Question

Suggestion: Heavily moderate the popular chats.

Answer 1

@Ashleyisakitty

Answer 2

Not a hot idea.

Answer 3

Personally, I would prefer a complete removal.

Answer 4

Most of the stuff that originates in the chats is meaningless trash/things that should move to eharmony/tumblr.

Answer 5

That would take out a large part of the social side of the website in which makes it so appealing. I mean I totally understand what you're saying, but id rather not.

Answer 6

Heavy moderation might be better than removal then.

Answer 7

Yeah. Someone mentioned in another thread about getting some heavier moderation, which i totally agree with. I honestly am dumbfounded at what the mods got even bother to deal with.

Answer 8

dont* not got

Answer 9

Same. I mean, heavy moderation has been suggested time and time again, and usually the people who suggest it would be fit for the job, but every time it's shot down "b3kuz our currint modz hav lyfez outsi3d of os", but no one ever considers appointing new mods.

Answer 10

I understand that they want to give the position to someone who can handle it, but sometimes the repetition in what mods are online, and the ~7 other mods who dont get on very often, it can get a little frustrating when the 2~3 mods are online are AFK for 30-45 minutes at a time while trolls are just saying useless and inappropriate things

Answer 11

the sentence structure in that paragraph that was really poor. my apologizes. lol

Answer 12

Yes, which is exactly why we need more moderation, because the current ones are busy, which is understandable, but there are a lot of users that don't have a lot to do that are perfectly fine with dedicating their time to a position as moderator. But, it's never even thought of, which is not understandable. If the current system isn't working, the system needs to be remade. Obviously, that has been thought of by users, but not fully processed by the authorities of OS, who just dismiss all suggestions like heavier moderation "because the mods have lives" and then just move on.

Answer 13

here's a good fix: mod poopsiedoodle.

Answer 14

it'll shut him up, and that's all that matters anyways.

Good PR move in my opnion, though might not be a good long term answer, since he'll wind up being a VERY interesting mod.

Answer 15

Comp, save the latex for the nubs.

Answer 16

Hi,

If they continue to break the rules, suggest they read the \( \large\bf \underline{\href{ /code-of-conduct }{Code~of~Conduct}}\)

_______________________________________________________________________________

\(\Large\ We~can~never~have~enough~mods!\) - Preetha, CEO

This is certainty an issue and will be addressed. Moreover, it has been addressed several times in the past. Remember, moderators are people, too, and have social and personal duties to withhold. Being a moderator doesn't make you superman (but it does help with the dragon slaying process.)

Here on \(\bf\Large\color{#00B4ff}{Open}\color{#7cc517}{Study}\), we have a Community Suspension option. Simply report the user, and if the community finds him abusive, he'll be dealt with. Moderators have been fighting a lot of trolls recently, and have worked harder than you can imagine!

The issue lies in implementing better security measures, such as authentication and verification. The Suspension system needs to be fixed, too. While I won't speak about it publicly, know that the staff is working round-clock to resolve the issues regarding it. Users can simply make a new account if they get suspended, which has proved troublesome!

In conclusion, the staff is aware of the issue and is making their best efforts to improve a user-friendly experience.

_______________________________________________________________________________

No one here is a "nub." We all have the right to speak-out and pursue our goals.


\(\bf\Large\color{#00B4ff}{Have~a~nice~day}\)

Answer 17

I'm a nub.

Answer 18

The problem is that the active mods are not active enough, and when they are, sometimes they don't even care to take care of pressing matters. For instance, thom said that there's no point in banning someone who will just come back. There absolutely is a point in it. It will free up the chats for a small/large amount of time, and will provide a moment of peace until an IP ban can be put into place, if needed. It seems that the current mods are too soft on new users, and they just give them a warning in the chat, and sometimes it's not even that. There would be nothing wrong with new mods, but it seems that there is, considering the newest mod was added a few months ago, and is hardly active. It's what some people I know call a "2 clicker". Log on, check notifications, reply to a few questions, log off. I have not seen users that have violated the CoC get banned at any point recently, or even get warned. Mainly because the mods that actually are "active" hardly fit the definition of active. So, new mods would be a great idea, but no one that could do anything about it seems to think so.

