Dateline:Today, somewhere between British Colombia and Utah -
Greetings, WD members. This is El Ducko, reporting from close to the front lines in the Moderator War. I`ve been on the road for the past two days, out of communication as Beloved Spouse and I return the truck from NC to Texas, and I must say, traffic has increased significantly since the War started. ...at least on the
Homemade Sausage Making » Other Topics » Hyde Park » Chuckwagon being replaced? thread of the WD website.
The initial bombing attacks, which degenerated into mostly pot-shots, now have settled down to a dull roar. The occasional artillery-shell-sized post is still there, but it`s mostly pot-shots. From my bunker, still well back from the front line, I can see... Well, I can`t see much, other than that feelings have been hurt. There doesn`t seem to be much leadership being supplied from Galactic Headquarters, which is located somewhere between Poland and Florida. Those whose ownership interests would best be served by ending the war as soon as possible seem inactive at the moment. The reason: this has been speculated to be due to traditional August vacation time in Europe where, aside from the flow of espresso, vodka, and petrol, nothing else moves.
May I offer a compromise?
...no?
Awww, c`mon. There`s plenty of work to be done on the site.
Just keeping us inmates and ingrates from posting in the wrong thread is close to a full-time chore. Then, there`s answering questions, which moderators ought to be able to do as a prerequisite for the position. Then, there are routine cataloging functions, such as maintaining the Member Recipe Index and the like. Then, there`s the computer-geek side, making sure that the links link and the people don`t tie the website in knots, which occasionally happens, plus minor maintenance.
(Falling into this area is the hope that someday, somehow, the search function gets improved to the point that you can find things at individual posting level rather than just which thread contains the search object.) All of these can be divvied up or parceled out or, for that matter, shared. Two ways to do it, folks- - a primary and a secondary moderator designated as responsible for the area,
or informally taking turns. ...like big kids! (What a concept!)
But these are generic moderator jobs. There are specifics, though- - functions which must be owned by one specific moderator. It is HERE that we need to correct the gridlock and get on with the business of the website.
The first item that comes to mind is the project area. There was a Project B2 which, it would appear, was headed toward semi-dried and dried, fermented sausages. Then, there`s the new Project KB, covering basics. Both are the brainchild of Chuckwagon, who should continue moderating them, utilizing his experience. However, RedZed has experience here, too, and should not hold back in augmenting CW`s guidance, answering questions where needed, helping the rest of us learn. ...and succeed. Share the duties, guys. Share the wealth.
But hang on- - there`s an un-tapped knowledgebase of Polish expertise, which obviously should be moderated by RedZed. This area needs to be developed, and I can think of no better person to do it. There is a wealth of material locked up over there by virtue of language differences. We would all be grateful for help in tapping into it, and doing so would establish RedZed as a valuable moderator. Not to detract from CW`s abilities- - he`s very capable. ...just not in that particular area. We need help in it. How about it, guys? ...and CW can offer reinforcing comment as needed.
Then, there`s the gift of bulls... er... gab. Chuckwagon obviously has it, and has honed it to a fine art. Read some of RedZed`s postings, however, and you`ll see that folksy is not his style. There`s little of the folksy gab that CW entertains us with. ...to which I might comment that it could be added easily, but isn`t necessary, and should be added only as it suits RedZed`s style.
There`s plenty of storied material to draw upon, though. On one of my visits to Poland, while in Wroclaw (pronounced Vrots-lav), formerly Breslau in German days, there was a bonfire gathering at the Army Horse Stables Club (formerly the headquarters of a Mounted Cavalry regiment) at which stories were told, much vodka consumed, singing erupted (plus occasional stomach contents!), and there was every bit as much camaraderie as you would find around a campfire on the trail during an American or Canadian cattle drive.
I`m sure that there`s this sort of camaraderie in the tapes of the Polish training sessions. Here`s a golden opportunity for you, RedZed. You may not be into this sort of thing, but you bring your own brand of personality to the website. ...nothing wrong with sharing it in your own thread.
In fact, if it would help, good ol` el Ducko could pick on you like...
Naaah! CW is too easy a target.
But targets can be shared, just like websites. Let`s make the best of this situation, guys. Don`t make me come up there and...
Duk