"Reported." Your view.

[GigaHz]

What are your thoughts on reporting people and telling them that you've done so?

Every time I see someone say "Reported" I get taken back to my rambunctious childhood.

I imagine the little girl that would come up to me from behind, coyly tap me on the shoulder, then announce "I'm going to tell on you" during recess. Does anyone else view this in a similar light?

Don't get me wrong. I know some people do things that deserve to be reported, but why announce it? Why not just report them in silence and have a moderator deal with the situation?

Is there something about the urge to tell someone that they've crossed the line that you find so comforting? Is it bait in the hopes that they will further incriminate themselves and potentially risk a ban?

I'm just curious as I've yet to report someone for anything on either a forum or game.

Discuss this with me and please, don't report me in the process.

 

[ParadiseOnceLost]

Reported



Sorry couldn't resist doing that joke. The only time I ever use the reported button is for spambots and I don't bother to tell them, so nope I don't do that. I do feel the same way as you about telling the person. It is really just an infantile way to feel like you have power. My philosophy on a forum is to report a person and then ignore them and let the mods deal with them.

 

[madwarper]

I think it's pointless. If you think they deserve be mod wrath, just report and move on.

If a mod thinks they're guilty of an offense, they'll reprimand them and tell them why.
And, if they have any questions for the mods, there's the Moderation Team [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Moderation-Team] group to discuss things in, or just PM a mod.

 

[manic_depressive13]

I find it very smug and hostile. I think saying it should be a moderatable offense. You might as well be saying "fuck you", and that hurts my feelings and makes me cry.

 

[GigaHz]

I find it very smug and hostile. I think saying it should be a moderatable offense. You might as well be saying "fuck you", and that hurts my feelings and makes me cry.

Haha. Couldn't have said it better myself.

It is a thinly veiled 'Fuck you', only it's a fuck you you can get away with, because you're on the right side of the law 'round these parts.

Reported



Sorry couldn't resist doing that joke. The only time I ever use the reported button is for spambots and I don't bother to tell them, so nope I don't do that. I do feel the same way as you about telling the person. It is really just an infantile way to feel like you have power. My philosophy on a forum is to report a person and then ignore them and let the mods deal with them.

It's a damn tempting joke, I know the feeling haha.

That said, I respect your approach for reporting people. I'm not sure who or what brought about the idea of telling someone that they've been reported. There must be an internet article about it, somewhere.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

The way I see it, it's less a smug, thinly veiled "fuck you," and more a way of saying, "okay, you've crossed the line." I actually will let someone know if I've reported them, at least if I'm in a discussion with them. I find anonymously reporting people who have personally offended you to be cowardly. Now, if I'm skimming the thread and I see something way out of line, I'll hit the button and move on, but if I'm personally interacting with the poster anyway, I'd see it as rude /not/ to let them know I've hit the button. Besides, as an established user around here, it's my duty to let newer users know not just what the rules are, but how they're enforced. I've actually been known to skip the report button and just send a PM to a user who has broken one of the less intuitive rules, letting them know to edit a post in order to avoid mod wrath. I mean, which would you rather get: a warning from a user who knows the rules but won't punish you for it, or a warning from a mod that will go on your record, even if it doesn't go on your health bar?

 

[Bat Vader]

I find them kind of lame. To be honest. I hate reporting people. I'm more of the "let the community moderate each other" type of guy. This bowing down to the Higher lord of thee moderator leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth.


The schmucks who do the "REPORTED" just so you know they are being schmucks are the lowest common denominate in my humble opinion. That shit wouldnt fly in real life.

In a way the community does kind of moderate the forum. The moderators can't view every single thread that gets posted on the Escapist. The moderators rely on us the users to report the people that break the rules. The community does kind of moderate itself to an extent.

On Topic: I don't tell people I reported them. It seems like a good way to start an unnecessary argument. It also seems like it could create hostilities between the two users as well.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Reported



Sorry couldn't resist doing that joke. The only time I ever use the reported button is for spambots and I don't bother to tell them, so nope I don't do that. I do feel the same way as you about telling the person. It is really just an infantile way to feel like you have power. My philosophy on a forum is to report a person and then ignore them and let the mods deal with them.

Sorry for the double post, but dude, you joined on my birthday. Random.
Edit: Not a double post. This forum updates in mysterious ways.

 

[FalloutJack]

The actual "Reported" thing should probably quit. If you want to say something to the guy you just reported, do please say something constructive, like WHY you are so blatently offended or a clever counterpoint, or at least crack a joke. The mods are, after all, more than likely to also bombard people who just go "Reported" anyhow, because they have a thing about giving people warnings over low content posts. Both sides are guilty, really.

 

[GigaHz]

The way I see it, it's less a smug, thinly veiled "fuck you," and more a way of saying, "okay, you've crossed the line." I actually will let someone know if I've reported them, at least if I'm in a discussion with them. I find anonymously reporting people who have personally offended you to be cowardly. Now, if I'm skimming the thread and I see something way out of line, I'll hit the button and move on, but if I'm personally interacting with the poster anyway, I'd see it as rude /not/ to let them know I've hit the button. Besides, as an established user around here, it's my duty to let newer users know not just what the rules are, but how they're enforced. I've actually been known to skip the report button and just send a PM to a user who has broken one of the less intuitive rules, letting them know to edit a post in order to avoid mod wrath. I mean, which would you rather get: a warning from a user who knows the rules but won't punish you for it, or a warning from a mod that will go on your record, even if it doesn't go on your health bar?

