Each of the forums at Rendo has moderators. I came to understand that their job is to patrol the galleries and forums for 'inappropriate behavior', but also contribute to the communities – use their expertise  to  answer questions, highlight exceptional work they saw, organize challenges and/or workshops, etc. In short, facilitate and stimulate the creativity of the members.
The people in this forum are a great group. They rarely get into any mischief and they share info and tips quite willingly and amicably. It is no wonder that  a heavy hand of a moderator isnt needed.
However, the moderators here are in effect invisible in ALL respects. In the last half a year the moderators agiel and sgt2005 only posted in the vue forum 38 and 8(!) times.
(I'm not a frequent poster – I dont know enough  to be that helpful yet- but I posted 47 posts at this period)
I dont know if they posted any meaningful comments on any gallery images – I havnt seen any. None of the vue competitions started or finished on time. At the top of the forum there is a link to a section 'workshops' – the latest entry there is from April 2006. The forum log was updated on Nov 2007. In the community page the 'winner of the last challenge'  is the winner in march 2008. Image of the week was posted the same month. 'Staff picks' were posted between Jan and Mar 2008.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice their invisibility.

So, why did I decide to bring this up now?  Well, because their absence and unfamiliarity in what is happening here lead to a serious oversight and injustice. Nov is the month at Rendo for vue's artist of the month and the nominations were put forwards yesterday (would have been nice to see a notice in the vue forum). While some of the nominees are top class, there is (at least) one glaring omission. I cant see how any list this year could be complete without Artur Rosa, aka RUTRA, being on it. Anyone who visits the Vue forum and galleries even at a moderate frequency would have enjoyed his images – a combination of  technical skills and artistic flair, with a twist and a surprise to spice it all up. His work has been appreciated by the casual observers as well as the experts.
If  you were around,  it wouldnt have escaped your attention that he gets comments and favorites from many,  even though it is obvious he isnt in any 'lets comment on its others work'  club.
If you were around you would know that he willingly shares his knowledge with others in the group
(By the way, he posted 287 posts in the forum in the last half year).
If you were around you would have  heard his work is often honored by the creators of the software and is chosen as picture of the day on the e-on site.
If you were around you would have heard that his work was one of the finalists in the prestigious annual e-on competition.
If you were around all year, since the last AOM for vue, you would have realized that it isnt just the number of quality works he creates, it  isnt just the recognition he receives from his  peers, it isnt just the appreciation he gets from experts, it is this combined body of evidence that makes him a worthy nominee.

Of course, if the moderators are absent year long and only get around to handling the nomination process at (or after) the last minute, one can understand they are faced with a difficult task and in the hurry they may omit someone important.
One can understand, but not condone or forgive.

Even I am not naive enough to think the moderators will take any action to fix their mistake (prove me wrong, why not). But I hope they have the honor and courage to admit their mistake and apologize publicly.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IMPORTANT NOTE – this message was payed for with my own feelings and time and was not endorsed or approved by anyone else.

I already had a private conversation on the subject with Rutra actually. No need to step on a soapbox and bring it up.

I explained what happened, listened to his suggestions and hopefully, we will correct the way we are doing things for the better.

Now on the subject on not participating much to the forum. I have been told a while back that I was participating too much. That I was smothering the forum with comments and answers and I was not giving other members a chance to participate. Someone people even told me they were turned off from the forum because of that.

Well.. I guess that confirms something I have learned a being a moderator - you can't please everybody.

I know that maybe I should have participated more for the past year, but personal reasons offline took care of a lot of my spare time. I will find a solution to that problem in the coming weeks actually.

Patience...

"None of the vue competitions started or finished on time."

Don't feel alone here, none of the challenges I've entered has been anything but a farce.
The last one I went in, a Poser one earlier this year, voting started before all the entries were in. It will be my last one.
The running of competitions and challenges really needs a shake-up, seriously.

