Flag system

aguero · Nov 28, 2011

There is a vast amount of scammer/posting of malicious links that unfortunately far outweigh the amount of moderators that can deal with them.

I feel that a system that where we, as ordinary members can help rid of them by flagging the post so it can be hidden would help take some load of of the Moderators and stop other members being scammed or downloading a virus quickly.

the system as it is now, is simply once someone posts a java drive by etc we simply PM a Moderator or Report the post and wait for it to be dealt with ( I think)

What I am suggesting is, for example..
someone posts up a thread with a java drive-by link. say, 10 , street-wise members flag this post and it becomes hidden.

IMO this would stop a lot of these scumbags posting and take some of the work-load off of the Moderators.

I apologize if I haven't conveyed my Idea well enough , thoughts?

Sypherz · Nov 28, 2011

I like the thought to an extent. Perhaps there could be applications for a hidden rank, and if you have that you can flag. After let's say 2 flags, links become broken until a moderator deals with it?

Karl · Nov 28, 2011

aguero said:
There is a vast amount of scammer/posting of malicious links that unfortunately far outweigh the amount of moderators that can deal with them.

I feel that a system that where we, as ordinary members can help rid of them by flagging the post so it can be hidden would help take some load of of the Moderators and stop other members being scammed or downloading a virus quickly.

the system as it is now, is simply once someone posts a java drive by etc we simply PM a Moderator or Report the post and wait for it to be dealt with ( I think)

What I am suggesting is, for example..
someone posts up a thread with a java drive-by link. say, 10 , street-wise members flag this post and it becomes hidden.

IMO this would stop a lot of these scumbags posting and take some of the work-load off of the Moderators.

I apologize if I haven't conveyed my Idea well enough , thoughts?

I really like that idea, I wonder if its possible on this vBulletin though

stui · Nov 28, 2011

i support this idea as i think it would defintly lesson the load of mods

Befriend · Nov 28, 2011

Seems very reasonable
+Support

n4n0 · Nov 28, 2011

I think it's a good idea, but with systems like this there's room for abuse. I could see members ganging up on other users and "flagging" their threads for whatever the reason may be and causing them to be hidden unjustly...

stui · Mar 3, 2012

Bumping this so that maybe it can be introduced into vb4. Looked like a good idea to me, but maybe only let gurus+ flag it?

Emperor Nero · Mar 3, 2012

I like this idea and I would say that there should have to be a post limit before you could flag, as stui suggested.

SmperFidelis · Mar 3, 2012

I like Sypherz's idea on having applications for having the power to do that. I feel if 10-20 trusted members are chosen to have that power, it would greatly help out the moderators job, and helping users to not being affected by the virus.

Laptop65 · Mar 4, 2012

Interesting idea... although if anything like this was implemented it would be after the VB4 upgrade, which isn't far away now. I would suggest the flagging feature just temporarily disables or hides all links in the thread until a moderator comes along and reviews it.

I see two possible options on how users would be granted 'flagging'.

1. An application scheme where users would have to apply for the ability to 'flag' threads. The staff would obviously be in charge of deciding who can flag and who can't. The users who are interested in having the ability to flag are then judged based on their activity and accuracy and number of spam reports they file.

2. Flagging is automatically given after a certain post count number is met for example 2,000 or similar. However I see this one open more likely open to abuse.

Not saying this would happen , just giving my opinion on it.

stui · Mar 4, 2012

But i dont think someone would spam 2k posts just to hide someones thread but applications would be ok as well

Jeff · Mar 4, 2012

Not bad of a concept, however I don't see this being implemented.

Reasons for this are as follows:

- Currently, users can simply post on the suspected thread warning others to be aware/not to click the link as it may be suspicious.

- As n4n0 stated, there is room for abuse to this. A group of users can flag down a particular sales thread for example, etc.

- The Report Button can be used by multiple people and if any staff members see a thread reported multiple times, I think that should be a big sign that that thread is a priority to close/delete.

No support.

Wulfspade1 · Mar 4, 2012

I've stated this last time, there's room for abuse; a group of members can abuse the power and flag normal threads. If there's particular requirements to flag, that would be a better idea.

Quatakai · Mar 4, 2012

I like this idea, if it's possible after the update to vB4, I'll support it.

stui · Mar 4, 2012

Wulfspade1 said:
I've stated this last time, there's room for abuse; a group of members can abuse the power and flag normal threads. If there's particular requirements to flag, that would be a better idea.

If its restricted to 2k or more posts then it shows we are at least a bit mature

Or if we do applications then the staff will choose people who they think woll be responsible

Laptop65 · Mar 4, 2012

And if people abused it, I'm pretty sure they would get their flagging status taken off them immediately and a punishment of some kind would be issued. And I'm pretty sure the staff would pick people who would use it fairly and in the right places.

Noam · Mar 4, 2012

Support. It is almost not necessary to say that people who can hide posts will need to apply, and I think about 30-40 people should do the trick. Any less than that and you aren't really making sure that issues get consistently observed and flagged.
In addition, abusing flag powers should really be treated like abusing mod powers. Definitely getting stripped of rank.
I also think this is a great opportunity to test out potential mods and see how they handle the power that they receive - This would only work if it took 1 vote to hide a post, however