Reporting Guide - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Reporting Guide

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
calronmoonflower
Apr 19, 2008 18:55:38 If you see a code of conduct violation use the IMAGE(http://forums.gleemax.com/images/buttons/dnd/report.gif) , from then on it is up to the moderators to deal with the problem.

WizO_Mimir;15659604 wrote:
#2
alyss_dup
Apr 19, 2008 19:14:50 Here here. The only person I've reported so far was myself. Good thing I did too.
#3
wizo_mimir
Apr 19, 2008 19:58:18 I'm sorry, but I don't understand the question. For what kind of reporting do you want a guide and FAQ? Conduct issues? Editorial issues? For conduct issues you click the Report a Post button and say why you think the post violates the Code of Conduct. Only VCLs report editorial issues, and they're already aware how to do that. Now, if VCLs want reports from their FLs in a certain format, that's between the VCLs and FLs. :D
#4
calronmoonflower
Apr 19, 2008 20:13:51 Telling someone to hit the report button isn't really constructive if they do not know what to do after that.

If for example someone enters "Trolling" in the report that really wouldn't tell what the moderator should look for or why exactly the post violates the CoC.

Laying out a good way and a bad way to report a problem should help prevent these problems.

I suggest that the offending text be quoted. If multiple examples are in a thread the be included with the post number of each. then each quote should spell out why it is thought that the CoC was violated.

As it is the suggestion to "For conduct issues you click the Report a Post button and say why you think the post violates the Code of Conduct." doesn't really cover exactly you should do beyond *click* "Troll!".

In the end it may only be a simple guide, but it might be necessary.
#5
Zherog
Apr 19, 2008 20:22:24 Mimir - this thread here is an outgrowth of the "Where is the WizO presence in the 4e forums" thread. Specifically, if you start around this point, you'll pick up the conversation pretty close to the point where the idea came up.

Basically, the idea is for somebody to create a FAQ/Guide on how to best make use of the "report post" function. What needs to be said? Is it OK to have a really long report if it seems necessary? Can more than one post be reported in the same post (for example, "This post has masked swearing, and the post right after it quotes the masking.")? And so on.
#6
wizo_mimir
Apr 19, 2008 21:09:52 The majority of Code of Conduct violations are straightforward and easily identifiable. Things like masking, advertising in the wrong area, commercial posts, copyright violations, etc, don't need much more explanation than the stated violation.

Trolling, baiting, and flaming are subjective violations -- in other words, what you may feel is trolling may not be interpreted that way by someone else. In those cases, you need to provide an explanation as to your opinion, and any background that may be pertinent. This doesn't guarantee that a moderator will agree with your opinion, but it makes it easier to see your point of view and will certainly go a long way towards your credibility.

We look at all reports, and we treat them all seriously and fairly, but there's no denying that it becomes frustrating when people report things that are not disruptive. Someone trolling in the middle of an ongoing thread is disruptive -- someone starting a new thread with a topic you consider trolling is not. Why, you may ask? Because if no one posts in the trolling thread, then it simply goes away. Two pages of trolling accusations and pictures of flaming trolls keeps it on the front page at the top of the forum, and it becomes a disruption...but in that case, it's not the original poster's fault.

The only thing I'd put in an FAQ about reporting conduct violations is this --

Don't respond when provoked.
#7
calronmoonflower
Apr 19, 2008 23:08:08
The only thing I'd put in an FAQ about reporting conduct violations is this --

Don't respond when provoked.

That's a good point. I wish more people would follow that advise.

Pulling the T-Card for example is insulting and therefor against the CoC, yet I've seen people do this numerous times.
#8
mudbunny
Apr 20, 2008 17:35:11 I am currently working on a post on how to be a responsible forum member that will hopefully get stickied in this forum. It will cover how to report posts, bait threads and various other situations. I am working on it in another forum, but would be willing to bring it into this forum to be worked on if the WizOs don't mind.

