Not knowing if action was taken on a reported post?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

I reported this post as I found it nasty and spiteful and don't know if any action was taken on it.

If someone had said what was said in that post to me in real life, or on Facebook or on YouTube or wherever I can react and deal with it by myself, but this is boards and the rules are that it's the moderators who deal with any ugly people.

So my question is, was action taken on that post, and if not, why not?

(I've pm'd two AH mods and have been told by one of them they don't know if action was taken or not)

Thanks.

Taltos

There are already various threads here discussion why this information would not be provided. It might be helpful to read through some of them.

Ken.

It's mentioned in a few places hereabouts, If you think it wasn't action'd for whatever reason you can pm the c-mods of the forum involved.

El Guapo!

You've already pm'd me and I responded to you. As Taltos has alluded to, you are not entitled to know the ins and outs of whether or not a post has been actioned. If any action has been taken (which, as I said in my pm reply to you, could have been in the form of a pm discussion between mod and user) then this action is, and will remain, between the mod and user in question. If we were to just give out this information to everyone then that would betray the trust between mods and users and would breach their right to privacy. Just because a post is directed at you doesn't give you the right to know exactly what happened as a result.
As an aside, if a post like the one you linked to is still bothering you this much a month and a half later I think you need to develop thicker skin. And I don't mean that in a smart-assed way. While not exactly the warmest post on the site, it was hardly a personal attack of biblical proportions.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

El Guapo! wrote: »

You've already pm'd me and I responded to you. As Taltos has alluded to, you are not entitled to know the ins and outs of whether or not a post has been actioned. If any action has been taken (which, as I said in my pm reply to you, could have been in the form of a pm discussion between mod and user) then this action is, and will remain, between the mod and user in question. If we were to just give out this information to everyone then that would betray the trust between mods and users and would breach their right to privacy. Just because a post is directed at you doesn't give you the right to know exactly what happened as a result.
As an aside, if a post like the one you linked to is still bothering you this much a month and a half later I think you need to develop thicker skin. And I don't mean that in a smart-assed way. While not exactly the warmest post on the site, it was hardly a personal attack of biblical proportions.

Well I managed to go 3+ years without ever actually reporting a post so I'm not ashamed to say it did got under my skin (I deleted a previous account and rereg'd) but I don't accept I need thicker skin though as the post directed at me was spiteful and nasty in the context of the thread. With the level of anonymity here on boards, as in, it can be hard to know a persons race, weight, family history, age ect. I think what that poster directed towards me is on the higher end of the personal abuse scale.

If someone directed that comment to me in real life, Facebook or wherever I could react in a way that I think is proportional, but here on boards any justified response would have seen me carded/banned, a rock and a hard place springs to mind.

osarusan

Is there any way that a post I've reported could be 'tagged' in some way so that if I see that post again, I can see something that lets me know that the post has been looked at?

That way I'd know if a moderator had looked at the post, but still not know what action, if any, had been taken.

If I hover the mouse over the report icon, a little textbox (?) pops up saying 'report post'.

Let's say, for example, if I hover the mouse over the 'report' icon after reporting a post, it might say something like 'this report was reviewed' or 'this report has not yet been reviewed'.

nesf

osarusan wrote: »

Let's say, for example, if I hover the mouse over the 'report' icon after reporting a post, it might say something like 'this report was reviewed' or 'this report has not yet been reviewed'.

That wouldn't tell you much. A mod could look at something and think it's fine. Look at something and think they need another opinion on it. Or look at something and it's one part of a much larger web of stuff and needs all the other mods and maybe the CMods involved to work out what to do. Or the post could be actioned but not in a public way, e.g. a PM sent. Or whatever.

osarusan

nesf wrote: »

That wouldn't tell you much. A mod could look at something and think it's fine. Look at something and think they need another opinion on it. Or look at something and it's one part of a much larger web of stuff and needs all the other mods and maybe the CMods involved to work out what to do. Or the post could be actioned but not in a public way, e.g. a PM sent. Or whatever.

It would tell me that a moderator either has or hasn't looked at the post, which is what I wanted it to tell me.

If they think that the post doesn't warrant any action, well I guess that's fine, even though I obviously thought it probably did. If they've done something which is not in public view like a private message that's fine too.

I would just like to know whether a post has been viewed by a moderator yet or not.

This comes from me reporting a post in after hours a day or two ago. The post is still there and no visible action has been taken. Considering the content of the post, I find it hard to believe that a moderator looked at the post and decided that it warranted either no action or was actioned with something like a private message, which is more lenient than a card.

