perhaps it could even be a new/fantasy word, like 'reveree' (not really 😂, but you get the gist...) However it seems quite hard to find something that doesn't sound cheesy. When it comes to existing words, what about 'conciliator'? Might sound too technical/formal... I'm not native in English, so I don't know.
I know it wouldn't be taken seriously, but part of me likes the idea...
What about 'Good Cameritans'? 😅
No, people whose role is to ease conversations, eliminate illegal and spam posts and if necessary re-arrange things to be a little clearer. Of course, you could say that is a 'moderator', but remember that DPReview always said it had a 'light-touch' moderation policy, and often turned out to be anything but. Using a different term is a statement of that.
I suspect there are two divergent views on how this should be handled. One wants users to be censored to remove anything that they find irritating. The other is that censorship is a last resort, and that someone being irritated is not a sufficient reason. I go for the latter.
Grammatical simplicity on you part.
I like that for "facilitators" !!!
Light-Helpers
( ISO-Helpers doesn't fit - Aperture-Helpers neither )
Moderator instead can be named "Host"
or "Hammer of God" for a heavier role touch
<> if you prefer
It's getting confusing now. As I interpreted the OP he meant a new role, in addition to moderators. You describe moderators under another name. So what is it?
If all members were to take an active, continued and benevolent interest in interacting with those who contribute to the threads they themselves start, there would be no need for this conversation. :)
David
It's not in addition to moderators, it's recasting the moderators' role. We can't work without some people who get rid of spam and outright troll posts. Otherwise the forums can get swamped with this kind of stuff. We also need to remove downright illegal material, and really objectionable stuff that is contrary to the terms of service. However, the role of 'moderator' is taken by some as controlling the conversation, we want to change that emphasis to helping the conversation. I think the OP had taken the term from a previous conversation. I admit, when I proposed the term to Alan, he said that no-one would be fooled by a change in name, but I don't see it as trying to fool people, I see it as signifying a different emphasis. The best moderators always worked like that.