This was the kind of post I was hoping for. Thankfully, you seem to have your head on straight.

Though there seems to be one flaw in your approach. It's not really a warning if you set forth an action anyway. If you really wanted to warn them you would tell them:

"What you said is an (x) and is against the forum rules. Don't do it again or I will report you to a moderator."

That way, the person can either apologize or do something that further incriminates them. Saying "Reported" doesn't leave an option for redemption, especially if they are unaware of a forum rule.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

The way I see it, it's less a smug, thinly veiled "fuck you," and more a way of saying, "okay, you've crossed the line." I actually will let someone know if I've reported them, at least if I'm in a discussion with them. I find anonymously reporting people who have personally offended you to be cowardly. Now, if I'm skimming the thread and I see something way out of line, I'll hit the button and move on, but if I'm personally interacting with the poster anyway, I'd see it as rude /not/ to let them know I've hit the button. Besides, as an established user around here, it's my duty to let newer users know not just what the rules are, but how they're enforced. I've actually been known to skip the report button and just send a PM to a user who has broken one of the less intuitive rules, letting them know to edit a post in order to avoid mod wrath. I mean, which would you rather get: a warning from a user who knows the rules but won't punish you for it, or a warning from a mod that will go on your record, even if it doesn't go on your health bar?

This was the kind of post I was hoping for. Thankfully, you seem to have your head on straight.

Though there seems to be one flaw in your approach. It's not really a warning if you set forth an action anyway. If you really wanted to warn them you would tell them:

"What you said is an (x) and is against the forum rules. Don't do it again or I will report you to a moderator."

That way, the person can either apologize or do something that further incriminates them. Saying "Reported" doesn't leave an option for redemption, especially if they are unaware of a forum rule.

Thanks. As for the whole "reported" thing, I only do that if I know they're deliberately breaking a rule -- and it's usually something ridiculous, like someone going into a profanity laden ad hominem in the middle of a debate. Things like the piracy rule I generally don't do anything but send a PM over; they're not intuitive, and they aren't as fairly enforced as they could be.

Edit: Smashlovestitanquest pretty much described the kind of rule breaking that it takes to get me to report someone. That and spambots, anyway.

 

[GigaHz]

Um, isnt part of the community moderating itself reporting people? Or what do you mean?

OT: I dont see what all the fuss is about. If you start swearing like this website is xbox live (fuck you **** ****** ***** asshole ur mom), hell yeah, im gonna report you. And since you are such an angry person, im gonna let you know for added effect. Deal with it, suckers. If it bothers you that much, follow the damn rules. Problem solved.

My original reason for making this thread was that I noticed a user throw it around for an unclear reason, when someone gave a perfectly valid and non-vulgar response.

I'm not going to give away the user or thread, as that would make me no better than the person. I just wanted to gain a little perspective.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

The only time I see people say 'Reported' is during spam threads that get locked or deleted soon after. No point in posting at all, really. It's a lot better now, people instead hijack the thread about advertising clothing stores and turning it into a conversation about, say, Atlantis.

It also really died down once mods began cracking down on the posts, since it would fall under the whole 'low content rule' shite. Unless it was those spam threads, then the mods really don't care and only attack the OP.

 

[manic_depressive13]

The way I see it, it's less a smug, thinly veiled "fuck you," and more a way of saying, "okay, you've crossed the line." I actually will let someone know if I've reported them, at least if I'm in a discussion with them. I find anonymously reporting people who have personally offended you to be cowardly. Now, if I'm skimming the thread and I see something way out of line, I'll hit the button and move on, but if I'm personally interacting with the poster anyway, I'd see it as rude /not/ to let them know I've hit the button. Besides, as an established user around here, it's my duty to let newer users know not just what the rules are, but how they're enforced. I've actually been known to skip the report button and just send a PM to a user who has broken one of the less intuitive rules, letting them know to edit a post in order to avoid mod wrath. I mean, which would you rather get: a warning from a user who knows the rules but won't punish you for it, or a warning from a mod that will go on your record, even if it doesn't go on your health bar?

I agree with Giga. Merely informing them after the fact that you've reported them serves no purpose other than to provoke them or to vindicate yourself by letting them know you were the reason they were punished. Besides, most of the time when people make an angry post they know it is against the rules, they just don't care, usually because something has deeply offended them. They probably don't give a crap that they're going to aggro the mods, but ironically actually saying that you don't give a crap if you anger the mods is a punishable offense.

If your intention is to coax them into replying that they don't care that they've been reported, good for you. I can understand that, but don't act like you're being polite when all you're doing is baiting someone into landing more trouble than they're already in.

 

[Craorach]

According to my own experience as a mod, and the WoW GM staff who have far more experience.. most people who say "Reported" never actually do anything.

