Abusive Reporting

[Toker]

The reporting system on this site has room for improvement, and often leads to flame war.

So, lets hear some ideas on how to improve the reporting system.

My ideas:

1. Do away with anonymous reporting.

2. Limit the number of post that can be reported by any one person in any one day. Fact is, if a person finds a thread offensive, but keeps going back to that thread simply to report people, then they are clearly trolling.

3. Members should be able to criticize the Mods without fear of backlash.

4. Unless a person actually post on a thread, they should not be able to report any post on that thread.

Lets hear some other ideas, guys...

[Mark Wood]

Back away from The Line. The chances of being reported are inversely proportional to the distance you are from it. ;)

mw

[Miami Mike]

1. Do away with anonymous reporting.There's nothing wrong with anonymous reporting. All you're doing is saying "take a look at this." The moderators decide if it's a violation.2. Limit the number of post that can be reported by any one person in any one day.There's no need for a rule like that. It doesn't matter how many reports a user makes, it only matters how many false reports he makes, and that's a matter between him and the moderators. Since there's already a provision in place to issue warnings for "obnoxious reporting", nothing more is needed.3. Members should be able to criticize the Mods without fear of backlash.That's true, but I'm not aware of any evidence that they can't, aside for the reality that the moderators are human beings like you and me.4. Unless a person actually post on a thread, they should not be able to report any post on that thread.That's the worst idea in your list. Just a couple of days ago I spotted and reported a personal attack against me on a forum where I haven't posted in over two months. The fact that I haven't posted in that thread is irrelevant. The moderators agreed, hid the post, and issued a warning point against the attacker.

[Toker]

I don't believe there is anything offensive about sharing ideas on a forum called "Site Chat", yet my above post got reported. Good example of why this topic makes for a good chat.

[Miami Mike]

I just looked at the recent warnings page (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/recentwarnings.php). I remember looking at it earlier and seeing the warnings you got, but now they're all gone. Could it be that they were reviewed and overturned? :confused:

[Toker]

Could be. It's also true that I did play some part in the events that unfolded, since I could have walked away from things at any point. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in a heated moment.

However, it's irrelevant to the topic at this point. Although our opinions are just that, and the Mods opinions really are the only ones that matter, there is still nothing wrong with discussing ideas. Surely there are a few ideas that could make the members experience more relaxing, and enjoyable, and make the Mods job easier at the same time.

[PaulVi]

http://www.historyofethics.org/

[slipstick]

Strangely enough many thousands of forum members post away happily for years and never have any problem (or even contact) with the reporting system and the moderators. Their experience is relaxing and enjoyable and I'd guess they see no reason at all to change it.

Yet the relatively few people who do fall foul of it often seem convinced that the problem is entirely with that very system which works so well for so many other people and is never anything to do with e.g. their personal behaviour or responsibility.

The idea is that you do not make any personal attacks on anyone, not even on mods. If you want to dispute/criticise decisions then Suggestions/Complaints is the place and it has worked well for many people. Decisions have been overturned because everyone recognises that mods are only human and can make mistakes. But if you can't find a way to discuss a decision without attacking the person who made it then the problem is yours.

BTW If someone finds a thread so offensive or personal that they need to report posts from it why should they first take part in the mess before being allowed to report any transgressions ? I can't see any logic there.

Steve

[leccyflyer]

What Steve said.

[PaulVi]

.........

[leccyflyer]

And when you do that and you are issued points there for using the system then the system may be flawed.

My case is way out of hand and the mod in question in one way or another may have made it personel.


Untill it happens to you you can not understand the level of frustration that is imposed on you.

I do think the system works for the most part and can be abused with little to no trouble.

Maybe there needs to be a report the mod function so that an abitration can be opened so that one person can not play allmighty with out some form of governing.

Like a review panel for when things go drastcly wrong like Thay have in my case.

The ultimate authority here is the site owner and administrator.

There is an established appeals procedure, decribed at the bottom of the forum, under the Rules link.

Appeals
Users may appeal their warnings by posting a thread in the Site Suggestions / Complaints forum, which is monitored by the site administrators. Please provide the administrator with a link to the post and a brief explanation of why you are appealing.

If you've done that - posted an appeal in the Site Suggestions/Complaints forum, then it'll be looked at by the administrators. They will review the case and come to the appropriate decision.

If you have a strong enough case that actions taken against you ought to be reversed then they will be. It's happened several times before to other members, who had a good case for appeal.

[Toker]

You guys need to hang in the "Trader Talk" section, and deal with some of the scammers who get itchy reporting fingers with anyone that begins to shine light on their scam. The infamous "Whackedheli" thread comes to mind as a perfect example.
If this thread had been left in that forum, and not moved by the Mod, it would have a totally different vibe to it, and I'm willing to bet more than a few decent idea's listed by more than one person (again, fully, and respectfully understanding that members opinions count for nothing, and the Mods are the law). For those of you that have never had trouble with the system, I wouldn't expect you to understand.

[Toker]

What Paul said. ;)

[PaulVi]

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[PaulVi]

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[slipstick]

To our UK Friends,

If you have never been involved with histerya reporting concider your self lucky.

Untill then can we agree to dissagree and move on?
Oddly enough both of us used to be mods round here in the dim and distant past, so I guess we have a bit of an idea of what goes on, from both sides :).

There's no harm trying to find ways to improve things...but in this case you'll have a hard time finding any ideas that haven't already been suggested many times. The reporting system didn't just spring to life fully formed, it's already been refined quite a bit over the years of its existence. And although it's not perfect it works amazingly well for almost everyone almost all of the time.

Steve

[Miami Mike]

With a possible exception of what steve said about #4:I appreciate that, but the name is Mike, not Steve.

[PaulVi]

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[Miami Mike]

times 3.2.83 reporting bb dayorderdoubleplusungood refs unpersons rewrite fullwise upsub antefiling (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unperson)