Do you feel this forum is over moderated?

[Display Name 448]

I don't think that's the case, cursing isn't taboo here, just dropping cluster f-bombs and swearing like a sailor. Just normal swearing when you feel it's needed to make the point(or joke) is fine, using f**k every other word isn't, and I'm pretty sure offendable would be like cussing out other member and dropping slurs. 

I know, i only curse here and there every once in awhile.

Trust me though, i'v seen plenty of people dropping f-bombings here.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I know, i only curse here and there every once in awhile.

Trust me though, i'v seen plenty of people dropping f-bombings here.

 

And that's not against rules, I think a mod even said that the cursing rule only applies to people who curse 24.7 and can't stop posting long stings of swear words every other post.

Edited September 29, 2013 by Shoboni

[Batbrony 16,055]

Heck to the no I don't think this forum is over-moderated!  The level of organization and proactive moderation here is hands down one of the shining points that makes this community so appealing to me in the first place.  If a high number of threads you create are getting locked, it's most likely for one of a number of reasons: (1) it's a duplicate thread, which is easily solvable if one simply takes the time to look up if a thread has already been created for a particular topic, (2) it's too personal, much more appropriate for a status update or blog, or (3) too little content to generate a conversation.  Plenty of others have made that point already, but I figured it can't hurt to hammer it in.

 

I'll also say this as well, and it's especially relevant I think to a large number of our newer members; as a new member, DO NOT feel obligated to create a thread topic for just about every topic you can possibly think of in order to get your name out there.  Honestly, unless it's a silly section like the Forum Lounge or Forum Games, or a section for personal projects like Octavia's Hall, one should take quite a few things into consideration before creating a thread, such as many of the points I made above that often lead to threads getting locked.  Is your thread a duplicate, is what you have to say worth saying, can it create a steady community conversation, etc.?  These are questions that you should ask yourself before creating a thread, because honestly, one doesn't need to create threads that often in order to get known.  Heck, I'm one of the oldest members here, and in that time I really haven't started that many threads to be honest.  Just post actively, create smart, well thought out and well written posts, and reach out to members in a friendly manner, and you'll be plenty known in no time and have plenty of people who care about what you have to say and take the time to read your posts.  Trust me. 

 

So, in conclusion, despite of course the moderation team certainly not being perfect in every sense of the word (but really, who is?), I certainly do not think that MLP Forums is over-moderated, and continue to hold nothing but praise all around for the job our moderators do running and moderating the forums.

Edited September 29, 2013 by Batbrony

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,611]

In some ways, yes. While this definitely is not the worst forum in that regard, I have had my fair share of confusion over staff decisions. Threads that get locked for a reason that makes little sense, warnings being given out left and right (at certain times and usually by a specific mod or two), these kind of things can sometimes take away the relaxing nature a forum can bring. Sure, chaos can happen if everything is ignored but chaos can easily be managed in a more laid back environment. HC Realms is a good example. They have over 1,000,000 members and probably the same amount of mods, maybe even a little less. There really is no extreme chaos on there (except for some drama about new figures in the game) and the mods are usually quite laid back. Maybe that is because the members are better or whatever, I don't know, that is just speculation on my part. My main point is that the mods in that (much larger) community are not as trigger happy with the warnings/thread closing as a couple of mods here. Just my opinion.

 

So....I do feel the forum is over moderated to an extent, but it is not anywhere as bad as it could be. I am trying to compare the positives to the negatives. At one point I felt that the negatives were much higher, but there are a bit more positives right now. No personal insult intented with this post, just my observations and opinions and stuff.

[SBaby 660]

Threads that get locked for a reason that makes little sense, warnings being given out left and right (at certain times and usually by a specific mod or two), these kind of things can sometimes take away the relaxing nature a forum can bring.

 

I do have to admit, I have noticed this too, to some degree.  The problem with this kind of enforcement is, when this starts to become a common and frequent thing, it tells us that mods are more concerned with the minor issues than the major ones.  And that can really bring an otherwise great site down.  Know this though.  It hasn't gotten to that point here yet (at least as far as I know), which is why I haven't really mentioned it at all.  And I'm still confident that it won't get to that point.

 

 

But by far, the worst thing I've seen (and many others have too) is when mods make a post with that annotation about how their post is an automatically generated message. 

 

That tells me this:  'You did something you weren't supposed to do and we don't care about individual members enough to write out a post explaining it to you.' 

