Rule abuse by moderators

[John Fairbairn]

For the second time I have been sent a PM by a moderator, even though my profile is set not to allow private messages. The messages in question were not about use of the site, but just seeking a private chat. In other words, they were not moderating.

I am not offended, angry or anything serious. I am just too strapped for time to indulge in private chats, but I do also think moderators should not arrogate extra powers to themselves. It makes it easier to accept their decisions when ticking off other people for not following forum rules.

[RBerenguel]

For the second time I have been sent a PM by a moderator, even though my profile is set not to allow private messages. The messages in question were not about use of the site, but just seeking a private chat. In other words, they were not moderating.

I am not offended, angry or anything serious. I am just too strapped for time to indulge in private chats, but I do also think moderators should not arrogate extra powers to themselves. It makes it easier to accept their decisions when ticking off other people for not following forum rules.

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

[xed_over]

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

probably true... but the software should have been designed in such a way as to force them to tick an override flag in such cases... then they would know.

[Abyssinica]

What.

[leichtloeslich]

but the software should have been designed in such a way as to force them to tick an override flag in such cases

Like a biological dongle, a ring that's connected via usb or firewire and scans the DNA of the person wearing it. Then, whenever you need to engage in the awesome responsibilities of an admin, you hold your ring up high, scream "ADMIN POWERS, ACTIVATE!" and the ring emits a blinding flash of light indicating that you are now not a mere normal user, but a being of supreme (internet) power.

On a related note, I think you can't censor KGS admins, which is annoying when they're just talking as normal users.
(I've even been pm'ed by Herod once about (admin unrelated) matters I really didn't feel like discussing with him (Basically I don't feel like discussing anything with him))
Oh, the injustice!

There is an analogue to Godwin's law here, in that every thread mentioning anything admin related will eventually turn into a KGS-whine thread.

[hyperpape]

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

I believe this is the case, but it is a little unfortunate.

[RBerenguel]

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

I believe this is the case, but it is a little unfortunate.

It's what I assume, and could have been handled by a PM to the moderator(s) in question

[DrStraw]

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

I believe this is the case, but it is a little unfortunate.

It's what I assume, and could have been handled by a PM to the moderator(s) in question

But John doesn't have time for PMs. He said so.

[Abyssinica]

But John doesn't have time for PMs. He said so.

So then he will just ignore and possibly spend half a minute reading the one, possibly two, line pm?

[ez4u]

...

But John doesn't have time for PMs. He said so.

Has time to whinge about moderator 'abuse' though.

[RBerenguel]

No need to go down the rabbit hole,

[EdLee]

John, they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

That was me, and that's exactly what happened. Sorry. I had no idea the no-PM option even existed until just now; it took me a minute to find the toggle. I pressed 'PM' as a regular user, just like I always do.

Sorry.

[tchan001]

So if anyone wants to chat with JF, you need to be brave enough to do it in public where he may or may not answer as he sees fit.

BTW which specific rule/guideline was abused? I can certainly understand how having the system not respond as you intend with your preferred settings would be very annoying, but that seems to be a system error which needs to be fixed rather than a rule abuse to me.

In fact under guideline #3, PM is actually encouraged.

3. Meaningless Posts
Keep posts relevant to the topic and make sure to use the edit button when appropriate. Don't post for the sake of post counts. Spam is not allowed. Also, personal conversations between members should be done via Private Messaging, not in a thread.

What we need is actually a system fix where members can block PMs and the system announces "no PMs please" to people including admins/mods who are trying to PM unofficial messages. Of course, official messages will still need to be able to override such intentions. If an admin/mod overrides such an announcement for personal messages, that would indeed be an abuse of power.

[wineandgolover]

If this is the worst example of abuse I see today, it will be a very good day.

[Bonobo]

[..] they may not know PM is overriden for moderators and just see the same PM button as everyone

Thanks for reminding us of this possibility.