Mythbusters: Providing inspiration for little boys with frogs and a microwave.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 calronmoonflower Apr 19, 2008 18:55:38	If you see a code of conduct violation use the , from then on it is up to the moderators to deal with the problem. WizO_Mimir;15659604 wrote:
#2 alyss_dup Apr 19, 2008 19:14:50	Here here. The only person I've reported so far was myself. Good thing I did too.
#3 wizo_mimir Apr 19, 2008 19:58:18	I'm sorry, but I don't understand the question. For what kind of reporting do you want a guide and FAQ? Conduct issues? Editorial issues? For conduct issues you click the Report a Post button and say why you think the post violates the Code of Conduct. Only VCLs report editorial issues, and they're already aware how to do that. Now, if VCLs want reports from their FLs in a certain format, that's between the VCLs and FLs. :D
#4 calronmoonflower Apr 19, 2008 20:13:51	Telling someone to hit the report button isn't really constructive if they do not know what to do after that. If for example someone enters "Trolling" in the report that really wouldn't tell what the moderator should look for or why exactly the post violates the CoC. Laying out a good way and a bad way to report a problem should help prevent these problems. I suggest that the offending text be quoted. If multiple examples are in a thread the be included with the post number of each. then each quote should spell out why it is thought that the CoC was violated. As it is the suggestion to "For conduct issues you click the Report a Post button and say why you think the post violates the Code of Conduct." doesn't really cover exactly you should do beyond click "Troll!". In the end it may only be a simple guide, but it might be necessary.
#5 Zherog Apr 19, 2008 20:22:24	Mimir - this thread here is an outgrowth of the "Where is the WizO presence in the 4e forums" thread. Specifically, if you start around this point, you'll pick up the conversation pretty close to the point where the idea came up. Basically, the idea is for somebody to create a FAQ/Guide on how to best make use of the "report post" function. What needs to be said? Is it OK to have a really long report if it seems necessary? Can more than one post be reported in the same post (for example, "This post has masked swearing, and the post right after it quotes the masking.")? And so on.
#6 wizo_mimir Apr 19, 2008 21:09:52	The majority of Code of Conduct violations are straightforward and easily identifiable. Things like masking, advertising in the wrong area, commercial posts, copyright violations, etc, don't need much more explanation than the stated violation. Trolling, baiting, and flaming are subjective violations -- in other words, what you may feel is trolling may not be interpreted that way by someone else. In those cases, you need to provide an explanation as to your opinion, and any background that may be pertinent. This doesn't guarantee that a moderator will agree with your opinion, but it makes it easier to see your point of view and will certainly go a long way towards your credibility. We look at all reports, and we treat them all seriously and fairly, but there's no denying that it becomes frustrating when people report things that are not disruptive. Someone trolling in the middle of an ongoing thread is disruptive -- someone starting a new thread with a topic you consider trolling is not. Why, you may ask? Because if no one posts in the trolling thread, then it simply goes away. Two pages of trolling accusations and pictures of flaming trolls keeps it on the front page at the top of the forum, and it becomes a disruption...but in that case, it's not the original poster's fault. The only thing I'd put in an FAQ about reporting conduct violations is this -- Don't respond when provoked.
#7 calronmoonflower Apr 19, 2008 23:08:08	The only thing I'd put in an FAQ about reporting conduct violations is this -- Don't respond when provoked. That's a good point. I wish more people would follow that advise. Pulling the T-Card for example is insulting and therefor against the CoC, yet I've seen people do this numerous times.
#8 mudbunny Apr 20, 2008 17:35:11	I am currently working on a post on how to be a responsible forum member that will hopefully get stickied in this forum. It will cover how to report posts, bait threads and various other situations. I am working on it in another forum, but would be willing to bring it into this forum to be worked on if the WizOs don't mind. Mythbusters: Providing inspiration for little boys with frogs and a microwave.