Automatic PM with Post or Thread Deletion or Closure

[Erwin]

Hi all

Took me 4 hours of coding, but finally did it - had to work out a way to make the inline moderation work with it as well.

Basically, if a mod deletes a post or thread, he or she should enter a reason - a PM with this reason is sent to the thread starter if a thread is deleted, or the poster if a post is deleted.

A PM is also sent to a thread starter if a thread is opened or closed - no reason is given (due to limitations with the code I'm playing with), but if the thread starter wishes to the PM can be replied to requesting this.

This should hopefully improve communication between mods and members.

 

[edie19]

I'm thinking this will be a good thing.

 

[Morghaine]

I agree - sounds like a good idea!

 

[Letalis]

Is there a way to turn off automated pms?

 

[edie19]

Having just closed a report I see that the person who starts the report gets notified also.

edie

 

[MariaRegina]

Cool.

I just hope the reason doesn't say, "Closed for Staff Review" or some other vague response that leaves the members wondering what happened.

Education should be the key, not secrecy.

 

[edie19]

Cool.

I just hope the reason doesn't say, "Closed for Staff Review" or some other vague response that leaves the members wondering what happened.

Education should be the key, not secrecy.

I think it's going to be confusing for members. A member reported a post earlier today. Another mod and I acted on the report and when we were done I closed the thread. The member who started the report received a post that the report thread was closed.

edie

 

[MariaRegina]

I think it's going to be confusing for members. A member reported a post earlier today. Another mod and I acted on the report and when we were done I closed the thread. The member who reported the post received
[an automated PM]
...
If I were the one to receive the pm I'd wonder - what thread is this talking about.

The member replied to the post which is how I know what it said, but by what he wrote I think he thought he was replying to [the other member].

Ah, that is not good. Confusion can reign for those members who don't know staff procedures and protocol.

I think letting members know WHEN a report is closed can be problematic for staff. Think about it. I am not going to list all of the problems that can occur for obvious reasons.

On the other hand, it might make staff more accountable to members insuring that report are closed in a TIMELY and APPROPRIATE manner. However, teams that are understaffed won't be able to close reports in a timely manner.

 

[MariaRegina]

This automated thread closure PM response is sure to generate further PMs.

How will the person originating the thread know if they can or cannot start a new thread on the same topic?

How will they know if the thread may or may not be opened?



On the other hand, deleting a post with an automated PM response is a good thing

(1) IF the moderator lets them know if a rule violation has been committed and which rule was violated or

(2) IF the moderator lets them know that the post was deleted because the post they responded to was also deleted, and therefore, no violation was incurred.

 

[Addicted2~Jesus]

Hey, hows bout we don't count our chickens til the eggs have hatched... er in other words, le's not look for problems before one arises hehe

Good job Erwin, I do think this is sumthin that will help loads in makin staff people to. To often it's been a complaint of folks jes not knowin an havin sumthin, anythin tangible is great.

Btw folks, He said he's "playin" wit the code, if you've never played wit code before you probly wouldn't understand but when one "plays" wit code, it can take a whole lot of work to fine tune thins an git the bugs worked out. I say let Erwin play wit a bit an he may be able to sort out the lil stuff in time.

 

[Miracle Storm]

Well, I already got an automated response to a thread close. Replied, it was read and no answer.
How will it work out if the moderators do not answer the PMs? That will not help communication between staff and members that may cause more anger.
There is no reason stated when you get the automated pm.
I am not saying it's a bad thing....but hopefully staff will be gracious enough to respond to the PMs.

Thank you Erwin for your efforts. May God bless and guide you always!

 

[Erwin]

I played with the code a bit more so that closure of reports are now stated as such - at least members now know that staff have looked at it and closed it off.