Moderators?

Xyzzy · 2013-01-10, 09:10

We ran a security audit of the system tonight.

Security is a delicate balance between usability and accessibility. However, we tend to err on the side of security, just to be safe.

During this security audit we "demoted" a few moderators.

This is not a punitive action.

The tool we used searched and analyzed activity by the moderator in their particular domain.

We are currently switching (very slowly) to a more centralized moderation scheme (super mods) versus the forum's original scheme of a moderator (or two or three) per forum.

That said, forums that do a lot of updating of posts, like reservations, need an active moderator. In those cases, we believe we have appropriate moderators in place, but if we have made a mistake please let us know.

Please understand that having moderator credentials does not mean you "own" the forum. There are quite a few forums that have an active leader and do not need moderation. Moderation credentials are only needed if you do significant moderation duties weekly.

So:

If you maintain a forum and need to moderate a lot of stuff, please let us know.
If you need something moderated, please ask a super mod to do it for you. If you ask for a lot of stuff we are certain they will tell us to escalate your credentials.
Being a moderator is not necessary to be recognized as the owner or leader of a forum or project. People know who you are.

Thank you for understanding and please accept our apology if you feel slighted. Our intent is to provide a reliable and secure environment for you all to play in.

ckdo · 2013-01-10, 10:26

Which begs for the question, what domains are moderators sought for?

alpertron · 2013-01-10, 18:02

Is this related to the fact that suddenly the number of messages in the PM system was reduced to 10, so the PM inbox is full? At this moment I have 178 messages stored there.

Xyzzy · 2013-01-10, 18:42

Quote:

Is this related to the fact that suddenly the number of messages in the PM system was reduced to 10, so the PM inbox is full? At this moment I have 178 messages stored there.

You should have the ability to store 1,000 private messages. We have verified that you are in the proper usergroup for that setting. Perhaps try logging out and then back in? If that does not work please contact us!

schickel · 2013-01-10, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

You should have the ability to store 1,000 private messages. We have verified that you are in the proper usergroup for that setting. Perhaps try logging out and then back in? If that does not work please contact us!

I also got this message. I had 403 messages stored and received an email that a member could not send me a PM because my folder was full...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersenneforum

Dear schickel,

Dubslow has just tried to send you a private message. However, your private messages box on mersenneforum.org has reached the specified quota. In order to receive further private messages, you must delete some messages. Please visit this page to do so:
http://www.mersenneforum.org/private.php

All the best,
mersenneforum.org

Xyzzy · 2013-01-10, 19:01

We must have made a mistake somewhere. We are looking into it.

You did not lose any of the old messages, did you?

schickel · 2013-01-10, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

We must have made a mistake somewhere. We are looking into it.

You did not lose any of the old messages, did you?

I went ahead and downloaded all the messages as text and cleaned out the folders, so no worries.....

alpertron · 2013-01-10, 20:04

It appears that the quota was restored: "You have 178 messages stored, of a total 1,000 allowed." Thanks.

Xyzzy · 2013-01-10, 20:09

LaurV · 2013-01-14, 12:31

@Xyzzy: I am one from the demoted list. No harm done, except the fact that now the forum started again to ask me to wait 60 seconds between the searches (this is how I realized I am not moderator anymore, then found this thread). I almost forgot this "feature" during I had moderator rights. I remember that the only reason why I requested the moderation rights was to be able to edit the first post in the "don't dc them..." thread, buy you gave me more rights, and a much larger area under my scimitar, rights which I (almost) never used. Contrary, it bothered me few times when I clicked "edit" instead of "quote" on someone's else post, and only by extremely luck I realized in the last minute (there was no "submit" button :D) and clicked cancel, avoiding involuntarily modifying/deleting other people's post. So, no problem for me if no moderation rights.

2013-01-10, 09:10	#1
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 2⁵×257 Posts	Moderators? We ran a security audit of the system tonight. Security is a delicate balance between usability and accessibility. However, we tend to err on the side of security, just to be safe. During this security audit we "demoted" a few moderators. This is not a punitive action. The tool we used searched and analyzed activity by the moderator in their particular domain. We are currently switching (very slowly) to a more centralized moderation scheme (super mods) versus the forum's original scheme of a moderator (or two or three) per forum. That said, forums that do a lot of updating of posts, like reservations, need an active moderator. In those cases, we believe we have appropriate moderators in place, but if we have made a mistake please let us know. Please understand that having moderator credentials does not mean you "own" the forum. There are quite a few forums that have an active leader and do not need moderation. Moderation credentials are only needed if you do significant moderation duties weekly. So: If you maintain a forum and need to moderate a lot of stuff, please let us know. If you need something moderated, please ask a super mod to do it for you. If you ask for a lot of stuff we are certain they will tell us to escalate your credentials. Being a moderator is not necessary to be recognized as the owner or leader of a forum or project. People know who you are. Thank you for understanding and please accept our apology if you feel slighted. Our intent is to provide a reliable and secure environment for you all to play in.

2013-01-14, 12:31	#10
LaurV Romulan Interpreter Jun 2011 Thailand 10010110001100₂ Posts	@Xyzzy: I am one from the demoted list. No harm done, except the fact that now the forum started again to ask me to wait 60 seconds between the searches (this is how I realized I am not moderator anymore, then found this thread). I almost forgot this "feature" during I had moderator rights. I remember that the only reason why I requested the moderation rights was to be able to edit the first post in the "don't dc them..." thread, buy you gave me more rights, and a much larger area under my scimitar, rights which I (almost) never used. Contrary, it bothered me few times when I clicked "edit" instead of "quote" on someone's else post, and only by extremely luck I realized in the last minute (there was no "submit" button :D) and clicked cancel, avoiding involuntarily modifying/deleting other people's post. So, no problem for me if no moderation rights. Last fiddled with by LaurV on 2013-01-14 at 12:32

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2013-01-10, 10:26	#2
ckdo Dec 2007 Cleves, Germany 2·5·53 Posts	Which begs for the question, what domains are moderators sought for?

2013-01-10, 18:02	#3
alpertron Aug 2002 Buenos Aires, Argentina 2526₈ Posts	Is this related to the fact that suddenly the number of messages in the PM system was reduced to 10, so the PM inbox is full? At this moment I have 178 messages stored there.

2013-01-10, 19:01	#6
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 20040₈ Posts	We must have made a mistake somewhere. We are looking into it. You did not lose any of the old messages, did you?

2013-01-10, 20:04	#8
alpertron Aug 2002 Buenos Aires, Argentina 2526₈ Posts	It appears that the quota was restored: "You have 178 messages stored, of a total 1,000 allowed." Thanks.