Diary of a Madman
Posted 02-18-2009 at 07:37 AM by Gator Bite
Updated 02-26-2009 at 10:41 AM by Gator Bite (Opened blog for comments.)
Updated 02-26-2009 at 10:41 AM by Gator Bite (Opened blog for comments.)
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Thinking about my identity and personality here at the Cayman Club. Most of this brought on by a recent negative experience at another forum that is poorly moderated. I thought, "maybe I should write a new blog entry sharing a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes". Welcome to 'The Diary of a Madman'. The diary of a Super Moderator at the Cayman Club....
I've been a member here since October 2006. I had little to no experience in web communities when I came here, but I dove right into the deep end. Because of my commitment to unselfishly help improve the club, I was invited to become a member of the moderation team. This was an unexpected honor and something that to this day I am very proud of. But being a moderator can be a daunting task.
I know I'm a pretty outspoken guy. I often wonder if people appreciate or despise my style. As a Super Moderator, I have to walk a fine line and support all potential sponsors. But as a member and fellow auto enthusiast, I feel a commitment to call BS if I see it. These two responsibilities can conflict with one another. When they do, I typically turn to my team for advice.
Beez and Santa Fe, in my opinion, are two sometimes underappreciated guys. I don’t know how I would do what I do without the guidance and example of these two guys, and I know that the Cayman Club wouldn’t’ be the jewel that it is without their contributions. They have mentored me and helped me become a better person. I am very fortunate to have become friends with them. If you haven’t already reached out to them, I encourage you to do so. They are high quality people that truly exemplify the unselfish modern day auto enthusiast.
Because I’m on the younger side of the Porsche owner spectrum, I have a slightly different style than some of my elder Porsche owning brethren. That youthful exuberance and difference in life experience has put me right in the middle of a few scuffles that I’m not proud of. You guys know what I’m talking about. So….., what do I do when I see something that I think is deceptive? Do I bite my lip? Wouldn’t that be a violation of my commitment to our members? Do I speak up and call BS? Wouldn’t that be a violation of my commitment to our sponsors? K-man S is very good at walking this line. His example is inspiring. There is something to be learned from him. It's a tricky tight rope to walk, but he has demonstrated that it can be done without compromise if you try hard enough.
What some folks don’t realize is that we, the moderation team, have a private forum where we discuss potential problems and concerns. Very few decisions are made outside of this group. We discuss many threads, many posts, many members and a few sponsors. We always have a watchful eye on what’s going. Though we have several guidelines, including our Rules and documented Moderator Responsibilities, it all comes back to one goal, protecting the integrity of the Cayman Club. It is our belief that this integrity is the core element that makes the Cayman Club great, it’s what makes us different than other automotive web forums and it’s what keeps our members coming back. That’s important because at the end of the day, it’s the members who make the Cayman Club what it is.
With over 12,000 members signed up (as of this writing) to discus this small niche of Porsche models, it’s undeniable that the Cayman Club has a real place on the automotive web forum spectrum. Any of you who have spent any time visiting any other automotive forums that have a Cayman/Boxster area know that they are ridiculously quiet. Days can go by without a new post, and when one pops up, chances are its some infomercial authored by someone trying to sell something. Try to call BS over there, try to advocate for truth and you will quickly find yourself thrown out. My time at these other places has confirmed to me that the Cayman Club is truly an amazing place. When I see the information, comradely and compassion that our members share, I realize that this place is more than a forum. It’s a true community. This is the place to be. I am proud to be a member here and proud to be a part of this amazing roller coaster ride. I have made so many friends, learned and shared so much information and had a lot of fun doing so.
The Cayman Club is a part of my life, a part of my personality. I promise to you that I will always fight for what’s best for the club and I will always fight for what’s best for our members. This may put me in uncomfortable situations from time to time. I understand and accept that. I hope you can too.
Thanks for your support, understanding and friendship. Stand by for my next entry, which will be titled: "Who is Gator Bite".
Sincerely,
Mike
I've been a member here since October 2006. I had little to no experience in web communities when I came here, but I dove right into the deep end. Because of my commitment to unselfishly help improve the club, I was invited to become a member of the moderation team. This was an unexpected honor and something that to this day I am very proud of. But being a moderator can be a daunting task.
I know I'm a pretty outspoken guy. I often wonder if people appreciate or despise my style. As a Super Moderator, I have to walk a fine line and support all potential sponsors. But as a member and fellow auto enthusiast, I feel a commitment to call BS if I see it. These two responsibilities can conflict with one another. When they do, I typically turn to my team for advice.
Beez and Santa Fe, in my opinion, are two sometimes underappreciated guys. I don’t know how I would do what I do without the guidance and example of these two guys, and I know that the Cayman Club wouldn’t’ be the jewel that it is without their contributions. They have mentored me and helped me become a better person. I am very fortunate to have become friends with them. If you haven’t already reached out to them, I encourage you to do so. They are high quality people that truly exemplify the unselfish modern day auto enthusiast.
