North Lincolnshire bias.

Hi John
If you subscribe to a forum channel you can get automated emails sent direct of when a new post is posted to that channel.
I always check my emails to see what is posted and is posted correctly.
I dare say this facility is used by others and therefore they don’t need to log on to see the posts through the forum portal.
This could explain why it appears some do not log on for long periods.
I only need to log on to amend posts or to make my own posts. 
Not sure there is still a need for so many moderators as the forum does run quite smoothly, but at least it gives a better chance of sensitive information being picked up quickly the more eyes that are looking.

all the best

Russell

Thanks Russ,
I've noticed over a long period that only you and Jim tend to answer or come on, so why does the forum need eight moderators even taking into account long working hours, holidays and hobbies etc if as you say the biggest majority of us regular posters obey the rules the moderators have very little to do. I realise I am most likely a pain in the a**e to those in charge but I'm not backward at coming forward in asking questions that other members would like to ask but are hoping someone like me will ask. 

Does a moderator have to log on (like the members do) to be able to check if we are all obeying the rules?
If the eight moderators I've only ever met three of you, I've had dealings with some of the others. I met you at Linwood Warren many years ago to buy the digiscope adaptor (still got it) and then we went round the flooded reserve. I know you had to visit Cadney reservoir as part of your job with Anglian Water but never seen you since Linwood. Met Andy Sims at Worlaby years ago when I was with my pal, Andy showed us and made us listen for quail, my first time. Lastly met Grahame Hopwood when we visited an optics day at Whisby he said hello but was very busy also many years ago.

On the old forum photo album there was a section for birders pics, that way I and others would know what someone looked like if we came across them, we also got to see what some looked like when much younger and we also had a good laugh at one another, unlike now we or I have very little idea what most look like, maybe its just as well lol.

Thanks again Russ. If the forum is short of moderators am sure I could do that job and others I know lol

Hi John
In answer to your question “what does a moderator do?”
the answer is very little if the forum is running smoothly.
If somebody posts in the wrong section a moderator can move it to the correct section or if necessary they can edit a post to protect sensitive information. 
Usually the people using the forum tend to follow the rules and little input by moderators is required.
As you say we are all busy people but having a few moderators usually means any problems are spotted by at least one of us.
We do not have the access or knowledge to fix any Software issues but can pass any issues we see to the Admin/Webmaster.
I hope that answers your question.

regards

Russell

 

Odd that very few, a minute portion of the overall membership post on the forum. Apart from birding, my other love/interest is music and I use two forums regularly. Both these forums are alive with posts! There are people posting nearly every minute regarding old/new/discovered music and sharing/chatting about music. Now it's not because they're all 20 somethings, because most are 40+... and it is not because they don't use Twit or Insta either, because they do. So, forums are still relevant to like minded people who want to share an interest... just not LBC members it seems.

Having lots of time on my hands this year especially of late, I sometimes waste it as I see fit, I have just done that by viewing details of when the Moderators last logged in. I noticed one name missing and he had been a moderator for a good number of years, so I checked the list of users and the last time he logged in was three years ago, so maybe he is far too busy to come on the forum and decided to relinquish his position of moderator. 

Of the eight moderators listed under each section of sightings only one is a regular user of the forum and posts almost daily. Of the other seven none post very often. Four of them last logged on this month of February, one in January this year, one in August 2021 and the other in March 2021. I daresay all eight are very busy people most likely having a full time job etc so can only come on the forum as and when. Just out of curiosity what does a Moderator do?  I know what an admin person does but not a moderator.

I have started going through the 569 users to see how many use the forum, I've only seen two pages up to press and very few are regulars. I think users is the wrong word, members sounds better. 

Anyway its time for tea  

Kind regards
Max  

I use Twitter but only to look at Rare Bird Alert which I find useful just to know what is happening elsewhere rather than chasing something. . I post all my sightings on Birdtrack and the Forum. I do it so people have information as to what is around rather than for people on a rarity hunt.  Listing on the forum etc helps build up a comprehensive knowledge base of local birds but one of the problems is that many people are just more interested in collecting as many ticks as possible. It does not take long to enter information and I fail to understand why a few minutes to do so is beyond many peoples capabilities.