I am guessing it hasn't been reviewed yet, but i obviously don't (can't) know.

nesf

osarusan wrote: »

It would tell me that a moderator either has or hasn't looked at the post, which is what I wanted it to tell me.

If they think that the post doesn't warrant any action, well I guess that's fine, even though I obviously thought it probably did. If they've done something which is not in public view like a private message that's fine too.

I would just like to know whether a post has been viewed by a moderator yet or not.

This comes from me reporting a post in after hours a day or two ago. The post is still there and no visible action has been taken. Considering the content of the post, I find it hard to believe that a moderator looked at the post and decided that it warranted either no action or was actioned with something like a private message, which is more lenient than a card.

I am guessing it hasn't been reviewed yet, but i obviously don't (can't) know.

How does it help you though if you you can't tell if the mods thought the post was ok or if it was dealt by PM? You're no clearer on whether the post was actionable or whether action was taken.

osarusan

nesf wrote: »

How does it help you though if you you can't tell if the mods thought the post was ok or if it was dealt by PM? You're no clearer on whether the post was actionable or whether action was taken.

For the third time, it clears things up in that I know whether the post has been looked at or not.

I am not asking or expecting to know what action, if any, was taken.

nesf

osarusan wrote: »

For the third time, it clears things up in that I know whether the post has been looked at or not.

Why do you need to know that? (genuine question)

weisses

Due to the fact "boards" want you to report any posts that seems crossing the line, and give the mods a bit of an easier task in the process, it would be nice that you can actually see if a mod/c-mod picked up your reported post, could be an automated message, don't know if that is at all possible.

More then once I noticed reported posts weren't picked up by a moderator for whatever reason .. (not blaming anyone), Just an acknowledgment would be helpful

weisses

nesf wrote: »

Why do you need to know that? (genuine question)

If a reported post is not picked up by a mod for whatever reason ... (happened to me on more then one occasion) It could lead to confusion regarding what is or isn't allowed.

nesf

weisses wrote: »

If a reported post is not picked up by a mod for whatever reason ... (happened to me on more then one occasion) It could lead to confusion regarding what is or isn't allowed.

There will be confusion regardless of whether the reported posts are shown as viewed or not. In either case PMing the mod with a polite message is your only option for clearing up your uncertainty.

GreeBo

osarusan wrote: »

For the third time, it clears things up in that I know whether the post has been looked at or not.

I am not asking or expecting to know what action, if any, was taken.

I would read the "reported post" email and you still wouldnt know if I had taken any action.
It doesnt clear anything up at all.

weisses

nesf wrote: »

There will be confusion regardless of whether the reported posts are shown as viewed or not. In either case PMing the mod with a polite message is your only option for clearing up your uncertainty.

Yes ... and creating more work in the process .. (which is something that possibly could and should be avoided)

osarusan

GreeBo wrote: »

I would read the "reported post" email and you still wouldnt know if I had taken any action.
It doesnt clear anything up at all.

Did you even read my posts? I'm not looking to find out if any action was taken.

I just want to know if the post has been viewed by a moderator yet or not. That's all.

GreeBo

osarusan wrote: »

Did you even read my posts? I'm not looking to find out if any action was taken.

I just want to know if the post has been viewed by a moderator yet or not. That's all.

Did you read mine?
Which post do you want to know if I have seen? the reported one or the post about your report?

I can read the post and the reported message all in my email without ever going to the thread.
I frequently never look at the thread itself unless I am taking an action on the reported post.
The vast majority of the time I wont even look at the thread created to track your report.

The system you are requesting is flawed.

osarusan

GreeBo wrote: »

Did you read mine?

Yes, I did. I have no idea why you and nesf keep going on about how it won't tell me know if any action has been taken on a reported post, because that's not what I'm looking for.

GreeBo wrote: »

D
Which post do you want to know if I have seen? the reported one or the post about your report?

I can read the post and the reported message all in my email without ever going to the thread.
I frequently never look at the thread itself unless I am taking an action on the reported post.
The vast majority of the time I wont even look at the thread created to track your report.

All this is interesting, as I have no idea what the process is regarding dealing with a reported post. This clears it up.

GreeBo wrote: »

The system you are requesting is flawed.

No it isn't flawed. Not worth it's while to implement, maybe, because I have no idea how difficult it would be to set up a system the would mark rerported posts as viewed or not yet viewed.

K-9

weisses wrote: »

Due to the fact "boards" want you to report any posts that seems crossing the line, and give the mods a bit of an easier task in the process, it would be nice that you can actually see if a mod/c-mod picked up your reported post, could be an automated message, don't know if that is at all possible.

