Attention members: Please take note

[costargh]

It has come to the attention of some of the moderation team that SOME members feel as though they have the god given right to request and receive advice WHENEVER they want it from moderators (and possibly other VCE graduates) and are ungrateful and aggressive when their requests for help are not answered.

Personally, I try to help everyone when I can. Unfortunately I CANNOT be a personal online tutor slaving over requests for help every night ESPECIALLY when I have University exams in the current weeks. However, more disappointing is the attitude displayed when some members do not get what they want.

Please do not send me PM's such as this

geez..thanks for the great advice...you do realise that other people would have gave up countless hours to help you when you when in year 12 and yet you don't even have the courtesy to give some advice

It's crap like this that really makes me question why I continue to stay here and help in the first place. This is a completely voluntary role. I receive only intrinsic benefits.

I am very grateful for the help I received during VN during year 12, but I personally was very wary of asking too much from moderators and volunteers at the time. This is because I understand that what the VN team does here is a really generous contribution and to me, they were not indebted!

I would think that a lot of people have been helped in some way shape or form since I became a global moderator (and even before that). I wrote a VN legal studies exam (with the help of fyrefly - thank-you), I uploaded a number of essays for English, I wrote a Business Management advice document, I've uploaded exams... what more do you want?

Please remember that your're dealing with real people here. I know VCE may seem like the most important thing in your life, but other people deserve the right to decline extensive requests for help when they are too busy.

So, on behalf of myself and at least a couple of other Moderators, please be mindful of requests for help, and if your requests can't be met, don't lash out in a VCE fueled fit of rage. We are trying!

Any off topic posts will be deleted as per VN guidelines

[enwiabe]

I fully agree. The VN mod team works as hard as its time commitments allow. Remember that the mods are giving up their spare time to do this job. You should be thankful for any help that you get. Please show the staff team more respect. They certainly deserve it.

EDIT: I know Costa is only addressing the minority, here. I have observed that the majority of forum members do afford staff members the respect that they deserve. This is talking to the self-entitled members of VN who believe that during these 2 years they are the centre of the universe and that everyone else must wait on them hand and foot. This is not on.

[Eriny]

That is really disappointing. My experiences have been on the whole very good. Anyone who has asked me for help on this site have seemed really grateful for it and understanding if I take awhile to get back to them, etc.

[shinny]

I've had identical concerns to costargh before where people just send me SACs in my PM box, or add me on MSN and nudge me literally every 10 minutes when I don't reply (I was sleeping, and woke up to 30 nudges on my screen).  Yes, our help is voluntary, and like many of the mods here, I've got students who actually pay for my help so don't expect the same quality of service for free.

Also something in most people's interests is to realise that the way you ask questions will affect the quality, quantity and promptness of answers. There's a few things that worry me when people ask questions, one being either incompleteness of information when asking for help, leading to a 'if-then' type of answer on my part (or if I can't be stuffed, I'll just ask for clarification and delay the time of reply). Asking a very broad question rarely ever helps too. It's quite simple; if you ask broad questions, we give broad responses. For example, all those 'how-do-you-write-this-type-of-essay' threads never get answered fully from my experience. Another thing which can help get fast and useful replies is in fact actually trying to answer your own question. This basically turns your question into a 'yes or no' on our part, and if it's a no, then we can directly address why it's a no and fix any misconceptions you might have. This is definitely more effective than us just giving you a broad lecture and will aid your understand way better. Also, broken English never helps either (4 exmple typing liek dis). Basically what I'm trying to say is take your time in asking questions, and we'll take our time in replying to them. Sorry if this sounded like I'm telling you guys off, and the majority of the time it's fine, but knowing how to get good responses is in all your own interests anyway.

