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Author's profile photo xMoshe Naveh (Old Acct)

Moderator Spotlight – Juergen Lins

A few weeks ago Gali handed over the responsibility for the “Moderator spotlight” since she is now managing the “Ignite” project. I was really pleased as the moderator Spotlight is the way the SCN community team thanks an individual moderator for his exemplary work he is doing on SCN.

I’m proud to present my first “Moderator Spotlight”, Juergen Lins, who many of you know as Juergen L. We decided to nominate Juergen for his community spirit and endless efforts in moderation (especially in SAP MM and ILM spaces) and helping other community members. We would like also to thank him for his support in the gamification project. In the interview below you can read about Juergen’s SCN insights, special hobbies and good advice. I’m sure you will enjoy reading this as much I enjoyed his Blog It forward post.

                           JL.jpg


Please share with the Community a little about yourself

I am from Germany and live in a village, 30 km east of Frankfurt together with my wife and my daughter.

In my neighborhood you can find representatives from all the European Countries, however the main reason we chose to live here (of course influenced by my wife) is that the biggest comprehensive school of Germany is located nearby. One of its attractive features is that the school allows children to learn a large variety of languages. I’m proud to say that my company, Evonik Industries AG, sponsored a Cyber-Classroom with 3D equipment for chemistry teaching.

I live actually only 10 minutes from one of Evoniks’ major plants, but unfortunately I have to pass it and drive another hour to the plant in Darmstadt, where I work.

This long drive gives me a lot of time to enjoy my hobby which is listening to audio books, which I also do when I have to do my other hobby that I get assigned to by my wife: ironing. I mostly like to listen to Science Fiction (Eschbach, Crichton) and Thrillers (Grangé, Deaver, Forsyth).


When did you join the SCN community? 

I joined the SCN community on Sept. 1st  2005, but I am certain that I browsed the site earlier. I was probably after information about ALE because it was my first migration project where we started to extract the data using ALE instead of downloading table by table to Excel and Access. I am sure I found the answer in existing content, even though SDN was less than 2 years online. It always takes me a long time until I sign up anywhere in the web, and it took another 2 years until I asked the first question. It is still open. In 2007 I started as well to answer questions. It is just a habit of mine, that I help others as I get helped by others in my issues.


What are the differences between moderating a small vs. large community?

There is not much difference in moderation; it is just less work in a small community. If every 10th question is a basic question, then you may see 3 per day in a large community and maybe only one per month in a small community. You may even have a blind eye to keep the community alive. A community with no activity doesn’t attract the audience.


If you could offer one bit of advice to new members or new moderators what would it be and why?

I can just repeat what was already said by Rob Burbank and Kesavads Thekkillath : Take care about what you post. It will be visible forever on the Internet. Take some effort to formulate your question and do a Spell check. I am sure that employers will investigate your history in social networks. I also recommend reading the SCN rules of engagement and following what Rob has written in Asking Good Questions in the SCN Discussion Spaces will help you get Good Answers will help you get good answers.

How has the SCN community helped you?

It is one of my preferred sources of information. It also helped me a lot as I’ve only needed to ask 11 questions since I am here. I have my personal search cascade: SAP Marketplace for SAP notes, help.sap.com, SCN as well as additional sites via Google search. The sequence of the first 3 may vary depending on the issue I need to solve.

How are you finding the new SCN?

It is already more than a year since the change was made. In the beginning it was quite different from the old forum and I missed one or more functions that I had used for moderation. However the forum is made for people, not for few moderators. I think that our job as IT folks, is to deal with changes every day. We constantly build new applications and new solutions for our customers so I could never understand all the people who complained about that change.

How are you finding the new gamification platform?

Contrary to the SCN change, it looks like gamification gets much more positive feedback. I am personally undecided yet. I have never been a gamer and it does not give me any extra motivation. However, I assume it is anyway not meant to encourage highly motivated people. My daughter asks every day if I got a new badge and how many points I have made. She sat next to me during the tests and was really fascinated. Time changes, the new generation are the people who grew up with computer games. If they can be attracted to the gamification, then it is a good thing. I will get used to it.

Is there another moderator or community member that you’ve found incredibly helpful? 

I have to name Jyoti Parkash who helps to keep MM clean. And certainly Thomas Zloch and Rob Burbank (who may not even know that I am a real fan of his blog: Asking Good Questions in the SCN Discussion Spaces will help you get Good Answers.

