I’d just like to clear the air here. Alex is trying to paint the picture like I’m singling him out when I am not. Historically, Alex and I have not gotten along. We do not align on any views regarding… software in general. This of course causes problems because I am a moderator, he is not. I generally try not reply to any of his posts because of our historical disagreements.
Our last interaction, I proposed a question to a few users involving a problem which Alex was not involved in. Alex replied to my question, and I responded with a snippy remark. This lead to an additional 6 inappropriate back and forth messages between Alex and I. During these messages back and forth, both Alex and myself were not only off topic, but mean spirited. I shouldn’t have done that, neither should he have. So, I removed the 6 posts.
Alex took the removal of these messages as “You’re abusing your moderator powers to hide your own technical incompetence.”. I admit, the solution he offered was something I have never used. I even went back and edited my snarky remark, claiming his proposal was a good path forward. Somewhere in the middle of this, Alex took it upon himself to let me know his feelings through a direct message. This message was one of the worse personal message I’ve ever received from an individual on these forums. In the moment, I responded with an equally inappropriate message.
I then took this message to other moderators simply because Alex and I do not get along. Unfortunately, a knee jerk suspension was performed by a 3rd party moderator. Alex was suspended for roughly 10 minutes before I removed the suspension and got different moderator involved. I chose a moderator who I thought would be more impartial to the situation. At that point, the matter was resolved. Alex received a warning about the personal message.
This interaction could have been handled better by myself and by the moderator who hastily suspended Alex. I can’t speak for the other moderators actions, but for my actions, I apologize. As for Alex’s decision to leave, that is his own decision. I do feel that he is being harsh and not taking responsibility for his own actions and laying the blame solely on me. I do not think that is a fair assessment.
Anyways, I wish Alex the best of luck on his future smart home endevours.
If you have any questions about the situation, please contact @TheFes, the impartial moderator that was involved in the situation.