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This topic has moved here: Poll [25 votes]: Should moderators have to reply to the thread they lock?
  • Poll [25 votes]: Should moderators have to reply to the thread they lock?
Subject: Moderating locking procedure...
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Poll: Should moderators have to reply to the thread they lock?  [closed]
Yes:  52%
(13 Votes)
No:  48%
(12 Votes)
Total Votes: 25

Well, I think it's nice that a moderator replies to a thread, because it provides which moderator to refer to about contesting and such, it provides thread closure, and it gives further example to how rules apply. And generally without closure people tend to make threads asking why such threads are locked.

Though it would me nice for moderators to do so, but I don't know if I would go as far as them having to.

Comment, thoughts, expirences, etc... (You know the drill, DISCUSS!)

  • 02.19.2007 5:28 PM PDT

Tom Achronos
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They usually do either make a post or PM the thread creator. Sometimes that isn't possible or even needed (like when it is obvious why a thread was locked).

  • 02.19.2007 5:30 PM PDT
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Posted by: Achronos
They usually do either make a post or PM the thread creator. Sometimes that isn't possible or even needed (like when it is obvious why a thread was locked).
Well, many people don't see obvious things as we all know, and then there tends to be people who speak for the threads(people who are the thread starters).

  • 02.19.2007 5:33 PM PDT

It would probably take more time than necessary for a moderator to explain why a topic was locked and which moderator locked it. If the thread is locked, the creator should read the rules to find out why, or read the rules ahead of time to avoid creating an off-topic thread/post that will be locked or cause a thread to be locked. I would like to see a "Thread Locked By ...." sort of feature added in the newest hotness.

  • 02.19.2007 5:33 PM PDT
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Tact is for those who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

No use cryin' over Spillt Milk

In the case of threads that never get past more than a few posts I think it's fine for the mods to just lock it without explanation.
That said, nothing is more obnoxious than to have your 6 page thread turn up locked without any explanation at all.

  • 02.19.2007 5:52 PM PDT
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If it is really that hard for them to do so, I could make macros for them.

  • 02.19.2007 6:26 PM PDT

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I've noticed recently that the mods have been very good about replying.. :D

  • 02.19.2007 7:01 PM PDT

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Posted by: AnalyticalEdify
If it is really that hard for them to do so, I could make macros for them.

Heh. I remember suggesting macros to Shishka a minor eternity ago... and now I know why he said they wouldn't really help. The time saving would be lost by having to customise the message unless an unmanageably large number of macros were available.

-- Steve'll continue with editing the original post to include the reason... on the grounds that there's little sense in bumping a thread about to be locked by posting a reply.

  • 02.19.2007 7:03 PM PDT
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Auto Hotkey scripts are awesome... So many ways to make hotkeys...

And using Windows+whatever, you got plenty of combinations...

#z::
send <reason 1>
return
#x::
send <reason 2>
return

There's hotstrings too where you would put in "lol" and changes it to "laughing out loud"

And anything that would require customization that would make the macro no longer time consuming, would be more than likely a thread worthy of replying to without ease of a macro. Moderators don't always have to attempt to be witty when they reply to topics they're locking, unless there's some "welcome to holywood video" customer service type policy for moderators I don't know about.

-----

Or a "locked by" and "reason for lock" feature added. For the moderators reason for lock would be like a check list such as picking what your occupation is making a hotmail account, and include "other" of course.

[Edited on 2/19/2007]

  • 02.19.2007 7:32 PM PDT
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altho having macros would be a time saver i like it when i get a personal mesage/post that says *insert for lock hear* and tells the person who got there thread locked that it was read throught and gives no resion for some one to say "o why did you lock it out you did not even read it"

allso i cant imagion that it would save that much time if a mod had macros

  • 02.19.2007 9:53 PM PDT
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Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Just imagine evilcam and the other mods trying to post in EVERY SINGLE "I got into the beta" thread that they locked on the days of the Phase 1 and 2 announcements.

Their fingers would fall off!

  • 02.20.2007 9:50 AM PDT

SB-117

I usually post a reply unless it's blatantly obvious that the spammer knows what they've done wrong already.

Posted by: AnalyticalEdify
Or a "locked by" and "reason for lock" feature added. For the moderators reason for lock would be like a check list such as picking what your occupation is making a hotmail account, and include "other" of course.

I would like this, not as a time saver, but for a different reason.

I would love to see a feature where you can leave a little comment (not a reply, so it doesn't bump it) as you lock a thread. You could leave a message here (or maybe also choose from a default checklist). I believe this would be appreciated by members because it wouldn't bump a locked thread above on-topic discussion.

I've heard the cries of certain members who dislike how a locked thread isn't actually dead until it is well into the second page. The whole point of locking a thread is so it sinks as soon as possible, however, a moderator replying to it for clarification (thus bumping it) will end up keeping it alive for that little bit longer. It may not seem like a big deal but when there are a lot of locked threads, the legitimate discussion on the board does suffer.

Anyhow, I just wanted to add that idea to the topic.

[Edited on 2/20/2007]

  • 02.20.2007 10:38 AM PDT
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Well how about the option for users to disable the viewing of locked topics on the list?

