I'm back with another addition to the forum rules:

Back-seat modding is forbidden. Report posts, don't try to act like someone you're not. Leave that to the assigned moderators.

I think this is rather self-explanatory, but just in case, I'll briefly review this for anyone holding misconceptions and misinterpretations.

Back-seat moderating, for anyone new to the forum scene, is the act of taking up a moderator tone without the actual authority or position. Basically, we don't want any of you guys entering threads to inform your fellow peers of what rules they have broken, what threads should be locked, and which members should be banned or infracted - You can leave those things to us. The Report function is there so that you can help us mend issues and dissolve harmful elements.

This isn't a major offense though, so don't expect to be banned for this (unless you constantly do this). The rule will work similarly to the way we deal with spam, as both are very similar - They don't contribute to anything. Still, it's important that you all understand why we don't want this.

Besides being spam, backseat moderating also works as an insult to not only moderation, but to your fellow 3DS members. It implies that the current moderation is incapable of fulfilling their duties, and also exerts a sense of inferiority to bystander members. We also don't want members being misinformed by someone's backseat moderating posts.

The most common example of backseat moderating, is when a member points out to another member that they have broken an x number of rules, with an authoritative tone. For example:

Please do not command other members what they should do as if you were some higher ranking member or authoritative figure. There are, however, some "gray areas," and I'll re-use the above quote for this next example:

Notice how I rephrased the previous quote into something less imperative, and slightly more personal (as in a friendly request). If you remove the authoritative tone, there's a lesser chance of us contacting you about backseat moderating. We still ask that you don't dabble in this sort of posting, so if in doubt, don't post.

Another type of post that is generally acceptable are redirect posts that are in response to duplicate threads. Basically, things like:

If you still have any questions, please contact me or another moderator. My signature conveniently links to the forum rules, where all our PM links can be found. Don't be afraid to ask!

Panini, well done on making the rule as clear as possible.
I wish you'd do this for the others too.

people that did the things that you quoted were only trying to help and i dont completely understand how doing those parts are bad if a mod isnt completely present.
we'er trying to keep the forums clean too and i believe we have the right to point something out to users that dont understand the rules completely as well as mods

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if u make a mistake it could be fixed but make sure u fix it before its GAME OVER!

If you want to help, you're gonna have to do it correctly - Through the Report function.

Also there's a huge difference between being a helpful member trying to teach people what's right, and being some sort of elitist prick calling out members on their mistakes. That's the whole reason I put those examples up - So that you could understand how tone plays a big role in all this.

Let's say you and another member go on a tangent in some thread in The Lounge. Would you honestly be alright with some member coming in to call you two out for breaking rules, and explaining why you two should receive infractions? Most people wouldn't, and might even start a pointless argument with the backseat mod. So not only is this annoying, but it also provides ammunition for derailment.

If you want to show members the errors of their way - Do so through example, not direct unnecessary feedback.

so basically as long as we're gentle and indirect on those points we could still do what we want basically?

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if u make a mistake it could be fixed but make sure u fix it before its GAME OVER!

The difference is asking and telling.
Telling can incite arguments, whereas asking serves as a friendly, me-to-you warning.

Uh, yes... and no.

We don't want people constantly quoting rules, calling out members, and telling moderation how to do their forum duties. If you do any of that, you'll be on thin ice. But just because you remove the condescending or authoritative tone, doesn't make your post completely justified. I'll post a hypothetical:

Let's say you do post this in an attempt to bring the topic back on rails. If the members derailing the thread, ignore your post and continue with their off-topic discussion - Don't re-attempt to bring the topic back by asking them to stop again. Basically if you failed the first time, don't try it again. Instead report them to the moderators and have them take care of it.

Bottom line is: The Report function exists so that you don't have to do that.

So Bascially what your saying is Don't help people? Because new people Post in the wrong sections all the time and i point them in the right direction where to Post and i can't help them? Fine whatever.

That's not what this rule is about at all. Re-read the OP. It's great to help other members out, especially newer ones.

What's not ok is assuming a position of superiority and "talking down" to the other members.

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Panini addressed your concern in the first post.

The problem is the tone of your post, as I've said 9001 times already.

If I may, a decent reference point for newer forum users is the correct use of modal verbs. In fact I have found that mastering the art of modal verbs can change the way one is perceived by others by at least 100%.

Reference.

Now, I do not want to overstep my bounds, but this seems to be the nail on the head. Using your example of what not to say, would a current moderator elaborate as to whether or not this is an acceptable example.

Changing the tone requires little to no effort.

This change seems to avoid the listed guidelines. It does not take an authoritative tone, it is not condescending, in fact it is a request in the interest of maintaining the topic at hand, thus it can not be off of said topic.

It is essentially asking forum users to avoid using definite words like "stop, go, should, must, etc." (when making requests of others, it's standard courtesy anyway) and thus gives the forum user the freedom to preserve their own topic, with accountability and responsibility, without bringing in a babysitter of sorts. However, I have been apart of many a forum that condone and encourage user babysitting and I don't mean to detract in anyway from Panini's guidelines. I simply hope to offer an educational and reasonable solution.

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"Guys, could you please stop spamming so we can stay on topic"

Works for me. To constantly take up the imperative or authoritative position is what Moderation condemns, and is part of what we'd like everyone to receive from this announcement - The other part being that members call upon Moderation when they find themselves unable to mend problems themselves.

Great! I hope that some new members stumble upon my post then! Learning about modular verbs can really help a person out in social pickles once they master the art. As Philip K Dick said:

"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use words."

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I know when I think going on a Nintendo forum, I think Philip K. Dick.

Not quite sure if that's sarcasm, if it is. Lame. If it's not, it makes sense as he's inspired many of the people who develop games, period.

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