Do moderators get paid? Do they have rules? What if they abuse their rights? Can they walk away any time or are they forced to be here against their will physically or contractually? Is everyone privy to the rules of moderator? Do moderators get a second chance if they break the rules? Do they get a warning? If a moderator breaks the rules and gets banned, do the words BANNED appear under their picture?

For the love of LBT, can we get answers?

Hey I'd forgotten about that post. I think that's an excellent post to bring back up.

As for "how" a moderator or the Admin can manage that type of activity.

First, I suspect that someone who quietly signs on a different username and just uses it to browse the boards etc while not using their primary account would go unnoticed.

When you get a new user who asks some pretty direct questions (much like the starter of this thread), the Admin (and maybe the moderators) can check the site the user signed in from. They can then cross-reference that site with other people from the same site.

So, if I started trouble, then signed on as a different user and caused problems, they could match the two accounts to the same site and - ban both (if they saw fit).

I am not sure how VBulletin handles banning users, or what inbuilt plugins it has to assist the management of this, but it can all be done relatively simply even outside of the forum if you have server access.

I'm fairly confident that Alex is very aware of the activity on this board and who has multiple accounts. I'm even more confident in his ability to handle his own hand-picked moderators.

Basically, what a couple of people in this thread are doing is telling Alex that he can't manage his own staff. I think that's a shame.

I have also served as an Admin on talkers and online games and it has always been my opinion that the owner of the site needs not answer to anyone about how they run their site. They pay for it. They run it. It belongs to them.

If someone doesn't like the way a site like LBT is run, there are plenty of other message boards and chat rooms to frequent. In my opinion, this is no different that opening you house to guests who then demand to know how you run your home and why it is run the way it is.

personally I think you should have decorated in pink and white faux fir, and lots of leopard prnit. you should keep your shoes over there, not in the closet, and your cans should all be in the cupboard with the labels facing out.

These are HIS words from the Locking Threads thread. Wheetsin indicated the mods have to follow the same rules as members. I just wonder how ANYONE including mods moderate this activity?

I don't know about VB, but in BB we can track by IP, email, POC, etc. Ways to found out are limitless, and relatively easy. It all points back to the privacy stuff that comes up now and then, and least as far as the means are concerned. If someone is determined enough, there's not a lot they CAN'T find out about you.

If you guys are that interested in the "inner workings" of how message boards operate, then truly - I would suggest joining a messageboard or user community for the particular board platform you're interested in. If you're curious about this board, look up VB. If you're curious in general, check out PHPBB or one of the other terribly common ones. That will help you understand how things work, what can or can't be done, etc. more throoughly, and a lot more expeditiously, than anyone here can.

A guide for 100% total security on the internet, by Dawg.

Step 1. Reach behind your computer and locate the modem or ethernet cable.

Step 2. Unplug the cable.

Step 3. Power down the PC.

Step 4. Remove the hard drive.

Step 5. Open the hard drive housing and apply a heavy duty magnet to all surfaces.

Step 6. Apply a hammer forcefully to what remains.

Step 7. Shred all CDs, DVDs, Floppy Disks, Zip disks or any other external media.

Step 8. Move to a small island in the South Pacific.

Waiver. There will still be some potential risk of a hacker still getting to you, somehow, sooner or later. Probably.

Keep smilin

Your right Wheetsin. I know there are numerous ways to find and track IP's and such. This thread triggered my thoughts on this as it seems to have become a recent issue. I appreciate your input.

If ANYONE finds it necessary to indicate "Alex that he can't manage his own staff", should move on. I don't see that at ALL. It would be a shame. Any way you look at it, we are all guests of LBT and this site does not belong to us. Who are we to moan and complain when there is something we don't like? If you don't like it, move on. There are many other sites to choose from.

I loved the Thank Mods & Alex thread. We should thank them more often and let them know how much we appreciate this site.

I also like the fact we can come forth with legitimate questions and share information. This is interesting as many have pointed out.

Now now.. be careful about using the term "should move on". I know from first hand experience that phrase really upsets some people.

I still think you keep your shoes in the wrong place.

Really? Missed that one.

My personal feelings are that you can question how a board is run, but remaining respectful is critical.

Much like the laws of the land, you can disagree with the law but it still applies.

I am hoping for the day where people can just let all this stuff go so we can get on with the business at hand. Losing weight and helping each other in that common goal.

I think the time of creating alternate user accounts, pointing fingers or trying to be inflammatory is something that should become part of our past.

One of my favorite comments on life is "There is no point having regrets over the past because it can not change the future. You would not be where you are now without it.".

If we want to, we can all of us get past this stuff.

And Funny - Sometimes the shoes ARE in the wrong place, but usually only when the boy gets home.

Wheetsin, thanks for answering those questions. While I never gave any of them much thought, it was an education reading through the thread.

And Funny - Sometimes the shoes ARE in the wrong place, but usually only when the boy gets home.

In my house, shoes fly at heads that do not put them in the right place. LOL

Honey, Have you seen my shoes?...... The last time I wore them I put them......

Honey, you left your shoes in the middle of the living room floor!! What do you mean you can't find them?!?!?!?!!!