 

This might sound harsh, but this is what about 70 percent of people see when they see the words 'automatically generated message'.  That can get to be borderline offensive, especially when members do take the time to type out posts in each topic they post in.  Is it really too much to expect mods to do the same?

 

Just so you understand.  This issue is minor.  It doesn't detract enormously from the site, as far as I'm concerned.  I just felt that since this is a topic for giving constructive thoughts, I might as well bring it up here.  And honestly, if this is the major issue I have with the site, then the mods are doing fantastic.

Edited October 5, 2013 by SBaby

[NavelColt 22,881]

But by far, the worst thing I've seen (and many others have too) is when mods make a post with that annotation about how their post is an automatically generated message. 

 

That tells me this:  'You did something you weren't supposed to do and we don't care about individual members enough to write out a post explaining it to you.' 

 

This might sound harsh, but this is what about 70 percent of people see when they see the words 'automatically generated message'.  That can get to be borderline offensive, especially when members do take the time to type out posts in each topic they post in.  Is it really too much to expect mods to do the same?

 

Just so you understand.  This issue is minor.  It doesn't detract enormously from the site, as far as I'm concerned.  I just felt that since this is a topic for giving constructive thoughts, I might as well bring it up here.  And honestly, if this is the major issue I have with the site, then the mods are doing fantastic.

 

And to be rather blunt, unless people start getting paid, individual responses to every possible moderation action is not at all possible with a site this active and this big, with staff who practice proactive moderation as opposed to passive moderation (act on report only). I personally get, and it's been brought up a few times before, that it may seem cold-shouldered, but it's somewhat of a necessary evil. If mods were androids, whose' schedules don't fluctuate, whose' emotional life problems don't get in the way, and whom can stick to a section and stare at it 24/7, then by all means, let's have individual replies to every single potential situation, as that is perfectly ideal

 

As is though, we're not quite to the point where we can modify ourselves into sleepless half-toaster ovens :c

 

For reference, I also made a response to this in its own topic.

 

 

 

This is really rather unavoidable when a forum becomes so pathetically big that reports and problems flock in by the dozen, each day, I'm afraid. Especially when the same exact problems happen over and over again, what the moderator would be taking that 60 seconds to type would be redundant over and over again on each issue, which would result in very similar messages with little to no personalization, either. We don't implement multi-mods from laziness, but rather for those moderation actions that happen -a lot-, such as moving things from one section to another that are high traffic (Show Discussion --> Sugarcube is common) or locking things for specific reasons. That way, the things that aren't quite as common, such as mergings, can receive fully customized responses.

 

I'm sorry if you're seeing it as cold, rude or uncaring, but it's really helpful for the staff to keep on top of things so that the forums can remain as clean as possible, whilst staff don't burn out from repetition of typing out the same thing over and over again fifty times a day I assure you, we do not just add multi mods for all moderator actions. They're only for actions that are so incredibly common that it's directly beneficial to saving everyone vast amounts of time in the long run.

 

 

 

This said though, since this is now the second or so time I've seen a full-out complaint about automated messages, I'll be seeing about making an FAQ explaining why exactly it is we use them, and how we do our best to limit our usage of them.

 

Done :3

 

--> http://mlpforums.com/page/faq/_/moderation/why-do-moderators-use-automated-messages-r82

 

Also, the fact of the matter is 90% of multi-mod actions are for moving things, which is the ideal use for them, as moving does not stop the topic, so there's considerably less potential for cold-shouldered feelings than a lock. Seeing as the 'little content, belongs as a status/blog' is the only real one used for locking threads as opposed to moving them (apart from a few section-specific things), and thus I assume that's where a majority of complaints come from, I'll also be looking into changing the wording on it to be more helpful and less confusing.

 

Lastly, as far as specific mods being warning-happy on minor things goes, this is not unknown to the management nor is it being ignored. As it goes on, more talks with people about how to approach things easier and more increased severity of discussion happens. You may not see it, but that doesn't mean it isn't occurring

Edited October 6, 2013 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[CT-1138 3,182]

Not even close. I've been on forums tht are over moderated, or just generally poorly moderated. This one is definitely not one of them. Heck, the Debate Pit alone shows just how much this place will let you express your opinions. I've never had a bad run in with the Moderators, and don't foresee it. In fact, the only real complaint I have is about the 100 character post requirement. Most of the things is have to say can be summed up in less than 100 characters, and I sometimes find myself giving up on a post because I've said all I need to say on something and can't figure of how to make the requirement. A 50 character requirement would be much more manageable for me.

 

... And yet all that was in 532 characters in a post that only required ten.

