vidarlo
I've been a Linux user for... 25 years. Mostly Debian, Ubuntu and SuSE. I've got some technical knowledge in the field.
I'm active on some SE sites, including Server Fault, and Security SE and AU. I've over time built up some feeling of the mechanics of the communities involved, and believe I can contribute to the site, and help develop it further.
I've signed the CoC
In additions to questions answered below, the previous election Q&A may be relevant to read as well.
- How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?
A general answer is difficult. It depends on what the flags are. Is it about the content, or simple issues such as formatting? Generally guiding the user in the right direction in less severe cases. In severe cases? Well, community above individual users.
- How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?
I would discuss it with the mod. If the mod was the sole user behind closure, I'd probably urge the moderator to leave it up to the community, e.g. open the question, or possibly post about it on Meta. If it was a 5-user closure where a moderator happened to cast the final vote? Then I'm probably wrong, and it's truly off topic.
- This may be a little far-fetched - but I'm giving it a shot anyway: In which ways do you feel, that you as a moderator will be able to invoke and enhance the underlying philosophy of "Ubuntu" (in the meaning "I am because we are" or "humanity towards each other") on the Ask Ubuntu site?
I believe in the communityOk, not far fetched, but a difficult question to answer nevertheless. First off all, the community is what makes AU great. We have a diverse set of people, with different sets of knowledge, overlapping and able to provide great answers.
The community is what makes any SE site tick, and I believe AU has a large and vibrant community providing good resources for both novices and professionals. I've learnt things researching answers. I've learnt things posting wrong answers.
- If anything comes to mind, please share a positive experience you have had in relation to the work of moderators (on Ask Ubuntu, or any other Stack Exchange site).
I've not interacted very much with moderators on this site; probably too well behaved. I've interacted a bit in chat, and nothing really strikes me as positive or negative. They're humans, like all of us. Most of all I respect the kindness, patience and knowledge they have, especially Zanna - whom I often disagree with, but also have a deep respect for as she takes time to explain viewpoints really well, and is open to input.
- Will you be active in chatrooms after becoming a moderator? There have been various users who became inactive in chat after becoming moderators. In rooms like the Raiders of the Lost Downboat, a presence of moderator can be extremely helpful to new users (as you can guide them how to review). I know that it's not obligatory for a moderator to be active in chat but I would love to hear your take on this.
I've been active before, and will probably be more so. Recently I've invested more time in some other SE sites than AU, but that will obviously change a bit if elected.
- If anything comes to mind, please link to one or two or three meta posts that you like (by other people, but if you want to include one of your own that might be good).
Policy Change Proposal: "End of Standard Support" for ESM releases is effectively the "Not Supported" date for a release on Ask Ubuntu
Reasoning: This started out as a problem lifted by a relatively low rep user, yet moderators took it seriously, and lifted it to an official discussion about policy for the site. This shows the value of moderators bringing the users voice forward.
- How will you condemn inappropriate behaviour of high reputation users (including moderators)? There have been various instances when users spoke in a rude way in chat, or in comments of posts in meta and in some cases, no real action was taken against them. How will you deal with such kind of issue? Is suspension your only option?
Chat is less formal than the main site. A single occurrence? People can have a bad day. If repeated I would bring it to the attention of the person involved. If needed, other moderators would be invited to discuss the topic. As a new moderator I'd be vary of taking action, but not vary of bringing it up.
Suspension would - as per question #1 - be a last resort. Hopefully it can be resolved without suspending.
- Before the diamond, reviews would require several people's votes before the system decides on the outcome. With the diamond, your vote will be the definitive one. Would that spook you into skipping reviews?
Yes! If an issue has 3-4 votes; sure. I'd probably go with my gut feeling. But I'd be more hesitant on casting the first two votes - with good reasons. A lot of closures I've voted for I've been the sole voter for something, which indicates I'm wrong about the question. I'd be more hesitant in the cases where I know I'm on the edge of community consensus, as it would be binding.
I believe that the normal moderation should be left to community. Unlike some other SE sites, AU has enough active highrep users that questions that are truly off topic gets closed quickly, so I don't see any major issues on that front.
- In your opinion, what do moderators do?
Exception handling. All the stuff that falls through the cracks, and also - as hinted in what I picked from Meta that I thought important - lifting and giving voice to other people.
Picking up changes in the community, and vetting changing tides against policy. Handling the things that community moderation failed at handling, or can't handle efficiently. Lubricating the things that doesn't work.
- A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?
I'm aware of it, and I believe my contributions stands on its own legs - even though there's a diamond attached. If I've written something that's not defensible, then that's a problem whatever there's a diamond next to my nick or not.
I've held moderator positions elsewhere (not SE), and generally tend to separate moderation duties from discussions.