Moderator edits

karol · 2010-07-20 07:00:35

The edit below is just an example:

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php … 27#p794927
<moderator edit>Screenshot removed. Please feel free to repost it in line with forum image posting guidelines. Alternatively, you could just post the relevant error message. tomk

When I do sth bad, I would like to know about it - the edits don't auto-send any message to the original author and I think neither do mods (well, I didn't get one).

1. I wrote a post which violated some forum rules.
2. The discussion went along.
3. A mod found it necessary to alter my post.
4. The thread didn't get closed, but I kinda lost the idea what are we talking about. I mean, I know what I have written, right? I don't need to go back to my post to see if it has spontaneously morphed into sth else, do I?

No, mods don't have to ask permission to alter my posts, I only would like to get some kind of notification + a url to that post. I click the link, I read new version and decide whether I'm happy with it or not.
Arch not being a democracy is one thing, but doing things behind my back is a bit too much.

Allan · 2010-07-20 07:06:52

The mods only remove large pictures, links that are against the rules, and ... well that is about it. Do not post those and the moderators will not need to adjust it.

jasonwryan · 2010-07-20 07:09:04

My view is that mods only edit posts that are flagrant breaches of the forum rules and that it is usually an intervention of last resort.

In the example you provide it is clear that the poster had ignored/not read the rules regarding posting large images and regular forum visitors would have seen repeated warnings from a range of mods over the last couple of weeks about them enforcing this rule...

I think it was justified in this case and, in the examples I have seen previously, used judiciously.

Messaging infractors would be time intensive and not worth the candle for the mods, IMO...

karol · 2010-07-20 07:16:50

jasonwryan wrote:

Messaging infractors would be time intensive and not worth the candle for the mods, IMO...

A standard e-mail saying "Your post has been altered by a moderator. Visit <url> to check it." would be enough. The mod has only to supply the url to a script. Yes, it's additional work, but I wouldn't call it 'time intensive'.

tomk · 2010-07-20 07:21:34

karol - I couldn't be sure of course, but I don't think you do bad things here - so nothing to worry about.

I expect people to be watching their own threads - a reasonable expectation, I think.

jasonwryan · 2010-07-20 07:25:10

...and then the mods (and the rest of the community) have to wait for the poster to decide to a) read the message and, b) act on it?

Bearing in mind that the poster has not demonstrated the best judgement around their post, this seems like it introduces scope for more disagreements and relitigation.

#edit typos

Last edited by jasonwryan (2010-07-20 07:26:23)

karol · 2010-07-20 07:37:57

tomk wrote:

karol - I couldn't be sure of course, but I don't think you do bad things here - so nothing to worry about.

Oh I do, tomk, I do <evil grin>
I got what the mod thought I deserved but I wasn't aware of him changing my post for quite some time.

I expect people to be watching their own threads - a reasonable expectation, I think.

I frequently ping-pong responses on several threads with several other people: They post sth, I post sth else, then they post sth, some other Archers join in ... People edit their posts quite frequently, but I can have a look on the edit time and re-read the post. There's no such indication when a moderator edit occurs.

jasonwryan wrote:

...and then the mods (and the rest of the community) have to wait for the poster to decide to a) read the message and, b) act on it?

First of all, moderators edit the posts when they spot it and decide it needs to be fixed. It may take some time and the discussion have moved on. No one waits for the mods to approve every post, right?
In one of my posts things got a little out of hand, a mod sanitized it in a form of damage control asterisks - fine with me. I would like to be aware of the edits after the fact. If I don't agree with them, I may pm that mod. No one waits for me with the discussion.

jasonwryan · 2010-07-20 07:41:39

karol wrote:

I would like to be aware of the edits after the fact.

Fair enough. And given your contribution, not an unreasonable expectation. I just don't see it scaling to all posters who have their posts edited by mods. But ultimately, that is up to the individual moderators.

karol · 2010-07-20 07:51:59

jasonwryan wrote:

karol wrote:
I would like to be aware of the edits after the fact.
Fair enough. And given your contribution, not an unreasonable expectation. I just don't see it scaling to all posters who have their posts edited by mods. But ultimately, that is up to the individual moderators.

I understand that when a mod removes a biiiig screenshot it's a visible enough indication, but a standard message: "I'm sorry to do it, but I'm a mod, you're a member, rules are rules, I hope we can still be friends." would be nice.

And / or please clearly indicate what part of the post was written by a mod - italics are fine.

bernarcher · 2010-07-20 08:44:45

karol wrote:

... I only would like to get some kind of notification + a url to that post.

I second this. It would be only fair to let the actual poster know in time.
At least - how else should he/she learn to behave to the rules?

Some automated standard procedure would suffice, imo, something without much extra effort for the mods.

karol · 2010-07-20 09:02:12

Some users don't supply an e-mail so you can contact them only via the forum. Others did provide an address but they say they never check that account.

.:B:. · 2010-07-20 09:06:54

bernarcher wrote:

karol wrote:
... I only would like to get some kind of notification + a url to that post.
I second this. It would be only fair to let the actual poster know in time.
At least - how else should he/she learn to behave to the rules?

If it's not a joke, then

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Forum_Etiquette

I think that link has been pasted times and again.

