Possible bug with the "Self-moderated" function

[GazetaBitcoin]

I spotted a bug related to the "Self-moderated" function and I thought to share it here, maybe it can be fixed. Or, at least, the users will be aware of it, thus being able to avoid it.

If you want to start a self-moderated topic, make sure from the beginning that you click on "Additional Options" button (placed at the bottom-left side of the page where you will write the new topic) and there select the "Self-moderated" check-box . This must be done prior writing the topic content, practically just after you click on the "new topic" button. If you proceed this way, the new topic will be a self-moderated one.

Otherwise, if you start writing your topic content, usually followed by previewing it prior posting it, and only at the end of writing / previewing you select the "Self-moderated" check-box, the topic will not be a self-moderated one. You won't receive any error message, the check-box appears validated, but after clicking on the "Post" button, you'll find out that your topic is not self-moderated.

I hope this helps.

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[Pffrt]

You mean if someone starts writing a topic and preview that without check self moderated and later check self moderated, the topic will not be self moderated? Right? I think you are missing something. I just have created a thread following the same step and it works for me.

[TheBeardedBaby]

This seems weird, most of the time I mark self-moderated at the end, after i finish writing my post just before I post it. I never preview a post if it does not contain tables/pictures but until now i haven't seen any issues. I'll do a test now

It works just fine : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5255703.0 (after the succesful test, the thread is used for someting else instead to be trashed)

Wrote the text, previewed and then select the Self-Mod option. All is good OP should check with different browser.

Note: If you move your topic in other section where the self-mod is forbidden then the self-mode option will be gone.

[GazetaBitcoin]

You mean if someone starts writing a topic and preview that without check self moderated and later check self moderated, the topic will not be self moderated?

Yes, that's correct.

I never preview a post if it does not contain tables/pictures but until now i haven't seen any issues. I'll do a test now

Now I'm thinking that it may be related to the preview, not necessarily to the checking of the "Self moderated" check-box after finishing writing the content. I am using the preview function multiple times during writing long topics, especially for correcting the typos. Ot it may be related to the combination of both conditions - use the preview function (multiple times) and checking the check-box after writing the topic content.

[rhomelmabini]

I give it a try on Archival board and it really doesn't have any checkbox to check if you preview it first before you select if you want a self-moderated topic. But, I give another try on Reputation board since I know you can have self-moderated topic but even if I have previewed it first the self-moderated checkbox still there.

I think that one can only be seen on boards that limits self-moderated topics. On what board you found this one before you made this topic?

The boards I tried that I preview it first before I click the additional options to check the self-moderated checkbox and still have there: Reputation, Bitcoin Discussion, Development and Technical Discussion and Services board.

The boards I tried that I preview it first before I click the additional options to check the self-moderated checkbox and doesn't have there: Archival and Meta board. (I'll explore for more.)

[cryptoaddictchie]

Otherwise, if you start writing your topic content, usually followed by previewing it prior posting it, and only at the end of writing / previewing you select the "Self-moderated" check-box, the topic will not be a self-moderated one.

Hello mate. Im not sure if this is a bug, cause normally I write and prepare first my content for topic and once I decided it will be self moderated I will tick the box on the additional option then its totally fine.

Take note: there are some boards that doesnt allowed self moderated like Meta

But you can tell theymos if this one really got bug or error so it would be fixed.

In most sections, you now have the option of marking topics self-moderated when creating them. In self-moderated topics, the OP can delete replies. The option for enabling this is under "additional options". Topics cannot be converted to self-moderated topics after creation.

There are no rules to self-moderation. In self-moderated threads, replies belong to the OP. In other threads, replies belong to the respondents individually. Think carefully about whether you want to reply to a self-moderated topic, as your post may not be given due respect.

Tell me if there are any bugs. If this ends up not working out well, I might remove it.

[Pffrt]

I give it a try on Archival board and it really doesn't have any checkbox to check if you preview it first before you select if you want a self-moderated topic.

Because Archival board doesn't allow a self moderated topic there. That's why self moderated option isn't there. In case of OP, I'm still confused what he is missing or what we are because in my end, it works fine and so does Thebearedbaby said.

[rhomelmabini]

I give it a try on Archival board and it really doesn't have any checkbox to check if you preview it first before you select if you want a self-moderated topic.

Because Archival board doesn't allow a self moderated topic there. That's why self moderated option isn't there. In case of OP, I'm still confused what he is missing or what we are because in my end, it works fine and so does Thebearedbaby said.

Yeah, notice that one even if I goes straight to the additional options. My hunch the OP tested it on boards that limits the self-moderated option like Scam Accusation board as well or even here in Meta. Let's see his response on where di he really find it before he posted this topic.

[btcltcdigger]

You can't convert a thread into self-moderated once it has been posted as generic.
And if you write, and prior to posting click on "self-moderated" it will work. i just tested it

[Rikafip]

My hunch the OP tested it on boards that limits the self-moderated option like Scam Accusation board as well or even here in Meta. Let's see his response on where di he really find it before he posted this topic.