Not to forget the whole SAP SCN team that is really incredible in their communication and interaction.

Share a fun fact/story about yourself that people don’t know


Last year a colleague who sat 2 desks away from me, was looking for a solution in a question related to Intrastat and third-party orders. She searched SCN and found a related discussion and was really happy. She printed it and showed it to others. I just asked her if she trusts everything she reads on the Internet. She looked for the identity of the author to see how knowledgeable he was and discovered it was meJ

What is your favorite food?

Pizza is the No 1, followed by Chinese, Mexican and Indian food. I like it hot.

What is the best lesson your parents taught you?

Listen to people before you speak.

If you were given by your work a full day every week to do whatever you feel like, what would it be?

I actually have a full day off every week to reduce my overtime. I use it to relax, reading a book, going shopping, watching a movie and answering questions in SCN


If you were not in your current position, what/where would you be and why?

I guess I would be a tourist guide, as I really love to stay in foreign countries and work together with different cultures. I had done it once in India. I didn’t guide people through touristic places but I did help them at the border, in the hotel check-in, and organizing day trips.

Moshe: Thanks a lot to Juergen for participating in my first “Moderator Spotlight”. Click here if you wish to read previous “Moderator Spotlight” issues. Please feel free to use the comments section to ask him more questions.

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      Author's profile photo Gali Kling Schneider
      Gali Kling Schneider

      A very well deserved spotlight which I very much enjoyed reading!

      Juergen I loved your story 'that people don't know'! I can imagine it happening to you 😆

      Thank You for all that you do! Now I know how you do it too, aren't we lucky you have a "day off" 😉

      Best, Gali

      Author's profile photo Thomas Zloch
      Thomas Zloch

      Jürgen, great to see you finally being spotlighted here. I was always amazed at your level of involvement, both as (very) top contributor and (very) active moderator. How do you do it, does your day have 36 hours? 😉

      Thanks for mentioning me, and please keep it up!

      Thomas

      Author's profile photo Jyoti Prakash
      Jyoti Prakash

      Jürgen

      I totally agree with Thomas & Gali's comments.

      Frankly  hats off to your commitment, energy and contribution as regular active contributor, moderator, father, husband, friend, colleague, employee & all the roles you don in one day.

      Congratulation on recognition.

      Thanks & Regards, JP

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      It's always good to read about you guys.

      Your commitment is a strong source of inspiration for the entire community.

      Thanks to xMoshe Naveh (Old Acct) for a giving us another good show - "Moderator Spotlight"!

      But the link to previous issues is not working...

      Wishes and Regards,

      Bala.

      Author's profile photo xMoshe Naveh (Old Acct)
      xMoshe Naveh (Old Acct)
      Blog Post Author

      Thanks a lot for your feedback and I fixed the link:)

      Author's profile photo Umashankar Poojar
      Umashankar Poojar

      I just read this blog, very much impressed and inspired by Juergen. Also very valuable thought from your parents "Listen to people before you speak", thanks for sharing!

      Cheers!

      Umashankar

      Author's profile photo Jürgen Lins
      Jürgen Lins

      Thank you very much Moshe Naveh for having chosen me for your first Moderator spotlight, it is a honor.

      Gali Kling Schneider it is a pleasure to do what I do, and it is even for me a kind of eternal study

      36 hours could only be achieved with cloning Thomas Zloch and as cloning is creating doubles, I can confirm that my day is about 18 to 19 hours.

      Bala Siddharthan here is the link to the earlier moderator spotlights: Moderator Spotlight Showcase

      Thank you all for the nice words.

      Author's profile photo Tammy Powlas
      Tammy Powlas

      Really nice blog about one of the great SCN moderators!  I liked everything he said above and may use his words while I moderate.

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Way to go Jürgen! Please continue your good work 🙂

      Couple of questions:

      my company, Evonik Industries AG,

      1. So you must be supporting Borussia Dortmund to win the Champions League, i know I am 😉

      Pizza is the No 1, followed by Chinese, Mexican and Indian food. I like it hot.

      2. Where do you get spicy, hot Indian food in Germany? I have tried Indian food in Europe but they aren't spicy 😛

      Cheers,

      Suhas

      Author's profile photo Jürgen Lins
      Jürgen Lins

      Suhas Saha, years ago in the 90s I followed Borussia Dortmund, but lost interest when I worked in the USA, because with 32 kbps modem it was no fun to watch German News or soccer games. And for the sake of family peace I reduced my passive sport activities to Formula 1 only.