Because I’m on the younger side of the Porsche owner spectrum, I have a slightly different style than some of my elder Porsche owning brethren. That youthful exuberance and difference in life experience has put me right in the middle of a few scuffles that I’m not proud of. You guys know what I’m talking about. So….., what do I do when I see something that I think is deceptive? Do I bite my lip? Wouldn’t that be a violation of my commitment to our members? Do I speak up and call BS? Wouldn’t that be a violation of my commitment to our sponsors? K-man S is very good at walking this line. His example is inspiring. There is something to be learned from him. It's a tricky tight rope to walk, but he has demonstrated that it can be done without compromise if you try hard enough.
What some folks don’t realize is that we, the moderation team, have a private forum where we discuss potential problems and concerns. Very few decisions are made outside of this group. We discuss many threads, many posts, many members and a few sponsors. We always have a watchful eye on what’s going. Though we have several guidelines, including our Rules and documented Moderator Responsibilities, it all comes back to one goal, protecting the integrity of the Cayman Club. It is our belief that this integrity is the core element that makes the Cayman Club great, it’s what makes us different than other automotive web forums and it’s what keeps our members coming back. That’s important because at the end of the day, it’s the members who make the Cayman Club what it is.
With over 12,000 members signed up (as of this writing) to discus this small niche of Porsche models, it’s undeniable that the Cayman Club has a real place on the automotive web forum spectrum. Any of you who have spent any time visiting any other automotive forums that have a Cayman/Boxster area know that they are ridiculously quiet. Days can go by without a new post, and when one pops up, chances are its some infomercial authored by someone trying to sell something. Try to call BS over there, try to advocate for truth and you will quickly find yourself thrown out. My time at these other places has confirmed to me that the Cayman Club is truly an amazing place. When I see the information, comradely and compassion that our members share, I realize that this place is more than a forum. It’s a true community. This is the place to be. I am proud to be a member here and proud to be a part of this amazing roller coaster ride. I have made so many friends, learned and shared so much information and had a lot of fun doing so.
The Cayman Club is a part of my life, a part of my personality. I promise to you that I will always fight for what’s best for the club and I will always fight for what’s best for our members. This may put me in uncomfortable situations from time to time. I understand and accept that. I hope you can too.
Thanks for your support, understanding and friendship. Stand by for my next entry, which will be titled: "Who is Gator Bite".
Sincerely,
Mike
Total Comments 7
Comments
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Whoa, what did I just stumble into? This should be interesting, can't wait for the next entry...Posted 02-18-2009 at 01:42 PM by PistolPete
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Moderators - Thanks
Thanks for doing what you do. Keep it up. And enjoy your Cayman. Spring is coming !! EdPosted 02-18-2009 at 02:25 PM by Ed Merry 
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Mike:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I really believe it is a combination of Ken's vision, and the great work of all the Moderators, that make this the great web community that it is.
I know that some on that "other" Porsche forum (*cough*RL*cough*) have occasionally mocked the Cayman Club as being too much like a HOA (Homeowner's Association). However, you only need look at how things have degenerated there lately, to see the danger of a laissez faire attitude with regard to the management of the forums. And, as you note, there is very little there of much interest specific to 987 owners.
I started my involvement with automotive forums several years ago when I got my WRX, and hung out on the major Impreza owner's forum. From time to time, I have occasionally checked in there, and I have seen the quality
on their forums, which was pretty tightly moderated a few years ago, degenerate to the point where the posts, language, and trash-talking are rather embarrassing at times.
Perhaps, over time, they have attracted a different class of owners, but I suspect that it may also stem from a lack of leadership from the ownership and moderators - or perhaps moderator fatigue has occurred. In any case, I pray that the same fate doesn't occur to the Cayman Club.
Thanks GB, for all your contributions and hard work!
Posted 02-18-2009 at 07:44 PM by KS-CS
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GB Good stuff here, and I concur, keeping the essence of the community going is a daily task.
Now I need to clone myself again... Posted 02-19-2009 at 09:00 AM by K-Man S
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The short story is.......this is the most intelligent, active, and responsible automotive forum that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing, and it's in part due to you guys, the moderators. Three cheers!!!Posted 02-21-2009 at 09:32 AM by silberrosa
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Impressive and a good read.
I've been very active in the online enthusiasts community since 1994 and in the Buell board we started 12 years ago that has grown beyond our wildest dreams.
I know how tough the responsibility is and commend you guys on the excellent job.
Well done and well written. It gave me an appreciation for some of the dynamics.
CourtPosted 02-22-2009 at 05:41 AM by Courtney
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Who is GB ???
Posted 02-23-2009 at 09:34 AM by Nick_USA
