tPF authenticator discussion

[ThisVNchick]

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience here. I'm trying to follow what is being discussed and I'm a little confused, is this regarding the AT threads? Or authenticators?

We were on the topic of bad/rude behaviors being allowed in the AT thread and I went OT to share an incident where I was attacked by a particular poster and nothing was done about it, even though some members wrote to me to tell me that they had reported the poster.

I know a couple pages back Meg stated that things get done behind the scenes when posts are reported. However, I was trying to say that in cases where members are openly attacked, mods should step in and openly post a statement so the member being bullied feels supported.

That's all. Sorry for the confusion it was an OT example not related to the AT discussion.

 

[storeberry]

We were on the topic of bad/rude behaviors being allowed in the AT thread and I went OT to share an incident where I was attacked by a particular poster and nothing was done about it, even though some members wrote to me to tell me that they had reported the poster.

I know a couple pages back Meg stated that things get done behind the scenes when posts are reported. However, I was trying to say that in cases where members are openly attacked, mods should step in and openly post a statement so the member being bullied feels supported.

That's all. Sorry for the confusion it was an OT example not related to the AT discussion.

I do agreed that mods / admin needs to step in to "defend" the authenticators, not get into the fight but ask the member to at least respect our authenticators. I understand that you do not want drama on the thread but does going behind the screen help? Authenticators gets burnt out cos of the nonsense, posts r deleted with no one to support u in the open. Sometimes they just need a little backup support to continue authenticating the busier thread on TPF.

 

[zippie]

I do agreed that mods / admin needs to step in to "defend" the authenticators, not get into the fight but ask the member to at least respect our authenticators. I understand that you do not want drama on the thread but does going behind the screen help? Authenticators gets burnt out cos of the nonsense, posts r deleted with no one to support u in the open. Sometimes they just need a little backup support to continue authenticating the busier thread on TPF.

I agree with you storeberry!

 

[littlerock]

There's still an interesting (maddening) leeway on dealing with the behavior of some on the ATLV thread. Would you report a non-authenticator who, ostensibly as a helper, (1) asks for more, specific pictures for a fake? Having not enough expertise to see and be able to state that it's fake, so asking for more pics? And (2) uses language like "we require..."? The mod judgment is that posts like this are "okay." Not more muddying of the basic problem of who posts with authority on AT? The confusion is evidently high enough that a recent post promised to get back to "you," this non-authenticator, when the bag is in hand after purchase.

Okay?

When the authenticators in the thread start reporting something, we'll go from there. Most authenticators I have spoken to, appreciate the extra help when a member directs AT requesters to the rules. So far, no one else is bothered. M&V are working on a badge to distinguish ATers.. If you're worried about members not knowing who is who, that should help. For now, we're not going to discourage people from helping out. If this member is actually making calls on authenticity/ non authenticity, then we will step in. Or is the authenticators are taking issue, then we'll revisit.

 

[JetSetGo!]

I just want to say thank you to Megs for taking so much time to hear what everyone has to say here and across the board.

I have repeatedly read here and in other threads that authenticators are not being valued or recognized. I actually see the opposite amidst the expressed opportunities for growth.

The dialogue is open and available, and truly it is her doing that this is so. It's impossible to please everyone, but offering the chance to be heard and the opportunity to impact the future of the forum is a privilege that is rare in the forum world. Problems have been proposed, and actions are being taken.

So, as an authenticator, I say thank you, Megs, for your continued support and ear. Even if I don't get everything I want, I appreciate your focussed efforts, and I respect the difficult task of working to accommodate a widely different set of desires and opinions.

I also see your gratitude expressed again and again.

This is all a process – and I fully know your commitment is to the human beings of this forum (not just the traffic).

 

[Megs]

I must not be making my point clear. There is a difference that I can see, at least, between alleviating versus adding to problems on the thread. Posing as an authenticator without the corresponding skills is not the same as helpfully restating the thread requirements--a service we all welcome.

I've seen these reports and from what I've seen reported, there is no authenticating happening just helping reinforce the rules the authenticators in that section prefer.

We would gladly remove it if someone starts authenticating improperly or it is causing a problem for the authenticators in that thread, but that hasn't been the case as of now.

Agreed. I have seen this person being thanked for authenticating. I wouldn't trust this person to authenticate a paper bag but due to some authoritative sounding posts, there seems to be confusion. I am astounded this is allowed to happen.

Just reiterating what I said above, I haven't heard from one LV authenticator that there is an issue. If there is, I would look into it and handle differently.

Many AT threads have a poster who comes in and helps keep the thread on track for the authenticator to do their work.

I do agreed that mods / admin needs to step in to "defend" the authenticators, not get into the fight but ask the member to at least respect our authenticators. I understand that you do not want drama on the thread but does going behind the screen help? Authenticators gets burnt out cos of the nonsense, posts r deleted with no one to support u in the open. Sometimes they just need a little backup support to continue authenticating the busier thread on TPF.

Since this discussion has opened up, I know I personally have gone in to back up authenticators in many of the AT threads when an issue arrises. Other mods/admins have as well and will continue to.

We don't do everything behind the scenes, many happens in the threads themselves as well.

 

[zippie]

I've seen these reports and from what I've seen reported, there is no authenticating happening just helping reinforce the rules the authenticators in that section prefer.

