Talk:Moderation (Rules)

                          -Sais Moderation Training-

This note-card will serve as the module for future moderation training in Sais. I am sure there will be updates as we move along so keep your eye out for notices. ______________________________________

• • • Chain of Command for Moderation***

1. Moderators 2. Lead Mod 3. Admin (Final Review.) ______________________________________

A working understanding of ToS and Community Standards are helpful. We can enforce sim rules and laws but we must also moderate within rules and laws placed by Linden Labs for SecondLife. It is not required that you know these by heart but refer to them if faced with situations where there might be question.

ToS: http://lindenlab.com/tos

Community Standards: https://secondlife.com/corporate/cs.php _____________________________________________________________

Moderation encompasses a large part of what makes Sais so successful. To continue in that success there is a bit of training that will be instituted. Those who are already moderators will still need to review the training and get brushed up on what is required and what will be trained.

I. Requirements for becoming a Sais Moderator. 1. Participation in Sais for at least two months. 2. No incidents of sim rule infringement by the perspective moderator. 3. Knowledge of sim laws and rules, including combat laws. 􀀀 4. No bans or lifted bans against the perspective moderator.

II. Training Requirements 1. One active moderation with another moderator reviewing. 2. One active combat moderation with another moderator reviewing. 3. Test for rule knowledge. 4. Two moderation reports sent in Sais Admins & Mods group. 5. Training with mod tools with another moderator or administrator. Freeze, eject, ban.

III. Training 1. Fair and unbiased moderation. The most important thing about being a moderator is the ability to moderate without bias. Your best friend is not your best friend when you are a moderator.

The most common complaint in Sais is “biased moderation”.

Our friends are going to be our friends whether we rule in their favor or not. If they were even better friends they wouldn't put you in a position to have to moderate at all.

Sometimes it’s not a friend and it is just popular opinion. Moderators aren't moderators to enforce popular opinion; we are here to enforce sim rules.

We will often have to be the bad guy. That is all part of the job. If you can’t see yourself telling a close friend “You have been warned several times now you will be banned for 24 hours. We will see you in a day.” Then this job is probably not one you should take on.

If sim administration gets proof of biased moderation there will be a review and possible expulsion from the moderation group. There should be very little quarter given for “oops”. This issue is big and can lose players. Don’t do it.

2. Communication Communication is a key factor in a functioning moderation team. If you are ever unsure then it is best to reach out and ask than make a call that can be overturned upon further review. Ask for help. There is a group available so make sure to put it to use.

3. Tools we use. We do not EVER use our tools of practice in situations other than moderation. That includes ejecting, banning or freezing people. Infringement of this will be immediate expulsion if it was found to be a purposeful. It might also mean ban from the sim.

4. Titles & Influence We do not EVER use our moderator title as a threat to influence or handle situations that arise in role-play. When you are a role-player, you’re a role-player. When you’re a moderator, you’re a moderator. The two are mutually exclusive though you should always be mindful of your environment.

5. Involvement in situations. Do not EVER mod a situation you are involved in. If you are involved in a raid then don’t moderate it. If you are getting OOC’d to death in an IM from another role-player don’t handle it. Call another moderator. Do not ever let your integrity be questioned.

If you are involved in a raid and you really wanted Sais to win and the other team won but a moderator was called they could assume that you wanted your team to win so you modded in their favor. Call another moderator!

6. Support the team. Do not EVER question a ruling in the open. How can any player trust your team if you question them publicly?

Question the mod in IM then give your reasoning for disagreement, politely. If they still don’t agree then move it up the ladder for review.

The moderation team is a TEAM. If we can’t count on each other for support then we aren't much of a team.

7. Mod Shopping. This means that a player is IMing a mod they think will be friendly to their case. If you are a personal friend to the player that is calling then be a team player and ask for another set of eyes to make sure yours aren't clouded in judgment.

8. We do not mod RP. General misconception “We do not mod RP.” This is not true. More often than not we are moderating role-play with sim rule infringements.

We do not EVER mod “Gorean” role-play.

We do not EVER tell players how to play unless it is grossly and obviously not Gorean. If a slave wants to be a mouthy abusive upstart then that is their right. They get to reap the rewards of their role-play and we do not ever step in the way of just deserts . . . unless . . . it is vastly and obviously not Gorean. You get the point.

If there is no sim law broken there is nothing to moderate but be polite enough to let the complainant know why you won’t be handling the situation.

9. Emotions Emotion has no place in our work. If you are having a bad day and shouldn't be modding then it is up to you to make the team aware that you are not available for the night/day.

The players are not your whipping post just like you are not theirs.

10. Have a care. “I don’t care and I don’t want to hear it.” are no longer a part of your vocabulary as a moderator. When a player comes to you with a concern or question they need to know a titled person is listening to them and hearing their problem.

If you don’t want to hear it and you really don’t cares then be considerate enough to hand them to another moderator. Take a moment of your time to let them know their concerns are valid then move them along. Our player base is what keeps the sim going and thriving. If somebody with a valid issue gets their balls busted for making an attempt at correcting something they think is an issue then they will leave.

