Physics Forums ranks and titles?

jimgraber

“Administrator, moderator, science advisor, homework helper, mentor, guru.”
What do all these different terms mean and how does one attain them?
I understand “contributor”, but I can only guess at the rest.
TIA.
Jim Graber

Kurdt

A mentor is a moderator and they do all the hard work of maintaining the integrity of the site by moderating posts. The admins look after the technical side. Science Advisors and Homework Helpers get nominated by other SA's, HH's and mentors if they've been seen to provide consistently good posts. Gurus are voted for once a year by everyone after a few people are nominated by mentors I believe. Its just to recognise people who have contributed in whatever area during the year.

I don't know how one becomes a mentor but I presume its similar to becoming a HH or SA.

Ivan Seeking

Here is a complete staff list
http://www.physicsforums.com/showgroups.php

It is linked at the top of the page.

Evo

Admins - Greg Bernhardt owns the site, chroot helps keep the site running, as well as mentoring

Mentors - Help moderate the forums, do clean up, make sure guidleines are adhered to as well as advising in their specific fields of knowledge.

Science advisors - Members that have been recognized for their consistently acccurate and helpful posts in their field.

Homework Helpers - Members that have been recognized for their knowledge and willingness to help in the Homework Forums.

Guru - Once a year we let the members vote for their favorite member in the different forums. Usually someone they want to recognize for the help they've given.

Hootenanny

Hi Jim,

Administrators refer to Greg and chroot, who mainly look after the technical-side of the site, coding and server management, Greg is also the site owner.

Moderators and Mentors are the same position, as you can probably guess they are tasked with moderating the forums, ensuring that a level of scientific accuracy is maintained and 'run' the site on a daily basis. Mentors have to power to move, lock, edit and delete threads as well as ban individual members. I imagine (although I don't actually know) that the mentors also have a significant say in how the site evolves and I'm sure Greg consults with them on any major decisions.

Science advisors (SA's) are people who have been nominated (and seconded) by either administrators, mentors or current SA's as recognition of demonstrated scientific knowledge and understanding on the forums.

Homework helpers (HH) are those who have been nominated (and seconded) by those groups mentioned above and additionally current HH's as showing a commitment to helping students, usually in the homework forums.

SA's and HH's don't have any specific responsibilities beyond those which they impose on themselves. Although generally, the SA's along with the mentors can participate in the review of submissions to our independent research forum.

I don't think that they are particularly consider 'ranks' here, more as recognitions, or awards. I find that PF operates a far superior system than those forums that award ranks based on post count and/or at the discretion of one or two individuals.

[Edit: Looks like I was beaten to it]

Tom Mattson

Write many good posts.

Greg Bernhardt

Yes, it should be noted that Mentors have a direct role in the discussion and action of site policy. (Gotta spread the blame if something goes wrong ).

Moonbear

Just remember, Green = God(dess). We sometimes let those guys in light blue think they are, but really, they're just here to provide storage for our chocolate. *ducks and runs*

G01

Well, I wonder who Greg is going to pick as the scapegoat next time there are server problems.

Kurdt

the tech guru of course. Thats why these people are chosen.

jimgraber

Thanks to all who replied. I feel much more clued in. The one thing that surprised me was the mentor = moderator equation. To me, those two words are far from synonymous.
Thanks again.
Jim Graber

Greg Bernhardt

Mentors have moderator abilities, but that is just one small slice of the pie, trust me.