What are your thoughts on forums like this that use moderation colors when locking a topic etc? I find it to be unprofessional in my view. The same text could be done in normal font and it will still get the point across.

Anyhow what I am looking for is reasons why this is useful on forums?

I think moderation color is important in terms when you do something to someone's post and to prevent yourself from posting unnecessary post to the thread related to moderation jobs, you leave a message using a moderation color. If you use your moderation color on an entirely new post, then sure, it might sound rather unnecessary because even in normal writing style, considering who you are, people would be able to see if it's moderation message.

In another site I'm part of, they used it like that.

I guess your point is valid. I still do not see a reason for it. They don't do moderation colors on the MyBB, PhpBB etc support forums.

Well, that is the reason.

Anyway, I can see why people might not really like it. It sounds so.. differentiating between regular and special members. I think I saw it on phpBB support forum before, but I'm not sure I'm right either.

In another forum I'm part of I do have a moderation color as well, but I use it more for fun things than for serious matters since it never happened.

If I was given a moderation color on a forum I wouldn't use it.

I think it depends on the decision of the forum owner or leading administrators.

In the site where I have moderation color, the other staff members are encouraged to use the moderation color/tag for notice or small information about something which doesn't need a stand-alone posts. Although before we're all advised to send a PM first for any moderation action we do because some members might not like someone messes up with their post.

So yes, it depends.

I'm so used to the notify on topic action thing they have for phpBB. It's instant so no need to send a manual PM to the user.

But FM is different. Of course if I had to use a mod color in a post I would, but I prefer not.

Well, that is because such notification is so.. automatic. If we ever do any moderation action, we have the responsibility to explain why we do so. That's where PM comes in. I believe such notice has no further explanation?

Either way we're going off-topic.

At any rate, moderation color can act as quick PM if the mistake is nothing big or major.

Sorry, but a post instead of a quick PM? Does PM's cost to send or something?

No, nothing of the sort. Just saying that sometimes not all moderation action need to be followed with a PM to the member. We can simply leave a note with our moderation color and let them know what we did.

Not that it costs to send PM. Just quicker.