[Unofficial Guide] Reporting effectively

[MagicSmoker]

AFAIK global moderators don't see how many reports you've made. They might do, but I doubt they would use that as a gauge whether your correct or not. Each report should be looked at individually. Also, are you sure the users aren't already banned? How are you checking whether they are banned or not?

We have a lot of reports where the user has been banned long ago, but their messages still remain. I tend to delete the message in these cases.

Sorry, missed this reply in my ever-burgeoning watchlist.

Over the last month I've reported at least 250 posts in the 3 threads that appear to be using the same bumping service so I have got quite the data set to work with here, and I can assure you that accounts in these threads are requiring more than one report of plagiarism to get banned based on them continuing to post even after the first report was marked good. For example, I submitted 2 plagiarism reports each for the users Forward and 30stomachs - both "newbies" dating from 2011 and 2014, respectively - at around 5:00AM my time on Nov. 3rd and the reports were marked good by the following morning (likely the mod is in a very different time zone from me). Those users were still posting, however, so I reported 2 more instances of plagiarism for both of them and the next morning those reports were also marked good. Both accounts were still posting, though, so I found yet another example of plagiarism - a total of 5!? - and finally they were banned (30stomachs was nuked, actually). This was one of the more extreme examples, but *all* of the accounts I have reported for plagiarism in these 3 threads (Neluns, Neogame.io and SafeInsure) have required more than 1 example of plagiarism before they were banned, whereas when I report plagiarism in, say, the HoweyCoins thread that user is generally banned as soon as the report is marked good.

The way I see it, providing just one example of plagiarism with a link to the/a* original post should be sufficient to get the user banned, and that does appear to be the case everywhere EXCEPT these threads that have been using a thread bumping service for far longer than the ~1.5 months I've been hounding them. Unfortunately, my reporting dozens of their bumping bots appears to have taught them to program them to come up with unique gibberish rather than plagiarize. Consequently, I've also reported the OP's for "incentivizing posting" and recommend they be banned and their threads locked, but those reports have remained unhandled for a few days to weeks now.



* -  "the/a" because there are often many instances of the same post being used and I just pick a link to one that is dated earlier than the current post to provide with my report.

EDIT - corrections made

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[suchmoon]

accounts in these threads are requiring more than one report of plagiarism to get banned based on them continuing to post even after the first report was marked good. For example, I submitted 2 plagiarism reports each for the users Forward and 30stomachs - both "newbies" dating from 2011 and 2014, respectively

Did both these noobs have more than 28 activity (Forward still does)? AFAIK regular mods can nuke only below 28, others have to be delegated to globals... hence the delay perhaps.

[Welsh]

AFAIK global moderators don't see how many reports you've made. They might do, but I doubt they would use that as a gauge whether your correct or not. Each report should be looked at individually. Also, are you sure the users aren't already banned? How are you checking whether they are banned or not?

We have a lot of reports where the user has been banned long ago, but their messages still remain. I tend to delete the message in these cases.

Sorry, missed this reply in my ever-burgeoning watchlist.

Over the last month I've reported at least 250 posts in the 3 threads that appear to be using the same bumping service so I have got quite the data set to work with here, and I can assure you that accounts in these threads are requiring more than one report of plagiarism to get banned based on them continuing to post even after the first report was marked good. For example, I submitted 2 plagiarism reports each for the users Forward and 30stomachs - both "newbies" dating from 2011 and 2014, respectively - at around 5:00AM my time on Nov. 3rd and the reports were marked good by the following morning (likely the mod is in a very different time zone from me). Those users were still posting, however, so I dug up another instance of plagiarism for both of them and the next morning the reports were marked good. Both accounts were still posting, though, so I found yet another example of plagiarism - a total of 5!? - and finally they were banned (30stomachs was nuked, actually). This was one of the more extreme examples, but *all* of the accounts I have reported for plagiarism in these 3 threads (Neluns, Neogame.io and SafeInsure) have required more than 1 example of plagiarism before they were banned, whereas when I report plagiarism in, say, the HoweyCoins thread that user is generally banned as soon as the report is marked good.