We would gladly remove it if someone starts authenticating improperly or it is causing a problem for the authenticators in that thread, but that hasn't been the case as of now.



Just reiterating what I said above, I haven't heard from one LV authenticator that there is an issue. If there is, I would look into it and handle differently.

Many AT threads have a poster who comes in and helps keep the thread on track for the authenticator to do their work.



Since this discussion has opened up, I know I personally have gone in to back up authenticators in many of the AT threads when an issue arrises. Other mods/admins have as well and will continue to.

We don't do everything behind the scenes, many happens in the threads themselves as well.

I know that there are mods that do not like some authenticators and it is blatantly clear and why I think that some authenticators are supported and some are not. After 9 years being a member it is so obvious to me. Why is it that authenticators can be a mod and some can't?

 

[Megs]

I know that there are mods that do not like some authenticators and it is blatantly clear and why I think that some authenticators are supported and some are not. After 9 years being a member it is so obvious to me. Why is it that authenticators can be a mod and some can't?

Choosing mods is not based on if they authenticate or not. A mod doesn't need to authenticate and an authenticator doesn't need to mod, doesn't mean either aren't incredibly helpful and appreciated

 

[JetSetGo!]

I know that there are mods that do not like some authenticators and it is blatantly clear and why I think that some authenticators are supported and some are not. After 9 years being a member it is so obvious to me. Why is it that authenticators can be a mod and some can't?

As someone who does both, I can honestly say the two roles come with a different set of responsibilities and skills. If an authenticator is already overwhelmed to the point where they are are frustrated with member behavior, which some here have reported to be, and/or feel the need to create a set of criteria to keep the workload manageable, it does not make sense to automatically add the role of mod. Modding is very time consuming, demanding, and let me tell you that many members do not treat mods well! ush:

I actually love partaking in both responsibilities, but do not see them as tied to each other in any way.

Does that make sense?

 

[LVlvoe_bug]

I do help out in the ATLV but I don't check the links for pictures. Is that something that would be helpful?

 

[Megs]

I do help out in the ATLV but I don't check the links for pictures. Is that something that would be helpful?

You could try to PM the LV authenticators to see if they would like that. I am not sure how all the authenticators work, but I am sure they are so happy for people willing to help!

Really kind of you to offer!!

 

[LVlvoe_bug]

You could try to PM the LV authenticators to see if they would like that. I am not sure how all the authenticators work, but I am sure they are so happy for people willing to help!

Really kind of you to offer!!

Ok, I will see what they prefer..I know all the authenticators and mods work so hard, I'm sorry a few bad apples are ruining it....

 

[zestypasta]

There's still an interesting (maddening) leeway on dealing with the behavior of some on the ATLV thread. Would you report a non-authenticator who, ostensibly as a helper, (1) asks for more, specific pictures for a fake? Having not enough expertise to see and be able to state that it's fake, so asking for more pics? And (2) uses language like "we require..."? The mod judgment is that posts like this are "okay." Not more muddying of the basic problem of who posts with authority on AT? The confusion is evidently high enough that a recent post promised to get back to "you," this non-authenticator, when the bag is in hand after purchase.

Okay?

I must not be making my point clear. There is a difference that I can see, at least, between alleviating versus adding to problems on the thread. Posing as an authenticator without the corresponding skills is not the same as helpfully restating the thread requirements--a service we all welcome.

Saw that. I was totally confused, I thought another authenticator had popped in. I can imagine a new member, or one of the ones that only use the board for authentications, would think it was an authenticator too. More pics of a fake?...sigh

 

[skyqueen]

As someone who does both, I can honestly say the two roles come with a different set of responsibilities and skills. If an authenticator is already overwhelmed to the point where they are are frustrated with member behavior, which some here have reported to be, and/or feel the need to create a set of criteria to keep the workload manageable, it does not make sense to automatically add the role of mod. Modding is very time consuming, demanding, and let me tell you that many members do not treat mods well! ush:

I actually love partaking in both responsibilities, but do not see them as tied to each other in any way.

Does that make sense?

I'm on the MG forum a lot. While the MG AT is new and does not have the traffic of a LV/Channel AT...so far the AT has run beautifully. Because of the scarcity of these bags and the frustration of trying to score one, things could be very different. The MOD/authenticator has set the tone and been helpful as well as enthusiastic. There have been a few complainers, on the general MG forum, but the situation is always defused quickly and gets right back on track. In other words...not much drama and good moderating. The members are also extremely helpful/enthusiastic, too...we watch out for each other!
Having a bag authenticated is a privilege (plus a FREE service) and deserves respect!

 

[JetSetGo!]

I'm on the MG forum a lot. While the MG AT is new and does not have the traffic of a LV/Channel AT...so far the AT has run beautifully. Because of the scarcity of these bags and the frustration of trying to score one, things could be very different. The MOD/authenticator has set the tone and been helpful as well as enthusiastic. There have been a few complainers, on the general MG forum, but the situation is always defused quickly and gets right back on track. In other words...not much drama and good moderating. The members are also extremely helpful/enthusiastic, too...we watch out for each other!
Having a bag authenticated is a privilege (plus a FREE service) and deserves respect!