A Line In The Sand

[Tomm]

Jon, look at what I posted earlier:

2) Then there's a small group of people who basically just post bollocks. It's usually intended as cheeky, harmless bollocks, but it doesn't always come across that way - Remember this is TF, not offtopic or /b/ or whatever. I have to say this is mostly the older members who have been here a while and don't really take this place very seriously (not that it should be a serious place, but there has to be some kind of level-headedness). Occasionally this does seem to descend into bullying which is totally out of order. You know who you are.

Now re-read what you've just posted. Particularly this bit:

we need to be little bitches about it and go crying to a mod. Man up and just let it go.

That is precisely the kind of thing I'm on about. It's out of order. You might think it's 'just a joke' but by saying things like that you deserve some of the credit for arguments starting.

[JonMack]

Haha yeah I worded that pretty badly. What I meant was just because someone rubs you up the wrong way doesn't mean you should get all defensive and argumentative about it, chances are you just need to take a step back and not let it get to you.

[Rich Pearson]

Someone asked earlier why I didn't just post this, stickie the topic and then close it so no one could post. But the fact is, this is what I/we wanted to see. Some of the people who have (by their own admission I might add) caused various carnage recently on the forum have come on here in a very level headed fashion to discuss an issue, come up with new ideas and diplomatically find a solution to what is certainly a problem.

I'm not going to back down on my stance of being harsher against people who don't respect the rules, but I'd like it noted that since the posting of this thread 1) I have had NO reports at all 2) new moderators are being vetted from current SM's in order to take the workload off the current mods and 3) I've seen some of the most well thought out, intelligent and sensible posts I've seen in a long while.

THIS IS GOOD GUYS!

I think we're making some progress

Rich

[JT!]

I have PM'd the person reporting it just to let them know why etc.

That's good.

What would increase the effectiveness of the report system 10 fold is if each report was replied to by PM. Now that there's going to be a few more mods about maybe this might be worth putting to practice.

I often feel when I report a post the report gets sent and nothing get done about it, or it get dismissed as "stop taking stuff so seriously". This will put a lot of people off reporting and they will take the situation into their own hands. Even if something does get done about it (in most cases i'm sure it does), someone get's warned or suspended, the reporter isn't going to know about it and will feel justice hasn't been served.

A response to every report = more people reporting.

[Luke Rainbird]

But also rather hellish for the mod/s that pick it up I'd imagine. Sometimes multiple reports are sent for a post/topic, from numerous members about numerous issues. If a mod had to reply to each and every one, it'd add a whole heap of work for them in many cases. It's much like people's warn levels being hidden from other users - you just have to trust that the moderating team are doing their best each time for each report - every one that's sent is looked at and acted upon in the appropriate manner, we need to trust the team to do what they deem necessary

Would it make a huge difference to get a little note back to tell you "Luke Rainbird's been suspended for being a Southern bumpkin" or similar? Or should the fact that posts have been removed/arguments have been stopped be enough?

Also, just to fit your last comment;

A response to every report = more people reporting = more work for mods again

It's a pretty vicious cycle really

[Adam-Griffin]

Would it not make more sense for a mod to just male a post about in said topic to alert us all to what actions been taken ?

It's like when a topics been closed yet there's not post to let us know why, although some are obvious, some aren't.

[Luke Rainbird]

I think with the closure of threads a notification is normally not required (as it's usually fairly self explanatory for arguments, rule breaking etc), though if a thread doesn't seem too obvious the mod/admin that locks it generally gives some indication (at least to the topic starter)

It'd be something for the team to consider though when they close a thread, just to make sure people understand why and don't fall into the same trap/post the same crap

[MadManMike]

Or an acknowledgement box - so the mod can type something like "User TheScientist Banned 48 Hours".

Rather than going to the trouble of sending PM's?

Personally I don't care too much for a response, but that idea could be good I guess.

[JT!]

But also rather hellish for the mod/s that pick it up I'd imagine. Sometimes multiple reports are sent for a post/topic, from numerous members about numerous issues. If a mod had to reply to each and every one, it'd add a whole heap of work for them in many cases. It's much like people's warn levels being hidden from other users - you just have to trust that the moderating team are doing their best each time for each report - every one that's sent is looked at and acted upon in the appropriate manner, we need to trust the team to do what they deem necessary

Would it make a huge difference to get a little note back to tell you "Luke Rainbird's been suspended for being a Southern bumpkin" or similar? Or should the fact that posts have been removed/arguments have been stopped be enough?

Also, just to fit your last comment;

A response to every report = more people reporting = more work for mods again

It's a pretty vicious cycle really

All i'm talking about is a little note saying. "Their warn was increased and were given a suspension for 3 days." It'd take like an extra 30 seconds per report. Amusing TF gets 10 reports a day, it's 5 mins of time per day, with new mods the extra workload per mod wouldn't be much . Could even be automated.

Also, I've heard a lot of comments like "more work for the mods" and "the mods don't get paid". Lets not forget there's dozens of TF members out there willing to put work into this forum, and the only power they have is to report.

[Luke Rainbird]

Being willing to do it and being suitable to do it are two completely different things

Also, automating something like that would be pretty tough and even then would more than likely need to be programmed by Mr Turd

[JT!]

Being willing to do it and being suitable to do it are two completely different things

That's true, but has been said there's new mods in the lineup, so at this very moment in time there people who are suitable to be mods, that aren't.

But anyway, i don't know what goes on behind the scenes, all i can do is suggest the idea, and let you lot work out whether it'll be viable or not.