I haven't been handling any reports in the last month, but usually if the plagiarism is clear, and they are newbies I'll deal with them, and nuke them. I'm slowly getting back into things, because things are a little hectic when you come back from a long trip, but I should be dealing with much more reports soon.

I can't really speak for other moderators, but when I see obvious plagiarism then I'll deal with it accordingly. If they aren't newbies, then sometimes they will take a while, because they need to either be reported to a global moderator or left for a global moderator. Sometimes a moderator might delete the reply, and then a global moderator doesn't see the report, because of that reason.

I'm not entirely sure, and I'm just speculating really. It depends on the moderator dealing with it. Maybe, they are using their own discretion, and think that a one time offense doesn't warrant a ban, and they might message that user. I don't know honestly.

Did both these noobs have more than 28 activity (Forward still does)? AFAIK regular mods can nuke only below 28, others have to be delegated to globals... hence the delay perhaps.

Yeah, this could be another reason. I can assure you that plagiarism is dealt with harshly, and there's many many reports from moderators going to the global moderators every day.

[MagicSmoker]

accounts in these threads are requiring more than one report of plagiarism to get banned based on them continuing to post even after the first report was marked good. For example, I submitted 2 plagiarism reports each for the users Forward and 30stomachs - both "newbies" dating from 2011 and 2014, respectively

Did both these noobs have more than 28 activity (Forward still does)? AFAIK regular mods can nuke only below 28, others have to be delegated to globals... hence the delay perhaps.

Nope, just Forward; 30stomachs had <28 activity but both of them were banned at approximately the same time which strongly implies the same criteria were being used to evaluate them for banning, despite the difference in activity levels. I realize the mods have a difficult job, but they make it more difficult by requiring 5 examples of plagiarism over the course of 3 days before banning an account that was clearly stolen (a newbie that registered before the 2015 hack and which has only just recently started posting...).

Furthermore, after successfully getting dozens of accounts banned for plagiarizing each other over the course of a month in the aforementioned threads, the bumping service appears to have learned to not plagiarize anymore so now there's no wrongdoing to report. The bots have instead shifted to spewing out nonsensical conversations that repeatedly tread the same topics over and over again but which avoid plagiarizing or text-spinning. For example, here's a recent exchange from the Neluns thread:

I like Neluns so much. I expect that crypto community and other non-connected public will appreciate it. I am sure that this platform has everything we need. The only thing that I’m worried about is the application for smartphones. Is there planned something?

I like Neluns so much.
~snip

Of course, developers planned to launch an application for Android and IOS. Mobile banking services are one of the most needed services at the current moment. Besides, it will make the system simpler and more comfortable for users.

I like Neluns so much.
~snip

Of course, developers planned to launch an application for Android and IOS.
~snip

It is nice to hear. Thank god that developers really care about their customers. I can’t wait to test this application by myself. Is there are any demo-versions or something? I want to see it.

I like Neluns so much.
~snip

Of course, developers planned to launch an application for Android and IOS.
~snip

It is nice to hear.
~snip

I don’t know about the demo-version but I am sure that there is some information in the white paper about these apps. You can find it on the 17th page.
https://neluns.io/static/ver165/whitepaper/whitepaper.pdf

Etc. and so on...

Unfortunately, the current set of rules don't really prohibit bots having a fake conversation with each other, hence I switched tactics and tried reporting the OP for incentivizing posting and requesting they be banned and the threads locked (or trashed, but preferably locked so the evidence of their misdeeds would persist). Sadly, those reports have been shunted off into what appears to be permanent "unhandled" status, which is the passive-aggressive version of marking them "bad"... 

[mole0815]

why is the "your report history" link only available over 300 good reports?
i use "report do moderator" button regularly. currently i haven't reached the 300 good yet and therefore i don't see "your report history" yet.

but why is there this restriction at all?
currently i have a very high number of "unhandled" messages although our responsible moderator doesn't see any outstanding reports from me. i'm looking forward to the overview because there should be visible what is still "unhandled".

[InvoKing]

why is the "your report history" link only available over 300 good reports?