11. Emotional hostage taking. “I will leave if . . .”

Rage quitting.

Are all emotional hostage taking at its finest.

Do not let this type of player take you hostage. We do not beg players to stay. If your toddler lies in the middle of the cereal aisle and throws a tantrum you don’t reward them with their favorite box of cereal. You calmly let this player know you will be sad to see them go and let them know they were valued as a player in Sais then you let them make their choices. Everybody has beef every given day. We can’t spend all our online time playing “Rescue the negative spirit from themselves.”

If the person is indeed a long time player and is really having an issue then pass the communication to an administrator.

12. Reports There should be a moderator report on every incident be it big or small. It should be titled “Mod Report” “Date” “Player involved” It won’t always be just one player but put the main character on the title. Make sure all the logs are included, even the ones that don’t seem important.

This is important, even for those who don’t always feel the need to do a report because you’re higher on the chain. This allows for moderators and administrators to see if one person has more than one incident. It also allows for review by those with less experience to see how things were handled.

Make sure that all reports are sent out in “Admins and Mods” group.

13. Non-Disclosure What gets talked about in Admins and Mods or even just IM to IM with another mod should never be discussed outside of the group. Our players should not have to hear our judgment anywhere but from us. We are often privy to role-plays that have questionable content and you should never be a detriment to a person’s character with what you know about them from moderation.

14. Group Chat 􀀂 You don’t have to constantly be aware of group chat. There are usually many mods on at the same time to observe chat but do be aware and poke your head in from time to time.

1. Inflammatory, derogatory, defamatory and negative chat is not welcome.

2. Discussion is fine as long as it does not escalate to items listed above.

3. People do have a right to speech but it doesn't mean it should affect role-play on the sim. If everybody is in group chat and not role-playing then we have a dead sim even though it’s full. Gentle reminders are ok but don’t attack the chat. “Hey, come down and role-play with me.” Is usually an effective reminder without chastising everybody. Sometimes a diversion of attention is all that is required.

4. We do not call people out in group. We are not offenders and public calling out is what is expected of a player, not a moderator. Remind the whole group that negativity should be turned over to IM or to a mod then get in the IM of the offender.

IV. Handling A Situation (Non-Raid)

1. Put on your moderator tag and mark your meter to OOC.

2. Find the parties involved and ask them to mark themselves OOC and follow you to a quiet location outside of sim traffic.

3. Ask for all the note-cards. Do not accept partial or edited note-cards.

4. Ask that the parties involved not to talk until you have a moment to review then you will talk to them individually.

5. Moderate in local so we do not violate ToS by passing IM conversations. IM can be used for clarification instances.

6. We are, unfortunately, going to get IM logs from people. Do not post these to report. Utilize them then throw them away. Make a brief summary of the items witnessed.

7. If the call is not accepted then utilize “Admins and Mods” to have somebody review. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can help.

8. Do not argue points with the players. For now it is under review.

9. Always get people back to role-play as quickly as possible. If the other party is fine then return them to role-play. Let the objecting party wait out the mod call. More often than not they will just want to return to role-play.

10. File a report and send to Admins and Mods.

V. Handing A Situation (Raid)

1. Put on your moderator tag and mark your meter to OOC.

2. Do not be involved in the raid. This will leave your integrity questionable if the call turns in the favor of your home team.

3. Get into Vent (if you are able).

4. Check the raid counters to make sure ratio is correct.

5. Address yourself as the moderator to the group so they will know who to send complaints to.

6. Put yourself in a location to see but not be in the way. Don’t need you to be a shield and get called on.

7. Most of these calls will be cuts from local to your IM, keep them all.

8. Try to address people individually but find a party leader that may be willing to intercede for the group.

9. Do not stop raids unless gross situation has evolved and a redo can be worked with the party leaders. When we stop raids, we stop role-play. Let it play out, if possible, then address the moderation.

10.    File a report and send to Admins and Mods.

VI. Be aware of who all the mods and admin are for easier communication. 􀀃

VII. Be aware of Violation Policy. 􀀄

VIII. Be aware of ban review policy. 􀀁

IX. Tools and their use. 1. Eject / Freeze / Ban - There are many ways to actually use these tools nowadays. I will be downloading versions of all the viewers to provide the tricks for each one. All viewers have a right click option then a menu you can select from when the actual avatar is right clicked on.

Radar menus have this option as well and you don't have to chase people around the sim on the viewer. Right click the name on the radar menu and the option will come up in a menu. Some viewers also have the option right at the bottom of the radar too.

These options should be used in case of griefers and offenses listed in the Uniform Violation Policy note-card.

Don't ever abuse the use of these tools.

2. Gag in group. In most viewers you would have to go into the group information and then into abilities to remove text chat options. In the updated version of most all viewers there is an arrow at the top of the group that shows all the people in chat. You right click on the name and go to "Moderator options" Then take the check mark off the text chat options.

This can be used in spam situations and if you've warned a player about their behavior in the group and they persist in negative communication. You may let them know about the gag in IM. Make sure to send a report if you gate anybody.