to become a moderator

[BMan1113VR]

I am seriously beginning to think that all mods of every single website are all just one guy who sits at home and controls half the websites on earth, because whenever anyone asks a question like this you guys are always so secretive about it.

secretive ehhh?

[Felix/FFDS]

Well all those answers show a desperate case of each author without medication.

I believe the rules are : (with my personal comments)
1) Not a whippersnapper/Expert blunderer (that outrules me right away) - probably over 25. (yep - I'm no good at 17)
2) An expert in the FS series. (D'oh no chance!).
3) Lots of time/energy available for moderating. (Yes!)
4) This is the most important: You are really nice to Pete. (Well I don't go out of my way to be mean to him anyway! )


Ben.

*Awaits transportation by mods to Room 101 for mouthing the above obscenities.*

While not accurate in the details, you did come up with good descriptions.

Age - it's not so much a "minimum age" as it is a sense of balance.  My fellow moderators and I can (and frequently are) off-the-wall goofballs, but we do it on purpose, try to direct our off-beat humor to make a point ...  (unless, of course, we're gratuitously beating up on someone for no reason at all).

Expertise - I wouldn't say "expert" knowledge, as much as good knowledge on the subject one is moderating.  Remember, a moderator is not necessarily the all-knowing guru.  Heaven knows that I'm not an 'expert' modeller.  Most of my answers are repeats of others' answers!

Time and energy for moderating - spot on.

Being nice to Pete:  Not necessarily - we're always dumping on Pete and abusing his generosity.  We just don't do it too often, especially once we found out he likes that type of abuse.  Being able to understand that we are helpers, and not "the boss" in Simviation is important, being able to work WITH Pete is more important, being nice to Pete is just part of a good working relationship.

[SaVas]

You have to be institutionalized and forced to watch too many old Ronald Regan movies dubbed with Mork and Mindy voice overs