Backseat modding

[xChrisVx]

Hi.

Could someone please tell me what backseat modding is. I have seen it on a couple of posts

Answers are appreciated

[Kaius]

Basically members that aren't mods acting like them, telling other members what they should and shouldn't be doing when its not exactly their place to. Basically being overly bossy :P

[xChrisVx]

Thanks. That clears things up :)

[Can'tHelpIt]

I probably backseat mod. b/c I can't stand bumped posts!

[xXl0sth0peXx]

I probably backseat mod. b/c I can't stand bumped posts!

In that case, report the post :p

Posting on the thread saying that it was bumped doesn't get you anymore, and it's kinda hypocritical.

Reporting =/= BSM.

[DerBear]

I think to an extent backseating a mod is Okay, it does not harm anyone.

[Fiction]

I think to an extent backseating a mod is Okay, it does not harm anyone.

It can cause arguements and friction between members.

[Stronger]

But what if done in the chat, to try and help new members? if there are no moderators around?

[Donkey]

But what if done in the chat, to try and help new members? if there are no moderators around?
There is a difference between guiding members and telling members what to do.

[Kaius]

I think as long as you're pointing them towards the rules and you're not trying to trying to act authorative over them and its causing problems its fine.

[TheMatrix]

There is a line between helping and backseat modding, like others have said.
For example, the following would be considered backseat modding and not allowed:

Posting in a thread like a moderator does, saying things like "Please don't double post" when you're not a moderator.
Sending another member a visitor message telling them how they'll get banned if they continue


You may, however, tell a member privately(and with respect) that they are breaking the rules, but only if there is no moderator around.

Please note that this is a gray area and my interpretation may be different than that of someone else.

[Ambrosia]

People sometimes post in red, bold letters, and tell members not to do certain things, which is a big violation of the "Don't backseat mod!" problem.

[Darkness.]

I think the best thing to do is to report it and then just leave it alone. like Kaius said to me through VM while we were talking...


we'll sort it if it needs it

[DerBear]

I think saying to a member you should not of double posted, use the edit button instead, should really not count as backseat moding because to be fair all your doing is giving them some advice.

But some people will think that is a crime

[Ambrosia]

I think saying to a member you should not of double posted, use the edit button instead, should really not count as backseat moding because to be fair all your doing is giving them some advice.

But some people will think that is a crime

Actually, most people say that and only that in the post. It adds onto their post count unfairly because they aren't helping the OP.

But everyone's entitled to an opinion about the rules.

[DerBear]

Actually, most people say that and only that in the post. It adds onto their post count unfairly because they aren't helping the OP.

But everyone's entitled to an opinion about the rules.

I can understand that, but I mean you have just helped a member of the forum understand the rules better, and I mean its one post added sure they all add up but if someone was doing it so often that they were getting 50+ posts a day, then I would see it as an issue but a couple posts every now and again wont hurt.

Also mods do this often do they not? Like when they type 3 words the put :locked: that adds to there post count and also when they post in red and blod to remind to stay on topic or not to double post, sometimes they make a seprate post, or do these not get counted?

[Ambrosia]

There's a big difference between a Moderator and a Member making those posts. It's like a civilian walking around in a police officer uniform. It's not something you can do.

[DerBear]

But if you are just saying something like "by the way dont double post use the edit button insted" I dont see the harm. even if they dont help the OP. They are still helping the forum as a whole

[Ambrosia]

They aren't helping, they need to just report it. Because then there's a double post floating around, and the moderators have to be able to get to it. There's no reason to waste your breath to tell someone not to double post when a moderator is going to have to tell them anyways.

It's our JOB.

[Wakesetter03]

... Whoops.
I don't like backseat mods generally, but I think I just unintentionally did it.
I saw a post that usually gets banned and I chucked a quick message to the guys wall (not on the post) that he might get in trouble for it...
I thought I would be helping him personally but from this post here it seems was I backseat modding?

[Giles]

I find that I backseat mod to an extent, in that I quite often will send someone a vm/pm if they're using an obnoxious font type/colour or doing multiple posts. But I don't see any harm done, if I can help and educate someone faster than a moderator to stop them from breaking the rules (or just being annoying) then I'm going to do it because it could well stop them from doing it again... all before a moderator actually gets involved.

They aren't helping, they need to just report it. Because then there's a double post floating around, and the moderators have to be able to get to it. There's no reason to waste your breath to tell someone not to double post when a moderator is going to have to tell them anyways.

It's our JOB.

With regards to double posts/bumping/flaming/trolling/arguing/going off-topic and such rule breaking as that, I tend to mention it if I'm going to post anyway. For example if I see a group of people going wildly off-topic and I was planning on posting anyway, then I mention that they should try to stay on-topic. Some people would see this as backseat modding, and to an extent it is, but it does no harm to anyone.