Possible suggestion for BTR posts?

[ancientsociety]

Since there has been a slew of BTRs lately that have posted without following the guidelines, I was pondering if there were a way to limit the posts and, in turn, help out the mods and the rest of BTers

Maybe there's a way to MAKE posters read the BTR rules thread before being able to submit a BTR. Perhaps a disclaimer of "I have read the BT rules" (linked) with a check box. If check box is unchecked, BTR thread doesn't post. If box is checked, and all pertinent info is not included, the post is automatically nuked (or nuked by a mod asap).

Just brainstorming and trying to help. Anyone's thoughts?

[SteveBerenyi]

Honestly this sounds like a very good Idea.
the fact that every time I log on and there is a new BTR and all it says is

soandso please respond so i dont have to post a Bad Trader Report on you!

really gets kind of annoying and redundant. and who knows how many of these people are not actually bad traders but have their names smeared in this way.

I think something should be done.
Ancient's seems like a good idea.

[ancientsociety]

Or we could just have Magickal send one of his infamous "sexy" pics to the offending OP.

[Alsiaie]

I don't like this idea at all. (Doesn't mean it's a stupid idea) It isn't our fault people don't know how to read. But don't forget we take the BTR forum very seriously. Those who are lazy get punished. It says so right in the BTR rules thead. Although the total irony of this is that they'd have to read the rules to understand the dire consequences of not reading them. Again, this is not a daycare. Users get one warning and that's it. It doesnt matter how many BTR reports they've made. If they refuse or don't bother listening, he/she can expect a very long suspension or worse.

[flagg07]

Or we could just have Magickal send one of his infamous "sexy" pics to the offending OP.

That's way too severe , though I do think you're on to something here. I forsee 2 problems.

1) TM Adam may be too busy to implement it.
2) The clowns who refuse to read the rules will simply clcik the corresponding box and still post without the pertinent info. The plus side to this, ofcourse, is that the Mods wouldn't need to be as nice with their warnings. Instant nukeage to the unfounded BTRs

I like your idea ancient. Hopefully it can be implemented easily enough.

[SteveBerenyi]

and of course the subsequent suspensions would definitely get attention.

[MEDEVL]

The only problem with suspensions and such is that hey are kept private which I understand to an extent. However more people could learn the lesson if suspensions and their reasons were posted in the forums. Not that hey're all that common (or maybe they are) but I think they would perform a public service function if they were made public. Sorry to go a bit off topic there.

I do agree that he BTR page seems to be a nexus for nimrods but I'm not sure a click box would work since think they'd just click right past it. The rules in general seem to be read leass and less around here so why would the BTR page be any different??

[ancientsociety]

I don't like this idea at all. (Doesn't mean it's a stupid idea) It isn't our fault people don't know how to read. But don't forget we take the BTR forum very seriously. Those who are lazy get punished. It says so right in the BTR rules thead. Although the total irony of this is that they'd have to read the rules to understand the dire consequences of not reading them. Again, this is not a daycare. Users get one warning and that's it. It doesnt matter how many BTR reports they've made. If they refuse or don't bother listening, he/she can expect a very long suspension or worse.

I didn't mean to imply that it was any fault of the mods that the rules aren't followed and it's great that you are all very attentive about keeping it clean and orderly.

Maybe, instead of a checkbox, put an overview of the posting guidelines at the bottom of the new post page? That way it's RIGHT THERE and there's no excuse for people not to follow them.....

[Alsiaie]

There is only one fix. That would be to set up a PHPbb script similar to the 7-day post rule. Bascially when a user clicks on create thead, it first routes them to a page containing either the rules themselves or a general warning to read the rules. The only issue is setting it up so it only pops up on thread creation and not post creation. I'm not sure if that is possble. Only TMA knows that. If that were to be done where the actual rules would be put in front of them, it may change the ways mods handle the BTR forum. By basically holding their hand with this promt, those who still violoate the BTR rules/guidelines may find themselves automatically suspended/banned without warning. This is definately something worth looking over so I'll put in the request.

[mrrshann618]

This may be a stupid idea, but hey, we tend to all be full of those some days.

What about some kind of form letter like you fill out a bunch of categories before even getting to the actual ability to post your proof.

Offender: <name>
Offended: <name>
Date since trade: <Time>
Items involved: <stuff>

Then you get to put your proff in the form of cut and paste/ link, whatever you need to put it there.

Generally when you have people jump through hoops in the first place then there is not cause for them NOT to know what to do.

now that may just be way to hard to actually implement, it was just an idea. the key is since it is a form letter you are forced to follow some of the rules if you like it or not.

Then again there isn't muchh an excuse to not know the rules since just about ever BTR starts with a threat to follow the rules or get nuked. followed by an appology

[SteveBerenyi]

as far as the thread poping on thread creation, that i believe can be done as the multiple post only pops on thread creation.
I think that would be the best way to go as they are required to at least SEE the rules though if they do not read them it is at their own peril and as they are required to see them if they ignore them which they would be at that point, they have no excuse and should receive an auto suspension.
and i also believe that suspensions should be made public as they can and do have an effect on active trades and future trades.
Certainly I can understand the purpose of confidentiality, but this is a community and we must have the knowledge to protect ourselves.
IE if someone gets suspended for insulting a mod, well, that is one thing, but if they get suspended for ignoring the rules, well who is to say how many rules they will ignore.

My 2 cents.
Steve.

[Lord Alaric]

What about some kind of form letter like you fill out a bunch of categories before even getting to the actual ability to post your proof.

Offender: <name>
Offended: <name>
Date since trade: <Time>
Items involved: <stuff>

Then you get to put your proff in the form of cut and paste/ link, whatever you need to put it there.

Edit: tried to quote but I'm computer stupid.

Kind of like when you post a ref for someone,there are certain things that must be filled in before it will post.

[insidius]

Since there has been a slew of BTRs lately that have posted without following the guidelines, I was pondering if there were a way to limit the posts and, in turn, help out the mods and the rest of BTers

Maybe there's a way to MAKE posters read the BTR rules thread before being able to submit a BTR. Perhaps a disclaimer of "I have read the BT rules" (linked) with a check box. If check box is unchecked, BTR thread doesn't post. If box is checked, and all pertinent info is not included, the post is automatically nuked (or nuked by a mod asap).

Just brainstorming and trying to help. Anyone's thoughts?

I actually suggested this exact same idea (which I think is a great idea) in the mod forum back on the 4th of May, but have yet to hear any real feedback on it from the other mods. TMA did say that it's theoretically possible to code, and I think he may be looking into it. It's definitely on his plate of things to check out.

[ancientsociety]

Since there has been a slew of BTRs lately that have posted without following the guidelines, I was pondering if there were a way to limit the posts and, in turn, help out the mods and the rest of BTers

Maybe there's a way to MAKE posters read the BTR rules thread before being able to submit a BTR. Perhaps a disclaimer of "I have read the BT rules" (linked) with a check box. If check box is unchecked, BTR thread doesn't post. If box is checked, and all pertinent info is not included, the post is automatically nuked (or nuked by a mod asap).

Just brainstorming and trying to help. Anyone's thoughts?

I actually suggested this exact same idea (which I think is a great idea) in the mod forum back on the 4th of May, but have yet to hear any real feedback on it from the other mods. TMA did say that it's theoretically possible to code, and I think he may be looking into it. It's definitely on his plate of things to check out.

Huh, hadn't seen that. Or perhaps I skimmed it and my subconscious brought it up....anyway great minds think alike I guess!

[insidius]

You didn't see it because it's in the mod forum.