An Open Letter to Nate

Gal, I know it can be really hard sometimes but maybe we can all work this out? We can't give up just yet...

Aw, I don't exactly know you very well, but you'd honestly give up YWS in total just because of some arguments? You can ignore people, or give up your role as JM, just don't give up YWS.

I have to agree with Gale here. I'm a tired of the whole gig as well. And I could put up with all this, and ignore it, but I just can't when I do all this work and get no respect form anyone. I work my butt off and all I get are people laughing at me and treating me like some sort of five year old. So, I'm done, I'm done trying, so I'm retiring as well.

Errr, try and calm down. >.<

Trust me, I know YWS can be a little... stressful (Weirdly enough, I was talking about this earlier), but try not to quit. Just leave for a few days, maybe even a few weeks, and see if that helps. I've actually been thinking of taking a break myself because I seriously have so much homework and school stuff that's piling up. Maybe you could just take a break? It's better than just getting all angry and stressed about it, resulting in wanting to boycott it completely, I think.

But hey, I guess it's your call, and I can't blame you completely. Like I said, I'm struggling to make time for everything myself. Seriously think about it though, Gal. You're probably just annoyed. And don't blame Evi. >.< She just tries to be sensible.

Also, Bolty, try and chillax a bit too. Is there something in the water this evening? xD

Haha! The truth is out! Being a JM is difficult work and is not for the faint of heart!

Anyway, I am going to lock this and forward it to an administrator. In the future, if you want to retire from the JM force, please contact one of the administrators and they'll be happy to retire you.

Actually, Snoink, I appreciate the support, but I think we should give Gal a chance to explain himself. I'm going to unlock this for now-- I'd like to hear what everyone has to say. Guys, the Mods are always open to suggestion-- all you have to do is say it sensibly and calmly.

Honestly? If Gal wants to leave, he should. YWS would probably be better off without him. And Volt? If you want to join him, you are more than welcome to. Like I said, this topic is LOCKED.

I've unlocked this topic.

I've locked this topic
(Sorry, I guess that was immature but I couldn't resist)

If there is a problem, I guess we should fix it, not ignore it. If people are immature (I'm talking site general not specifically mods-ness) then you have to work on it - which is obviously not your job.

If, for example, the users are overloading you with trivial work and that power can't be passed onto regular users and just having a wave of mods isn't enough (also, I don't understand... do you moderate specific forums because it seems you're all on Q&A), then we should just ask our YWSers to show more appreciation. I don't really ask a lot of stuff from mods (mostly because my internet died in 2010 which limited my YWS time) but I can understand so quickly how you can get irritated.

I remember once reading a question 'Has the quality of the site, literature wise, gone down' (not proper quote). At that time, I denied it, if anything because I would be the cause of that. But I do seem to see a trace of it (that was the reason Nate got rid of the quote button), so I can't help but wondering what you guys must see. Reviews have lost their intimidating-ness, most works have lost their flavour. In that same question, someone attributed this to a lack of older, 'better' members.

My first review was, thank goodness, a requested and from Master_Yoda himself. Thorough and incredible, I've tried to make all my reviews as good as, if not better, than that one. In my short life on the debate forum, I watched Aurora's and MeanMrMustard's logic - and someone else I don't like, but that stuns me with his logic, don't remember the name - quite strong.

I guess what I'm saying is that we should look at the other forums as an example. Usually when we have a debate and all you have to do is 'give your opinion' the first page has two one-liners and then Snoink comes in.

If anything, then the only problem with Moderation is that there isn't a stern example. There's nothing wrong with voicing opinion, but you should have something you agree on. Also, I must congratulate you mods. If it is as hectic as Gal describes, I definetely don't catch head nor tail of it. I thought mod-only areas were like 'Pass the grape juice'. I guess that goes under under-appreciation? Hope not. If so, apologies.

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As to Volt...

all I get are people laughing at me

If it is in the way I think it is then they're laughing with you. In retrospect, I realize that you have that weird talent/curse of barely ever laughing at any jokes - at least when I'm around. You seem to have a very different personality to what you project. But cause and effect man, if you want us to not laugh then... who am I kidding, YWS is pretty much hard-wired to laugh at everything.

get no respect form anyone

people laughing at me and treating me like some sort of five year old

Define respect. I respect you plenty but you don't see me writing anybody's name in the Report a Good Member forum. I do however, refer to a lot of people and a lot of reviews in my posts (if you've read this very post, you'll understand). If people make a joke of you, Volt, then it's because they want to talk about you but they're not sure how exactly.

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Also, I wouldn't really like you guys to retire - although I don't really know you - but if you are stressed out then take a break. If you feel you do have to retire, do it. YWS was never meant to be a cage, rather an escape from the real world. It's not THE world, despite all the jokes, it's A world. I remember that every time I log on and nobody's in chat.

If there is discord with the mods, then you better figure out where it stems from. Maybe a change of organization or system? Whatever you do, don't emulate the South African Parliament!

To be honest, Gal... I thought you were a bit more mature than this. I understand it if you're having a hard time being a JM -- it is a difficult job -- but there are other ways to express your opinion than have a go at others in public. You need to remember that YWS is a community where you have to respect other people, even if you disagree/have other problems with them. (Of course, this applies to everyone, not just Gal.)

While I frankly don't feel like you leaving YWS is the iceberg that will sink my own personal Titanic, I think you should still consider whether you really want to leave on a whim. As you may have heard, quitters never win and winners never quit -- and I don't know about you, but I'd rather be a winner.

$0.02. (Well, €0.02 for me, but you get it.)

WARNING troll below:

epic mod fails are epic.

No, but for real I've heard aobut some of the stuff that goes down from a few different people, and it really does seem sort of sad the things that have been fought over. I'm going to have to agree that Gal is right in his thinking, and I will support his decision to leave.

Also this was a really harsh move....

While I frankly don't feel like you leaving YWS is the iceberg that will sink my own personal Titanic, I think you should still consider whether you really want to leave on a whim. As you may have heard, quitters never win and winners never quit -- and I don't know about you, but I'd rather be a winner.

I know we're all frustrated, but can we try to keep this family friendly? If we're going to have these sorts of discussions in public... I think it's better kept between the staff, honestly. Chaos will tear us apart, even more than we're already torn.

I still think maybe we can try to work this out...

But Gal, we'll miss you and your warm fuzzy love you used to shower us with.
But in all seriousness, I agree. I know what it feels like, but we can work this out.

Evi, come on, you're awesome and you know what you can/could/should do.

If we're going to have these sorts of discussions in public... I think it's better kept between the staff, honestly.

If it were going to be staff only, then why would it be public? Just a thought.

In other news, this actually kinda made me giggle. He's not the first person to leave YWS, and he probably won't be the last. Clearly, it's not hurting the site too much