This solution does not seem scalable: it is going to require an amount of moderator effort proportional to the number of crazy people the site attracts.
We’re a growing site, but we’re not growing that fast, especially in the last year or so. Historically we seem to have attracted a crank every few months or so, which should be handleable by a mod staff of any size so long as it actually, you know, moderates stuff. At linear growth rates that should hold for years, longer if the mods are willing to name new mods from time to time.
Part of this solution is that it has a deterrence effect. That doesn’t need much moderator effort. That said, if the forum grows there isn’t much of a problem with recruiting additional moderators.
This solution does not seem scalable: it is going to require an amount of moderator effort proportional to the number of crazy people the site attracts.
We’re a growing site, but we’re not growing that fast, especially in the last year or so. Historically we seem to have attracted a crank every few months or so, which should be handleable by a mod staff of any size so long as it actually, you know, moderates stuff. At linear growth rates that should hold for years, longer if the mods are willing to name new mods from time to time.
Tracking excessive downvoting seems like something that can be pretty well automated.
Or, if the rule for how much you are allowed to downvote (something like 1:4 on karma?) isn’t the right rule, change it to something else explicit.
Part of this solution is that it has a deterrence effect. That doesn’t need much moderator effort. That said, if the forum grows there isn’t much of a problem with recruiting additional moderators.