Unusually Scary Things Happen With The Comments

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Unusually Scary Things Happen With The Comments

(41 posts) (10 voices)

Started 15 years ago by notblocklox
Latest reply from watcher13

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notblocklox
retired

Some unusually scary things are happening on the comments site.
We all know that comments just disappear, some because they are scams or abuse.
We had the discussion quite often here. I think now there is something strange going on.
Firstly there are only 13 comments at 7.30PM GOTD-time.
Secondly the rating looks like a block vote, normally even a very bad software has always some friends.

I often wished that the moderators would sort out certain comments, like yesterday, as quite a lot of users were discussing other users and not the software.
Or when someone posts a reg.key. or... you know what I mean.

Several times I noticed that my comments -not insulting, no scam, not lots of links- disappeared.
Well, we know, thinks happen. And the world won't stand still without my reviews.
But today happened something new.
My comment was awaiting moderation -> normal;
after some time it was still waiting but had already one + -> funny;
even later the comments were updated - but mine wasn't there -> suspect.
That's not all, I wrote a sentence under: "View all suggestions" that disappeared too -> fishy.

Therefore I posted my comment here in the forums, and invite you to do the same. Be aware, here are also moderators at work :)

Maybe one day we will get any explanation from someone behind the curtains ...and I don't mean BuBBy, I know, when he is on duty the moderation is like it should be.

graylox

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Good luck, Lady Gray, but I've asked the "behind the curtain question" a bunch of times here, and never have gotten an answer. I've been told "why worry" or "everything with GOTD is fine" or "we really shouldn't complain; we're getting stuff for free", etc.... I've even had my threads on this subject removed. But I sincerely wish you luck. (However, I'm already laying down a wager - metaphorically, of course - that you won't have any.)

Posted 15 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Count me in on your suspicions. Comments of mine have also gone missing over several months (in the giveaway comments section), despite me not posting that often. Most were referencing free games that myself, Wizzard or reverseOrder have posted, so it maybe that whoever deletes mine thinks they are inappropriate. Though posts about particular application giveaways have also disappeared. The only links I use in those posts are internal giveaway links so the spam filter shouldn’t be grabbing them. I do know that when I’ve posted even one link to an outside source my game giveaway reviews have been removed to the spam folder. So I usually post a quick post with a few words then edit my post via the admin/moderators console, so that I can then inclde the usual extras that I sometimes add to my game reviews.

Maybe it’s an internet gremlin, lol

W.R.

Posted 15 years ago #
notblocklox
retired

Even today are only a few comments published.
Let's hope, it is due to ongoing reconstructions of the web site - LOL

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Well, don't get me wrong. I do think, and have said, that I suspect that some - maybe a lot - of these problems are technical. And, I may be the only one who thinks this is plausible, but I don't share the confidence of anybody who has blind faith in the spam filter. Not saying that's a major culprit, but it always got a few before the redesign, and it's dynamic, rather than static. That means it could always be effected by glitches at bbpress.

What I think is the unanswered issue is one of two possible answers. Actually I think both are likely. Those are:

1. Bubby's probably the only dependable moderator. GOTD may not have any system set up for when Bubby's not doing it, they're just doing it adhoc. "Hey, has anybody looked at the comments today?" (And, Bubby hasn't been around much recently, has he? His last forum post is 2 weeks ago. I hope everything's okay. But, obviously, he can't do EVERYTHING.")

2. I believe GOTD has never attempted to come up with a moderation standard. I imagine Bubby would be agreeable to one. And, if they all moderated as conscientiously as Bubby, most everybody would be happy. But, it's pretty much moderation by whim.

To sum up, I suspect something you thought would go through might have been lost to the gremlins that hitched a ride on the website redesign, might have been lost to gremlins in the spam filter, or might have been lost to the whims of a particular moderator.

And, if there's no system set up for when Bubby's not available, it explains why the day often starts with only a handful of approved comments. And, I'd bet my paycheck that Bubby's the only one who tries to save comments incorrectly gobbled up by the spam filter.

But, I've done it again. Like Toto, I think I've pulled back the curtain. And they're often better at screening out THOSE comments. I highly suspect that the only way this is going to be resolved is by GOTD putting some SERIOUS effort into it. It might happen someday, but - how long can you hold your breath?

Posted 15 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

I can confirm - I have read comments that are awaiting moderation. The comments are perfectly ok - some are well written, both positive towards and negative against the giveaway software. They are not critical of other users, or repeating questions that have already been answered. Comments that I would see no problem approving.

