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!