Published on 12, July, 2020
This is mainly for the moderators to consider.
Could we have a 'Moderator alert'. Perhaps as a 'Sticky', perhaps as an easy to find 'button' or something else.
This should be a means of alerting moderators to threats, safety, spamming, or other 'serious' issues. It would need some thought as to how it would work, but it should also include a facility to private message the moderator with words of explanation as to what the problem is.
The present 'Report as abusive' is not really fit for purpose as it does not really seem to do anything or if it does it takes days to work at times. I envisage the 'Alert' facility to get a moderator to deal with the situation within two hours if possible, and also to provide information.
There should also be a sticky to explain what is acceptable and what is not. Yes we have some rules, but these appear to be subject to interpretation and are flouted. It should perhaps explain unacceptable behaviour such as trolling, spamming, and threats and the consequences. This might also help prevent public spats on the forums.
With regard to the rules I think an Asimov style '3 laws' as a summary of the current '10 commandments' (which look like they're primarily concerned with legal issues of harassment, privacy and liability) might be an idea.
Something like:
1. Think before you post
2. Respect others' opinions and experiences
3. If you are unhappy with/worried by something, alert a moderator via the 'report' button
Also, the 'Report as abusive link' shouldn't be 'hidden' behind the 'More' link - not least because it's the only thing there (when it's not your own post)!
In fact, on the basis that the most I've ever seen under that link is:
I don't see why all those options can't be 'exposed' all the time...
But you know, it's not like I'm a Business Analyst that does this kind of thing for a living...!
Not good enough when people get pedantic about avoiding the unwritten rules, like I said we tried this on my electronics forum and although we only have 3 rules they were to cover the stuff people were saying they did because there was not a rule about that. Many other things are still not set in stone as common sense usually rules or it's dealt with.
Greetings "Brains"... I was typing a long darn thing below there, and this popped up. When people revive old threads I think it is simply those who know how to use the search box... a lot. It matters not, or is not known to matter, if the original starter is still reading. (Not sure what else to say about that, just now. I do the same myself sometimes.)
Trainspotter said: know this is about 'rules' and I can't really defend myself for ignoring them, but my mitigating circumstances are that posting a similar thread only becomes annoying if it is done frequently in a short space of time,
I also want to add that I would not wish to deter anyone from posting a sensible post. If we followed the 'advice not to post if a similar post had occurred, we would have to have all those 'Hi, I'm new here' posts in the same thread and as such it would get overwhelming and welcomes not appear to be personal.
Also, I don't mind how many times I reply to posts from people who are having the same sort of difficulties at work. Posts are always unique, however many similarities they have to others. Trying to 'fit' a post into an older one could also lead to a hijacking of that post with similar but unrelated material, one of the things which I believe should not be encouraged.
And I also don't mind all the 'favourite' music/tv programmes/films/books/poetry posts being duplicated as long as there is a month or so between the different posts and the original post has 'died'. Such posts tend to get a lot of replies, and after a certain number of replies they simply get overwhelming with all the branches, intertwining threads and new posts. Ultimately, there are probably only a dozen or so topics, so could anyone imagine how unwieldy each of the topics would be .....!
Some members are extremely nervous of posting. I would rather encourage someone like that to share their experiences and gain confidence rather than putting them off because a similar post has been made before. Being friendly and helpful are far more important in my opinion than worrying about duplicating posts that others have put on months or years ago.
Ultimately, there are probably only a dozen or so 'real' subjects, so could anyone imagine how unwieldy each of the topics would be if there were no duplication .....!
uh, looks like this stupid forum software does not warn me someone posted before me while i was typing. i meant i agree with you @Trainspotter
My feeling is with all the various branches and twigs with old posts, it can get rather a problem to find where something has been posted. One sees the original topic, which may or may not seem relevant to others. And with all the branches various posts seem very difficult for me to find. I am not one who uses facepack, twigger or any forum apart from this one, apart from when I have wanted specific answers on software for example, so this is more difficult for an old chap like me!
I agree, you need to balance duplication with dragging up old irrelevant threads. if you want to know something then search and find the answer. But if you want to bring something to attention and discuss the problem as it is now then it's best to start again.
I do understand what your saying but the moderators split each topic into sections so that it made it easier for them to deal with individual topics.
They actually split the longer threads apart and gave new titles to them. They did say any issue related should only be posted there. Not repeated on a new post. Or new different issues added that weren’t relevant.
Now I understand that isn’t a rule but repeating posts already covered time and time again is taking up space and not always easy to monitor.
No matter how old a post as soon as it is added to it becomes new and relevant. It would also help us see if the mods ever see the report or indeed took any action. Or even considered doing something about it.
My searches have found may such posts within the specific area they should be, many replies from NAS team leaders, not much was offered, some agreed but consequently didn’t bother to come back and say if they had done anything or not?
Adding to an existing topic is essential as it provides great insight as to how much it is an issue and what can or cannot be done about it.
So it stands as a point of reference for all to judge if the action taken is good enough or not even considered.
Just read a few that actually informed about things I didn’t know, for instance one about a report spam button, quite a few joined in to say we need one, but also helped to explain what spam was and how it could actually catch people out by clicking links.
I learnt a great deal a few minutes ago, just reading that.
There are also suggestions relating to just buttons to raise various issues, spam, trolling, rude or offensive posts, contact direct to an administrator,sticky buttons, how to message a mod exists so a button was discounted as a need,
Just my suggestion like anything. If you want answers then go looking for other posts regarding the specific topic of interest.
A single new post however well intentioned doesn’t really help give much understanding of what the overall impact is or has been in the past. Or indeed if action has ever been considered.
Just my opinion but like yours worthy of noting.
Take care and keep posting.
My ideas are merely my thoghts on this, combined with ideas gleaned from others.
We all have ideas about what is unnecessary. My opinion about checkng to see if a question has been asked before is that often it has, but the thread is often very old and sometimes has become somewhat overwhelming, and also unless a search is specific threads may be missed, so that is something more of counsel of perfection than needs rigidity, although a quick search to see if the topic has been covered fairly recently would prevent the forum being overwhelmed by threads on the same thing in a short period of time.
I also think a clean, specific thread to a recent problem will more likely get attention than trying to adapt an ancient thread. I may be wrong over this but it is only my opinion. And recent events are why this is important right now rather than in the past.
Well by Jove just had a quick look and have not yet seen any results relating to a dedicated button to contact a moderator.
There are many many posts relating to contacting and reporting any issues found and that the moderators would prefer specific topics kept in each section.
Anyway glad the mods saw this and have replied quickly. In the earlier posts it took weeks sometimes and quite often nothing was ever done.
The odd upgrade but sadly there never seemed to be a great deal of emphasis to listen and actually sort things out. Just put plasters here and there and hope in some way it pacified us.
Well done you seem to have found a unique issue that should be considered.