Allow thread owners to edit their original posts in Verified Programs

I believe that thread owners should be able to edit their original posts in the Verified Programs sub forum.

Reason:

To edit my original post in the Verified Programs section, I would either need to be a moderator or ask a moderator to take the time to do it every time I need to change it.

For example, I need to update this thread's main post with new information about where it is hosted (I lost access to the file host and the necessary certificates to sign the updates when my old computer's hard drive failed.) I could probably ask Angelmax to update it again, but to ask him every single time I may need it updated would be an inconvenience for both of us.

Pros:

• The original post can be kept up to date with newest download links, changes and problems
• Moderators wouldn't have to take the time to update the threads

Cons:

• The thread creator could change the link to their program to something malicious (key loggers)
  However, if they have control of where the file is hosted (like dropbox), they could easily change the file to something malicious without ever having to change the original post
• Replies could eventually be out of context after several changes

I know your not allowed to suggest giving staff powers to non-staff users, but requiring a moderator to edit your posts for you, in that one section, is not something I would consider a normal staff power, since it only applies to that one section.

 

I agree just because of the controlling the file name on the server. It just makes the idea purposeless.

 

I'll have a look if that permission even exists in vBulletin.

 

He is proposing to make it like every other forum. Essentially undoing the permission changes that were done to the section years ago.

 

Any other forum?

Users posting unsolicited threads in there would be stupid.

The most I would do is allow thread owners to edit the OP, however I am wondering if even that is a wise idea - that increases the possibility "verified" malware and whatnot.

 

That is exactly what he is saying. In all honestly, most of the users that have threads in there are trusted enough. The other point that controlling the file on the server directly could easily be abused as well, making the uneditable OP kind of silly and annoying to the moderators and the users.

 

How about we allow you to edit your own posts but we don't allow linking to any files hosted anywhere but well-known, reputable file-sharing services like Rapidshare and Megaupload?

 

That would solve the problem if you did not allow editing of posts. If you allow editing of the posts, enforcing such a rule would just cause just as much work for the moderators.

 

Cons outweigh pros. I'll decide what to do when I have some time.

 

The main issue is simply, safety of the user in an officially verified section (control) versus the annoyance to the moderators (updating thread), the poster (PMing staff to update the thread) and the users (if thread is outdated). A method that may work better is simply only allowing users that the staff deems as trusted to have threads moved there. Then Runescape moderators could periodically scan the links to make sure the poster has not edited the link to a virus (this assumes OP can edit).