Should mods make a post to justify why they locked a thread?

[Sexylizzy2813]

I know sometimes mods lock threads at their own discression, especially at boards where they are a local moderator. At least when s thread gets moved there's some forum notice being posted. But for locking a topic there's nothing to signify it was a moderator action.

I just think it would be a nice courtesy if mods would just add a post before locking a topic to justify why they felt it should be locked. It's good to put this info on the record for future reference. And also from what I understand, since the OP can unlock a topic locked by a mod, a post by the staff member that took the action would prevent misunderstandings.

I thought about this in a way that can some how help members of the Forum to stop asking questions like "what's the reason for locking this thread", I also think it would be nice to send a DM to the user who started the thread to give a reason for locking or even moving a post, because sometimes let's say when you have a number of post and you think you have covered the post count for the week and all of a sudden you find out that some post have been deleted or moved to off-top and you have no one to give the specific reason for that action, (this only happens to sig members) which ever way it happens both moving of topics deleting of post and locking of post or thread I think mods should at least DM the members why they took that action.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I don't think it is based on their "own discreation" rather its based on forum rules.

Me neither, and if mods could or did lock threads based on factors other than forum rules, a shit storm of chaos would probably ensue.  My guess is that most of the threads they lock are garbage ones that should never have been started in the first place or were ones that got reported by someone for breaking a rule.

As far as mods giving a reason why, I don't think that's ever going to happen even if I thought it was a good idea, which I don't.  They've got way too much to handle as it is without having to justify their actions when said actions usually aren't controversial in the least.

[alani123]

I don't think it is based on their "own discreation" rather its based on forum rules.

Me neither, and if mods could or did lock threads based on factors other than forum rules, a shit storm of chaos would probably ensue.  My guess is that most of the threads they lock are garbage ones that should never have been started in the first place or were ones that got reported by someone for breaking a rule.

As far as mods giving a reason why, I don't think that's ever going to happen even if I thought it was a good idea, which I don't.  They've got way too much to handle as it is without having to justify their actions when said actions usually aren't controversial in the least.

When a thread is a spam megathread it often gets deleted as deliberately inviting spam could be considered against the rules.
But it also does happen that mods will lock an old thread at their own discression without it being spam or breaking any rules. Not everybody should be up at arms with this and also it wouldn't be too much work to simply add a simple response to a thread before locking it to justify the decision.

The best option would be for Bitcointalk to have a drop-down menu so this can be done automatically when mods lock a thread but I don't think it makes sense to request features for the forum based on wnsy we've seen so far.

[Halab]

I also think it would be nice to send a DM to the user who started the thread to give a reason for locking or even moving a post, because sometimes let's say when you have a number of post and you think you have covered the post count for the week and all of a sudden you find out that some post have been deleted or moved to off-top and you have no one to give the specific reason for that action, (this only happens to sig members) which ever way it happens both moving of topics deleting of post and locking of post or thread I think mods should at least DM the members why they took that action.

So if a mod moves or deletes a topic where 50 people have posted, he'll have to send 50 PMs ? Really ?? And also send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolate to apologise too I presume?

I'm going to be direct, I (as usual I'm speaking for myself, but I'm sure my colleagues are on the same page) don't give a damn about the post count when I delete/move a post/topic. There are no rules, no instructions from Theymos on this subject. Before clicking on the 'Post' button, it's up to you to decide whether the topic has a chance of being moved/deleted or not.

[LoyceV]

And also send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolate to apologise too I presume?

I like the idea, but I don't like doxing myself to receive the flowers. I'll take Bitcoin if you want to lock my threads

[Sexylizzy2813]

I also think it would be nice to send a DM to the user who started the thread to give a reason for locking or even moving a post, because sometimes let's say when you have a number of post and you think you have covered the post count for the week and all of a sudden you find out that some post have been deleted or moved to off-top and you have no one to give the specific reason for that action, (this only happens to sig members) which ever way it happens both moving of topics deleting of post and locking of post or thread I think mods should at least DM the members why they took that action.

So if a mod moves or deletes a topic where 50 people have posted, he'll have to send 50 PMs ? Really ?? And also send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolate to apologise too I presume?

I'm going to be direct, I (as usual I'm speaking for myself, but I'm sure my colleagues are on the same page) don't give a damn about the post count when I delete/move a post/topic. There are no rules, no instructions from Theymos on this subject. Before clicking on the 'Post' button, it's up to you to decide whether the topic has a chance of being moved/deleted or not.

Not saying the mods should PM everyone on the thread or apologize, no that's not what I'm saying  but all I'm saying is there should be a notification that this particular action has been taken especially on deleted post. I don't know if you get me. And if you check properly we have many members who don't know where to drop their post (newbies especially), it only takes time before they get things done properly, and I'm not against the rules or neither am I saying you guys (MODs) are not trying by putting things in order but I think if the notification is not given some members won't know why their post was deleted and they may continue doing what they're doing without knowing if is wrong or not.

[qwertyup23]

I know sometimes mods lock threads at their own discression, especially at boards where they are a local moderator. At least when s thread gets moved there's some forum notice being posted. But for locking a topic there's nothing to signify it was a moderator action.

I just think it would be a nice courtesy if mods would just add a post before locking a topic to justify why they felt it should be locked. It's good to put this info on the record for future reference. And also from what I understand, since the OP can unlock a topic locked by a mod, a post by the staff member that took the action would prevent misunderstandings.

It depends actually but I guess for due process and fairness, it would be most appreciated if mods would actually message you personally the reason on why your thread got locked.

Similar to our comments when it gets deleted, we receive a personal message (although from a bot) the reason on why it was deleted either to being spam or being out-of-topic on the said discussion. If mods were to at least apply this kind of practice to some locked threads, then it would be again, most appreciated by us.

On the other hand, I would also argue against this especially if the reason for the thread being locked has a patent nullity on its face- meaning it is obvious on why it was locked in the first place. The reasons may include due to:

• Topic is irrelevant to the board where it was posted;
• Thread was already answered in a previously-created thread; or
• The discussion was primarily created as a spam which includes nonsensical replies from the OP.

[alani123]

I also think it would be nice to send a DM to the user who started the thread to give a reason for locking or even moving a post, because sometimes let's say when you have a number of post and you think you have covered the post count for the week and all of a sudden you find out that some post have been deleted or moved to off-top and you have no one to give the specific reason for that action, (this only happens to sig members) which ever way it happens both moving of topics deleting of post and locking of post or thread I think mods should at least DM the members why they took that action.

So if a mod moves or deletes a topic where 50 people have posted, he'll have to send 50 PMs ? Really ?? And also send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolate to apologise too I presume?

I'm going to be direct, I (as usual I'm speaking for myself, but I'm sure my colleagues are on the same page) don't give a damn about the post count when I delete/move a post/topic. There are no rules, no instructions from Theymos on this subject. Before clicking on the 'Post' button, it's up to you to decide whether the topic has a chance of being moved/deleted or not.

I agree on the general sentiment. The forum mods don't have an obligation towards someone's post count and it shouldn't be considered their liability when they're simply following standard moderation practices.

But we have to agree that a notification for having one of your posts deleted would be a nice feature. By way of not having it bitcointalk lacks a feature many other social platforms would have as standard. By this point it might be wishful thinking to hope such feature gets implemented but one can only hope.