Forumites: mod volunteers and improvement suggestions here

[EnigmaFish]

So, first, I know that most of us who want to moderate have volunteered several times already. This is just to collate all those Facebook and forum threads in one place.
If you want to help out with moderating the forum, could you post in this thread? I will keep this first post updated with all the names.

Mod Volunteers

Enigmafish
Marron
MilkyJoe (QBM)
Cofa's Tree
HappyFeet
sabrina fair
LucyLastic
StJuniper
lizandimo

[Marrow]

I'm in.

[qbm]

Count me in too please.

[UnhappyRightFoot]

Me too. Happy to mod and name change.

I like the idea of having first post "approved" by mods.
Can we de-criminalise the kroom.
Minimum number of posts before allowing access to FC??

[sabrina fair]

I'm in.

[StJuniper]

Me too

[LucyLastic]

Moi aussi. I have free time and am happy to muck in.

Is there maybe a way of disallowing links in FC?

[EnigmaFish]

Me too. Happy to mod and name change.

I like the idea of having first post "approved" by mods.
Can we de-criminalise the kroom.
Minimum number of posts before allowing access to FC??

It's not uncommon to have to have the first posts on a forum approved by mods. I think some of the spammers are wise to this, which is why they are trying to reply to old threads and fit in, to an extent. From what I know of other forums, it wouldn't be that unusual to revive an old thread, and most forums aren't so specialised that the new member's first post would be on a specific, niche topic.
Would we say that our new members have to have their first post approved, or that in order to make their first post, they need to introduce themselves first and tell us why they are here?

I love the idea of locking down FC: minimum number of posts, no links, the works. I want people to be able to speak freely there, both new and old members alike, but it's been a long time since I was comfortable with the idea that anyone can just register and read all the posts there.

[lizandimo]

I'd be happy to help too.

What HF said about minimum number of posts before access to FC seems like a good idea - it'd only have to be 10 or 20 to keep spammers out I reckon, they don't seem to stick around that long?

[Marrow]

The issue with that is the name changer.

[ches]

Spammers are usually robots. Be careful not to make rules that are hard to sustain.

[UnhappyRightFoot]

The issue with that is the name changer.

???

[Marrow]

The issue with that is the name changer.

???

As in, if you are an log-time poster, but you want to hide behind a name change, you can't post in FC.

[Cofa's Tree]

Happy to post this on the fb page as well if it's appropriate to have the debate there, but I think we need to have an honest conversation with Aitch about the future of this site. I've offered numerous times to help mod (as have you, and others, EF) and am more than happy to put my name forward again. However, Aitch has (obviously) moved on interest-wise now her girls are older and I believe there are running costs involved in keeping this site online. I donated the previous three years (was a bit too busy this Christmas!) but does Aitch honestly want to keep the site going? Is she happy for us to take it forward or would she rather the site quietly died down, particularly as blw now has a watered-down middle approach promoted by health visitors in the UK so is there a need for this site anymore, or is it just a social meeting place for us, in which case, is it fair to ask Aitch (and Jem?) to put time and effort into keeping it going for us? Just thinking out loud, but I know if I was Aitch, there wouldn't be much desire to put any effort/time/money into this place... But from a personal point of view, I don't want it to stop!

[EnigmaFish]

Spammers are usually robots. Be careful not to make rules that are hard to sustain.

ches, you're right, but vague. Could you be more specific?