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This topic has moved here: Subject: When the OP of a topic has been hidden, should the thread be locked?
  • Subject: When the OP of a topic has been hidden, should the thread be locked?
Subject: When the OP of a topic has been hidden, should the thread be locked?

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Basically we all know how the report system works. Once enough users reports someone, that post is blocked and then the ninja's are notified about the problem. However, sometimes it takes a while for a ninja to get to the issue.

I was wondering, would it be a good thing if the system automatically locked a topic when the OP has their opening post hidden. Once a Ninja arrives to the problem, they can choose to reopen the topic or unleash ninjas. I personally like this idea, especially in the Flood. This way the community has more control at moderating themselves.

The main idea of this is to stop trolls, spam, and parody topics before they start. It basically saves the Ninjas a step if the topic isn't ban/warn worthy and allows the community to farther moderate themselves. Right now, all I hear is we either need "more ninjas" or "the community needs to control itself." This is technically a solution that addresses both problems.

If your fearful someone will abuse this system hear me out: If a group of users decide they will abuse reporting topics, then those who abuse the system will loose the ability to report others. Of course, there are some concerns about long running topics (topics with thousands of posts). A simple solution would be to allow the system to check the number of views/posts and find a percentage of them that must report the topic before it gets closed. This way a few dozen users won't be able to close a topic with a few hundred posts.

[Edited on 08.04.2011 4:10 PM PDT]

  • 08.04.2011 3:41 PM PDT

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No, sometimes a opinion people feel is wrong gets hidden, when it conforms to all the rules, it would lead to exploitation and more work for the ninjas. Hiding does the job perfectly as is.

  • 08.04.2011 3:43 PM PDT

Posted by: borrowedchief
We aren't here to ruin your experience (Well Qbix is).

People would just abuse the report button.

  • 08.04.2011 3:45 PM PDT

I like shorts. They're comfy and easy to wear.

I think this is a terrible idea.

  • 08.04.2011 3:47 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Legendary Member

That is a terrible idea, almost every thread would end up locked on this site.

  • 08.04.2011 3:49 PM PDT

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Nopity nope. There's two problems I see with this, a report locked thread will require a bump to resurface once unlocked and report abuse. If the general public get's the power to shut down threads until they are checked then there will be a group out there, however big or small, that will abuse it.

Then report abuse will have to become punishable and people will become afraid to report all but the worst threads for fear of punishment.

edit: apparently you can get into trouble for being a bad reporter already, though the bar to reach before doing so would have to be lowered considerably.

[Edited on 08.12.2011 4:11 PM PDT]

  • 08.04.2011 3:49 PM PDT

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While I can see this being a good idea sometimes, ultimately I think we shouldn't do this. What about long running threads? Someone could create a great thread that goes on for days or much longer. Then they make one mistake, and it's locked. On topic threads shouldn't be locked.

  • 08.04.2011 3:49 PM PDT

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How many topics actually have the OP blocked now? I rarely see a post hidden or blocked that is not supposed to be blocked. I also rarely see a OP blocked where the thread isn't violating one of the rules.

Ofcourse, the OP would have to be reported by a few dozen users. I don't see what the big fear is? Especially if its a "good topic?"

*edit* I see the possibility of long running topics running into a problem. However, wouldn't it be possible to have the system look at the number of posts/views of a topic, then determine a percentage of users that have to report it before it gets locked? Also about "groups and certain users abusing this system." Right now its technically possible to get banned for abusing the report system as is. I bet it would be possible for a user to loose reporting privileges shall they abuse the system. All this can be programmed into the system so those who want to abuse it, loose their ability to report other users.

[Edited on 08.04.2011 3:58 PM PDT]

  • 08.04.2011 3:52 PM PDT
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Posted by: Noshotskill
How many topics actually have the OP blocked now? I rarely see a post hidden or blocked that is not supposed to be blocked. I also rarely see a OP blocked where the thread isn't violating one of the rules.


Yeah you don't see it now but what do you think will happen when people find out reporting the OP locks a thread? People are just going to start reporting every thread they disagree with.

  • 08.04.2011 4:06 PM PDT

"Why concentrate on the negative when we can speak of the positive?"
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Posted by: Seven
Posted by: Noshotskill
How many topics actually have the OP blocked now? I rarely see a post hidden or blocked that is not supposed to be blocked. I also rarely see a OP blocked where the thread isn't violating one of the rules.


Yeah you don't see it now but what do you think will happen when people find out reporting the OP locks a thread? People are just going to start reporting every thread they disagree with.

It is possible for the system to look at numbers of views and determine how many users need to report the OP before the thread is locked. If 1000 people view a topic, and 20% need to report it to be locked. Then that means 200 people have to report the OP. Chances are you won't find nearly that much abusing the system if the topic is a "good topic."

  • 08.04.2011 4:09 PM PDT

I've seen dozens of threads reported that are reported only because people disagree with the first post. Locking the thread, even temporarily, would be an awful idea in my opinion, sorry.

  • 08.04.2011 4:09 PM PDT

"Why concentrate on the negative when we can speak of the positive?"
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Posted by: burritosenior
I've seen dozens of threads reported that are reported only because people disagree with the first post. Locking the thread, even temporarily, would be an awful idea in my opinion, sorry.

Can you link these topics that have the OP blocked and the topic still open? I doubt you'd find more then 1 or 2. Most users don't report the OP unless he/she is violating the rules.

Sure a few users will report the OP because they disagree with the topic. However, that is actually a small number. Right now you can get banned for "abusing the report button." Most users don't use it, unless the post is obviously against the rules. Of course, as I mentioned in the OP if someone continuously abuses the system they could loose all report button privileges.

[Edited on 08.04.2011 4:16 PM PDT]

  • 08.04.2011 4:11 PM PDT