"Deals" Forums - Preventing Members from Misposting
Jul 6, 18, 7:52 am
#1
Original Poster
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"Deals" Forums - Preventing Members from Misposting
Can we please find some way to keep people from posting in the "deals" forums by mistake?
Ideally there would be a checkbox where they have to confirm that they are indeed writing about a deal they found, and not asking about mileage run opportunities.
Also, it would be great if "offenders" could get some sort of punishment, like a one-week ban or something similar.
A lot of people get push notifications to their phones for new posts, so it's terribly annoying to read unrelated stuff there.
Thanks.
Ideally there would be a checkbox where they have to confirm that they are indeed writing about a deal they found, and not asking about mileage run opportunities.
Also, it would be great if "offenders" could get some sort of punishment, like a one-week ban or something similar.
A lot of people get push notifications to their phones for new posts, so it's terribly annoying to read unrelated stuff there.
Thanks.
Jul 6, 18, 8:39 am
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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We have moved your post to The Suggestion Box forum, as its actually a policy issue before its a technical issue..
Co-Moderator
I do understand your frustration, but the issue you mention is somewhat bothersome for every FlyerTalk member with subscriptions.
Ive been moderating on FT 11 years, including serving as a Senior Moderator for the usual term of four years. As a result, Im pretty familiar with not the FlyerTalk Rules come about. I sincerely doubt FlyerTalk would establish a seven day suspension for a misposting (often done by a new member), much less differing disciplinary consequences for a specific forum.
If a misposting was determined to be willful (very few misposting are deliberate and intended to be disruptive in my experience) and the member had no previous disciplinary action recorded, the first action would be a warning. For something as trivial as a misposting, that would likely be an informal warning or moderator advice at that, which is not considered a formal disciplinary action.
As to the technical aspects of a checkbox prior to posting to slow posters down and create awareness of where theyre posting,, that would likely have to be considered as a universal adjunct to all fora, and Id prefer to let the Community Director state whether or not it would be under consideration.
Co-Moderator
I do understand your frustration, but the issue you mention is somewhat bothersome for every FlyerTalk member with subscriptions.
Ive been moderating on FT 11 years, including serving as a Senior Moderator for the usual term of four years. As a result, Im pretty familiar with not the FlyerTalk Rules come about. I sincerely doubt FlyerTalk would establish a seven day suspension for a misposting (often done by a new member), much less differing disciplinary consequences for a specific forum.
If a misposting was determined to be willful (very few misposting are deliberate and intended to be disruptive in my experience) and the member had no previous disciplinary action recorded, the first action would be a warning. For something as trivial as a misposting, that would likely be an informal warning or moderator advice at that, which is not considered a formal disciplinary action.
As to the technical aspects of a checkbox prior to posting to slow posters down and create awareness of where theyre posting,, that would likely have to be considered as a universal adjunct to all fora, and Id prefer to let the Community Director state whether or not it would be under consideration.
Jul 6, 18, 8:44 am
#3
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You are probably right that a ban would not help much.
But it would be great if we could at least make it more difficult to post in that forum by mistake (like a checkbox or something like that).
I'm pretty sure significantly more people have subscribed to the "deal" forums than any other category on FT.
But it would be great if we could at least make it more difficult to post in that forum by mistake (like a checkbox or something like that).
I'm pretty sure significantly more people have subscribed to the "deal" forums than any other category on FT.
Jul 7, 18, 7:27 am
#5
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It happens often enough to be really annoying. I guess it happens because people just see "mileage run deals" and then ask if somebody can recommend a good deal for a mileage run because they need to requalify for their status...
Jul 7, 18, 11:57 am
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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That might be a more immediate way of addressing the issue, at least an interim one if more will be possible in the future.
Jul 9, 18, 2:34 pm
#8
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I wonder if a request to the forum Moderators might at least result in a READ BEFORE POSTING sticky thread advising would-be posters whats appropriate to post in the MR Deals forum and where to post members MR questions such as the ones you mention might help reduce the misposting.
That might be a more immediate way of addressing the issue, at least an interim one if more will be possible in the future.
That might be a more immediate way of addressing the issue, at least an interim one if more will be possible in the future.
Jul 9, 18, 4:27 pm
#9
Original Poster
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How about something like (feel free to change in any way you like, English is not my native language):
"READ THIS FIRST:
This forum is EXCLUSIVELY for posting mileage run/fare deals. If you have found a great fare you would like to share with others, this is the place to do so.
If you are looking for recommendations for a mileage/status run, share a trip report or wonder if there is a cheaper way to fly from A to B, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE."
Then one could list alternative forums where such topics would fit in better, but I think even that would already help a lot.
"READ THIS FIRST:
This forum is EXCLUSIVELY for posting mileage run/fare deals. If you have found a great fare you would like to share with others, this is the place to do so.
If you are looking for recommendations for a mileage/status run, share a trip report or wonder if there is a cheaper way to fly from A to B, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE."
Then one could list alternative forums where such topics would fit in better, but I think even that would already help a lot.