Quote - Now on the subject on not participating much to the forum. I have been told a while back that I was participating too much. That I was smothering the forum with comments and answers and I was not giving other members a chance to participate. Someone people even told me they were turned off from the forum because of that.

agiel, FWIW, I think you've done a very good job of moderating this forum. I always read with interest anything you have to say on the subject of Vue as you are one of the 'old timers' who's been with e-on for quite some time. Please do not let others get you down.

I'm surprised someone told you you were participating 'too much.' Is that even possible? 

Keep up the good work,
Chipp

Indeed it is possible. I have been called much worse too :) but that's part of the job I guess. Fortunately, I received positive feedback as well, so it makes up for it in the end.

I tried to strike a balance for a while, but as you can see, that balance was difficult to keep for the past year or so. Too many reasons to get into really. The result is here - I have let dust accumulate for too long and for that, I apologize.

About the challenges - they are supposed to be informal exercises. Occasions for people to produce images around a theme and practice their skills. So what if they are not on time. The monthly schedule is completely arbitrary.

If you see one start, nothing is keeping you from participating. When it is over, what you created is the real reward - not the 'prize' of having the honor to select the next theme.

Artpearl, thanks a lot for your words. IMHO, there were several others who were a clear and unforgiveable miss, like garyandcatherine, DOM1, kenwas, jrdesigns, FCLittle. IMHO, these artists HAD to be nominated because they are among the top "embassadors" of Vue in Renderosity.

I don't understand why the voters were presented with so few choices (six). Was there any problem in presenting for vote something like 10 or 15 entries?

Agiel, Chipp, participation in the forum is one thing but Artpearl mentioned a lot more than that. She talked about the Vue community pages, like challenges, workshops, staff picks and even news in general. For example, there was a recent Vue tutorial featured in Renderosity frontpage but not even a mention to it here. Another example is the AOM itself, that wasn't even mentioned in the forum or community page. Indeed, the community pages and activities are dead for many months. That is sad.
Agiel, I understand and sympathize with your "real life" challenges but then, IMO, you should have bring it up to the admins and clearly say you can't handle the task and ask them to choose someone else, at least temporarily. That's what I do in my "real life" job as well. IMHO, it's better to do one job right than to do two jobs poorly.

Forums moderators on any site learn quickly the old adage concerning how many people you can keep happy and how often.  It's one of the things they always forget to tell you when stitching you up for the position :)

Agiel, is Renderosity going to take this thread on board and seriously see if it can change the process for AOM in the future based on the feedback you can get here, assuming that feedback is practical?  Cos if it is, then you might want to push the thread hard using whatever methods you have available to you so you can get more people involved and helping come up with a "solution".

I'll just say a word about challenges and workshops. Do you see how many peolple participate in these? Maybe not, because noone seems interested. there at 5,6 participants tops, no wonder these challenges are never on time. There would not be enough participants.
Now I wasn't even aware of the AOM being from the Vue gallery this month, I don't even see it on the community pages. So there is definitely some lack of information.

Art Pearl,  I think you're mistaken on the Vue mods and the Rendo forums.  I can't comment on the AOM (which is something I rarely bother with and it appears not many people bother with this as well), but the forums on Rendo are certainly among the best, if not the best of all of the Vue messaging boards.  I think Agiel in particular has done (and continues to do) a terrific job with this.  There is an incredible wealth of information and insight on Vue here and a community that is eager and willing to provide help on virtually any problem/issue.  Its a great testament in large part to Agiel's long stewardship as to why this forum continues to be an invaluable resource. 

I would agree. He certainly is a far better Vue moderator than I am or will be. As a matter of fact, the only reason I'm still mod at the Commune is that no one else is. There's a job open if anyone wants it lol(seriously)....Sir James and I are so busy with real life that all we are able to do is pop in and answer questions now and again. There's time for little else. I know from when I first started that to be an all that and a bag of chips moderator is pretty much a full time job. Can't do it. So hat's off to Agiel for what he is able to do. And yes, this is a mighty fine Vue forum and community so hat's off there too. It's a shame real life interferes with our fun cyber life but it does and there you have it. You just have to do the best you can in both worlds, but the real one must take priority.

