Seems like there are many, many "moderators" here on this forum. I'm just interested in knowing why so many? The usual situation for a 'moderator' would be if the clientele were unruly so that disruption were nipped in the bud. This is an information site.....but doesn't necessarily mean that these 'moderators' know all about Mach3 or even machine work.

Is it that 'moderators' are the only ones that 'should' be answering newcomers' questions on this forum?

 I usually just read, but will answer a question for a newcomer once in a while, but then a 'moderator' will step in....or on....

No ill will intended - just need to know if it isn't my place to do any query answering.

Is it that 'moderators' are the only ones that 'should' be answering newcomers' questions on this forum?

Nope, answer away.

Don't know why there are so many. I was invited in years ago.

 

I don't think "knowing everything" was criteria, or I certainly would not be here.    I don't think anyone knows everything....till maybe now.    

Anyone should answer anytime they have something to offer I'd say. We're all trying to learn something here.

But I don't think it means that moderators are to moderate ONLY. I believe it is OK for the moderators to participate in the discussions.

In that respect, I think you can just ignore the moderator indicator.

Regards,
Russ

The original idea was to have moderators from all time zones so we had 24 hour coverage.  As we have just about stopped the spammers that used to drive us all mad with there constant bombardment we probably don't need as many, but what the hell it costs nothing to have plenty.

Graham

Oh, that answers it...."cause I was invited 'in' years ago".

Why; was everyone back then just made a 'moderator' because it was all new; you all knew all about the OP;  yall are all just 'special'?

I know my limitations, I have most great respect for those on this forum and read with great interest. I was just wondering (and jabbing) at this 'moderator' thing....

Ain't no dig like those who have respect.... and just like to jab a bit! "MODERATORS"!

Thanks again, Yall

OK Graham, understand.

No Bill, feel free to answer or give input to any post you like. Many topics are or end being open debate. Lots of times there is more than one way to do something and hearing different options is a good thing IMO.

Moderators have certain responsibilities and privileges. They have prov en themselves over time most often. Others may be a mod. because they need the privileges while working on certain projects. We have got to have the best group of Mods. on the web. The reasons you think we have too many is proof positive. Don't think for a minute they don't have much to do. There just so good at it you never see what all they do.    Another reason we have what you think is a lot is because the web never sleeps. Having mods in different time zones helps a lot more than you may think. How much spam have you seen here? Believe me, there is a reason for this. We were getting hit all the time a while back. We took some measures and pretty much got rid of it all together. I told the mods to set the front of the house on fire and kill everything that came out the back   . Boy did they ever!When we were getting hit so much most useres never saw it then either. Average time of spam living here was less than 2 minutes.   That to me is very impressive. Very rarely did we even get a notice from a member. 17 mods out of nearly 11,000 members I don't think is too bad. Another re son I think it seems that way to you is that lots of them are here nearly ail the time. They are a very dedicated group. Hats off to them for the work they do. We also have a great group of members too. This helps lessen the load as well but that is not by accident either. If someone is being rude or ugly to other members our Mods. will nip that in the bud too. Differences in opinion is fine but being rude is not tolerated here. They are very good at distinguishing the difference. Sometimes they have to agree to disagree and being big enough to do that tells me a lot about our Mods. Our mods I think are more than most. Think of them as big brothers. They aren't always right. You wont always agree. They may get mad at you and you at them. Even if they aren't happy with you there not going to let anyone  pick on you. Can't have too many of those.


Brett

why so many? Ahhh......
This is realy a nice clean site with very, very few problems. Consider 24 hour coverage ,365 days a year, a lot of reading, a diversity of knowledge base, along with dedication to anyone. Takes a lot of folks to provide that kind of service to users.

You should not feel restrained in any manner, certainly jump right in there and clarify, comment constructively,
or bring knowledge to any subject / posting you wish. In fact if all the members were to look at each post and then reply only in an additive manner, wow, that's powerfull. There are newcomers that post and you can pursue helping them until you heart is content.

By all means question for understanding.

If you feel you have been slighted by a moderator, then send them an a constructive e-mail and explain as they all have thick skins and don't bleed easily. 

RICH
  

I think the only reason why I'm still around is because I make a mean margarita, and I'm a decent cook.  Definitely allot of non-moderators have forgotten more than I will ever know. I think why it seems like there are so many moderators, is because were always here. Most of us are not shy in contributing, so there are a great deal of post that have responses by moderators, making our presence even more known. Right now it's 1:00a.m. in my timezone, and I just stopped by to check the new post, and make sure that there are no post trying to sell viagra, prozac, sex, or any other crap. I think that's pretty much a routine for all of us responsible for the upkeep that goes on behind the scenes. We haven't had to do much recently though, as I think Brett pretty much made spam an endangered species around here with changes to the way the forum works, and made it painless for newcomers to join in without a background check and 3 forms of I.D.

Is it that 'moderators' are the only ones that 'should' be answering newcomers' questions on this forum?

Absolutely not! I do know what you mean, though, about not speaking up. Normally when Hood, Himmy, or others give input, I just sit back and try to learn something.

"A Moderator is a person given special powers to enforce the rules on an Internet forum or newsgroup" , and this doesnt mean he has to be the top machinest in the land. This forum has members from all trades , wanting answers to machining questions, mainly to do with cnc , for their hobby shop or whatever . This forum has some of the best machinest from around the world , and they can answer just about any questions asked . So it's not up to the moderators to answer , but anyone who knows the answer and is willing to help. It's not only machinest , but electricians along with engineers. If you can answer, or help someone out , then pipe right up.
Thats what a forums all about.