How it all works
When we throw all the elements listed above into a bed and have them make love, this is the baby that comes out on the other side:
► Here come the calls
Note: These are just suggestions for how to deal with problems that come up in the reports.
As already known to all of you, we have a reports system. Reports show up in the breadcrumbs underneath your private message information as well as underneath your designated forums. If you don't have any reports within your forum or the parts of the forum you have access to moderate, these will not show for you.
When you see a report, go to it and check with the problem it is by reading the user comment 'report content.' Despite what the report may say, you don't have to agree with it when you read it, so take the report with a grain of salt until you see the problem yourself. Click on the post number, which will be the first link on the left hand side of the report. Now, here are some general (apply to all boards) FRP (frequently reported problems!) and some suggestions on how to deal with them:
★ We already have a thread for this.
If a thread already exists, and there aren't replies, close the thread.
If a thread already exists, and there are a few replies, move the individual posts to the other thread, then close the thread.
If a thread already exists, and there are a substantial amount of replies (multiple pages), merge the thread.
★ This thread doesn't belong here.
Ask yourself, where does this thread belong?
If you determine that it doesn't belong anywhere, lock the thread.
If you determine that it belongs in another forum on PC, move the thread to the forum you find most befitting.
★ This is an advertisement.
Sometimes reports come in of someone advertising and they aren't, they're just using a link to back up something that they said.
If you determine it to be advertising, infract the member, then delete the thread.
★ This is spam!
Is it, really? If so, infract the user and delete the post.
If it's a thread with any amount of replies, you can choose to delete the thread entirely, or you can choose to close the thread to notify the other members that the thread is spam.
Additionally, post which are purely mini-modding are typically looked at as spam as well and should be dealt with accordingly.
★ There's a problem with this signature.
If there's a problem with the signature, click on their avatar, and under the staff options drop down menu (which is underneath their profile picture) on their profile, choose disable signature.
Fill out the problem, and then submit the form.
If there's three or more (including this edit) edits in the log, usually you should infract them for signature violations. Go back to the post to do so.
► Cleaning the streets
To select individual posts to manage, tick the check box that can be found with the icons for user comments, IP addresses, reporting, and infracting / warning a member. This is usually found in the table row above the postbit on standard viewing, and underneath the information of the user within the postbox for legacy viewing. Usually, the post will turn a different color. Select the posts you need to manage, and scroll to the bottom. Above the sponsored link, to the right of the new reply button, will be a list of moderation tools. Choose the one you will to use and follow the directions on the corresponding option to the problem, and follow the directions on the next page.
To manage the thread entirely (close, delete, merge, etc.), go to the forum tools and select the corresponding options.
To manage multiple threads, go to the forum index, and select the threads you wish to manage just as it was stated how to select individual posts.
Note: Make sure you don't have more than the desired posts, threads, etc. selected. If you select a post, and choose not to do anything with it, deselect the posts. If you select a thread, and choose not to do anything with it, deselect the thread.
► Calling in reinforcements
If you aren't sure what to do with a problem that is reported, that's okay! We're here to help. While reports aren't listed when you don't have one, most moderators and staff members who deal with reports tend to look at more than just their reports when they decide to check the reports out. Like stated in the reports post, there are moderator logs that are attached to each report. If you don't know what to do, or would like more options, I would suggest taking this time to utilize it.
When you fill out a comment, above it, you'll see a drop down list of options to manage the report (open, closed, pending). I'd suggest keeping the report open, however, when you run into a problem. When you set a report to pending, they aren't shown in your reports anymore, and you'll more than likely forget that the report is there. Take note, sometimes a higher staff member will come and set the report to open to remind you that it's there. This isn't a bad thing, but don't make a habit of setting a report to pending and forgetting about it.
► Playing cops
If you determine a post needs some punishment, you can choose the following options:
- Remove the problem.
- Post a verbal warning directed to the user within the thread.
- Send a verbal warning through a PM to the user.
- Give them a warning.
- Infract the member.
Depending on the leniency of your modding, you may determine that a post simply needs to be deleted, while another member of the staff may remove the problem, post a verbal warning directed to the user within the thread, and infract them. The list above is typically the list of options that you have when you run into a problem that needs some sort of punishment in addition to the cleaning part of your moderator title. You aren't limited to just doing one thing, but you shouldn't do them all.
If you determine that a user should be warned or infract, choose to do so, then select the problem in the list of infractions given. If it's a warning, click the box on the right hand side that designates it as such. Then fill out the text box at the bottom. This will be sent to the member as a message from you in addition to the template that is sent to members who are infracted.
► "You have the right to remain silent..."
If an error occurs, and it states that this will ban the member, fill out the ban reason. This member will be banned for reaching X points, so be sure to state that, in addition to the problem with the post or thread itself. You can choose to enter something like "Posting spam, thus resulted in reaching X points and awarded a ban from the community." This message is shown to the member when they log in, and the characters that you type in the single box is limited, so make sure you are short, simple, and to the point.
If you ban the member, be sure to note this in the banned user discussion thread. Include the name of the member, maybe a link as well (always helpful!), and what the member did wrong. Members can always choose to protest their ban, and some do. If this happens, they'll do so through the contact us link at the bottom of all pages on the forum, and an email will be sent to Steve. He'll post what happened in the thread, and usually moderators other than yourself are the first to reply (most of the staff tend to have something to say towards protesters), so if you feel that there is more to say when you see the protest PM, please feel free to say it in your own response!
It should be noted that, while ban protests are posted in the Banned Users Thread in the Staff Lounge, protests are only ever overturned in the Community Headquarters through a majority vote.
► You make the shots!
Ultimately, calls in moderation are up to you to decide within the forums you mod. Like I stated earlier, these a simply suggestions and the unwritten way of molding here a PC. While some of these suggestions are things that I may do, these aren't something you will do. And that's okay! We don't have a way of conduct when it comes to coming to the same page in modding and managing the forums, which is something that some members are very vocally against, but something we feel that is very important.
That being said, welcome to the team!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about anything in this thread or otherwise, you can post a thread here in the lounge, ask a mod friend you have, or direct your concerns to a higher staff member. Now, here's your ban hammer. Use it well, young padawan.