More then once I noticed reported posts weren't picked up by a moderator for whatever reason .. (not blaming anyone), Just an acknowledgment would be helpful

Sometimes I thank a RP as a note for the poster, and also so other mods can see I've looked at it. Reported Posts are obviously private so I'm not sure if much information can be given to users who aren't authorised for access.

GreeBo

osarusan wrote: »

Yes, I did. I have no idea why you and nesf keep going on about how it won't tell me know if any action has been taken on a reported post, because that's not what I'm looking for.



All this is interesting, as I have no idea what the process is regarding dealing with a reported post. This clears it up.


No it isn't flawed. Not worth it's while to implement, maybe, because I have no idea how difficult it would be to set up a system the would mark rerported posts as viewed or not yet viewed.

And I keep trying to explain that these posts can be read without boards.ie knowing I read them, as I get an email about them containing all the details.

GreeBo

K-9 wrote: »

Sometimes I thank a RP as a note for the poster, and also so other mods can see I've looked at it. Reported Posts are obviously private so I'm not sure if much information can be given to users who aren't authorised for access.

The reporter wont see your thanks (or the post at all) unless they are a Mod or above.

osarusan

GreeBo wrote: »

And I keep trying to explain that these posts can be read without boards.ie knowing I read them, as I get an email about them containing all the details.

Because there is no mechanism in place to let boards (and even more, the person who reported the post) know you read them.

That is exactly what I'm posting about. If it's worthwhile to put that mechanism in place.

Anyway, I've had enough of this thread. I posted in it because of a fairly nasty post that I (think I) reported a day or two ago, which is still there (last time I checked a couple of hours ago). Either it has been looked at, or it hasn't.

I'd like to know if it has or not, so I can find out if I actually reported like I think I did, and if, even though I did report it, if it slipped through the cracks somehow.

Maybe somebody involved in site development might see and comment on this sometime.

Sparks

I'd like to know if it has or not, so I can find out if I actually reported like I think I did, and if, even though I did report it, if it slipped through the cracks somehow.

If you did report it, it's not your problem anymore, you did your bit.
If you can't remember if you reported it or not and it's bothering you, report it again.

Not seeing why a new mechanism is needed really. I mean, what would you do with the information that your report was read or not?

Timberrrrrrrr

Sparks wrote: »

If you did report it, it's not your problem anymore, you did your bit.
If you can't remember if you reported it or not and it's bothering you, report it again.

Not seeing why a new mechanism is needed really. I mean, what would you do with the information that your report was read or not?

Not seen one of these threads in a while

How about a feature like on the thanks button that tells you if you have already reported a post?

GreeBo

osarusan wrote: »

Because there is no mechanism in place to let boards (and even more, the person who reported the post) know you read them.

That is exactly what I'm posting about. If it's worthwhile to put that mechanism in place.

Anyway, I've had enough of this thread. I posted in it because of a fairly nasty post that I (think I) reported a day or two ago, which is still there (last time I checked a couple of hours ago). Either it has been looked at, or it hasn't.

I'd like to know if it has or not, so I can find out if I actually reported like I think I did, and if, even though I did report it, if it slipped through the cracks somehow.

Maybe somebody involved in site development might see and comment on this sometime.

Last attempt.
How is boards going to know if I read an email sitting in my gmail inbox?

And this is all before the question of why on earth you want to know?
Report again if you cannot remember.

The Hill Billy

Rest assured that reported posts are reviewed. We try to have a minimum of 2 mods per forum, so if one is not around to review an RP at least one other mod is. Also, CMods receive notification of all RPs in their category as a further layer of checks.

The chances of one going unnoticed is small. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen, but rest assured that we do the best possible to review them all to ensure the smooth running of the site.

As the mod team put all this effort in, I'm sure that it would not be a good use of resources & hard cash to design & develop a feature to satisfy people's curiosity as to whether someone looked at their RP or not.

Overheal

Just my 2 cent: if someone googles that thread down the road that post sits with the appearance of inaction on the moderators.

There's the obvious school of thought that 'nasty posts should stay to exemplify what shouldn't be posted' except here those no indication the post was carded, and no indication in the thread that the poster/posters in general were warned about that level of discussion. Such, it makes the thread, and the people on the site, seem that little bit more 4chan-y and lawless. There are 5 options readily spring to mind: delete the post, warn the user on thread, edit the post with a warning, snip content from the post, or card the post. The appearance of not doing anything indicates to the layman, that style of posting is acceptable in general.