Edited October 5, 2013 by Dinos4Ever

[Malinter 3,064]

My only gripe is the character limit. Sometimes I want to reply but I don't need to say it  in 50/100 characters. I suppose it at least stops folks spamming topics with single word responses I guess.

[Emperor Posh 360]

I am not going to go into details on how many times I have seen topics like this on other forums, and I really must say this is a ridiculous thread for this forum. I have seen forum after forum get filled with junk, spam and so on because of lazy Administration/Moderation, and I have seen many more forums die because of real over the top over-moderation, and this forums is definitely not one of them and is definitely not over-moderated nor under-moderated. The minimum character limit is perfect, it really makes you put thought into your posts and not just post for the sake of posting. If I were asked to rate the moderation on this site I would definitely give it a 5/5 for the amount of work that has gone into making the forum the way it is today because I am sure that the site was not set up in a few hours and then left, it looks like alot of thought and effort was put into the site and moderation. Though I have only been here for two months I have ran into my fair share of trouble and caused some, and not once did I feel the punishment given was unfair. The threads that close before they take off is 90% of the time for the better. It is to help prevent flame wars and so on from starting, though I am sure it is not perfect but for the most part it is dealt with by either changing where the content was posted or with the help of an Admin or Moderator. I definitely do not have one thing to complain about when it comes to Administration/Moderation on the website, I quite like it.

Edited October 6, 2013 by Xelphos

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

Nope, this is probably the best moderated site I've had the joy of being on. And I'm a moderator on a couple other forums.

 

I've been on a couple other forums, and Mods auto lock ANY topic that hadn't been posted in for more than 21 days. To me it's kind of shooting themselves in the foot....and they don't allow links of any sort to other websites. I've since left those forums because they'rerun like a dictatorship and are jsut no funto be on. Like what if a new member comes on and sees old topics and posts in them and they get locked? They'll soon lose interest and leave the forum. On that forum I've seen the same topics crop up and all have been locked,just because no one has posted in them.

 

Meanwhile this forum actually encourages necroing old threads, which is awesome, it brings back topics and discussions that might've been long forgotten but still have some fight in them. It also keeps clutter down of having duplicate threads of the same/similar things.

[Vermillion 613]

No, not really 

 

the mods and admins seem pretty laid back if you ask me 

[Emperor Posh 360]

Actually I have something else that would be great to bring up here, something that has driven me away from so many forums. Backseat Moderating. Though some over look this rules because a lot of the times it is never used against users. But recent actions have shown me how this forum uses it, and I must say I am very tempted to just walk out and leave the forums because of it. To my point. Some people on the forums genuinely want to give suggestions and help people out, and this rule gets a lot of those people even though they were not trying to break the rules, they were just try to give a suggestion and help someone out. Let's take posts in the wrong section for example. Someone posts a topic asking for help with something in the wrong section. A user decides to lend the OP a hand by suggesting he posts in a section he had noticed where people were asking for similar help. The user meant nothing else by posting that suggestion, he didn't say anything about it being the wrong section he simply wanted to help the guy get his help. That user gets in trouble for backseat moderating. Now the user feels like crap and that his help was unwanted and he doesn't understand why he got in trouble for giving the OP a suggestion. Though he could have reported it and had it moved, that still does not always get the message to the OP that stuff like this does not belong in this section, not everyone is as quick to catch on as others are, and it seems this is not always taken into consideration. I do not think this is right. I have seen this to many times and it bothers me. One should not get in trouble for genuinely wanting to help someone out, it makes people feel unappreciated. Now if someone was going into my example post and blatantly stating that it was in the wrong section than yes he should be warned for backseat moderating, not the guy trying to help. I really think the Backseat Moderating rule needs to be rethought and rewrote so it really does target backseat moderators not the people trying to lend a hand.

Edited October 15, 2013 by ~Chaotic Xelphos~

[NavelColt 22,881]