In that case he wouldn't  even have self-moderated option to begin with. But since he had that option available, (he even selected it) it was obviously  in the board that allows that. Who knows what happen, maybe indeed was a bug or it glitched for him.

As few others said, I am also selecting "self-moderated" option at the end, and after I used preview multiple times. So far had no issues.

[GazetaBitcoin]

rhomelmabini, Pffrt, please read again what I wrote I did not try that function in a board where the "Self-moderated" button is not present. I tried it in various boards where the button is present.

btcltcdigger: I also did not try to convert a generic topic to be self-moderated after posting it.

In that case he wouldn't  even have self-moderated option to begin with. But since he had that option available, (he even selected it) it was obviously  in the board that allows that.

Thanks for pointing this out. Indeed, that's what I meant.

As few others said, I am also selecting "self-moderated" option at the end, and after I used preview multiple times. So far had no issues.

Let me try to rephrase again:
1. start a new topic in a board which allows self-moderation
2. do not check the self-moderated check-box
3. write the topic content
4. at various points in time, select to preview your writing (do this multiple times)
5. after finishing writing the entire topic and after previewing it several times, select the "self-moderate" check box
6. post the topic

Result: at this point, the topic is posted, but it is not self-moderated. This bug was also spotted by nullius a while ago, as I recall we talked about it in the past. Maybe it is related to the number of previews? Meaning to activate once you hit the preview button for a certain number of times? The bug occurred many times in my case.

cryptoaddictchie: thanks for the tip. I PMed theymos; I didn't know he asked for feedback about this function.

[cryptoaddictchie]

This bug was also spotted by nullius a while ago, as I recall we talked about it in the past. Maybe it is related to the number of previews?

Supposedly should not have any problem at all. But there are some like @nullius experienced it the claim wasnt alone this time. Maybe there is but I cant grasp how is this different on our experienced.

cryptoaddictchie: thanks for the tip. I PMed theymos; I didn't know he asked for feedback about this function.

_{This is the better solution mate as he asked for it anyway if there is one. However cut him of some slacks for a while he deserved a day off with a blast if you werent aware check this out https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5255605.0}

[GazetaBitcoin]

However cut him of some slacks for a while he deserved a day off with a blast if you werent aware check this out https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5255605.0[/sub]

Hehe, yes yes! I saw that topic. There is no rush here though, we can wait until he is fresh and running again

[Pmalek]

Note: If you move your topic in other section where the self-mod is forbidden then the self-mode option will be gone.

Could that be abused the other way around? You open a thread somewhere where self-modded threads are allowed. You move it to Meta where self-moderated threads aren't allowed. Someone writes a reply you don't like so you move the thread away from Meta, delete the reply, and move it back to Meta. Would that work? Would be a shame if it did.

[LoyceV]

I've never experienced this bug. I still forget to click "self-moderated" sometimes though.

Would that work?

No. You'll lose the self-moderated status, and won't get it back if you move back the topic.
I vaguely remember this was possible back in the days, until someone pointed it out it was patched.

There's a related exploit that does work though: if you create a topic in Auctions, you can't edit or remove your posts. But if you move it to another board, you can edit or remove posts before you move it back. That shouldn't be possible either.

[GazetaBitcoin]

I've never experienced this bug. I still forget to click "self-moderated" sometimes though.

My best guess now is that the bug appears after a certain number of previewing the post, if you didn't select "self-moderated" from the beginning. The bug is certainly there, as it occurred to 2 members already - me and nullius; maybe more, but they didn't notice. And I (and also nullius, as much as I know), use the preview button many, many times during writing a topic, especially for long ones (maybe more than 30 times).

There's a related exploit that does work though: if you create a topic in Auctions, you can't edit or remove your posts. But if you move it to another board, you can edit or remove posts before you move it back. That shouldn't be possible either.

Maybe this issue should be addressed as well...?

[Pmalek]

I remember when I was translating nullius' thread about Craig Wright that he also talked about not using the preview feature when posting the thread. He specifically mentioned to make sure that the thread looked OK by using the preview feature. But when it was ready to be posted, a new topic should be opened with the entire code copied, pasted, and posted without previewing it.

Here is a quote from his PM:   

I suggest and request that you make your local topics self-moderated—just beware of how the forum loses the self-mod setting upon preview.  After an extended absence from the forum, I myself had forgotten my old topic-starting routine of writing in a text editor, previewing, then discarding the preview and making a new topic; that is why the English-language Bitcoin Social Phenomenon thread is accidentally not self-mod. :-(

[GazetaBitcoin]

Yes! This is the bug we also talked about! He told me something similar, but I did not keep the respective PM. Great catch, Pmalek!

The bug is real, just the steps of reproducing it are a bit unclear. But I believe it appears after a certain number of using the preview function.