Well I am only inputting my opinion on the issue because I feel that a comment from just the outside is kind of necessary. (Just as a Super Moderator on TH.net) While The Helper and The Hive are in the similar genre of sites they are no way truly comparable, as both are entirely different communities.
However, I find the things that happen on this site, not just the Staff Members, but the attitudes in general just of everyone are ridiculous.
Are the Moderators corrupted power abuses? I can't really judge on that, speaking most of us don't get to see all the discussions that go on behind the scenes and mind you in every community there is simply so many. Even on minor decisions, which people think is one's moderators doing, such as the temp banning of a user, huge discussions are at play. On The Helper, many people like to send hateful messages to the Staff member they think did it but in reality, it was most likely days possibly even weeks or months of discussions with plenty of warnings that the User simply did not listen to.
I find it unfair that the Moderators, who are volunteers of the community that are spending their time trying to help you guys are so viciously attacked.
Yet, they aren't completely innocent. I have seen so many acts that the Moderators have done on this site, that if I did back on mine; I would be long gone for. I could consider that "Power Abuse" because Moderators also need to remember its a privilege to be on the Staff and they shouldn't just throw away Ralle's trust in them. In recent months the things people have complained about, some are just criers while others are legitimate. Moderators are suppose to represent the site, why are some of them acting so irresponsible? If these kinds of acts took place on TH Forums, not only would an Admin, Ghan or The Helper be on your ass, but other moderators and staff members would all try to have a strict talk with you and even have you demote or worse, punished.
I think what is needed isn't a change in staff members, they do a great job on managing a site with this many users, visitors and posts daily, instead they should be more disciplined. Ralle and the other Administrators need to take charge, which I see Ralle doing more and more, to control this site. So when he or another staff member says back off, or be quiet. Everyone will listen like dogs and obey the command. Even if they disagree for it is Ralle's site and you will listen to what he has to say before simply back-talking to him, even if you think its horribly wrong.
Now then, the Moderators have had my comments, but that isn't the only problem. Most of you members are not too much better on my report card. You have no respect for the Staff, you are completely rude to the Administrators and Ralle and worst of all many of you are extremely egoistical and think just because your a senior member you can also get away with things differently then other members. New Members are completely harassed, and insulted tarnishing growth and respective attitudes. These actions shouldn't be taken lightly ether. Just like Moderators, members also need to be held accountable even if they are one of the founders of this site. You are a community, you should start acting like it.
Lastly, like I said before, I do not consider TheHelper to be a perfect site, we have our problems, but none of them are as obvious compared to THW's, but this is because TH has been around far longer then THW and that THW is also a much bigger and faster growing site, with many more resources, and users. Yet numbers mean nothing, Quantity of members doesn't count for much when they are low in Quality. The extreme growth of the Hive is one of the major reasons some of these problems are occurring but if some changes are made. I think the Hive will stabilize and you will see many of these problems disappear. This site is at a cross-road, and its time for you guys to make the decision or not.
Don't let this issue divide the site, everyone needs to listen to one another!
That's my 2 Cents,
Miz
