We are now accepting new volunteers to serve on the MIR Team from July-October 2012

[EarlG]

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

Last edited Mon Jul 2, 2012, 10:07 AM - Edit history (1)

Volunteers who wish to help keep DU running smoothly should consider joining the Malicious Intruder Removal Team (MIR Team). The role of MIR Team members is simple: they are empowered to revoke the posting privileges of people who show up at DU with the intent to disrupt.

Members of the MIR Team are provided with tools to delete spam posted by people who have had their posting privileges revoked, but they are NOT responsible for removing community standards violations, locking threads, or dealing with violations of DU's Terms of Service wherever they may occur.

If you are a DU member with at least six months of membership, at least 1,000 posts, and proof of identity (ie. you are a Star member or current DU2 donor and made the donation in your own name) then you can apply to be a member of the MIR Team.

How do I apply?

Simple: just post in this thread to let us know that you'd like to give it a try, and you could be selected by the Admins. There is no application form to fill out, and no confidentiality agreement to sign. MIR Team members do not have access to any privileged information about other DU members.

We plan to introduce the new MIR Team on Tuesday July 3.

For much more information about the MIR Team, click here!

[font color="red"]Edited to add: due to power outages in the Washington DC area, the MIR switchover will be postponed for a few days. We will do the switchover on Thursday or Friday this week. Thanks for your patience.[/font]

[uppityperson]

1. I want to encourage most everyone to try being on MIRT.It is very interesting and a good thing to do

I am retiring and looking forward to a break, but it has been great being on MIRT. Learning how to work with others, how to get past our individual biases and listen rather than run roughshod over each other like is typical out in the forums. (I am not saying everyone does that, speaking about myself and what I've seen in becoming a team).

Learning about repeaters, spammers, all sorts of interesting things, and how to deal with people who come here to disrupt and not to disrupt. Learning about my own habits and patterns. Seeing how the MIRT part of the moderation IS done from the inside. Learning about forums that I never went to before. Learning more about other DUers.

And by working together, making friends of posters I didn't think possible.


Give it a try.

[cyberswede]

2. I second everything uppityperson said.

Serving on MIRT has been a great experience, and getting to know the other team members has been very rewarding.

I highly recommend serving on the team - it will change how you look at DU (for the better, I hope).

[rug]

10. I volunteer.

[TBF]

48. You'd be terrific, rug. nt

[rug]

49. That's a nice thing to say.

Thanks.

[elenagreenwell]

53. Spam deleted by uppityperson (MIR Team)

[uppityperson]

54. bwahahahahahaha. Damn it. I was too slow. Can you spell Irony? Spam reply to a MIRTer?

on a thread about MIRT? Not too bright of a spammer, eh?

[ornotna]

55. It is funny

You wanna delete it?

[uppityperson]

56. spam be gone. I was too busy laughing to ppr. Good job.

[gkhouston]

57. Stay tuned. Maybe the thread will turn into troll-paper.

About time for a new one of those.

[hlthe2b]

3. I would be willing.

[TriMera]

4. I would be interested in being on the MIR Team. n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I think I'd like to give it a whirl.

Count me in.

[Vanje]

6. Well alrighty then

Please consider this to be my application.

[Kali]

7. me! me! me!

even though I JUST had my second hidden post...

[Scout]

12. don't worry, "several" MIRT members have had deleted posts. n/t

[Kali]

18. yeah, I know the hidden post scarlet letter isn't as big of a deal as it was going to be at first

but the timing on that one was pretty close

[Grateful for Hope]

8. Count me in, EarlG.

Thanks!

[Little Star]

9. I think I would like to give it a try if you still need people.

Last edited Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:55 PM - Edit history (1)

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. I'm game.

[PassingFair]

13. I would like to re-enlist n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

14. Would love to serve

if needed!

You know how to find me.

[The empressof all]

15. I'm happy to help

[zappaman]

16. Sure!

I could use the extra money and the 3 week paid vacation is a definite plus!

[FloridaJudy]

60. Do they offer dental?

[Warren DeMontague]

61. Now, see...

THAT'S funny.

[LiberalLoner]

17. I would love to serve, if I'm needed. Thank you for considering my application.

[Hatchling]

19. I would like to volunteer.

Thank you.

[OKNancy]

20. It's been fun in many ways, although

if you want to be a good MIRT member, there is more than just sitting back and piping up when your favorite issue is discussed, or when the worst trolls are discussed.
There is a lot of "scrub" work too. You wouldn't believe the number of spammers we have.
Then there are the one post trolls and we have a handful of repeaters who sign up over and over.

I'm retiring after two terms because that is how it is set up, so I ask all new volunteers to take it seriously and be prepared to actually work at it. Lazy bones need not apply. It's not fair to your other team members.

[William769]

21. +1.

[Ruby the Liberal]

37. Thank you for this.

[uppityperson]

40. Thank you OKNancy. Those are very good points.

Thank you for serving with me and for all your hard work.

