I was basically a troll when I first used BL. Just posted random stoopid, pointless shit, dicksized, generally acted like a complete moron. Eventually I actually bothered to read threads enough to get a bit of a feel for the place and to find people that seemed like the type of person I could relate to so I stopped using throwaway trolling accounts and started a proper account I intended to stick with and build a decent reputation. That would be this account. Everybody can learn from things they did previously they maybe wouldn't do the same with hindsight. It's excruciatingly embarrassing to think of the kinda shit I used to post - just utter drivel, the very worst and most pathetic type of trolling. I wasn't even good at it cos was new to the internet also so even more depressingly bad. I'm really very glad none of those posts exist and if any do nobody knows it was me - not even me cos they were accounts I'd make for one night then never use again. If I can see where I could've done things better so can anybody else.
Excellent analogy, Evel
I've never had a driving lesson nor taken a driving test (somewhat obviously given the former) in my life but that's exactly what it is. There can be all kindsa reasons why a person isn't chosen as mod at any given round of applications. Best thing for anybody that really wants a staff position is to keep on trying. Being overly memberative is not so great (ie somebody who acts like they are a mod when they're not) but being a bit modlike is (ie being generally helpful like posting useful links to point people in the right (or even just an interesting) direction when they ask a question, not getting involved in unnecessary arguments and drama (something we could all do with being better at - myself included) and just generally doing the things you would hope others would do for you if it were the other way around). That's the way I see it anyway. Good members make good mods - focus on the former and the latter becomes more likely cos obviously the way somebody acts around the forum is what staff see and base a large part of their decisions on applications on.