The Show Must Go On...

I know some recent changes on the message boards have some members a bit confused, so I'll try to explain things the best I can.  :-)

AOL's Message Boards have evolved into two distinctly different experiences - Member Managed and AOL Guided.  Volunteer AOL Community Leaders with the HOST/LDRS name prefixes can be found throughout the MEMBER MANAGED board communities.  Yes, we are members, too!  <g>  We will be there to start or join in on discussions, help members, answer questions (if we can) and play an active role in the community.  We will not be removing posts and may refer other members to the tools available to all to improve their own experiences online - Ignore Author for annoyances and Notify AOL for actual AOL Terms of Service violations (AOL Keyword: TOS).  I'll be going more into the use of those in future entries. 

AOL's Member Managed Message Boards are to be kept within TOS, but the more strict Television Community Standards do not apply.  In our Member Managed Communities all members take part in making their community the best place online!  Yeah, the board host will help.  But it's up to YOU, the AOL Member, to make your favorite board community fun; interesting; perhaps thought provoking at times; always entertaining and a great place to hang your cyber hat, kick your feet up and get comfy with your online friends!

On the AOL Guided Message Boards, both TOS and the AOL Television Community Standards apply to postings.  AOL staff (not HOST/LDRS folks) monitor those boards for violations and remove posts accordingly.  Please take a moment to read those standards before posting as they have recently changed.  The account you save may be your own!  ;-)  While I'm specifically discussing the Television Community here, these changes go across the board on AOL. 

How can you tell if you're posting in a Member Managed or AOL Guided Message Board Community?  It can be a bit confusing, huh?  But, it's not so hard.  Here's the skinny - while you have the specific board you wish to post on open, hit the link which reads 'Community Standards' which is to the right on the old format boards or on the bottom of the HTML boards.  Each board is linked to which type it is as far as Member Managed or AOL Guided and also includes vital information for posting.  The TV Community Member Managed Guidelines tell you a lot more about posting in the communities where you'll find volunteer Community Leaders - just click on that link to find out all about them!

Beware that each board is set to one or the other... one board within a container may be AOL Guided and the rest within it may be Member Managed.  A good example of this is the 'Amazing Race' Message Board Container.  Only the General Discussion board within that is AOL Guided.  Both the 'Fans of the Amazing Race' and 'Your Predictions and Spoilers' are Member Managed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  If I don't know the answer, I may know where to refer you or know someone who can answer.  :-)

Oh, and before you ask "What is the meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything?" - The answer is 42.  <g> See this for more information on author Douglas Adams and The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Hey, Vol!  Welcome to the Journal!  :-)  Mine has a pink icon, too.  But, with me, I think it's because I have it added to My Boards.  It may vary according to AOL Version.  I'm glad you're peeking in.  Once I get the information stuff out of the way, I'm going exploring and I'm even thinking of highlighting some of the happenings on the boards!  With the info stuff, it will be SO easy to answer a question on the boards briefly, then refer folks to an entry here for an extensive answer.  That way I'm only SO boring.  <g>
Comment from hostetvjackie - 3/15/05 1:14 AM
On my Survivor boards, the member managed board has a pink note icon. The rest of the boards have the standard white.
Comment from volunteeralot - 3/14/05 10:41 PM
That's a good idea, RN!  I've heard rumors that something is in the works to make Member Managed and AOL Guided boards more easily differentiated at a glance.  But you know how rumors are!  :-)  I'm going to pass your comment up the line to some folks who actually work on these things.  Member input is good.  Thank you!
Comment from hostetvjackie - 3/14/05 5:30 PM
Could a board that is member managed begin with MM or something to let us know?  Or could it be in a different font color?  That way we would know at a glance if it is MM or AOL managed.
Just a thought.  Yes, I actually ahd one today!
Comment from rnbrigal - 3/14/05 1:02 PM

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