      Which has also a link to the company, as our major share holder is CVC who also has the majority control in the Forumla 1.

      You're right, it is not easy to get non-germanized Indian food, I always have to emphasize that I want it real Indian style....and then the cook keeps on watching me during eating

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi Jurgen,

      I find immense joy while reading this Article of yours! I always wonder how one person can reply all questions posted in Thread!! I am a newcomer in SAP and trying to learn & Love more & more my subject...I consider you one of my mentor too... 🙂

      Your story inspires me and trust to all!

      Thank you very much for your all contribution in this community...I wish i could also contribute in this community as my knowledge permits.! 😥

      thanking Mosha Naveh for his excellent effort! 🙂

      Regards

      Zeenat

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Congratulation....

      Author's profile photo Madhu Vadlamani
      Madhu Vadlamani

      Jurgen really superb and impressive.I can tell one thing openly now,when i have seen any of your thread i am saving as pdf and saving in mm and lsmw part.Please support scn will be very useful to us.Next time when you comes to India please let us know we want to see you.

      Moshe thanks by bringing the success story of a moderator .

      Cheers,

      Madhu. 🙂

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi Jurgen,

      Congrats.. Nice to read about you...

      I tried to find a thread in ILM area which you have not replied, but can not.. 😉

      Regards,

      Sudheer T

      Author's profile photo Bijay Kumar Barik
      Bijay Kumar Barik

      Congratulation Jürgen,

      As usual I am late to this blog also!

      At present, speedy modern management world - consultants are working in a project/multiple projects on shared service model, it’s very difficult for an individual to contribute and monitor in SCN for 24x7x365. This is only possible by your high energy level with fantastic support from your company Evonik Industries AG and great support from your family.

      Hats off to your commitment, patience and passion towards SCN.

      SCN can focus on many and more “recognition” in order to inspire the thoughtful
      contributor.

      Regards,
      Biju K

      Author's profile photo Jürgen Lins
      Jürgen Lins

      Thank you very much Biju K, I am very happy to receive these comments from you, especially as you are  a Top Contributor in the space I moderate.

      Author's profile photo Jelena Perfiljeva
      Jelena Perfiljeva

      Congratulations, Jürgen! What a great profile and excellent series, truly enjoyable.

      Most valuable lesson from parents, so true. Thank you for sharing!

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Congratulations Jürgen!... I am really inspired with your great work... hats off.

      Author's profile photo Craig S
      Craig S

      Many thanks Jürgen!  I definitely have been following your posts and I have picked up a lot from you!  You are a valuable asset to the SCN community.

      FF

      Author's profile photo Jürgen Lins
      Jürgen Lins

      Thanks for the nice comments.

      I think I should follow myself too, I am getting older...  I recently thought about a solution to a question, but somebody else was quicker and posted an link to an existing answer. After following this link I found it was an answer from me.

      Author's profile photo Craig S
      Craig S

      Yep.. I did that myself not long ago!

      FF

      Author's profile photo Steffi Warnecke
      Steffi Warnecke

      I mostly like to listen to Science Fiction (Eschbach, Crichton) and Thrillers (Grangé, Deaver, Forsyth).

      Ah, that explains your avatar. ^^

      It was really nice to read about all these different sides of you, since I've "just" known you as the very honest moderator and very knowledgable contributer. But I guess, that's not the worst start one can have. 😀

      If you like thrillers and science, I can recommend the author team Preston&Child. I don't know about the quality of the audiobooks (because I never heard one), but the books are - for me - very well written and very addictive, once I start reading. 🙂

      Author's profile photo Jürgen Lins
      Jürgen Lins

      Good catch. it is no that I love this book at most, but  I think its title describes me pretty well in some circumstances too.

      I have some audios from Preston/Child, but not yet listened

      Author's profile photo Steffi Warnecke
      Steffi Warnecke

      When starting with Preston&Child, do watch the order of the books, since they have recurring characters and hints to older stories. You would probably do it that way anyway, but I wanted to point that out nontheless. 😀

      I have to say, I picked up "Der letzte seiner Art" because of the cover and the summary on the back made me buy it, but I didn't read more than a quarter yet. So your avatar always reminds me of that novel waiting to get finished. ^^

      Author's profile photo Sergio Suarez
      Sergio Suarez

      Jurgen for the win! Greetings from SAP Argentina.