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Note: The thread currently has a limit of one post every two hours for non-mod users. Currently, this is hard-coded by the admins, but there are plans to give mods the ability to toggle it without admin intervention. After mods are given the ability to do that, the time limit may be further reduced or removed entirely.


This thread is for discussing the following topics:

  • Questions and clarifications about the site's rules and policies pertaining to wiki editing, forum posting, trope launching, and so on.
  • If you have an idea for a thread on another part of the forums but aren't sure if creating it would be allowed, feel free to ask here.

This thread is not for any of the following:

  • Reporting complaints or concerns about specific moderation decisions (e.g. suspensions and thumps). Report these directly to the admins via the contact form. Selecting "The Staff" sends your message to the admins only, without making it visible to moderators.
  • Queries about thumps applied to your own forum posts (reply to the relevant moderator via PM).
  • Ban appeals (use the "Edit Banned" thread in this forum).
  • Reporting problems or requesting moderator action in the wiki or forums (use Ask The Tropers or Hollersnote  or specialized threads such as "Locked Pages").
  • Queries about locked On-Topic Conversations (OTC) threads or banned discussion topics. OTC has its own moderation discussion thread here, and the latest statement on the locked US Politics thread and other banned OTC topics is here. Bluntly, when certain OTC threads and topics have repeatedly caused problems, we're not going to provide forum space to discuss them again until the moderation toolkit is equipped to handle those conversations.
  • Cut List challenges and queries (they have their own thread here).
  • Requests for changes to the site's code or discussion about such changes', as mods cannot change the code; only the admins can do that. Please direct tech requests to Query Bugs or Query Wishlist, and take other tech-related discussion to the Changelog thread.
  • Crowner actions. Please use the holler function instead.
  • Discussion about changing or implementing policies. Please use Wiki Talk for that. (Asking whether it's OK to make a specific thread is acceptable; using this thread in place of such a thread is not.)
  • Asking about the whereabouts of inactive mods (or other inactive users) before they return, if they return at all. Use the Absent people thread for discussing inactive users.

Posts that use this thread in place of the sections listed in the bulleted list above are off-topic.
We're aware that the Edit Banned thread has a Non-Indicative Name, due to it also covering non-editing suspensions. We're not sure whether the name for that thread can even be edited without breaking the special coding that keeps posting restricted to mods and suspended users, so we're leaving it alone for now, because better safe than sorry.
(Edited Mar 28 2024, adding bullet about OTC and amending layout a little)

Edited by Mrph1 on Mar 29th 2024 at 10:55:20 AM

SeptimusHeap MOD from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#1: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:11:05 PM

Note: The thread currently has a limit of one post every two hours for non-mod users. Currently, this is hard-coded by the admins, but there are plans to give mods the ability to toggle it without admin intervention. After mods are given the ability to do that, the time limit may be further reduced or removed entirely.


This thread is for discussing the following topics:

  • Questions and clarifications about the site's rules and policies pertaining to wiki editing, forum posting, trope launching, and so on.
  • If you have an idea for a thread on another part of the forums but aren't sure if creating it would be allowed, feel free to ask here.

This thread is not for any of the following:

  • Reporting complaints or concerns about specific moderation decisions (e.g. suspensions and thumps). Report these directly to the admins via the contact form. Selecting "The Staff" sends your message to the admins only, without making it visible to moderators.
  • Queries about thumps applied to your own forum posts (reply to the relevant moderator via PM).
  • Ban appeals (use the "Edit Banned" thread in this forum).
  • Reporting problems or requesting moderator action in the wiki or forums (use Ask The Tropers or Hollersnote  or specialized threads such as "Locked Pages").
  • Queries about locked On-Topic Conversations (OTC) threads or banned discussion topics. OTC has its own moderation discussion thread here, and the latest statement on the locked US Politics thread and other banned OTC topics is here. Bluntly, when certain OTC threads and topics have repeatedly caused problems, we're not going to provide forum space to discuss them again until the moderation toolkit is equipped to handle those conversations.
  • Cut List challenges and queries (they have their own thread here).
  • Requests for changes to the site's code or discussion about such changes', as mods cannot change the code; only the admins can do that. Please direct tech requests to Query Bugs or Query Wishlist, and take other tech-related discussion to the Changelog thread.
  • Crowner actions. Please use the holler function instead.
  • Discussion about changing or implementing policies. Please use Wiki Talk for that. (Asking whether it's OK to make a specific thread is acceptable; using this thread in place of such a thread is not.)
  • Asking about the whereabouts of inactive mods (or other inactive users) before they return, if they return at all. Use the Absent people thread for discussing inactive users.