What I want most is to have the time to just sit and do Vue for a few days with no interruptions and maybe come up with a pretty picture or a tutorial or something. It's been too many months since that's happened. But that's not today....gotta go to work. So have a good one and we'll be seein' ya.....

I as well think the mods here are great.  Nothing gets past them...and believe me i have tried ;D

There knowledgeable about the software, and for me thats what counts.

Just a few clarification and follow up wonderings:

1. Several people thought my criticism belittles Agiel and they jumped to his defense. I do not question his skills, knowledge, wisdom or good will. I was highlighting his absence, the fact that in the period since I was around he didnt apply any of the good qualities you old-timers refer to. If I had reason to think he isnt suitable for the job, I should be happy he isnt around, why would I want him to contribute more?

I have no idea what sgt2005's job is. Even in this thread which is obviousely relevant to him, he
doesnt contribute. He serves no purpose that I can detect.

1. I may be wrong, but while coordinators are volunteers, 'moderator' is a paid job. I'm absolutely sure it is not a big amount, and not at all the reason moderators do it. But it is a commitment. Of course 'real life' comes first. But if a moderator, for whatever reason, cannot perform his duties, he should make it clear. As mentioned above, find a replacement for the problematic period. Discuss it with the powers that be  and redefine the job/duties and announce it to the community. Even leave the community to fend for itself for awhile, but make it clear there is no one at the helm.
   (Samtherapy, a moderator at the poser forum, did just that -put up a stickie  that he cant do any moderating due to external problems. My respect to him)
   And to return to the specific reason I started the thread, if you are not involved in the life of the community you will make serious mistakes like in the nominations for AOM. None of us can tell you how to prioritize  you life. But its only fair to admit when you cant do the job.

2. Agiel - you said
   "I already had a private conversation on the subject with Rutra actually. No need to step on a soapbox and bring it up.
   I explained what happened, listened to his suggestions and hopefully, we will correct the way we are doing things for the better."
   Well, if you and Rutra came to an amicable agreement - that's great for both of you. Even so, it is a public matter that hit Rutra this time, others another time.(In fact as Rutra mentioned in his post, there are worthy others too that were ignored).
   And how are things going to be corrected  for the better? Is that not a matter for public discussion either?
   So if you dont mind, I'll keep and continue to use my faithful soap-box. Serves me well.

3. "Why does it matter that challenges are late" "who cares about AOM":
   Why does anythig matter?
   If they are there they should be treated with respect. If you advocate getting rid of them  - I may even agree with you. So have it done. Ignoring the rules is disrespetful to those who take them seriousely.

4. My appologies to those who have been nominated - it hope its clear I did not intend to imply faults with their inclusion, just with the exclution of other worthy candidates.

5. Thank you to those who bothered to express an opinion, even its oposing mine.
   I cannot understand why you are such a small minority. Dont other viewers (approx 200 so far) have an opinion? why not share them with the community?

Thank you all for your attention.

Damned if you do, and Damned if you don't. 

That kind of comes with the territory for mods of any forum anywhere, all the way back to BBS days.  They kind of skip it in the invitations to join the legions of the damned.

Kind of like starting work for Evil Overlords, only without the spandex uniforms.

Thanks for bringing up an important topic ArtPearl.

I've always thought this is a great forum. My feelings are pretty much the same as Monsoon's, although I don't have his moderating experience.

Agiel, it's good to hear that you have a plan to deal with your (i guess temporary) lack of time. And I certainly want to thank you for years of excellent moderating here.

Every one has problems to deal with and unfortunately they often effect others. So, we'll just have to take it in stride and support whatever solutions are provided.
 
It's great that we can discuss this in thoughtful and civil ways - shows the quality of this community.