In light of recent events of some users spamming the forums, this raises the importance of better moderation here on the SWD Forums. The below are suggestions that could be made to improve the SWD Forums.
User Posting Restrictions (Originally by Arcphoenix, expanded on by 50ap5ud5)
Description: Site Moderators and above will be able to restrict a user’s ability to create threads if they are repeatedly spamming.
Features: Site Moderators and higher site ranks will be able to:
Justification:
In the scenario that a user is repeatedly breaking the forum rules and continuing despite many warnings, Site Moderators and above can prevent them from using the forums while still allowing them to access other parts of the site. This can allow for more flexible punishments without waiting for a Site Administrator to ban the user outright.
Deleted Threads will show in Thread history on User profiles
Background: In light of the spammer, brw88181, the user’s threads does not show up on their profile after deletion by Site Moderators. This can be a problem as this prevents staff from accessing the user’s misbehaviour history when discussing this with said user.
Before Deletion:
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After deletion:
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Description: All threads by a user will show in their profile. However only Site Moderators and above can read and edit these threads. The owner of the thread and other users will not be able to access the thread and instead be met with the existing error page.
Risks and Justification:
Justification: Allows administrators to access user’s history much more easily, even when the thread has been deleted. This prevents tampering of evidence by the offender or other users. Risks: This can cost SWD storage space if the user has a large number of deleted threads. The deleted threads will show in the User’s profile for 2 weeks, after which the thread will be truly deleted.Show content
Site Staff can delete comments by users
Description: Site staff can delete a comment’s contents quickly when users continuously spam/post inappropriate comments on threads.
Site Admins can view these changes in the Admin Control Panel Audit Log, and restore the comment if deemed necessary
Justification:
Allows site staff to manage messages much more efficiently.
Admin Control Panel Addition: Moderator Audit Log
Description: Inspired by the Discord Audit Log, Site Admins (AKA SWDTeam members) can view all actions made by DMU staff and Site staff.
Specifications:
Perhaps a panel of some sort that can only be opened by Site Admins This logger can list actions such as:Show content
REFERENCE:
Forum comments:
Non-Forum Comments:
Justification: Allows Executive members to keep an eye on their staff and their actions.
This allows them to manage and review their staff’s actions so they may identify areas in which their staff needs to improve upon.
Site Moderator Addition: Forum Thread Audit Log
Description: Similar to the above, this logger allows Site Moderators to keep track and modify a thread or comment’s permission and history.
Specifications:
When clicking “Edit Thread” or “Edit Comment” on a user’s thread/comment, a Site Moderator is able to:Show content
Mockup of Version History log:
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Risks:
To reduce storage space, only the history of the thread/comment in the last 3 weeks can be seen. (So minor changes such as spelling corrections etc. won’t waste space) The rest of the thread’s history can still be accessed by Site Admins for another week. After the 4 weeks, the rest of the thread’s history will be deleted to conserver space. NOTE: This risk analysis is still incomplete, feel free to make suggestions. Show content
New Feature: Thread Permissions
User-Specific Whitelisting
Description: Allows thread owners to whitelist certain others to post or edit their thread
Specifications:
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Justification: This can allow for threads which benefit from only the owner and trusted users from posting.
E.g. Tutorial threads, reference threads.
Sometimes random comments from users can clog up the thread and detract from the thread’s importance and purpose.
For instance, in my ban appeal reference thread:
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Several users post irrelevant and unneeded comments on a thread.
As you can see this can frustrate thread creators. Instead, suggestions and feedback on informative threads can be made on the thread owner’s profile.
This also means Site Moderators don’t need to lock important threads. Since locked threads often imply that the thread is no longer of use, this permission can allow thread owner to draw attention to it and keep the thread organised and clean.
User-specific Blacklisting
Description:
Thread owners can create a blacklist on a thread to prevent certain users from post a comment in their thread
Justification: Can block certain users from posting comments on their thread.
E.g. If a user is harassing the thread owner, they can be blocked from commenting on the thread.
Forum-Specific Permissions
Description: Certain sections of the SWD Forums can have designated permissions on all threads that created.
Justification:
For instance, Ban Appeals and Reporting can have threads that use the User-Specific Whitelist permission to allow only the banned user, Site Staff and DMU Staff ranks to comment on the thread.
Specifications:
A few suggested default permissions for certain sections: Tutorials: Projects/Creations: Ban Appeals/Reporting: All others sections:Show content
Please feel free to make suggestions and offer feedback!
All great ideas. I hope they're implemented in the site.
These are great ideas, 50ap!! I support them, hope they get added!
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