Thanks RD, for the kind introduction.....and thanks also Fredrocker; if only that stuff had any bearing! I don't recall feeling as apprehensive before setting up a game of CM
People may be interested (or worried!) as to whether this appointment signals any change in moderator policy: the answer is a firm no. The CM Forum rules will be applied as they stand. I have my own style of moderating, sure, but that is to be applied in furtherance of the rules as stated.
The next has to be said, because I think some people will wonder even if they don't ask. I firmly believe it to be best, at this point and for the forseeable future, to keep complete separation between causes of past conflict....the people concerned know what those are. Those issues are neither to be imported here nor attacked nor defended nor justified here; they are simply not to get a mention one way or the other. Such threads/posts will be deleted instantly no matter who wrote them, and further action might follow. I believe all moderators will come down hard on any infraction.
This should be, and usually is, a board of comradely respect. That means a board where people can disagree with each other in lively wargaming and historical topic discussions, but where uncalled for personal attacks are frowned on and rightly so. I will being doing my best to help keep this board running harmoniously.
It is impossible to set down concrete rules on future treatment of every situation. People may PM me at any stage to talk about anything, particularly to let me know that there is a post which has upset them and which they feel needs moderating. People should especially PM me if they disagree about a particular moderating decision. Please note that you may say what you like in any PM within legal limits, I will try to always reply politely and respectfully.
If we can not reach agreement in our PMs as to whether a moderating decision was justified, my usual personal policy would be to submit the decision for review by another moderator. Normal rights of appeal to club leaders of course apply, but I am hopeful that we can all get along at the grassroots level with commonsense and goodwill :)
Phew....glad I got all that out of the way! Now back to the gaming.....
Best wishes to all