Answer 19

I am trying to private message you, but you have it set on private.

Answer 20

Didn't realize I hadn't fanned you yet :<

Answer 21

The problem is we don't assign sectional moderators to certain areas of the website. Knowing some of them, being able to moderate the whole website with freedom of choice on where to do it, it's most likely to happen in math. It's been discussed so many times, but it never actually happened. So why don't we hire sectional moderators or lower a few of our mods to sectional and assign them to areas in need of better moderation? The chats, for example. We could assign our most responsible ambis to the chat (with low tier moderating abilities) to moderate, and it would make a good preparation if they are being looked at for future assigning as a full moderator. Most of the shizzle that goes on happens in the chats, which includes religious debates (we have an entire section for it), insults, trolling, spam, language, harassment (rare occasions but I've seen it), fighting, etc.

So why not act on this like we should have months ago?

Answer 22

Math isn't the only section, you know.

Answer 23

chibi should b a ambi

Answer 24

I agree, the chats are out of control and need measures.

While I don't like the chats, I recognise their importance of 'social' in 'social learning' and do not advocate their entire removal - largely because it would create a situation in which users had no place to socialise except the forums - but would prefer to see only one chatroom for the entire site.

More mods is always a good idea. It is completely rubbish to say we don't consider and appoint new mods. I have my eye on a couple users whom I admire and think suitable for the job and will make that suggestion accordingly.

It is also completely rubbish to say that mods don't do more to moderate the chats than show up occasionally and give people a slap on the wrists. Under the guiding princip of not humiliating users (even misbehaving users and trolls) in front of the community, we go to great lengths and spend much time and effort trying not to chastise or discipline people in public. Suggestions and dialogues through private messages - yes. Warnings - yes. Suspensions when warnings fail - yes.

It is also completely rubbish to consider demoting mods for anything less than gross misconduct. Certainly for mere inactivity on the site. We are real people in the real world with real commitments - should I be demoted for taking six months off this summer care for a parent with cancer? Should one of the other mods I could name be demoted for taking a year of to work on a doctoral dissertation? We are all volunteers here and we are all tutors - despite the fact that our really quite distasteful disciplinary work often gets in the way of our actually functioning on the site as such - and we are modded precisely because our commitment to it is beyond question.

OpenStudy tried section mods a couple years ago and the experiment was largely a failure. Karatechopper was one, I think. In my opinion, because the sectional mods merely had powers to kick and not warn or suspend. Another attempt at that, this time giving the section mods some actual ability to discipline the site, is a good idea.

Answer 25

"Another attempt at that, this time giving the section mods some actual ability to discipline the site, is a good idea."

^^ That practically sums up everything I want to say.

Answer 26

i support the chat removal, i don't think it is needed for this site

Answer 27

Chat removal is certainly out of the question. It's one of the things that make this site more attractive than other study help sites. Removing the chat will decrease the popularity of OS and that's something the admins will never do.

Also: more mods will not solve the biggest problem, which is of course the ease in which new accounts can be created after the previous one got suspended. It's true that I said there's no point in suspending someone who will come back instantly. It's just a wasted effort because you will only satisfy the spammers with giving them attention.
If OS changes a few things in the way new accounts are being created, more than 90% of the problem would be solved.
The most important changes are:
- Email verification needs to be required in order to use the site.
- When someone gets suspended, his/her IP should be added to a blacklist.
When your IP is in this blacklist, you shouldn't be able to create a new account.
- Don't allow character other than A-Z, 0-9 and some symbols in usernames.

Believe me when these 3 things are implemented, mass spamming of new accounts will be history.
\(\Huge☺\)

Answer 28

Perhaps it's an idea to run an experiment where a few reliable ambassadors or users are given some chat moderation powers. They should be able to delete chat messages and kick users from the (or a specific) chat pod. Should be fun :)

Answer 29

I agree with Thomaster. Extremely trusted users, those who are a positive role model and represent OpenStudy, and whom have been on the side long enough to know the ropes, should be eligible to help moderate the chatbox content.

