Postby Astros » Mon Jun 24, 2019 3:45 pm
1) I didn't think Snowwy's response was inaccurate at all. It may have been slightly phrased differently but it still covers the topic being mentioned. The need to single out the "Rangeban means you are using a VPN or proxy" without acknowledging that there was a continuation to further explain the other causes of it is removing important context to defend a position no one stated. It's like someone saying, "I hate NYC only when it is cold." Would it be okay for someone to cut off the "only when it is cold" part of my sentence and simply claim I stated, "I hate NYC"? It's entirely misleading. The response from Snowwy does seem quite defensive, however, the need to insert that someone has more experience with the subject to debate something no one ever claimed further exasperated the situation. This was basically either a miscommunication or arguing semantics - neither of which changes the content of what was actually being said.
2) Not entirely sure where the stance of him having to always be right comes from. He wasn't wrong so he was defending the claim that he was. I think mods can ALSO do a better job of not trying to think they are always right. I can show 20 people what Snowwy wrote compared to what Merex wrote and I can bet the overwhelming majority will state it says the same thing in just a different paraphrased version. No one expects a mod to be perfect. They expect them to be PERSONABLE, however.
3) Since we are bringing other mods and internal conflict... I can tell you for a fact that there are former staff members who have been unhappy with current staff members due to their behavior and attitude as well. This is something you guys can also improve on without having the domineering stance that clearly irritates others. I'm glad guys like Rain, Halo_Mauler, and Desire have returned to help with the ban requests but it seems more seasonal than static. 150+ ban requests is not a small amount (used to be near 300 but I had a fun few days). I tried my best to help but it's obvious you guys need more active and qualified contributors. From my own personal experience, I primarily left because I stopped playing ENT and have been playing much less DotA than I used to. My brother still plays when he's at my home but even he has moved onto other games. But I also left because there is a lack of community involvement. When one or less than a handful of moderators are actively helping the community, it becomes collateral damage. Other moderators see inactivity and feel unmotivated to help as well. Anonymity considered, current moderators have expressed the same to me.
A)I always find myself taking the approach of, "we're volunteers" but at the same time, there are months in-between from the last ban request solved by moderators. There's only so many times you can say that before it becomes an excuse. If you can't do it, you can't do it. Just admit it. No one will fault you for that.
B) There's also a stance that, "If you report them, we will get to it. What difference does it make? They'll get banned eventually." This type of neglect allows game-ruiners to ruin as many games as possible without penalty before a moderator actually looks into it. They can ruin 10-15 games before actually being banned or reported (I'm willing to bet others have not chosen to report someone because they have noticed that ban requests aren't being looked at) whereas if it were looked at much sooner, they'd probably get banned before ruining 5 games. I remember playing a game weeks ago and someone openly said, "Go ahead and report me, mods don't even care anymore." I was in that game as a current moderator and couldn't help but realize what he was saying is true. This can lead to a decline in players (such as myself) and the belief that ENT is no longer what it used to be.
C) Let's face it. ENTgaming has been losing players more than ever. Games have been removed from the autohost list, games take forever to start, newer games are out, and quite frankly, people move on. But there are ways to still keep the community strong and it seems like it hasn't been getting anywhere close to that.
Just my educated opinion but if you have an opposing view of this, do show any evidence.
4) It's very possible for Snowwy to improve on being less defensive and for you guys to give him a valid chance. You guys felt the need to correct him and he felt the need to defend himself. This could have been easily handled better from BOTH sides. If his character trait in one instance of him defending himself righteously but argumentatively is enough to deny him, that's a valid choice. You guys run the show and choose who you want in your group. But the overwhelming majority of ENT players here have supported him in giving him a chance because he's been showing more effort than most in the position lately. Either way, ENT needs more active and qualified contributors. I may no longer play ENT but you guys provided valuable years of free service to players. It would be a shame for ENT to die not because of players moving on but because people dislike the community.