Only theymos can answer you. Imo this will incite people to report to see their report history and will limit whiners whining about why each report wasn't handled.

currently i have a very high number of "unhandled" messages although our responsible moderator doesn't see any outstanding reports from me. i'm looking forward to the overview because there should be visible what is still "unhandled".

Moderators are responsible enough but the way you describe the problem in your report has a huge impact in addition to the user you are reporting.
For example : if you write in your report : "This user is doing copy paste from an old post, proof bitcointalk.org/xxxxxx" then it will likely be handled in few hours.
Now if you write the same thing without the link then it will be unhandled for a long period until your accusation is proved.
Now from my experience, if you report correctly a newbie then it will be handled faster than a report against an older member since the consequences aren't the same for both.

[Welsh]

but why is there this restriction at all?
currently i have a very high number of "unhandled" messages although our responsible moderator doesn't see any outstanding reports from me. i'm looking forward to the overview because there should be visible what is still "unhandled".

Probably to prevent users from complaining when their report is handled not the way they wanted it to be. If anyone user had access then they would scrutinize the moderators, and keep complaining in Meta. At least that's my prediction, and I imagine theymos implemented for something along the lines of this.

[mole0815]

the default "how do I report correctly" which you can find here in the forum will of course be considered as good as possible.
many thanks for your answers. sounds logical and comprehensible for me.
will hopefully have reached the 300 good soon and then it is obsolete anyway (for me)  

[Steamtyme]

I don't thin this feature exists but it would be nice to have the opportunity to delete a report - Obviously before it's been handled.

Have to just laugh at myself, I got caught up reporting in a thread and forgot that I started off somewhere in the middle of a batch and made a duplicate report. It just annoys me I can't go in and remove the most recent one as I can see it staring at me waiting to be turned Bad. I know it doesn't really matter, it just adds to the workload a little, and that's not my intent.

Having also just received my 1st Bad since having access to my log, I can say I'd like to know where I went wrong, not to bitch and moan about it. I just don't want to create bad reports and it would be nice to learn from it. Judging the way the reports were handled that night (sporadically in my list) I don't think it was someone who generally handles those reports.

[Lafu]

Have to just laugh at myself, I got caught up reporting in a thread and forgot that I started off somewhere in the middle of a batch and made a duplicate report.

Thats why im starting report from the last post , the next thing if you start reporting in the middle or from the first post is when Moderator start deleting the post ,the posts slip automatically !
This was the reason for a few of my Bad reports and i started reporting from the last post .
Sometimes i have to look in the report history where i was to be sure dont report the same post lol  .

[Veleor]

1.When reporting pointless/low value posts make sure to include why you think it's pointless.

What if the most of the user's messages are low value posts?

For example, Sr. Member jezus has a ton of pointless comments https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1002610;sa=showPosts

[Steamtyme]

What if the most of the user's messages are low value posts?

Not sure where the issue lies.

I would say unfortunately you still need to report each post independently. You also should still look at each thread and ensure that it is a low value low quality reply for that thread.

I can't say I've ever targeted users post history. I tend to find a thread and go through that. I'm sure in doing so I've reported the same user multiple times as spambies tend to be creatures of habit

Sometimes i have to look in the report history where i was to be sure dont report the same post lol  .

Yeah I keep mine open as I go along, that's how I caught my faux pas lol.
The spam tends to bleed together and blur the lines between posts.

[Welsh]

What if the most of the user's messages are low value posts?

For example, Sr. Member jezus has a ton of pointless comments https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1002610;sa=showPosts

You can report a few of their posts, and include a message in the report field that they have multiple bad posts. If it isn't obvious then you could just report all of the messages you consider low value posts. However, if you are asking what will happen to user with low value posts being that of the majority of their posts then that depends on the moderator dealing with the user. If they deem it bad then they may request a global moderator/admin to ban the user. Really depends case by case.

[crwth]

What if the most of the user's messages are low value posts?

For example, Sr. Member jezus has a ton of pointless comments https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1002610;sa=showPosts

You can report a few of their posts, and include a message in the report field that they have multiple bad posts. If it isn't obvious then you could just report all of the messages you consider low value posts. However, if you are asking what will happen to user with low value posts being that of the majority of their posts then that depends on the moderator dealing with the user. If they deem it bad then they may request a global moderator/admin to ban the user. Really depends case by case.