Timberrrrrrrr

Overheal wrote: »

Just my 2 cent: if someone googles that thread down the road that post sits with the appearance of inaction on the moderators.

There's the obvious school of thought that 'nasty posts should stay to exemplify what shouldn't be posted' except here those no indication the post was carded, and no indication in the thread that the poster/posters in general were warned about that level of discussion. Such, it makes the thread, and the people on the site, seem that little bit more 4chan-y and lawless. There are 5 options readily spring to mind: delete the post, warn the user on thread, edit the post with a warning, snip content from the post, or card the post. The appearance of not doing anything indicates to the layman, that style of posting is acceptable in general.

But what if the post is looked at and the mods decide there is nothing worth warning about? Any really nasty posts i have seen or reported have been removed/carded but there are others i have reported and (from what i can see) that are still there, i presume mods have looked and decided no action needed, it can be frustrating sometimes bit that's life i suppose.

Gatling

What's the nest phase to take if any if you believe reported post/s haven't been acted on .

The Hill Billy

PM the forum mods.

KERSPLAT!

The Hill Billy wrote: »

PM the forum modshe Hill Billy.

:pac::pac:

If you see something that you think may have been missed I'd report it again or PM a mod/s. In some of the forums where there are a lot of reported posts, the odd one can slip through

Shakespeare's Sister

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

the post directed at me was spiteful and nasty in the context of the thread.

It really was. It has been said more than once on Boards that the number one rule here is "Don't be a dick" - how much more in breach of that can you get?

Cookie_Monster

Sparks wrote: »

Not seeing why a new mechanism is needed really. I mean, what would you do with the information that your report was read or not?

decide if it's actually worth even reporting posts in future? There are some fora where I won't bother any more as I know they won't be acted upon. It lets you know at least if it's been noted and ignored or simply missed.

Insect Overlord

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

decide if it's actually worth even reporting posts in future? There are some fora where I won't bother any more as I know they won't be acted upon. It lets you know at least if it's been noted and ignored or simply missed.

That's a self-defeating attitude if ever I saw one.

Some people see reporting posts as such a big deal. It's not. Just report the thing if you think it breaches the charter and let the mods, CMods and Admins deal with it after that. It's not a complicated system.

The Hill Billy

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

decide if it's actually worth even reporting posts in future? There are some fora where I won't bother any more as I know they won't be acted upon. It lets you know at least if it's been noted and ignored or simply missed.

If you really believe that RPs aren't being actioned - contact the CMods for the forums & provide some examples.

GreeBo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

d It lets you know at least if it's been noted
and ignored or simply missed.

Except no it doesnt as I've already pointed out.

Unless you are going to make moderators take some action on the reported posts that they aren't going to take any action on, the system may never know if I have seen, read and ignored or otherwise a reported post.

Anymore than they system knows if you have read the posts that get sent to you via email.

You can follow a thread on boards.ie without ever going to the site more than once, you will be emailed every post.

K-9

If a good few reported posts aren't getting acted on, there's a good chance it might be you, not the mods! Just something to consider.

osarusan

Sparks wrote: »

Not seeing why a new mechanism is needed really.

The Hill Billy wrote: »

As the mod team put all this effort in, I'm sure that it would not be a good use of resources & hard cash to design & develop a feature to satisfy people's curiosity as to whether someone looked at their RP or not.

Fair enough, I've no idea how difficult it would be to implement, and you don't think it's worth it.

Thanks for at least understanding what I was actually saying.

Cookie_Monster

The Hill Billy wrote: »

If you really believe that RPs aren't being actioned - contact the CMods for the forums & provide some examples.

been there, done that in the past several times. sometimes it gets actioned, other it doesn't which is fine but it's a long drawn out process that I really don't have the time or patience to be dealing with again and again.

GreeBo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

been there, done that in the past several times. sometimes it gets actioned, other it doesn't which is fine but it's a long drawn out process that I really don't have the time or patience to be dealing with again and again.

So maybe you are just reporting too many posts?

Overheal

I mean, let's be real: if this is a lot of posts, being reported by a specific user, for a specific forum, and those moderators consistently don't take issue with the posts being reported, then there needs to be a communication between the moderators and the user to clarify the situation, otherwise you just get a user both a) generating noise in the reporting system and b) getting frustrated at talking to a wall. Either way, it's not a situation that should arise. IMO.