Minutes later, another moderator has visited and deleted the lot. As I've said before, perhaps it is just easier to delete a batch of comments, instead of reading and approving them.

It's not just once, I've seen this happen numerous times now. Someone is very liberal on deleting batches of user comments, seemingly entirely at random.

I'm just telling it how it is - I don't know who the moderator is, or even if GOTD is aware this moderator is just deleting pages of comments apparently just to clear the moderation queue backlog.

Until there is an explanation from GOTD, the reason why this is happening is anyones guess

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Thanks, Bubby! I've probably just missed your recent entries over there. I don't read the main page comments like I used to. Still, good to see you're alive and well.

Or maybe they're using somebody new who's hitting the wrong "buttons". Although, if that's the case, you'd think they'd eventually notice that the comments they thought they'd approve didn't show up. Just by the sheer difference in bulk. Is there an emoticon for head scratching? :)

BTW, just had a late post on yesterday's game deleted - I was only posting late to answers somebody's question. Probably for the same reason, so don't feel lonely folks. LOL

Posted 15 years ago #
notblocklox
retired

Thanks, BuBBy!

Mysteries are adequate to the season on my northern part of the world: grey, misty and dark. To hear that even you on the sunny down-under-side are left in the dark makes the debate all the more astonishing ;)

What made me paranoid yesterday, was not the fact that my review disappeared though it got already a + vote, but that some time after the comment was deleted, even my recommendation to the developer in the ratings was cancelled, erased. Can that happen at random?

I hope the GOTD team will find the bug or the bugg** guy/gal who is moderating with a chainsaw.
Until then : Don't be angry, just be amazed.
It's not my site, the owner can screw it up as he likes.

graylox

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

True, and the owner(s) can continue to screw it up until he/she is just talking to himself/herself. At which time the revenue stream dries up and the site closes. Many people who criticize - you, yourself are a shining example - are just trying to help improve something that they have a sincere appreciation for. Most angry people just go away. If not right away, then eventually. The problem is that they stay away. And, eventually, they're not replaced. My sincere hope is that we in the forums do our best not to add to that parade.

Hopefully not to be too argumentative, but lets put in in financial terms. Which do you think looks better to a developer? A comment page with a hundred comments or 10?

Posted 15 years ago #
Robert
StrayCat

Obviously this is not the way things should be at all....

I can imagine people getting frustrated and get driven away when they've put valuable time and effort (and had fun) in typing a comment... that eventually disappears into thin air.
And I am not talking about the 'Hurray! I am the first one to comment'.
Seeing one's comment published within reasonable timing makes people come back to the site the next day because it makes them feel part of it, attracting even more people being for the benefit of the Gotd project.
The comments' page still is a way of people trying to help/advise other people,a way of communicating with others that messed things up once more and... offering a valuable source of information to the developers of a program
(although people not always have been that 'nice',I agree)
So maybe those behind the curtain should consider some of this and take action before this site goes down the drain.
Sure one of the mods is willing to help out ,if it's a logistic problem,even on a temporary basis,because none of us would want that to happen,do we...

Nice to see you're back Graylox!
:)

Posted 15 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hey, I often stay up for virtually the whole day (24 hours) moderating the comments section on the gaming side. I think that that could be considered dependable.

Though I realize you're talking about the applications section so didn't take offense, just wanted everyone to know that I try my best to ensure no personal comments slip through. I have to set an alarm to ensure I'm up for the fist game appearing on the Saturday then probably get cat naps for the rest of the weekend until the giveaways are over for another weekend.

Not only that I think Greylox, Wizzard and myself are pretty vigilant on the forums as well. We all spend an inordinate amount of time on the forums; as can be seen fromn our profiles which started recording time on the forums a few months ago. I've spent nearly 82 hours on the forums since it was improved, wizzard has spent just over 56 hours and Greylox has spent over 133 hours and BuBBy has spent nearly 19 hours on the forums.

Regards WR

sorry for being oversensitive, lol

W.R.

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Actually, WR, the problem is that GOTD doesn't get around to asking reliable, dependable, conscientious folks like you and the other moderators here to moderate the main page (with the notable exception of Bubby, of course). I imagine you folks could handle it all by yourselves and GOTD would be much, much better off than the current (non)"system". The problem is that that part of the site is even remotely moderated as well as this part and the game page are. I realize they may not want to extend a lot of privileges to people that might be coming and going, but, surely, they are people who have been here from the beginning and may be here to the end. Surely, they're dependable.

