Sciforums.com Unofficial Support [sciforums.modshell.com]

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Stryder

Stryder

Keeper of "good" ideas.
Valued Senior Member
Since a number of you have been complaining recently about this or that, I reason it's about time that we try to deal with the problems amicably.

I've setup a Ticket system which you only need your username and an email address to access. I'm hoping that I can encourage those that complain or have problems to use this system rather than creating threads.

The ticket system is located at: Http://sciforums.modshell.com (Yes indeed, the Domain is Mod's Hell!?!)

If you've got a grievance with a moderator, feel an infraction or ban is unfair etc, then open a ticket up and We'll see what can be done.

Currently I'm the only one manning support, however I'm hoping if this proves to be a working solution to encourage the moderation team to get involved with it in the future.
 
Stryder said:
Since a number of you have been complaining recently about this or that, I reason it's about time that we try to deal with the problems amicably.

I've setup a Ticket system which you only need your username and an email address to access. I'm hoping that I can encourage those that complain or have problems to use this system rather than creating threads.

The ticket system is located at: Http://sciforums.modshell.com (Yes indeed, the Domain is Mod's Hell!?!)

If you've got a grievance with a moderator, feel an infraction or ban is unfair etc, then open a ticket up and We'll see what can be done.

Currently I'm the only one manning support, however I'm hoping if this proves to be a working solution to encourage the moderation team to get involved with it in the future.
Click to expand...
I don't think you have any idea what you're in for... I wish you the best of luck. I reccomend you start drinking heavily... May not help, but couldn't hurt... Just sayin'...
 
Well, thanks, let's try it, but how is this different from a PM to you or Tiassa, which I understand is the current system?
 
I appreciate you taking the initiative, but unless there's some directive from you and James that these complaints be taken seriously--as well as a change in James' attitude when it comes to complaints about moderators--then this is just a new way for us to be ignored.
 
Sorcerer said:
Well, thanks, let's try it, but how is this different from a PM to you or Tiassa, which I understand is the current system?
Click to expand...

You can continue to use the PM method if you wish. The main problem with PMing though is unless we write a circular (BCC etc.) things that are done aren't acknowledged by anyone else than the person who did them. We do threads that are updated in the moderator lounge, however currently it's all on the moderators to do that which can easily be ignored as a duty. With a properly implemented ticket system, its possible to share a problem or concern between certain moderators or administrators, to include timescale and realtime updates on what actually is going on with the parties that are concerned.

I also noticed that one of the problems with any ban currently is a member loses their ability to explain themselves and that's what has caused some of the complaints, so having an external location where they can create a ticket to look into their ban should hopefully reduce the chance of say creating a sock puppet just to increase a ban from temporary to permanent.
 
Looks like you're thinking proactively. Ticketing can work for you or against you, but it's certainly a positive step forward. Besides you guys should use whatever you need to to simplify your jobs.

I would almost favor a positive ID of some kind to reduce sock puppets but like any security strategy it would attract more end-around games from the cranks who get their jollies by arguing with the legit folks. I had some passing ideas of doing some experiments in PHP (are you the IT guy?) and offering it up to the board for possible incorporation into the site software (not necessarily any code, but at least some pseudocode to stimulate a coder you trust to revamp the site.) After all the pains of the last upgrade I suppose any changes are unattractive . . . but consider it as a 'blue sky' option -- that there are probably ways of seriously trouncing the trolls once and for all. Maybe a sidebar with you would be worthwhile at some point, if you're interested in some suggestions I have in mind.
 
Stryder, I would be willing to help with that ticketing system if you want - I know being the only one on it there's a chance it could get busy :)
 
Stryder said:
Since a number of you have been complaining recently about this or that, I reason it's about time that we try to deal with the problems amicably.

I've setup a Ticket system which you only need your username and an email address to access. I'm hoping that I can encourage those that complain or have problems to use this system rather than creating threads.

The ticket system is located at: Http://sciforums.modshell.com (Yes indeed, the Domain is Mod's Hell!?!)

If you've got a grievance with a moderator, feel an infraction or ban is unfair etc, then open a ticket up and We'll see what can be done.