I'm not saying I don't look at some reported posts and find nothing wrong - that happens - but I've not had to deal with a situation where it is one user making a lot of 'false positive' reports, and if I did, there would be a conversation both to prevent that user from going insane and prevent my inbox from getting slammed with automated messages. Because I've been that user in the past, and you invariably over time just wind up taking 'the law' into your own hands, and start barking back at whatever post(s) you deem offensive, which is not always constructive.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

The problem I had was this: I reported a post and replyed to it, the mods actioned it and got a bit annoyed. Report it, and let us deal with it. Ok, fair enough.

I report a post and don't reply to it and nothing happens. Or has it been deemed ok? I have no idea it the post is fair game again or not.

So I'm waiting to see the outcome of a report before posting a reply when said outcome has already been determined.

I'd also be curious to know why the post highlighted in the openign post had no action taken: I don;t think it's bannable, but it seems to me to be a clear case of at least a yellow card

Annasopra

K-9 wrote: »

Sometimes I thank a RP as a note for the poster, and also so other mods can see I've looked at it. Reported Posts are obviously private so I'm not sure if much information can be given to users who aren't authorised for access.

Can a poster who isnt a mod see the reported post?

The Hill Billy

No. The report post notification goes to the Reported Posts forum which is only viewable by Mods.

Pawwed Rig

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

I'd also be curious to know why the post highlighted in the opening post had no action taken: I don;t think it's bannable, but it seems to me to be a clear case of at least a yellow card

There may have been action taken that is not visible. For example a forum ban leaves no visible sign on a post. Neither does a pm to the poster to tell him to be more civil in future. I guess you just have to trust that the moderators of a particular forum will deal with the reported posts.
Generally in my fora the mod who does the action (or not) will thank the reported post so we know it has been dealt with already. Sometimes the moderator does not deem any action to be required so does nothing. Most if not all of reported posts are looked at by the moderators of the relevant forum.
As others suggested contact a CMod if you really take issue with a moderator but otherwise I would suggest report the post and move on.

The Hill Billy wrote: »

No. The report post notification goes to the Reported Posts forum which is only viewable by Mods.

As a forum it is not that exciting by the way so you're all not missing much

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

There may have been action taken that is not visible. For example a forum ban leaves no visible sign on a post. Neither does a pm to the poster to tell him to be more civil in future. I guess you just have to trust that the moderators of a particular forum will deal with the reported posts.
Generally in my fora the mod who does the action (or not) will thank the reported post so we know it has been dealt with already. Sometimes the moderator does not deem any action to be required so does nothing. Most if not all of reported posts are looked at by the moderators of the relevant forum.
As others suggested contact a CMod if you really take issue with a moderator but otherwise I would suggest report the post and move on.

This isn't a bad idea - some kind of automatic mark on the post to say; yes it's been delt with or no it's still pending.

I don't need to know what action has been taken, I just need to know when and if it's acceptable to reply to a post I reported.

Pawwed Rig

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

This isn't a bad idea - some kind of automatic mark on the post to say; yes it's been delt with or no it's still pending.

I think you misunderstand me. We mark it in the reported posts forum not on the thread. If I started thanking posts on thread you would get all sorts of posters calling me a feminazi/misogynist saying the mods are supporting these guys.

K-9

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

This isn't a bad idea - some kind of automatic mark on the post to say; yes it's been delt with or no it's still pending.

I don't need to know what action has been taken, I just need to know when and if it's acceptable to reply to a post I reported.

I do try and put in an edit or a reply saying a poster is banned, more for users than anything else, not much point replying to somebody on a long break.

Generally it would be fine to reply to a post you reported, as long as it relatively civil and on topic it usually wouldn't be a problem.

El Guapo!

K-9 wrote: »

Generally it would be fine to reply to a post you reported, as long as it relatively civil and on topic it usually wouldn't be a problem.

The only exception I would add to that would be if a user reported a post for trolling and then still responded to the post. It defeats the whole purpose. Why respond to someone you know is trolling?
One of the main things we keep asking is "Don't feed the troll", yet people still do it on a daily basis. There are a few serial offenders when it comes to this. They report post after post yet are still happy to engage in a back and forth with this supposed troll. It does nothing but drag the thread down.

K-9

El Guapo! wrote: »

The only exception I would add to that would be if a user reported a post for trolling and then still responded to the post. It defeats the whole purpose. Why respond to someone you know is trolling?
One of the main things we keep asking is "Don't feed the troll", yet people still do it on a daily basis. There are a few serial offenders when it comes to this. They report post after post yet are still happy to engage in a back and forth with this supposed troll. It does nothing but drag the thread down.

Indeed, that would be an exception and I think I may have acted on that basis in the past.

Generally though, as long as you are civil and on topic, there shouldn't be a problem.