I ask all new volunteers also to take it seriously and do the work that needs to be done. Be fair. Learn to work together. It can be very rewarding and fun.

[TBF]

47. Really good point -

The amount of spammers were pretty eye opening, and also the onslaught of newbie "members" every time there was a big news item. It is a busy but very rewarding job, and very interesting to see how other members look at things. It will hopefully change your perspective a bit, as it did mine.

[gkhouston]

52. Two things were really eye-opening for me: the sheer number of newbies who bite

the dust every day (on the evening of June 5th, there was a one-hour period where every newbie who signed up and starting posting right away got PPR'ed) and how many of the MIs we get are the same people signing up over and over and over. It makes me wonder if their online-dating profiles list "trolling" as their hobby.

[TBF]

59. The nearly-coordinated attacks were bizarre -

a big news story (like Zimmerman or the Wisconsin recall) would hit and we'd get massive sign-ons with talking points. No way to know if they were concerted propaganda writers or folks watching Fox news (or other channels even) and signed up to voice opinions on the big news (or a mix of both). If they are hostile from the get-go they are easy to PPR, but some seemed to be honest posters so we'd have to wade through them all, watch a few posts etc ... It truly is very interesting and makes you look at internet comments in a new way no matter which site you're reading/posting on.

I'd encourage anyone to try it for 3 months and see what you think.

[tkmorris]

22. I'd love to participate

I have this strange compulsion to throw my hat into every ring I see.

Edited to add: I spend plenty of time on DU during the day, but am ALWAYS on during the late/overnight period (EST).

[laconicsax]

23. Sure, sounds like a great way to give back to the DU community.

[msanthrope]

64. I think you should withdraw your application to MIRT.

Given this thread, I express the reservation that while you may have thought this a neat prank, I think your presence on MIRT would engender suspicions about the group's objectivity and motives.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1240&pid=116557

This is my opinion. Admin, and yourself may disagree.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. I'd like to volunteer...

I'm going to be on vacation for 2 weeks or so in September. I will still be on DU but not as much as normally.

Is this a problem?

If not, then count me in, if you still need people.

Thanks!

[Neoma]

25. I want to try.

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. another retiring MIRT member who loved the job and strongly suggests going for it....

you gain a better appreciation for your co-MIRTers, a bit of the inner workings of DU, the sorts of people DU can attract (and hopefully get dealt with quickly) - for those who give it a whirl, best of luck and have fun!

[aintitfunny]

27. I volunteer.

[kdmorris]

28. I'm interested!

I think it would be incredibly interesting to be part of this team.

[maddezmom]

32. you'd be a great addition

[ZombieHorde]

29. I have been getting requests to join the MIRT team, but my star membership ran out.

Can I be a MIRT member with an expired star? I did donate using my real name and Paypal account.

[libodem]

30. Must get my star back

I'll have to fire up the laptop at a WiFi spot. This phone thing prohibits some of my wishes.

[Control-Z]

31. It appears you already have plenty

to choose from. But, if you find yourself short on volunteers, lol, I'm here.

[Texasgal]

33. -I'd like to be considered.

Thank you.

[Fearless]

34. I'll do it.

[Warren DeMontague]

35. Count me in, if it's not too late.

[dmr]

36. I'd be happy to help.

[Woody Woodpecker]

38. So I need another 600 posts and 4 more months of experience here

before I'm considered?

No problem. I'll just hang around here, and learn.

[tammywammy]

39. I'd like to join. n/t

[fishwax]

41. I'm interested

[EvolveOrConvolve]

42. I'd like to volunteer

Either in this cycle or the next.

[Chemisse]

43. I would like to volunteer for this. :)

[REP]

44. I'm volunteering

I haven't tried done this yet, and my surgery isn't until October.

[petronius]

45. I would like to volunteer, however my current star is not in my name

I have real-name donated in the past though, IIRC...

[Tumbulu]

46. I am happy to volunteer

but will be away from my computer for a few weeks coming up ...until July 12th.....so perhaps you can keep me on your list for next term.

Thanks to all those who have served!

[mtnester]

50. I would like to give it a whirl

[Throckmorton]

51. I'm interested

Does it pay well, do I get a Secretary, can I have a stock option?
Never hurts to ask.

[Bolo Boffin]

58. Interested here too.

If it's too late for July-October, put me down for October-December.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

62. Good hunting.

And thank you.

[Marrah_G]

63. I am putting in my application

[revolution breeze]

65. I know my post count is low

But I have been a member for quite some time. I am really working to get to 1,000 posts!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

66. me me me?!

Had taken some time off from politics to work on health care advocacy. I'm a very very happy multiple pre-existing condition person this morning.

[NYC_SKP]

67. ***Raises Hand***

[JNelson6563]

68. I would gladly serve a term.

I've been enjoying DU for many years and would be happy to help out in this way.

Julie

[proud2BlibKansan]

69. I'd be glad to serve

I certainly make enough referrals to the MIR team. Time to pay back!