Actually, I worry about you sometimes, Stephen. I think you do too much sometimes. I imagine that Wizz or RO or others wouldn't mind splitting the game moderation with you, if you could get GOTD to extend one of them the privileges. And I'm sure you folks wouldn't have any trouble communicating with each other to come up with a common approach to moderating, something which seems to be beyond GOTD staff.

Posted 15 years ago #
HOSS
Member

I agree with watcher. Stephen, I would feel awful if I were to learn that you are putting your work here before your health. If you are pushing yourself harder than you should be then you need to ask for help. I'm sure there is someone who can step up and cover some of your tasks if you need them to.

Please don't over do it just for us!

Posted 15 years ago #
Robert
StrayCat

Stephen,sure you must know I have the deepest admiration for you,BuBBy ,Gray,Wizz and the others.
It's the application comment section,the main page, I was talking about.That's the place where people meet for starters when coming to Gotd.
My point was they might temporarily be a bit short on staff over there.

...so I want to thank you once more for your unsurpassed dedication and efforts in the game and forum section!
:)

Robert

Posted 15 years ago #
HOSS
Member

DITTO what Robert said!

Posted 15 years ago #
notblocklox
retired

WOOW! It seems that the maintenance day was successful :)
At least for my review. It was immediately released - without calling BuBBy for help.

Let's hope that this is not just a lucky day for me, but that the GOTD team really improved the system.
Thanks!

Posted 15 years ago #
wizzard_of_ozz2004
Games Master

I've offered to help with the Game side of Giveaway, and Stephen put in a good word for me not only professionally but as a friend which we have grown to be. To my knowledge he has never really received a yay or nay and it's been a good month if not two since then. My offer still stands and hopefully GOTD will take me up on it. Stephen puts in so many hours, though I know you truly love it Stephen it's easy to see your passion, but he can't do it all himself.

Posted 15 years ago #
Robert
StrayCat

It's good to see things are back to normal.
:)
A special thanks to Lady Gray for today's review of Digital Photo Organizer.

And Wizz,it's nice to read you're willing to help Stephen.I hope the Gotd crew takes you up on your offer.

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Yeah, thanks for volunteering, Wizz. I figured you folks wouldn't mind helping WR. As I've said before, GOTD seems relunctant to extend privileges to almost anybody. Just seems to fit their philosophy to play their cards extremely close to the vest. Gotta say, though, your avatar is TRULY bizarre!

Edit:
BTW, comments are still way down from what I, at least, was used to before the redesign. I wouldn't be surprised if there still weren't problems.

Posted 15 years ago #
wizzard_of_ozz2004
Games Master

yeah that was taken at my birthday party this year....surprised me when they popped out from around the corner =D

Posted 15 years ago #
Archangel
Member

Thanks for bringing this up graylox. Some simply quit posting not knowing what was happening. I have respect for those mentioned here in this thread for the work they put in this forum.

Posted 15 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

I almost made a new post about posts disappearing, I thought this got deleted.

Was it my imagination or did Chip have a post up about an Xbox 360 game earlier today?

I was going to make a comment on it, but now it is gone.

Posted 15 years ago #
notblocklox
retired

Please send Chip a PM, it seems he has deleted that post.

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

Speaking of scary things happening with the comments: 4 posters today on the main page, 6 hours into GOTD time, with the last one in the general commnents posted FIVE hours ago. Meanwhile, 12 on the game page, with the last one only 45 minutes ago, thanks to the ever diligent WR.

Putting much effort into moderation, GOTD staff? But you don't want to extend privileges to volunteers because it might cause you problems??? I know this will probably get a bad reaction, but I have to laugh at people who rebuke posters here that say negative things, as if any criticism will kill the project (understand, I'm not saying it's happening in this thread). Like I say, this will probably get a bad reaction, but I'm starting to think GOTD doesn't need anyone's help to kill the project. They seem to be doing just fine on their own. Sheesh!