Most of those rules are pretty much just common sense. You're supposed to have read the rules when you start posting. Not the other way around. I agree with tomk, if that's not clear yet .

tomk · 2010-07-20 09:38:23

bernarcher wrote:

ome automated standard procedure would suffice

If such an automated procedure ever becomes part of a vanilla FluxBB install, sure - we'll use it.

bernarcher · 2010-07-20 09:40:25

Certainly, this was meant as a joke.
And tomk is right, Op's should monitor their threads.

But, as karol states he lost track about his thread somehow.

karol wrote:

1. I wrote a post which violated some forum rules.
2. The discussion went along.
3. A mod found it necessary to alter my post.
4. The thread didn't get closed, but I kinda lost the idea what are we talking about.

This is why I feel a short, automated notice would be in order. The problem is in no way what the mods are allowed to do, it is to let posters know if they inadvertently violated the forum etiquette.

But there are more important issues to solve. Only to have the problem mentioned at all...

(BTW: Forum etiquette was one of the first wiki articles I've read. But not many do so, apparently. It's a pity.)

Misfit138 · 2010-07-20 13:49:16

Interesting timing of this thread.
Just recently there was a situation where a forum member expressed some malcontent toward a Mod team member, using aggressive language. I judged it to be inappropriate enough to justify editing and I furthermore sent a corresponding email to the member to inform them of my edit, which was simply deleting one line of angry language toward the mod. I deemed it to be an act of respectful courtesy, and expected closure.
The result?
The member was even further angered by this, and posted to complain about it publicly. The situation ultimately ended peacefully, but was time consuming and required significant energy and effort and understanding by all parties.

I must conclude that responsible behavior of the membership begins and ends with the membership. Members of the mod team have a very difficult position and a high degree of responsibility. We will never be able to make everyone happy. This thread bears that out; your suggestion of a courtesy email being polarized against the situation I cited above.
There is no perfect solution, but please acknowledge the mod team's acumen; I believe this team deserves that.
This forum is very good.

karol · 2010-07-20 13:56:01

> I deemed it to be an act of respectful courtesy, and expected closure.
Exactly. I'd only like to know that such action (moderator edit) occurred + a url to the post that got edited.

> The member was even further angered by this, and posted to complain about it publicly.
Ban him / her.
I think publicly complaining about mods on a forum controlled by said mods is a self-defeating action ;-)

Misfit138 · 2010-07-20 14:25:00

> The member was even further angered by this, and posted to complain about it publicly.
Ban him / her.

You are being dismissive and also oversimplifying for the purpose of focusing and redirecting the discussion toward your needs.
The member I spoke of is in good standing, contributes often and has also donated to Arch. There is often more than meets the eye with this sort of thing, and as I stated above, the mod team members are charged with the responsibility of keeping civil order for the majority.

karol wrote:

> I deemed it to be an act of respectful courtesy, and expected closure.
Exactly. I'd only like to know that such action (moderator edit) occurred + a url to the post that got edited.

I encourage you to review and follow the rules and exercise good judgment when posting and I will try to keep your request in mind if the situation arises.

karol · 2010-07-20 14:32:32

Misfit138 wrote:

> The member was even further angered by this, and posted to complain about it publicly.
Ban him / her.
You are being dismissive and also oversimplifying for the purpose of focusing and redirecting the discussion toward your needs.
The member I spoke of is in good standing, contributes often and has also donated to Arch. There is often more than meets the eye with this sort of thing, and as I stated above, the mod team members are charged with the responsibility of keeping civil order for the majority.

There was a ';-)' at the end. That suggestion was meant as a joke: if you speak up against mods who "rule" the forum, what else do you expect other than getting banned?
And now seriously speaking, of course you were right not banning him / her.

karol wrote:
> I deemed it to be an act of respectful courtesy, and expected closure.
Exactly. I'd only like to know that such action (moderator edit) occurred + a url to the post that got edited.
I encourage you to review and follow the rules and exercise good judgment when posting and I will try to keep your request in mind if the situation arises.

Deal :-)

Misfit138 · 2010-07-20 14:40:20

Very well, then.
Closed.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-07-20 07:00:35

Moderator edits

#2 2010-07-20 07:06:52

Re: Moderator edits

#3 2010-07-20 07:09:04

Re: Moderator edits

#4 2010-07-20 07:16:50

Re: Moderator edits

#5 2010-07-20 07:21:34

Re: Moderator edits

#6 2010-07-20 07:25:10

Re: Moderator edits

#7 2010-07-20 07:37:57

Re: Moderator edits

#8 2010-07-20 07:41:39

Re: Moderator edits

#9 2010-07-20 07:51:59

Re: Moderator edits

#10 2010-07-20 08:44:45

Re: Moderator edits

#11 2010-07-20 09:02:12

Re: Moderator edits

#12 2010-07-20 09:06:54

Re: Moderator edits

#13 2010-07-20 09:38:23

Re: Moderator edits

#14 2010-07-20 09:40:25

Re: Moderator edits

#15 2010-07-20 13:49:16

Re: Moderator edits

#16 2010-07-20 13:56:01

Re: Moderator edits

#17 2010-07-20 14:25:00

Re: Moderator edits

#18 2010-07-20 14:32:32

Re: Moderator edits

#19 2010-07-20 14:40:20

Re: Moderator edits

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