I have seen a lot of users having that type of issue and it's mostly because on the topic they are posting it too. Maybe it has been answered already or they just keep repeating it over and over again. I'm not saying it's bad but once you post on the same topic and repeat your opinion again, I think it can be thought of something bad in my opinion. Not knowing that you have posted in it already and just because you want to add more posts to your account or something.

I guess it cannot be totally avoided but seeing stuff consistenly like that should be reported, especially if it's a low valued post.

[Welsh]

In those instances just report one of their posts, and make a reference to the others in the comment field. Whoever is handling the report can them make a decision based on what is presented. Sometimes when users leave a comment "already said multiple times in thread" or "repeated reply" or something like that the moderator dealing with it would have to look through the whole thread. Make our job easier by linking to it yourself!

[crwth]

In those instances just report one of their posts, and make a reference to the others in the comment field. Whoever is handling the report can them make a decision based on what is presented. Sometimes when users leave a comment "already said multiple times in thread" or "repeated reply" or something like that the moderator dealing with it would have to look through the whole thread. Make our job easier by linking to it yourself!

I see. I appreciate your reply too.. I think it all boils down to the moderators which has the power to judge someones post and see if they needed to delete that reply or not, something like that. It cannot be considered as a plagiarism and it’s harder to catch or see. I guess people should just sometimes be aware or suspicious always in reading posts, a tickle in your instinct. Like spider sense is tingling. Lol.

[Welsh]

I see. I appreciate your reply too.. I think it all boils down to the moderators which has the power to judge someones post and see if they needed to delete that reply or not, something like that. It cannot be considered as a plagiarism and it’s harder to catch or see. I guess people should just sometimes be aware or suspicious always in reading posts, a tickle in your instinct. Like spider sense is tingling. Lol.

I encourage merit sources or anyone rewarding merit, really to make sure that they check whether the post is plagiarism or not. I see a lot of replies that are merited, and they have just been copied, and pasted. Luckily this isn't sustainable for the user, and they usually get found out sooner rather than later. But, a few of them seem to be doing it to get to jr member, and then just spam.

[The Cryptovator]

Seems no one bumping this thread. I think it should be sticked instead bumping. This is really a motivational post and especially for me. I believe few others will be motivate by reading this thread. We can cure lot of spam by using report to moderators button. To be honest lot of user don't know how to report, so this thread might help them.

@Welsh can you please move this thread on B&H board for few days and keep it up ? Perhaps new members will motivate to report spammers.

[Welsh]

Seems no one bumping this thread. I think it should be sticked instead bumping. This is really a motivational post and especially for me. I believe few others will be motivate by reading this thread. We can cure lot of spam by using report to moderators button. To be honest lot of user don't know how to report, so this thread might help them.

I'd like to edit it a little further, and add a little more detail without it becoming too long. However, I'm not sure if this has had the impact that I wanted it too. I was hoping by giving users an idea what to report, and what to include it would reduce the attitude of "I might get it wrong and ruin my report percentage" as well as of course being a useful reference for in general.

Honestly, this thread has been pretty low on my priorities, and I haven't finished it even though I wrote this a year ago. Therefore, taking these points into consideration I'm not sure how much an impact it would have if it were stickied.

@Welsh can you please move this thread on B&H board for few days and keep it up ? Perhaps new members will motivate to report spammers.

They might do, but honestly I believe its better suited here, and I'll only forget about moving it back to here, and it'll be lost in beginners, and help. I'm hoping this thread gets some visitors from users searching "report" or something like that via the search tool on Meta, as I've not been consistent in bumping this thread.

[Lafu]

I'm hoping this thread gets some visitors from users searching "report" or something like that via the search tool on Meta, as I've not been consistent in bumping this thread.

Would be nice to get some more Users that will click the " Report to Moderator button " when they just looking around on the Forum .
But the last weeks there are a few Users that started reporting .

The most problem i guess is , to get them continue reporting and keep it !