How effective is the new meta tab?

Absolutely. I love the meta section. And if people are going to bitch it is best for them to have a place to do it instead of shitting all over the frontpage.

^ What @johnpowell says.

I love the Meta section.

“However, it seems that disgruntled users often use it to air their grievances about being modded.”

It is usually the “customer” “complaints” that help to produce a better product.

@ChazMaz: When the “customer complaints” are all to the tone of “it’s just not fair that my question got modded!” that won’t exactly produce a better product. And, interestingly enough, the question that inspired this one was removed after I asked this question.

@johnpowell: This is true. Sometimes I wonder though if these users will only ever use the meta tab to whine. I do enjoy checking it for interesting fluther-related questions! :)

“are all to the tone of ”

I do not know about the tone of it.
But if it come with an explanation as to why they feel that way. It is information to look at.

@ChazMaz: Maybe there are legitimate complaints, but I have yet to see one. Mostly they are the kind of complaints that can be dealt with by looking at the guidelines. In fact, I often see a mod quoting the guidelines directly. Also, these questions often turn into flame wars directed at the mods. Too often, people just get angry that their vague question/textspeak/flame bait/etc. was removed.

See now I hear a tone. ;-)
We can’t be all things to all people.
Sometimes, especially on the meta section, we (they) need to read between the lines.

Without taking it personal.

Flaming is going to happen. Me personally, it is more insightful then anything else.

I do see where you are coming from. But… Lighten up. ;-)