The people who report do the right thing.. /ignore /report /moveon.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

The way I see it, it's less a smug, thinly veiled "fuck you," and more a way of saying, "okay, you've crossed the line." I actually will let someone know if I've reported them, at least if I'm in a discussion with them. I find anonymously reporting people who have personally offended you to be cowardly. Now, if I'm skimming the thread and I see something way out of line, I'll hit the button and move on, but if I'm personally interacting with the poster anyway, I'd see it as rude /not/ to let them know I've hit the button. Besides, as an established user around here, it's my duty to let newer users know not just what the rules are, but how they're enforced. I've actually been known to skip the report button and just send a PM to a user who has broken one of the less intuitive rules, letting them know to edit a post in order to avoid mod wrath. I mean, which would you rather get: a warning from a user who knows the rules but won't punish you for it, or a warning from a mod that will go on your record, even if it doesn't go on your health bar?

I agree with Giga. Merely informing them after the fact that you've reported them serves no purpose other than to provoke them or to vindicate yourself by letting them know you were the reason they were punished. Besides, most of the time when people make an angry post they know it is against the rules, they just don't care, usually because something has deeply offended them. They probably don't give a crap that they're going to aggro the mods, but ironically actually saying that you don't give a crap if you anger the mods is a punishable offense.

If your intention is to coax them into replying that they don't care that they've been reported, good for you. I can understand that, but don't act like you're being polite when all you're doing is baiting someone into landing more trouble than they're already in.

Let me put it this way: most of the time, whatever pushes me to report something is what tips me over the edge from "not sure if trolling or stupid" to "alright, definitely trolling." Besides, I see it as cowardly /not/ to let them know. I just think it's bitchier to do it anonymously than to be upfront with it.

 

[manic_depressive13]

Let me put it this way: most of the time, whatever pushes me to report something is what tips me over the edge from "not sure if trolling or stupid" to "alright, definitely trolling." Besides, I see it as cowardly /not/ to let them know. I just think it's bitchier to do it anonymously than to be upfront with it.

There's nothing brave about letting someone know you've reported them whilst hiding behind a computer screen, so by extention I don't see what is cowardly about not telling them. I feel that if politeness and decency are really your concern, you're going about it the wrong way. When you tell them they have been reported they only have two choices. They can cease replying and risk letting you believe you have somehow scared them into submission by flexing your report muscle at them, or they can tell you they don't care in which case you have been instrumental in getting them to further incriminate themselves.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Let me put it this way: most of the time, whatever pushes me to report something is what tips me over the edge from "not sure if trolling or stupid" to "alright, definitely trolling." Besides, I see it as cowardly /not/ to let them know. I just think it's bitchier to do it anonymously than to be upfront with it.

There's nothing brave about letting someone know you've reported them whilst hiding behind a computer screen, so by extention I don't see what is cowardly about not telling them. I feel that if politeness and decency are really your concern, you're going about it the wrong way. When you tell them they have been reported they only have two choices. They can cease replying and risk letting you believe you have somehow scared them into submission by flexing your report muscle at them, or they can tell you they don't care in which case you have been instrumental in getting them to further incriminate themselves.

Let's put another way: one option is snitching behind a person's back, while sitting there looking innocent but knowing you're the one who ultimately got them in trouble. The other option is owning up to it. It's less about being an internet tough guy, and more about /not/ being an internet weasel.

 

[burningdragoon]

I think if that's all you are posting, then yeah, kinda silly. I think sometimes someone might be doing something that is straddling the line of accepted behavior and even hitting report might not really do anything, so going one step further to mention they probably shouldn't behave that way. But I guess one man's helpful warning is another's smug superiority. Oh the joy of text-based communication where people can project whatever attitude they want onto others

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Let me put it this way: most of the time, whatever pushes me to report something is what tips me over the edge from "not sure if trolling or stupid" to "alright, definitely trolling." Besides, I see it as cowardly /not/ to let them know. I just think it's bitchier to do it anonymously than to be upfront with it.

There's nothing brave about letting someone know you've reported them whilst hiding behind a computer screen, so by extention I don't see what is cowardly about not telling them. I feel that if politeness and decency are really your concern, you're going about it the wrong way. When you tell them they have been reported they only have two choices. They can cease replying and risk letting you believe you have somehow scared them into submission by flexing your report muscle at them, or they can tell you they don't care in which case you have been instrumental in getting them to further incriminate themselves.

Let's put another way: one option is snitching behind a person's back, while sitting there looking innocent but knowing you're the one who ultimately got them in trouble. The other option is owning up to it. It's less about being an internet tough guy, and more about /not/ being an internet weasel.

If they were arguing with me they know quite well who reported them most likely. I don't need to tack on something that is close to taunting. And really, if they got to the point of flaming me or in some other way blatantly breaking the rules I doubt they care for such courtesies from me anymore.

They may not, but it would bug me. Especially because I may /not/ have been the one to report them; I'd rather have people know for a fact when I've reported them than just assuming I did because I'm the most likely subject -- especially because that kind of silent reporting is the instant "I win" button for people who have otherwise completely lost an argument.