[Etiquette, Speed] Fastest, and most polite ways, to get moderator/ staff attention OR flag for moderator/ staff attention, modify / delete a custom flag, `@moderators` disabled, Tag for fun [ posted for smartphone users and future reference ]

[Gryphonknight]

Foreign Language

@Ruskin505

What’s the etiquette on foreign language posts within an existing thread?

Sometimes I’ll google translate for the poster. Sometimes I see it as flagged. Is flagging the best course of action?

Use your best judgment

Click for very long discussion

My default is to judge it based on the same criteria as I use for Off Topic flags for English posts / replies

Theoretically the two situations are different, but for most real world instances, they are the same

Abusing flags will result in revoking of forum flag privileges.

Off Topic

Off Topic flags are another long discussion

@Gryphonknight

Unfortunately, each situation, forum community and forum software, is unique ( see notes )

Forums are messy places because humans are messy

If Off topic activity was easy to fix, Discourse.org would have solved it already

Abusing flags will result in revoking of forum flag privileges.

Edit:

Trust level 3, Regular

Trust level 3, Regular ( see notes ), is actually an attempt to address the complexity of off topic when it comes to forum categories / titles

If the topic is created in the wrong category ( off topic ), then a regular is able to move it

If a topic has the title ( appears off topic ), then a regular is able to change it ( see notes )

Edit flame wars are a whole different discussion

Hiding

If I Recall Correctly, Trust Level 3 flags are also worth more points when the algorithm is deciding if a topic / reply will be hidden while awaiting moderator review

Abusing flags will result in revoking of forum flag privileges.

Offense history

@PlayForFun

Maybe it depends on the content.

If it is offensive in the original language, then probable flagging is the best.

Otherwise maybe a Translation is enough.

These are just my guesses.

Flagging any post that is offensive, or you strongly suspect is offensive ( looking at you gaslighting ), helps volunteers, and staff, track potential problem users and decide on appropriate action ( see notes )

And just in case anyone forgot

Abusing flags will result in revoking of forum flag privileges.

But as a general rule, volunteers, and staff, try not to revoke forum flag privileges if they can ( see notes )

Notes

Click for notes

Click bait

@Gryphonknight

Click Bait

Does the title of this need changed??

Unless staff locks an individual post #1, the creator leaves the forum or the individual post is set to a Wiki post, the creator gets to decide ( title edit flame wars are soooooo much drama )

Trust Level 3

Trust Level 3 – Regular

Regulars are the backbone of your community, the most active readers and reliable contributors over a period of months, even years. Because they’re always around, they can be further trusted to help tidy up and organize the community.

To get to trust level 3, in the last 100 days…

(Understanding Discourse Trust Levels)

Revoking privilege

In the below discussion replace the idea of banning with revoking privileges

@Gryphonknight

Staff want to bend over backwards to NOT ban you.

@Gryphonknight

Bans are never the first thought in Staff’s head. Okay I lie. Bans are always the very first thought when a jerk starts picking on one of my friends and fellow moderators. But our fifth or sixth thoughts are “do they have enough rope to hang themselves in their moderation history, or do they get a slap on the wrist THIS time”.

But for actually honest to goodness newbies, my first thought is “Sigh. Time to explain the rules for the gazillionth time”.

Everyone wants people to feel free to chat and ask questions and get help and give help and be a vibrant chat community. It is why bored trolls are such a bane. Bored chat moderator baiting trolls are just the worst.

Flag History

I give up

Between discussions of chat flags, forum flags, war flags, titan flags, map flags, mythic titan flags, event flags, etc., it is impossible to find the moderator quote I want about flag history and trolls, abusers, bad actors, etc.

FIN