Jul 9, 18, 5:09 pm
#10
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,394
I understand the OP's frustration. I, too, get emails whenever there is a new thread started in the forum. I'd guess that on average, I see a post that shouldn't be in the forum at all perhaps every second week. It's not a fare, it's a request for help. I always marvel that folks post something that goes against the existing instructions, then delete the email and move on. The forum mods have instructions on what should and should not be posted but it's very tough to get folks to read it. That particular thread was just refreshed in April of this year.
Welcome to the Mileage Run Forum - Important information how the MR forums work
The Mileage Run mods are the ones who need to see this discussion and proposal. The easy way to draw their attention is as I am about to do. Otherwise, the best way is to private message them.
@rcs85551 @jpdx @ryandc99 @Pat89339
Welcome to the Mileage Run Forum - Important information how the MR forums work
The Mileage Run mods are the ones who need to see this discussion and proposal. The easy way to draw their attention is as I am about to do. Otherwise, the best way is to private message them.
@rcs85551 @jpdx @ryandc99 @Pat89339
Jul 9, 18, 6:08 pm
#11
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Just imagine how many emails (posts, RBPs, and RSS feeds) the volunteer MODs get!
If if I had a wishlist of things to fix in the Mileage Run Forum, they would be:
1. Duplicate posting of the same post. OPs have indicated that it is the website causing the problem by freezing on them, so they click on post new thread again and both get posted.
2. Fare Mapping/Unable to Book posts, usually Air France where the fare is not bookable. The problem is usually Google Flights showing it as a First Class Fare. This is the #1 complaint from members.
The number of Fare Requests are minimal compared to the above.
As as for another sticky. No one reads them on the Mileage Run Forum. Believe me.
I have have often thought of posting a sticky in a colored font saying DO NOT POST FARE REQUESTS but realize the futility. Most people posting in the forum are in a hurry to post before the deal is gone and are unlikely to read anything before doing so. It is a forum where time is of the essence.
If I had to venture a guess, it is less than 2-3 times a month and more frequently in the Premium Fare subforum than in the Deals forum.
Pat89339, Moderator
Mileage Run Forum.
If if I had a wishlist of things to fix in the Mileage Run Forum, they would be:
1. Duplicate posting of the same post. OPs have indicated that it is the website causing the problem by freezing on them, so they click on post new thread again and both get posted.
2. Fare Mapping/Unable to Book posts, usually Air France where the fare is not bookable. The problem is usually Google Flights showing it as a First Class Fare. This is the #1 complaint from members.
The number of Fare Requests are minimal compared to the above.
As as for another sticky. No one reads them on the Mileage Run Forum. Believe me.
I have have often thought of posting a sticky in a colored font saying DO NOT POST FARE REQUESTS but realize the futility. Most people posting in the forum are in a hurry to post before the deal is gone and are unlikely to read anything before doing so. It is a forum where time is of the essence.
If I had to venture a guess, it is less than 2-3 times a month and more frequently in the Premium Fare subforum than in the Deals forum.
Pat89339, Moderator
Mileage Run Forum.
Last edited by Pat89339; Jul 9, 18 at 9:13 pm
Jul 9, 18, 7:14 pm
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Thanks, Pat. Youre sure right about those issues - Mod busyness, difficulty in getting people to read threads.
On a thread or two I sometimes add eye catchers in an attempt to attract others attention. Such as those bracketing ♦️Misposting♦️in the title of this thread.
On a thread or two I sometimes add eye catchers in an attempt to attract others attention. Such as those bracketing ♦️Misposting♦️in the title of this thread.
Jul 10, 18, 12:54 pm
#13
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
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I wanted to chime in here - our biggest issue is the duplicate posting. I have raised this technical glitch with IB today.
There is nothing we can do to stop new members from posting fare requests, or mis-posting in general in the forum. When it does happen, we immediately take action on it, and often send a PM to the new member as well. Putting in stickies, etc won't really help in my opinion. Hopefully IB can fix the glitch with multiple posts. If users were not subscribed for push notifications/emails, I don't think this would be a noticed issue.
We will continue to notify the users who mis-post as quickly as possible.
There is nothing we can do to stop new members from posting fare requests, or mis-posting in general in the forum. When it does happen, we immediately take action on it, and often send a PM to the new member as well. Putting in stickies, etc won't really help in my opinion. Hopefully IB can fix the glitch with multiple posts. If users were not subscribed for push notifications/emails, I don't think this would be a noticed issue.
We will continue to notify the users who mis-post as quickly as possible.
Sep 28, 18, 1:03 pm
#14
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The last week or so has been especially bad.
Could it be a solution to put an explanatory text into the message textbox?
Something like "This forum is strictly for sharing deals with other members. It is not for asking questions or looking for recommendations about mileage runs. For those topics, please use the .... subforum."?
And then when the user starts typing, the text could be cleared automatically. I know some other forums use that, and it's very hard to overlook the text.
Could it be a solution to put an explanatory text into the message textbox?
Something like "This forum is strictly for sharing deals with other members. It is not for asking questions or looking for recommendations about mileage runs. For those topics, please use the .... subforum."?
And then when the user starts typing, the text could be cleared automatically. I know some other forums use that, and it's very hard to overlook the text.
