When should "report" be used?

[ulillillia]

At the top of each post within a thread is a "report" link that allows users to send a notice to the moderators. When should this be used? Some things are obvious:

■Spam - a message completely off topic or with little or no use to the main thread. A "me too" only response would be an example.
■Irrelevant advertising - relating to products completely irrelevant to the subject. Users wanting info for how to upgrade their computer, checking compatibility between computer components, and other such things are fine though. A message advertising clothing, a book, or a casino is almost always irrelevant advertising.
■Flame wars - users insulting or attacking each other.
■Double posting - many forums have rules against posting the same question in multiple categories within the same community.
■Disobeying the other forum rules - these are often mentioned at the tops of many categories under "read this first".

One thing I'm unsure on is when a thread is posted in the wrong category. For example, I'd expect to see questions involving an overheating CPU in the CPU or overclocking categories, but I wouldn't expect it to be in the hard drives or graphics categories. If I find a thread that's obviously not in the right category, should this be reported, mentioning of it being in the wrong category, or should it be left alone?

I'm just checking before I do this kind of thing as I see this every now and then.

 

[The_Prophecy]

The obvious stuff you mentioned above is totally correct. You are also welcome to use the report feature to have us move topics that aren't in the right section should you come across one. We will typically notice these ourselves and will take care of them without the need for a user to report them, but occasionally some are missed.

It may seem minor, but having a thread in the proper category can go a long way to getting the thread starter the help they are looking for. Generally, if something is noticed that you think should be reported but are not completely sure, report it anyway and the mod team will take a look.

That being said, please be sure not to cross the line between reporting with cause, and abusing the feature. If we suspect abuse (and the mods do watch for that sort of thing), we will let you know via PM. If it continues, we may issue temporary (or not so temporary) bans from the forum.

 

[randomizer]

Most of the time it comes down to common sense. If you think it deserves the attention of the moderators, feel free to report it and give a reason for the report. However, as The_Prophecy said, don't abuse the feature. We do occasionally get a pair of users that start reporting each others' posts because they disagree with each other. This is not what the report function is for (unless those posts are breaking the rules of course).

 

[ulillillia]

Given this, I think I'll only use it if a thread is far out of category (like the overheating CPU case being posted in the graphics section). I've only used the "report" feature once so far - the second of the obvious cases was the reason (the thread got closed).

Heated debates are otherwise fine, usually the case with political topics. They are only troublesome when insults start flying (a flame war).

Another relevant thing that I see in other communities is a reply to a 3-year-old thread. This is often caused from someone searching (of which is often encouraged), finding something relevant to their issue, then, with a unique circumstance or something, reply to the thread without realizing the thread was last replied to 3 years ago. I've seen this kind of thing here too.

One way to help with this is automatically lock (close) all threads that haven't received a reply in at least a month or something long and reasonable. A 2-year-old thread that constantly gets a lot of replies can still be left open so long as a month doesn't pass (or whatever).

 

[K-zon]

Threads without replys in a month would be what kind of threads?

Are they just not threads of any topic to the post of thread?

I dont get some of what has been said.

Searching forum i would say is encouraged but hard to do. Most threads are probably not very topic searchable alot of times by thread post, but in catergory in which they are posted.

Probably when someone has an issue, its started probably as problem, which is normal to some regards. And to say a breakdown is basic probably isnt. But maybe so.

Trying not to complicate the response of course, but its not out there.

And outlines, probably arent "ever" ready to say either, which is probably more surprising then not.

But most posts are simply put for what can be said though. Right?

 

[randomizer]

[:randomizer]

 

[ulillillia]

Basically, what I meant by "threads without replies in a month" is a thread that hasn't been replied to in a month. Let's say, for example, a new thread is started on January 1, 2011. Replies come in and continue fairly regularly until January 7, 2011. Then, the thread stops getting replied to from that point onward. Once February 6, 2011 comes along (30 days) and still doesn't get replied to, the thread gets automatically closed. Of course, you may prefer as few as 14 days to as much as 365. From 30 to 91 (91 being based on a whole quarter) would be the most reasonable in my opinion.

 

[K-zon]

So, basically when a thread is so done, but not closed that after a period in time a response of such will take course for the thread despite any parts of thread or thread itself.

This is understood almost completely without issue, just of it though is the issue of how it is determined within response of thread or thread within a time frame to say none of the response is that of something to say time will basically close the thread for what it is.

Rather to say in short or shorter is kinda taken to part of thoughts in place and lose of some thoughts for say, so i must apologize at times. But should make some sense of course of not. Yes?, hence more words then yes or no, Right?