Actually I have something else that would be great to bring up here, something that has driven me away from so many forums. Backseat Moderating. Though some over look this rules because a lot of the times it is never used against users. But recent actions have shown me how this forum uses it, and I must say I am very tempted to just walk out and leave the forums because of it. To my point. Some people on the forums genuinely want to give suggestions and help people out, and this rule gets a lot of those people even though they were not trying to break the rules, they were just try to give a suggestion and help someone out. Let's take posts in the wrong section for example. Someone posts a topic asking for help with something in the wrong section. A user decides to lend the OP a hand by suggesting he posts in a section he had noticed where people were asking for similar help. The user meant nothing else by posting that suggestion, he didn't say anything about it being the wrong section he simply wanted to help the guy get his help. That user gets in trouble for backseat moderating. Now the user feels like crap and that his help was unwanted and he doesn't understand why he got in trouble for giving the OP a suggestion. Though he could have reported it and had it moved, that still does not always get the message to the OP that stuff like this does not belong in this section, not everyone is as quick to catch on as others are, and it seems this is never taken into consideration. I do not think this is right. I have seen this to many times and it bothers me. One should not get in trouble for genuinely wanting to help someone out, it makes people feel unappreciated. Now if someone was going into my example post and blatantly stating that it was in the wrong section than yes he should be warned for backseat moderating, not the guy trying to help. I really think the Backseat Moderating rule needs to be rethought and rewrote so it really does target backseat moderators not the people trying to lend a hand.

 

The thing is, your helpfulness is better appreciated through reports saying where something should go, rather than making posts in the actual topic about it. If the person in-particular becomes known as someone who regularly misplaces posts, then the staff can give them an actual verbal reminder that they should familiarize themselves with where things go. People should also try and recall that warnings are not punishments or reprimands. They're just the most efficient way for staff to contact people over moderation actions, most of the time. Sometimes PMs are used, but other times, it's not.

 

If you have an issue with the specific moderator action given, that should be a Support Ticket Otherwise, the backseat moderation rule has always been valid, and it's always been rather clear. It's not about not wanting your help, it's about prime organization. There are so many other ways you can help members out by helping them in getting used to things, linking things, explaining things, etc, without simply telling them where something needs to go, instead.

[Emperor Posh 360]

People should try and recall that warnings are not punishments

 

Not going to lie, they kind of are. The fact that you can only have so many before you are banned makes them a punishment as you are one step closer to getting banned whether it be temporary or permanent.

 

 

 

My version of backseat moderating... only part of it. Now in no way am I trying to enforce my rules upon this forum, but I am in my own right allowed to argue something that seems unfair.

"Backseat Moderating is when people who are not Moderators try to enforce the forum rules."

Edited October 15, 2013 by ~Chaotic Xelphos~

[NavelColt 22,881]

Not going to lie, they kind of are. The fact that you can only have so many before you are banned makes them a punishment as you are one step closer to getting banned whether it be temporary or permanent.

 

My version of backseat moderating... only part of it. Now in no way am I trying to enforce my rules upon this forum, but I am in my own right allowed to argue something that seems unfair.

"Backseat Moderating is when people who are not Moderators try to enforce the forum rules."

 

Warnings don't get you banned, warning points and severity get you banned :3 Someone could have 20 off topic warnings and backseat mod warnings, and they're probably not going anywhere, whereas someone with four accounts of abusive behavior and one or two NSFW posts is out of here.

 

Never said you couldn't argue anything :3 What would be the point in topics like this, otherwise. Just trying to get you to see things from the staff's point of view, if only a little.

 

There's an appropriate FAQ regarding this rule, as a btw: http://mlpforums.com/page/faq/_/moderation/what-exactly-counts-as-backseat-moderation-r33

[Emperor Posh 360]

Warnings don't get you banned, warning points and severity get you banned :3 Someone could have 20 off topic warnings and backseat mod warnings, and they're probably not going anywhere, whereas someone with four accounts of abusive behavior and one or two NSFW posts is out of here.

 

Never said you couldn't argue anything :3 What would be the point in topics like this, otherwise. Just trying to get you to see things from the staff's point of view, if only a little.

 

There's an appropriate FAQ regarding this rule, as a btw: http://mlpforums.com/page/faq/_/moderation/what-exactly-counts-as-backseat-moderation-r33

Um maybe you should read here

 

Users that accrue large amounts of warning points will find the following restrictions placed on their accounts:

• Two day suspension at 400 points
• Seven day suspension at 800 points
• Permanent forum ban at 1,000 points
• Twenty five warning points are removed from one's account every week.

[NavelColt 22,881]

Um maybe you should read here

 

Users that accrue large amounts of warning points will find the following restrictions placed on their accounts:

• Two day suspension at 400 points
• Seven day suspension at 800 points
• Permanent forum ban at 1,000 points
• Twenty five warning points are removed from one's account every week.

 

Between warning points going down every week and people not making warning-worthy posts numerous times in a week-basis, you're not going to get banned based on just the minimal warnings that give nothing over 50 points. I say this because it's fact :3 I don't recall anyone being banned just because of backseat mod and off topic warnings, unless they were deliberately a spammer or had things like abusive behavior sprinkled around as well.