Posts that use this thread in place of the sections listed in the bulleted list above are off-topic.
We're aware that the Edit Banned thread has a Non-Indicative Name, due to it also covering non-editing suspensions. We're not sure whether the name for that thread can even be edited without breaking the special coding that keeps posting restricted to mods and suspended users, so we're leaving it alone for now, because better safe than sorry.
(Edited Mar 28 2024, adding bullet about OTC and amending layout a little)

Edited by Mrph1 on Mar 29th 2024 at 10:55:20 AM

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#2: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:20:14 PM

While I agree with making a new thread, I feel relegating questions to hollers is a bit problematic, since those tend to get lost and generally don't get a lot of feedback.

Optimism is a duty.
WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition from The Void (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Big Catch, Sparkle Edition
#3: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:23:16 PM

Yeahh, in my experience Hollers are either answered instantly or never.

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#4: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:30:01 PM

Even after rereading, there is nothing in the OP suggesting that questions should be posted to hollers. Reports, yes, but they aren't the same thing.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#5: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:36:10 PM

So where should bigger problems that cannot be solved with a single holler be discussed?

Optimism is a duty.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from a handcart heading to Hell Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#6: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:40:56 PM

I think that falls under the “general complaints” bit of the OP, so right here.

"And the Bunny nails it!" ~ Gabrael "If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we." ~ Cyran
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#7: Oct 26th 2020 at 3:44:03 PM

Are we still allowed to tell mods how well they're doing their jobs?

Optimism is a duty.
crazysamaritan NaNo 4328 / 50,000 from Lupin III Since: Apr, 2010
NaNo 4328 / 50,000
#8: Oct 26th 2020 at 5:42:10 PM

To complain/praise the moderation? Yes.

Link to TRS threads in project mode here.
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#9: Oct 26th 2020 at 5:45:57 PM

I did mean in the praise sense, by the way. grin

Optimism is a duty.
PurpleEyedGuma Since: Apr, 2020
#10: Oct 29th 2020 at 11:19:27 AM

I genuinely do think that thumped posts should have a “Show” option. Readers who wanted context could see them, but other readers would still choose to stay out of them.

wingedcatgirl I'm helping! from lurking (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: Oh my word! I'm gay!
I'm helping!
#11: Oct 29th 2020 at 11:30:38 AM

The reason most sites don't do that is that in many cases, the continued existence of a rule-violating post could cause further problems, even with a (USER WAS SUSPENDED FOR THIS POST)-type warning.

Like, extreme example, but if someone decided to post a bunch of links to illegal porn. Or more realistically, if someone posted an inflammatory political opinion designed to rile people up and get them yelling about it.

Trouble Cube continues to be a general-purpose forum for those who desire such a thing.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#12: Oct 29th 2020 at 11:35:18 AM

Right. We hide them because they violate the rules. We aren't going to allow users to continue arguing whatever was being argued or click on spam links or whatever. We as moderators can still view the posts' content if needed. So if you really urgently need to know, ask us.

Edited by Fighteer on Oct 29th 2020 at 2:40:10 PM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#13: Oct 29th 2020 at 11:39:41 AM

I agree, curiosity inducing as the thump messages may be, they are thumped for a reason.