[Haz]

We should all go on a team building weekend and do assault courses and stuff.

[quick_spider]

Too busy to reply to everything here, but...

For the reports I deal with that are for flaming/arguements/OT I either tidy the thread and/or leave a post to congratulate those who've been warned. Anyone who continues to post crap in the same thread tends to get a harsher warn/suspension.

I can be difficult to tell if an offence has been dealt with - have to be careful not to warn someone for something which is 24 hours old that they've already been warned for.

[Tomm]

All i'm talking about is a little note saying. "Their warn was increased and were given a suspension for 3 days." It'd take like an extra 30 seconds per report. Amusing TF gets 10 reports a day, it's 5 mins of time per day, with new mods the extra workload per mod wouldn't be much . Could even be automated.

I actually don't like that idea at all, and it's nothing to do with extra work for me. Basically IMO there's already a bit of an atmosphere of 'snitching' - I.e. someone will report something fairly menial, because it's someone they don't like. Letting the snitch know they are directly responsible for getting someone suspended is the last thing I would want. At the end of the day, if I read the report, then it's my decision to close the thread/ issue suspensions etc, not the person who reported it, and I'm fairly confident that's the best way for it.

At the moment I know it might seem like a fairly thankless task to report someone, but again I'd say (as Rich already has) that it's very useful for us and it doesn't go unnoticed. So thank you to everyone that has reported stuff in the past, and I'm sorry we can't issue personalised thank yous to everyone

[doopdoopbedoop]

I actually don't like that idea at all, and it's nothing to do with extra work for me. Basically IMO there's already a bit of an atmosphere of 'snitching' - I.e. someone will report something fairly menial, because it's someone they don't like. Letting the snitch know they are directly responsible for getting someone suspended is the last thing I would want. At the end of the day, if I read the report, then it's my decision to close the thread/ issue suspensions etc, not the person who reported it, and I'm fairly confident that's the best way for it.

At the moment I know it might seem like a fairly thankless task to report someone, but again I'd say (as Rich already has) that it's very useful for us and it doesn't go unnoticed. So thank you to everyone that has reported stuff in the past, and I'm sorry we can't issue personalised thank yous to everyone

Can I have your autograph instead then?

[Tomm]

Can I have your autograph instead then?

How about a signed photo?

[doopdoopbedoop]

EDIT:

yes, I know:

2. Spam Minimum Penalty - 1 Warning Point

Please refrain from posting meaningless threads, one word (or short) non-sense posts. Repeat offenders will be warned, and possibly moved into New Members Chat.

Edited October 21, 2008 by /JD

[Luke Rainbird]

You look different in every image I see of you, Tomm;

I deviate from the intention of the tread, apologies

Back on track...

[Mat Smith!]

I think one of the problems that will come up now is that instead of people arguing, they will quote the rules at people instead, which is just as childish and pathetic as arguing. As Tomm said, Mat took something personally so thinks the other person should be warned for it. It's so stupid.

We all know the rules, we've all read them, but that doesn't mean we need to be little bitches about it and go crying to a mod. Man up and just let it go.

I was on the phone to my friend earlier, and called him a little bitch f**king piece of shit, but as he knew I was joking, he didn't say OH MATE I'M GONNA SMASH YOU UP, I guess the main problem with the internet is the fact that you cant judge the way in which something is said, unless you put a little smiley face or something, but the thing is, if someone calls you a fanny or a twat, then just let it go, at the end of the day, they're the one being a child.

Slegzzzzzzzz!

the thing is, u can say that, im not fussed

but if i said 360 spoke drilling n00000b id get banned.

thats the problem.

Mat

[grant_hundley]

but if i said 360 spoke drilling n00000b id get banned.

how much you wana bet?

[Tom Booth]

the thing is, u can say that, im not fussed

but if i said 360 spoke drilling n00000b id get banned.

thats the problem.

Mat

Your post is a fine example of why thou? You put 10% effort into the post, I would say poor spelling, but it's not even that. So it's not just the context of your post's, its the text talk an the general lack of effort.

[Tomm]

the thing is, u can say that, im not fussed

but if i said 360 spoke drilling n00000b id get banned.

thats the problem.

Mat

Well, one's a tongue-in-cheek joke about something that a lot of people on here say, and the other is intended as an insult directed at one person.

If you can't see the difference, it's hardly surprising that you're getting into trouble with other people on here, and the moderators (I can see your 80% warn).

[MadManMike]

People always seem to think one thing they say gets them banned.

It doesn't.

The reason people get banned is because they act a certain way in general... The reason some people don't get warned for calling someone a twat is because they are generally nice people, people that do get warned for it are normally the more annoying people on here.

[Pashley26]

People always seem to think one thing they say gets them banned.

It doesn't.

The reason people get banned is because they act a certain way in general... The reason some people don't get warned for calling someone a twat is because they are generally nice people, people that do get warned for it are normally the more annoying people on here.

Not always the case, (I hate to argue with you ) I've got 4 bans 3 of which for saying throw away comments that go completely against my nature and posting habits.

[doopdoopbedoop]

People always seem to think one thing they say gets them banned.

It doesn't.

The reason people get banned is because they act a certain way in general... The reason some people don't get warned for calling someone a twat is because they are generally nice people, people that do get warned for it are normally the more annoying people on here.

Yea, I know that if I was a mod that there would be a certain number of mental "pre-warnings" that I'd give someone before actually giving them 20% warn. So although it would look like it was one thing they said that got them warned, it would actually just be the straw that broke the camels back.