[ice_blockie]

Hmm...I think its become a little bit more prevalent. In the past I was more inclined to help people (eg see English board from start of this year ... then people started going gimme essay or gimme help or gimme examples WITHOUT actually explaining what they need help with, or what they already know. TUTORS ARE PAID FOR THIS JOB! I particularly don't like it when people 'qualify' what they want, i.e. when they say "i need help on this question" and then follow up with "I need FULL working out and explanations to accompany it....grrrrr

However, those who ask nicely, and seem reasonable in their questions, we'll certainly help you resolve your misery 

[Mao]

To add to this, volunteers [moderators or not] do not have to obligate themselves to a timeframe to answer a certain question. If your question gets answered, be appreciative. If your question does not, please don't expect someone to do it like it's their responsibility. I have been especially annoyed by people who tell me via pm to 'help me ASAP with this thread kthnx'.

What I'm trying to say is, this place is a community, not a service desk.

[costargh]

What I'm trying to say is, this place is a community, not a service desk.

+1

Remember, your teachers are also a great(and probably the most important) resource.

[Mao]

Oh lord, I just realised that this thread has become a mod/helper bitching central.

I would like to add, to all current and prospective members, that we are more than happy to help, but we hope some appreciation and respect is given, and more importantly consideration for other things we have to do [we do this in our own time and don't get paid].

This thread is not for us to complain about helping people, but just a reminder that it is our good will that keeps us around, otherwise there are no obligations.

[billz1508]

yeh i agree with this, students (i am one myself) you should actually be thankful for this site to be available to gain notes, share opinions and have an enjoyable time. Respect what is available to you, and i'm sure if people have time to help out and if u ask nicely you will get what you needed, be patient and enjoy what is available.

cheers.

p.s. how do u award karma ??

[TrueTears]

p.s. how do u award karma ??

You need 50 posts.

[Fyrefly]

It's not just the mods that receive these sort of PMs.

I must caution members that if your Q is impolite, or downright rude... yeah... don't even expect a reply from me.
I don't put up with that sort of conceited attitude, nor is there any reason why I should.
This goes for VN's mods as well... they don't have to take crap... remember that they always have ban hammers.

However, for the overwhelming majority of the time, members asking me Qs have been out-going and wonderfully polite.
They've been patient in giving me time to answer, and they've sent replies of gratitude once I do.
I've been happy to answer such Qs, and have welcomed these members to ask any further Qs they may have.
This offer will stand for as long as I'm floating around VN

[bcc_piano_kid]

Ok... firstly- the reason i brought it up wasn't to be smited by your lack of enthusiasm- it was to generate interest.... firstly this site needs more than just random people freakin talking about crap that isnt necessary eg. people having a winge. its about bringing good ideas that people have and what i might find useful and tell other people about- so how about we use this site for what it is for- not just for people who want to have a cry...
now with that said. i believe that i am very grateful for everything that people have helped me with therefore i try to give advice in turn... i may not be a 50 student, however a 50 student can still ascertain information from us 40 students

[cobby]

Ok... firstly- the reason i brought it up wasn't to be smited by your lack of enthusiasm- it was to generate interest.... firstly this site needs more than just random people freakin talking about crap that isnt necessary eg. people having a winge. its about bringing good ideas that people have and what i might find useful and tell other people about- so how about we use this site for what it is for- not just for people who want to have a cry...
now with that said. i believe that i am very grateful for everything that people have helped me with therefore i try to give advice in turn... i may not be a 50 student, however a 50 student can still ascertain information from us 40 students

lolwut?

[m@tty]

Ok... firstly- the reason i brought it up wasn't to be smited by your lack of enthusiasm- it was to generate interest.... firstly this site needs more than just random people freakin talking about crap that isnt necessary eg. people having a winge. its about bringing good ideas that people have and what i might find useful and tell other people about- so how about we use this site for what it is for- not just for people who want to have a cry...
now with that said. i believe that i am very grateful for everything that people have helped me with therefore i try to give advice in turn... i may not be a 50 student, however a 50 student can still ascertain information from us 40 students

You said firstly twice.

[costargh]

Im really confused... whats that about? :S