Optimism is a duty.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from a handcart heading to Hell Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#14: Oct 29th 2020 at 1:37:21 PM

Yeah letting us see what people said to get thumped is just a bad idea, if anyone is that curious as to what people are doing that gets them in trouble they can always offer to join the mod team. tongue

"And the Bunny nails it!" ~ Gabrael "If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we." ~ Cyran
KungFuCutBug sick down from the bones to the other side from a broken freezer in Hell Since: Feb, 2019 Relationship Status: They're my lobster
sick down from the bones to the other side
#15: Oct 29th 2020 at 2:11:26 PM

this is kind of a dumb question I think, but one that I want to ask anyway—can the mods see the edit history of a given post? for example, if someone gets hollered for a post, and they edit part of it out so that they look innocent

A plague has consumed the town, summoning Pestilence, Horseman of the Apocalypse!
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#16: Oct 29th 2020 at 2:13:43 PM

Edit history is not saved for forum posts. Thumped posts should not be editable (by users) and that's on the list to get fixed.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition from The Void (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Big Catch, Sparkle Edition
#17: Oct 29th 2020 at 2:37:15 PM

Yeah, as morbidly curious as I may get, I know that the thumps are for the best. Keeps us from focusing on the drama.

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#18: Oct 29th 2020 at 8:06:22 PM

I'm a bit surprised you don't just delete posts outright. That's how most forums deal with it.

Optimism is a duty.
WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition from The Void (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Big Catch, Sparkle Edition
#19: Oct 29th 2020 at 8:07:42 PM

Some posts do get deleted outright. If you've ever read some of the earlier Edit Banned posts, a lot of it is mods responding to people whose comments have been wiped.

Current Project: Incorruptible Pure Pureness
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#20: Oct 30th 2020 at 3:35:40 AM

That ability got lost in one of the site upgrades. We're hoping to get it back eventually.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
GnomeTitan Oversized Garden Ornament Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Oversized Garden Ornament
#21: Oct 30th 2020 at 5:00:59 AM

[up][up][up]I think the system with thumping is better than outright deleting posts, because you can still see that a certain user posted something. Threads where the moderators have deleted a lot of posts can get confusing, because you can see people responding to something, but you can't see whom they're responding to.

You may end up with something like:

1. Alice posts something controversial. 2. Bob responds by a counter-argument and also calls Alice by some ugly names. 3. Charlie criticizes Bob's counter-argument for having faulty logic.

Then the moderator deletes Bob's post because of what he called Alice.

Now, it looks like if Charlie is responding to Alice's post and saying her logic is faulty, when in reality Charlie agrees completely with her.

If Bob's post had been thumped instead, it would still be obvious that Charlie was criticizing Bob and not Alice.

PurpleEyedGuma Since: Apr, 2020
gc10 Human Bean from Pastastastan Since: Feb, 2019 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Human Bean
#23: Oct 30th 2020 at 10:13:07 AM

Talking about thumped posts, I believe some should be left visible to other users, for the sake of transparency and if they aren't too controversial to be shown. I can make an example of this post of mine that was thumped a few minutes later. What rule I violated can be guessed in the following posts (I asked again about Lotso as CM from Toy Story 3), but there shouldn't be a problem in showing that I made a polite request nonetheless, even if I shouldn't have reopened a topic that was closed years ago.

wingedcatgirl I'm helping! from lurking (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: Oh my word! I'm gay!
I'm helping!
#24: Oct 30th 2020 at 10:17:21 AM

There may exist rule-violating posts that need to be acted upon, but are better left visible than removed.

They should be an exception to the norm, not the default outcome.

Trouble Cube continues to be a general-purpose forum for those who desire such a thing.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from a handcart heading to Hell Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#25: Oct 30th 2020 at 4:34:35 PM

Also I imagine that post deletion would play havoc with systems that bring you to the last post you viewed or even just the post number tracking.

"And the Bunny nails it!" ~ Gabrael "If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we." ~ Cyran

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