Posted 15 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

Thankyou graylox so it wasnt just me, I would send him a pm, but it wasnt to get giveaway/promotion. I was going to make a bad joke about that if PS3 I would go for it and post a pic of this
http://computer-choppers.com/index.html.
I'll save the actual screen shots, cause this isnt the same as the games or software area.I noticed the ps3 on my yahoo startup page
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/gold-ps3-is-gold-costs-five-grand/1380758
and then I was going to congratulate him on winning. I almost got in that same giveaway he was talking about, but I only have regular xbox, so i didnt bother.
--------
Chip if you come across this, congrats on your win.
--------------------------

watcher-

You got me tickled-"as if any criticism will kill the project"-
that's funny

Posted 15 years ago #
Archangel
Member

Ditto Txnnok! ROTFL

All moderators and most admins are volunteers here and I'd feel safe to say that 99% of the people that asked for a moderators job got it. Websites evolve just like anything else and there are growing pains and mistakes. Have a little patience and it will all work out.

Posted 15 years ago #
Lester (Chip)
English Mod

Oh well I deleted that post because I wasn't sure if I was allowed to giveaway the key on here or not and when your not sure it's best to play it safe lol. So thanks I appreciate it. I was one of 10,000 winners which seems like alot but still I'd hate to see it go to waste. You need both an XBOX 360 with xbox live and the actual game itself which I have neither. I'm not gonna post the key publicy and have a bunch of people all trying the same key haha. So if anyone wants a free unlock code for the Professor Chaos chararcter in South Park, Let's Go Tower Defense Play! Xbox Live Arcade Game please PM me and you can have it :)

Posted 15 years ago #
watcher13
Member

I'm sorry, Archangel, but you misunderstood. I'm not talking about the forums. I'm talking about the main page where the only one I know that has ever been extended moderator privileges has been Bubby (at least since I've been aware in the last year), even though others have volunteered and been suggested to the GOTD team. Gotta be sure we're comparing apples and apples here when we comment on someone else's comment. Who's talking about patience? Comments on the main page have been steadily decreasing since the redesign for whatever the reason. That's part of the point of this thread. In fact, I was trying to defend GOTD originally farther up in this thread when I said some of these problems may be technical, so you're preaching to the choir, there. Like I say, some people chastise you every time you criticize, so, though you may honestly think it's funny, Txnnok, (and I assure you, I've got no bone to pick with you. This comment isn't addressed to you.) you might notice there's some truth to it, too. I guess if I'm patient enough, comments in the coment section may disappear entirely. I guess that will solve the problem. Some people like to criticize you ever time by saying "don't worry, be happy". What I've never understood is: if some people really pretty much don't care and don't let anything bother them, why do THEY bother to comment at all? I guess what bothers them is that everybody doesn't see things their way, so I guess THEY'RE more critical than they'd like to let on.

Posted 15 years ago #
Archangel
Member

That's very touching watcher13 but you have to remember is that they are in control. Its there mistakes to make and if they don't want you to monitor there comments on the front page or here in the forums, thats what they chose to do! I'm sorry to be so blunt but one of the mod's had said you'd had asked on many occasions to moderate. Its not up to them, its up to the PTB and they'd said no. Please accept that and help like the others do. We may be limited but at least we are still here.

Sincerely,
Archangel

Posted 15 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

Actually, I thought I had made more of statement than just that, watcher. I guess that got deleted. I changed what I wrote about 4 times, cause each time I typed out my thoughts, I reread your post and realized I misunderstood what you were trying to say.

I am pretty sure I went with a statement, though. Than just to make a comment at something someone here takes seriously.
So, I will just say if I did leave it that way then, I apologize.
If I didn't and my comments were deleted then someone is going crazy drunk with power, because it wasn't that serious.
I will try again.
___________________________________________

I was thinking that a couple threads could be set up for us frequent posters that are invisble.
We could talk about issues that cant be talk about in the open and another example of one the threads could be a spammer thread. I dont see many here, but if they through, we can make a post on that page for any mods.

The mods logging on can just patrol through those areas with out having to reply or check pm's and see that everything is o.k.
----------------
This doesn't solve the issue of the missing posts and comments, I know its a mod thats been here a while and that they are pretty zealous. If he/she would do like Chip and leave a message as to what was wrong with the post, I would be happy as would most other people.

I think the most fundamental question here, besides who the mystery scalper is, why are they deleting them. Is it because they personally find them offensive or because the post or message breaks the rules.

You're right watcher13, we all should be getting aggravated, because this is becoming more bold and deleting more stuff. Have ya'll noticed this behavior?

I have some ideas on catching this person, but it would take a high level mod that can see ip's.

Posted 15 years ago #

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