Reporting posts

ehlo

Why does MSE post report require sending an e-mail rather than using the onsite report tool that is built in to vBulleting?

For me, the built in tool is so much less hassle

Premier_2

You need an active email account in order to register as a forum member with MSE, so I'm not sure where any additional 'hassle' lies.

Perhaps the reason for using email is that as the site is not pro-actively moderated, it relies on matters being reported. The use of email allows any reader (with an email account) to report any post without themselves having to register with MSE as a forum member.

savemoney

If I click on abuse button it loads up gmail account for me not sure if thsi is because of firefox I use or gmail extension (gmail manager)

ehlo

Perhaps the reason for using email is that as the site is not pro-actively moderated, it relies on matters being reported. The use of email allows any reader (with an email account) to report any post without themselves having to register with MSE as a forum member.

Having the e-mail open up, ensure the relevant bits are filled in etc etc seems overkill if I just want to report a spam post. I've never moderated a vBulletin site before but certainly with other sites there is a moderation control panel to alert moderators to reported posts and normally it can choose to e-mail them as well

Owain_Moneysaver

It's a real hassle for people who don't have an associated application for mailto: urls. because I use webmail (not gmail). I can copy the mail recipient across to webmail but the Subject= bit gets missing.

If the post identifier was in the mail recipient part rather than the subject then it would be a bit easier. eg mailto:report-abuse-post-123456789@moneysavingexpertdotcom

However a button would allow easier categorisation of a reason for removal, and might allow for some automated moderation. Eg if 2 different members report a post as containing a naughtyword it can be suspended automatically until a moderator can check it.

Premier_2

ehlo wrote: »

Having the e-mail open up, ensure the relevant bits are filled in etc etc seems overkill if I just want to report a spam post. I've never moderated a vBulletin site before but certainly with other sites there is a moderation control panel to alert moderators to reported posts and normally it can choose to e-mail them as well

As I said, this site is not pro-actively moderated.

Martin believes (from legal advice he has sought) he has a limited immunity to whatever is published on his website ... as long as offending posts are quickly actioned after having been alerted to them.

I don't know of any other forum that takes this stance, but Martin has been given that legal advice so that is why he operates the site that way.

This natuarally means there must be a way to alert the site of any offending posts. The vBulletin alert function requires, I believe, a member to be registered and logged in to report a post. That could become an issue if, for example, a member has been PPR'd and sees a libellous post about them.

That is not an issue on any other site that is pro-actively moderated and so doesn't rely on the limited immunity this site does.

Premier_2

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

...
However a button would allow easier categorisation of a reason for removal, and might allow for some automated moderation. Eg if 2 different members report a post as containing a naughtyword it can be suspended automatically until a moderator can check it.

There is a spam buttom that effectively does that for the entire thread (but needs more than 2 hits)

I don't think this would work for individual posts. What would happen if, for example, a post was quoted by another ... that would need to be separately alerted by the required number of members and would that also be removed in it's entirety?

That could get really confusing if posts were being removed and then reinstated later.

Currently, only 1 alert is required to bring any post to the attention of the Forum Team who will first review the alert before deciding whether to remove or edit any post. That seems the correct way to moderate the forum. Otherwise I'm sure some people will register multiple accounts purely to remove posts (albeit temporarily) they personally don't agree with.

terra_ferma

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It's a real hassle for people who don't have an associated application for mailto: urls. because I use webmail (not gmail). I can copy the mail recipient across to webmail but the Subject= bit gets missing.

If the post identifier was in the mail recipient part rather than the subject then it would be a bit easier. eg mailto:report-abuse-post-123456789@moneysavingexpertdotcom

However a button would allow easier categorisation of a reason for removal, and might allow for some automated moderation. Eg if 2 different members report a post as containing a naughtyword it can be suspended automatically until a moderator can check it.

Yahoo can be set as default for mailto (with firefox) going to: tools/options/applications. There is a slight glitch though, the link on the subject line does not work and you have to copy and paste it again.