These people will NOT be able to look at messages, look at reports, view IPs or account-linked IPs, ban users, suspend, or perform any other actions other than kick and delete.

There's a popular image forum called "4Chan." We have something called, "Janitors." Basically, Janitors keep the site clean by deleting content that breaks the CoC, and kicking users. A Janitors job is to keep the site free of trolls, spam, and organized. I feel the Janitor idea is effective and could work for OpenStudy.

Answer 30

@thomaster Email Verifications are currently needed. You need a different email address per account. that's not to say someone couldn't have or use a different email account...

-I'm Still Against the Chat Logs-

Answer 31

Yeah, I believe it should not be takne down, but should be monitered...If I was an ambassador, and I today signed up to be, I would take action...I believe in good work ethic...Im responsible, caring, alert, helpful...

Answer 32

I agree with @poopsiedoodle :)

Answer 33

The chats have always been this way, why the sudden upsurge of people suggesting we remove the chats? Perhaps if the chats are bothering you, you should remove yourself from your chair and consider that you're just a person sitting in front of a giant rectangular light box that can be safely shut off at any moment.

Answer 34

In other words "let the rulebreakers run free and do as they please, and let them ruin yet another good privilege for you." How about no.

Answer 35

@Kainui I don't think there is anything wrong with @poopsiedoodle's point of view. There is a point to be made with what was stated. The chat tends to get out of control a lot. This should be controlled on a more frequent basis. Especially being that the chat is WELL known for getting out of hand. :)

Answer 36

Like I said before: the ease in which new accounts can be created after the previous one got suspended is by far the biggest problem. When this problem is fixed, 99% of the people won't return after a suspension. That means that troublemakers in the chat will be taken out immediately. When they come back from their suspension they'll think twice before breaking the rules again.

Answer 37

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your solution.

Answer 38

well then so this 14 day convo over now?

Answer 39

It should have been over on my first post.

>Users can simply make a new account if they get suspended, which has proved troublesome!

>The issue lies in implementing better security measures, such as authentication and verification.

>In conclusion, the staff is aware of the issue and is making their best efforts to improve a user-friendly experience.

@thomaster was very nice, mature, and respectful this entire conversation. He continued to restate the central idea, and was very patient.

Thank you @russano for bringing this issue to light, we learned a lot from this thread.

Answer 40

I did not really read anyone's post. I honestly didn't care about that. I just saw that this thread was open and chimed in.

Answer 41

i saw the thread open read every single comment and asked if it was done yet once i finished reading it all i know i have no life :P

Answer 42

lol @kag :)

Answer 43

hey gotta have something to do b4 ya go to bed :) @MathLegend

Answer 44

and when you wake up.... and all day.... okay and fine when you cant go to sleep so basicly 24/7 is where we are at now

Answer 45

basically

Answer 46

I'd close this on Russano, but that acc was sus'd for a week. ._.

Answer 47

@jagatuba, could you close it for me? :3

Answer 48

@Compassionate 4Chan? Moderate in 4Chan??? o.o Its so NSFW there... or do you mean personal info?

Anyhow, this has been discussed so many times... I'm not for deleting chats, I just find it counterintuitive design-wise to have many different chatboxes for different topics, yet none of the topics in chatrooms usually pertain to that subject and they are not moderated. So if the chatboxes are just a Facebook of sorts, there still needs to be some new features added to prevent spam.

1) NOT allowing a user to enter text for less than 2 second in a row
2) Auto-warn users who use profanity too much with a script
3) Suspend users who keep on using profanity after warned
4) Ban links to external websites (? Maybe not, if the chatboxes are just a Facebook of sorts)
5) Block users from creating new account

Though regarding no. 5, and what you said @thomaster, that would be hard to block users from creating new accounts, because some just use proxies. I've seen it. Though it would prevent the casual troller.

Answer 49

number 2 would be extremely hard that is possible but not plausible would take so much time to fill out the possible curse words @dumbsearch2