Thumbs Up, Mods!

[Bob Hartig]

I just read Danny's post on behalf of the moderators giving a short briefing on target area ground rules, protocol, and courtesy. Since the thread is closed, I thought I'd drop in here to say, that is one of the classiest, most thoughtfully conceived communications I've seen on Stormtrack regarding overall expectations and deportment as we move into storm season. I am impressed. I don't know whether that post originated with Danny or with all the mods and Danny drafting the message, but whatever the case, I don't think a better job could have been done of debriefing newbs and old-timers alike on the months ahead. Nicely done, gentlemen!

Let's all continue to do a great job of propping each other up, encouraging each other, working through interpersonal issues without incinerating each other, and otherwise making the moderators' lives a little easier.

 

[Jacob Ferden]

This place has been a lot more pleasant to be around over the last few months, and I have to say that, sports allegiances aside (Go Twins!), Danny Neal is a class act, as are the other moderators.

Let's keep it up, people

 

[Danny Neal]

Thanks a lot Bob and Jake! It was something I drew up one night, but truly echoes the rest of the moderators views, not just mine. I've noticed the chief complaints with posters vs mods have been serious lack of communication and misinformation. I wanted to open up the dialogue a little. I know people haven't been so happy with us, and seem like we are picking on them. That couldn't be further from the truth. Again, if any of you feel you have been treated unfairly, improperly judged, or just have questions regarding ST rules and policies my services are available 24/7. Contact me through PM or email and leave your number and I will personally call you to discuss any issue you have. Thankfully 99% of you have been completely civil and let me say I am proud to share a community with all of you. Thank you!

 

[Jason Boggs]

I'll chime in too and say you guys are doing a superb job. It's going to be tougher in the coming months with more traffic, but you guys are doing a fine job. Keep it up!

EDIT: So have you guys heard who's going to be the next Admin for the board? Surely Tim isn't interested anymore since it's been a month since he's logged in to ST.

 

[Jesse Risley]

Thanks to Bob and others here for the compliments. There is constant, ongoing dialogue amongst the moderators on how best to manage the forum in a manner that remains user-friendly, positive, non-biased (i.e., no showing of favoritism) and ultimately facilitates a good working relationship between individual members and the site staff. I think it can be said on behalf of the entire staff that constructive criticism is always welcome, and anyone can feel free to shoot any of the mods a PM if you have questions, comments or concerns about site management or operations.

 

[Jason Foster]

So have you guys heard who's going to be the next Admin for the board? Surely Tim isn't interested anymore since it's been a month since he's logged in to ST.

Bwahhh, so I'm not the only one to notice. I'm sure this is the norm nowadays. Tim said someplace he's in it for life now, so ST I guess dies with him, and from the looks it seems the mods will be the primary force. I suspect at some point Tim will select from his favorite mods or other person to be an admin in his absence, but long time off yet. These are just assumptions of course.

The moderators the past couple (or more) terms have been doing a great job, as have the various members of Stormtrack. Both sides need to be applauded for the cleaner messages, on target discussions. There will always be new people, there will always be moments of stupidity from even the seasoned posters, but as has been exampled as of late, it's tolerance and patience that makes for a more pleasurable experience on ST. Thanks to the Mods & members.

 

[Rob H]

It's been a lot more friendly around here lately, and some great information has been posted, both of which are good things for sure.

On a related note - are the rules in the TA sub-forum more relaxed now? There's been an awful lot of white noise in the two recent FCST threads.

 

[Nicholas_Scherber]

I HATE MODS HOW DARE YOU BAN ME. kidding of course. I haven't been using stormtrack all that long but from what i have seen, st is a very friendly place to learn. I have read dannys educational posts and thank him. I also think that all the other mods have been doing an excellent job taking care of this place. keep up the good work!

 

[Skip Talbot]

Its hats off to you guys. This board has been an amazingly friendly and informative place lately thanks to all the effort of the members.

 

[Jesse Risley]

It's been a lot more friendly around here lately, and some great information has been posted, both of which are good things for sure.

On a related note - are the rules in the TA sub-forum more relaxed now? There's been an awful lot of white noise in the two recent FCST threads.

No, we've had to edit or delete quite a few posts over there, but that's not atypical once the season begins.

With that being said, sometimes there is an awful lot of subjectivity as to what constitutes a "meteorological discussion" of a forecast for an upcoming event. There are lots of borderline posts, and even one or two of the MODS will sometimes disagree over whether or not a post meets the criteria to stand. If you see a post that looks problematic, remember that you can always report the post by clicking on the report post button (exclamation point within a triangle) on the bottom left hand corner of the post itself.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

On a related note - are the rules in the TA sub-forum more relaxed now? There's been an awful lot of white noise in the two recent FCST threads.

I for one contributed a post to a Forecast thread for 2/28 that was deleted, and rightfully so in my opinion. The event that day showed a tiny ray of promise, but turned out to be non-chaseable. The mods were correct in deleting that thread, IMO.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I for one contributed a post to a Forecast thread for 2/28 that was deleted, and rightfully so in my opinion. The event that day showed a tiny ray of promise, but turned out to be non-chaseable. The mods were correct in deleting that thread, IMO.

Just so people understand correctly, we don't take down forecast threads because an event is too marginal, or winds up being a bust. As long as the posts meet Stormtrack's Target Area standards, forecast discussions are most welcome.

 

[Jesse Risley]

Just so people understand correctly, we don't take down forecast threads because an event is too marginal, or winds up being a bust. As long as the posts meet Stormtrack's Target Area standards, forecast discussions are most welcome.

Yes, just to expand on what Skip stated, there needs to be an actual meteorologicalhttp://www.stormtrack.org/forum/sho...DO-NOT-Post-Here-Without-Reading-These-First! discussion of an upcoming (or in some cases ongoing if a FCST post) event by each person posting in a FCST thread per the Target Area's Special Rules.

Any SVR event is welcome to be discussed as long as any poster participating in said thread is willing to post bonafide "forecast" discussion material, including but not limited to the following: discussion of shear, CAPE, helicity, upper-air features, troughs/ridges, surface features and/or other synoptic or mesoscale features pertinent to an upcoming event.

In other words, a FCST thread is not a place to post comments like "looks like I'll be chasing AR on Thursday" or "SPC has a MDT risk out..bet we'll see some TORs on FRI." You have to actually contribute discussion material that has meteorological substance as it pertains to a SVR system.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

Thanks for illumination, Skip and Jesse. I understand why this thread was removed and agree with the decision.