[Discordian 6,015]

I do but for only one (main) reason which you've brought up: The ridiculous character limit. 8/10 topics have a post somewhere in them where someone says "fluff for 100 characters" because it's just ridiculously high. I know it was put in place for a reason but it doesn't need to be that high. 50 is MORE than enough to get an actual sentence in. Hell, most of my own posts don't usually reach higher than 70 but then I'm forced to pointlessly fluff my post up when what I had already said would have sufficed in every single way.

 

Not to mention that any posts that even remotely mentions something like "getting the post to 100" usually gets modded for trying to bypass that same rule. The fact that so many posts do this is a sign of a problem, not to mention that cutting the character limit in half will still do it's job but not be overbearing.

 

Also, as for the person who said "you agreed to these rules when you signed up" well...that's not true. Not at all. There are a LOT of members who have been here before there was nearly as much moderation as there is now. The rules I signed up for have been all but rewritten entirely on this site but I'm not gonna just leave all the people I've met on this site because I don't like the changes but I will do what I can to see it undone. I also believe anyone who goes to this site has every right to disagree with a rule on the site even to the point of getting it abolished if possible.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Discordian

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I'd to re-illiterate, when the forum gets so bad the mods are backing the abusive members and even joining in the abuse, then you can complain about over-moderation issues. I've been online since I was 12, and active on forums since I was like 13-14(I'm 21 now) and I have some horror stories 

[ASocialyAwkwardPony 299]

If anything I would say it's a wee bit under-moderated in that a lot of hate and spite get through the cracks and it's up to users to report it most of the time.

 

Still, a lower minimum character limit for posts would be nice for users with a certain amount of posts/time registered.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Nightmare Lyre

[NavelColt 22,881]

Well I once got 700 warning points for mentioning that I was a clopper in one of a few "Are you a clopper?" threads. I don't know exactly why though.

 

So yeah, I think the mods here are getting a little harsh.

 

And don't you dare judge me for being one! It's what I do in my own time.

 

Linking NSFW material and websites is not okay, not mentioning that you're a clopper :3 If staff gave people warnings for saying something about themselves such as that, I'd be just as concerned.

[NavelColt 22,881]

Oh. Yeah. It was a "Link me all the Brony Tumblr" thread.

It said if it's NSFW, mark it NSFW in the post. So I did. And then it happened. (tbh, I just forgot the rule for a sec)

 

NSFW and rule 34-type content is strictly taboo. Got a fetish involving ponies? We don't care if you do; however, we politely ask that you keep all fetishistic, pornographic, and other "not safe for work" material off of here, whether it is art, fan fiction, or otherwise. There are better places out there to get your clopping fix. On that note, shipping is permitted as long as it is "safe for work" and the topic is tagged appropriately, and images or other media that simply imply sexual content are usually fine, as long as there's nothing too visually risque.

 

Shipping, non-explicit things like hot make out scenes, etc are the things that would need to be tagged :3 When things are just outright explicit, it shouldn't be here, period. There may have been some confusion there x3

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I just got back from another one for you guys. I was over on Tvtropes questioning a issue(namlely a trope that had been marked "no example only" and the only reason anyone could give me only explained why a single narrow category of examples should be banned. Keep in mind I have very few infractions on this site(aside from time when I lost on some idiot that was being a dick) and I've actually helped out quite a bit on the wiki.

 

A mod handled this with "shut up or I'll ban you" because he didn't like being cornered on an issue, THAT"S abuse. 

[Hangman 320]

I really think there are certain things that are crossing the line, and certain things that should be turned a blind eye to. It's a waste of resources to lock and delete certain things that aren't even offensive or redundant. Sure, some topics may have already been discussed. But in every message board, that is going to happen. Opinions change over time and I think it is a bit over the top to merge a topic today with one that was made almost a year ago. Especially when there are already 50 replies and that thread has fizzled out. Then subjects that are lacking content supposedly... Well you know what? That is all completely subjective. Isaac Newton based his studies on gravity over and apple hitting his head. Say the world was a message board. We would be so behind on physics if someone said that his thread on an apple hitting his head containing too little content. I think it is ridiculous. The members here are not stupid. We are not irresponsible. Why can't we openly discuss things in the general discussion section? 

[the_pony_element 5]

I would say it's a grain of salt too over moderated. I still really like this forum though because of that. It doesn't bother me because I know that it's done for a good reason and without it, I probably wouldn't be on this forum at all.