Being An Internet Forum Moderator
January 25th, 2007 by Ed Lau |Quite a few people that read this blog know me from an internet forum that I volunteer for called REVscene.net which started as a local car club board for car junkies but has evolved into a hub for many people in Vancouver to socialize, post videos of stupid crap, sell their used stuff and call each other noobs. I’ve been on REVscene since 2001 and have been volunteering as a moderator of the forums and general ambassador of awesome for the site since early 2002.
It’s a bit difficult to explain what my “job” entails. I started out as a mod for the Buy and Sell section of the message board, looking for idiots who sell stolen goods on the site and people who want to make a quick buck plugging their business without paying our sponsorship fees. Back in 2002, I was rather alone in doing this in three seperate forums but since the site now has almost 50,000 members, traffic has increased exponentially and thus, our team of mods has grown to about 15 people. Our job usually means checking new posts to make sure they’re legit and banning those who want to undermine our rules.
About three years ago, I was given even more to do on the site, overlooking the Movies/TV forums, starting up a Photography forum and helping at the booths for our events held at various times during the year, usually meaning that I hang with the models or make people do stupid things for prizes. It’s a fun “job” and not without benefits. I’m usually treated to a few good dinners each year and I get quite a few t-shirts from time to time. Being staff on REVscene also means that all the sponsors kiss my ass and give me a great deal every time I need something!
It’s not all fun and games though. I regularly get messages from idiots asking me questions that are clearly answered on the boards and there are quite a few morons who annoy me to no end but either way, it’s a fun place to hang out and chat. You don’t need to be from Vancouver to join us. If you’re a car enthusiast, there are plenty of car tech forums. If you’re not, there’s plenty of other stuff from food to fashion to sports and general insanity to keep you busy.
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REVscene.net was the best back in its original glory when it first started. I haven’t had much time to visit the forums lately but I still do once in a while.
I agree. The summer of 2003 was legendary. We’d have BBQs and unofficial meets every week.
Despite what my “registered” date may indicate, I’m more old school than you think (though I didn’t participate as much back in the day). I don’t even know when my first registration was (I got banned in 02 when the UBC computer wouldn’t let me log out and then some idiot went ballistic with my account).
I think, that is interesting for all.
“Being staff on REVscene also means that all the sponsors kiss my ass and give me a great deal every time I need something!”
You are a fucking clown.