  • 02.20.2007 12:32 PM PDT
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I delete and send pm's usually. I figure the other mods can fill up the index with "examples".

  • 02.20.2007 12:40 PM PDT
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Posted by: stosh
I delete and send pm's usually. I figure the other mods can fill up the index with "examples".


Because we wouldn't want the now-employed-by-Bungie-first-generation-master-forum-ninja to set an example ;)

[Edited on 2/20/2007]

  • 02.20.2007 12:52 PM PDT

The real problem is not why it is locked if that is not apparent, because they can ask the moderator. The problem is that they can't do that if the moderator doesn't post because nobody knows who locked it.

  • 02.20.2007 1:13 PM PDT
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I think that it's considerate of a mod to let you know why he locked your thread, but I don't think it should be mandatory. They have to sift through all the new threads on all the forums and put up with our bickering every day and night, so I can imagine that it's pretty rare when one of them has the time to type a lengthy response.

  • 02.20.2007 1:22 PM PDT

I had a Word file with reasons for a thread being locked/moved that I would copy/paste into the thread in question. It was very useful, since typing "New Mombasa is for Halo 2 discussions only. Off topic discussions belong in The Flood." was just like typing "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." to me...

  • 02.20.2007 2:22 PM PDT

Why the hell are you looking at this? Get out.

And no group invites, you jerk. I'm not interested.

Posted by: dmbfan09
I had a Word file with reasons for a thread being locked/moved that I would copy/paste into the thread in question. It was very useful, since typing "New Mombasa is for Halo 2 discussions only. Off topic discussions belong in The Flood." was just like typing "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." to me...
I was using a group forum for it. That way everyone could use it.

Fortunately, the need for them faded since Bungie's declared superjumps cheating and most other topics I had were resolved.

  • 02.20.2007 2:34 PM PDT
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Usually if a plethora of members have already come into the thread and said to the thread creator why it's bad, I just lock it. No explanation required, because half of the forum already did it for me.

-TGP-

  • 02.20.2007 2:37 PM PDT

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Posted by: Great_Pretender
Usually if a plethora of members have already come into the thread and said to the thread creator why it's bad, I just lock it. No explanation required, because half of the forum already did it for me.

-TGP-


This thread is getting old. I suggest we lock it.


.. >_>

  • 02.20.2007 2:37 PM PDT
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Posted by: ash55
I've heard the cries of certain members who dislike how a locked thread isn't actually dead until it is well into the second page. The whole point of locking a thread is so it sinks as soon as possible, however, a moderator replying to it for clarification (thus bumping it) will end up keeping it alive for that little bit longer. It may not seem like a big deal but when there are a lot of locked threads, the legitimate discussion on the board does suffer.


The thing is, having locked threads on the front page does nothing to promote positive discussion in positive threads.

I realise locked threads must be kept for a record of people's wrong doings, but there is no good reason to have them kept on the front page.

Using free forum software available to all it is possible to set up multimoderation techniques.

You can, for example, have the thread locked and replied to (with a prescripted reply) with one click of button. You can also add in a "move to archive" function if you wanted. If bungie implemented this, along with an automatic PM to the OP of the thread showing a link to their now moved / locked / and reason for lock thread then bungie would be a much nicer place to browse.

I guess this is what the Newer Hawtness will introduce.

  • 02.20.2007 3:54 PM PDT
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Sometimes PMs regarding why a thread has been locked can actually have the double-whammy effect of both explaing to the OP how the decision was reached AND providing monumental amusement/bemusement at the same time.

I think it's a good policy for the Bungie.net police unit to offer PMs or explanations for locked threads where the answer is not always apparent.

I recall having a thread locked for 'disciminating against Elites' which, in retrospect, was entirely worth it for the amount of amusement I got out the explanation for this most heinous crime. It's worth pointing out that I am not exaggerating the actual words used to describe my crime.

Discrimination. Against. Elites.

Anyway, water under the bridge. I think the original question of providing explanations for locked threads is ultimately down to the preference of the individual police.

  • 02.20.2007 4:17 PM PDT

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Posted by: Chomskyite
Sometimes PMs regarding why a thread has been locked can actually have the double-whammy effect of both explaining to the OP how the decision was reached AND providing monumental amusement/bemusement at the same time.

I think it's a good policy for the Bungie.net police unit to offer PMs or explanations for locked threads where the answer is not always apparent.

I recall having a thread locked for 'disciminating against Elites' which, in retrospect, was entirely worth it for the amount of amusement I got out the explanation for this most heinous crime. It's worth pointing out that I am not exaggerating the actual words used to describe my crime.

Discrimination. Against. Elites.

Anyway, water under the bridge. I think the original question of providing explanations for locked threads is ultimately down to the preference of the individual police.


I agree entirely. I think. If a moderator locks a thread, they should either PM or post giving an explanation, which I've noticed they've been doing lots of, which is fantastic. Things like;

"Topic poster is too old and out of touch with the cool young kids to be making such a thread."

Would suffice. Cromskyite. ..

*cough*

[Edited on 2/20/2007]

  • 02.20.2007 4:39 PM PDT