Currently I'm the only one manning support, however I'm hoping if this proves to be a working solution to encourage the moderation team to get involved with it in the future.
Click to expand...

The birds are on their way.

May Myuu be with us all now.
 
Stryder said:
You can continue to use the PM method if you wish. The main problem with PMing though is unless we write a circular (BCC etc.) things that are done aren't acknowledged by anyone else than the person who did them. We do threads that are updated in the moderator lounge, however currently it's all on the moderators to do that which can easily be ignored as a duty. With a properly implemented ticket system, its possible to share a problem or concern between certain moderators or administrators, to include timescale and realtime updates on what actually is going on with the parties that are concerned.

I also noticed that one of the problems with any ban currently is a member loses their ability to explain themselves and that's what has caused some of the complaints, so having an external location where they can create a ticket to look into their ban should hopefully reduce the chance of say creating a sock puppet just to increase a ban from temporary to permanent.
Click to expand...

OK, I understand now. Let's go forward with it then.
 
Nothing has changed. Well, okay, we've been given a bit more insight into why exactly the moderation here is such garbage, and why they employ Syne in spite of his open bigotry, but it's not something I would have wanted to know about the administration.

Is it permissible to share ticket responses here?
 
Balerion said:
Nothing has changed. Well, okay, we've been given a bit more insight into why exactly the moderation here is such garbage, and why they employ Syne in spite of his open bigotry, but it's not something I would have wanted to know about the administration.

Is it permissible to share ticket responses here?
Click to expand...

It's not that nothing has changed, it just takes time for those changes to occur. Unfortunately we can't tell you every action we are in the process of undertaking because sometimes they need to be hashed out rather than just acted upon without due diligence, while it would be great to bare all openly it can cause more problems, so for now I'd ask you refrain from posting the tickets.

Currently most of your tickets are being dealt with, with one being closed and suggesting to open a discussion on the subject for everyone since the problem itself wasn't as simple as "black or white?" (no pun intended)
 
Aqueous Id said:
Looks like you're thinking proactively. Ticketing can work for you or against you, but it's certainly a positive step forward. Besides you guys should use whatever you need to to simplify your jobs.

I would almost favor a positive ID of some kind to reduce sock puppets but like any security strategy it would attract more end-around games from the cranks who get their jollies by arguing with the legit folks. I had some passing ideas of doing some experiments in PHP (are you the IT guy?) and offering it up to the board for possible incorporation into the site software (not necessarily any code, but at least some pseudocode to stimulate a coder you trust to revamp the site.) After all the pains of the last upgrade I suppose any changes are unattractive . . . but consider it as a 'blue sky' option -- that there are probably ways of seriously trouncing the trolls once and for all. Maybe a sidebar with you would be worthwhile at some point, if you're interested in some suggestions I have in mind.
Click to expand...

I'm curious. How does the PHP program recognize sock puppets? Just think if it could predict them before they happen. LOL I'm serious about learning how it would work.
 
There isn't a truly reliable method for detecting sock puppets 100% of the time... I would say IP addressing, but those can be spoofed... GUID's would work, but then we would need to install software on each and every persons computer to check that... :(
 
Just some clarifications (Some concerns about who has access, what is known etc were put forwards):

The ticket system I'd consider to be better than pushing the report button and reporting a post, mainly because it tracks when someone has read a ticket and if something is done. One of the main concerns by some of the more harrowed members is that they aren't being listen to, so that's just one small step towards letting them know that they are.

Tickets submitted are assigned to a moderator, however they are readable and available to all moderators currently involved in manning the ticket system. This is to make sure there is always someone on hand to deal with a ticket, to make sure that no moderator is abused or indeed being abusive through the ticket system (Hopefully we won't have a repeat of the email incident in the future.)

While currently no Administrators have direct access to the ticket system, any serious/relevant concerns on tickets will be brought up with them at the earliest opportunity. (It's the same method as currently operated behind the scenes here presently.)
 
Due to changes in the forum software, the external report system is no longer necessary (it's obsolete). The new system has an inbuilt report system that allows moderators to look at what problems have been pointed out and discuss how to handle them. So I will be closing it down, thank you to those moderators that supported it initially.
 
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