Just a test diary, can't really think of much else to write about .... but can you believe this place!? It is amazing. This is the Ferrari of weblogs.
Command abuse is the technical term among professional community managers for inappropriate use of admin privileges. It differs from other forms of online abuse in that admins have tools available to them most readers don't. Examples of such abuse would be snooping around on someone famous, settling old scores by banning or otherwise interfering with other members' ability to use a site, or intimidating regular community members with veiled or direct threats of Admin Revenge ...
I see alot of command abuse on smaller sites, especially the veiled threat kind. And there's no lack of sites where the proprietor[s] squelches legitimate criticism and generally behaves like an ass. In fact a certain Red-site comes to mind. In most cases, that's their privilege. It puts me off, but if you don't like it, no one is forcing you to visit that website. But on big sites, like Facebook or Twitter, command abuse by employee admins not only gets you fired, it can get you sued into the poorhouse.
Not trying to scare anyone: I don't seriously think trusted users or group admins should worry about getting sued here by the Great Orange Satan based on TU or GA command abuse. Not speaking for anyone but myself, but my guess is you guys can pretty much assign ratings the same you you've been doing, you did after all earn the privilege, and manage your own groups how you see fit. If you screw up royally and piss off enough members, you might see your group dwindle to a small echo chamber. I suppose it's possible to lose your TU status by being a complete asshole, although I'm not sure exactly how that works.
Thing is, I really don't know how groups are going to shake out. Like many communities, 99% of the problems that crop up are likely to come from 1% of the participants. Hopefully, contributing editors don't get dragged into anyone's personal online drama. But it might be a good idea to be thinking about a simple, defined, recommended Code of Conduct that you can apply consistently. And if you want some advice, be gentle about it.
It's human nature to want to slam back when you get slammed. But you don't have to respond to anyone you don't want to. That's one of the only things you control completely. Bear in mind that to some degree, there are people here who like debate. If you're not one of them, let them do it, this is a great platform for that kind of stuff. Let's say for example I write a diary on creationism and evolution. And a creationists pops up in comments. My first instinct, honed after years of suffering their insipid, underhanded, low life tactics is to smack them down, hard. But is that the best course of action? Is that what's best for that thread or is it just my inner Orwell?
Maybe it's appropriate, one dedicated troll can totally derail an otherwise fabulous comment section. One, single, legit member having a bad day, or who won't just Let It Go, and rails on comment after comment about how a single word you wrote implies you support Hitler can really annoy. But maybe not; criticism or a different viewpoint is not the same thing as trolling.
For one thing, in my hypothetical case, the creationist may be extremely polite. Even if they're not, they have the same privilege to post comments as any other member. But more importantly, when creationists pitch really shitty arguments against evo that you've heard get debunked again and again, newer members may be seeing them for the first time. It's a good way for those folks to learn all kinds of physical science, see through all kinds of clever antiscience, and it's a great way for them to sharpen their emerging critical thinking skills. In short, debate like that can be productive, even fun. Take the creationist out of the picture, and that fun stops.
My hunch is you can tell if are doing a fair job managing a group by several subtle metrics. First of all, it'll often be an utterly thankless task. You'll do all the heavy lifting, and get scores of back seat drivers with great and not so great ideas who let you down anytime you ask them for help. Second, people will antagonize the shit out of someone and then come running to you whining that their victim is being mean and should be dealt with. Prepare yourself for this: in the majority of cases, the whiner will be sincerely clueless that their own aggressive behavior is to blame.
But the good news, and another sign that you are an important admin of a large, successful group, the vast majority of members will be freakin awesome. You'll find yourself loving your role and making a real difference in something you care about deeply. There's not many situations where we have that kind of opportunity. This new, kick ass site, and the social media embedded in it looks like it just may turn out to be one of those rare places.