So, it was recently suggested to me that instead of suggesting that a “thread should be locked”, that I instead report any trolling responses. I’m not forum savvy (this is the only forum I visit), and unless something is blatantly obvious, I honestly don’t see it as trolling, especially when it is in the CS forum.
As such, I have 2 main questions:
How do I correctly flag a thread be locked due to the OP’s question being answered?
How do I correctly flag a thread be locked due to a lack of constructive comments?
I don’t wish to inconvenience anyone with a flag, if I don’t think it’s warranted. And the thread flags just don’t seem appropriate in the cases I feel its time to suggest that the thread get locked.
Or is the simple answer, that I simply close the thread, and leave it alone?
That’s up to the blues really or for the OP of the thread to mark a post as the solution.
It’s more appropriate to flag the individual posts if they break the forum code of conduct.
That said, if you do see one of the SFAs actively posting, they’ve stated in the past that they would rather we not flag at all when they’re active as it makes more work for them. They will definitely close a thread if they feel the need to do so
And yes, if a thread is headed in a direction where no good will come of anyone posting, it’s always a good idea for us to walk away and let the mods/SFAs handle it.
Aye, sometimes we’ll tag something as a solution because we know it works or it’s the correct info to provide. When I come in for the morning, I may do this to older threads where I don’t need to reply because the correct info was already provided.
But really, it’s mostly there so the OP can mark the steps that helped them so anyone else coming in from a search finds the info.
Indeed, if we’re around! We may also be trying to keep a post active so the OP can continue discussion even if some of the other participants in a thread are being disruptive. Personally, I’d rather remove disruptions and let the thread stay open if at all possible.
So, we don’t really need it called out It tends to be seen as inflammatory and can cause further problems.
If we’re not active and there are some violations, then yea absolutely flag individual posts. The moderator team will be able to review them and take appropriate steps.
I was the one who said that, and I do send apologies, as I could’ve been a little more constructive in the post.
The main point is that, while it’s good advice for both sides to let contentious threads settle down at times, calling for it to happen is generally frowned upon. One person giving a gentle nudge is one thing, but in that particular thread, it was mentioned multiple times by multiple people, and was multiplying the miscommunication and frustration.
I know, and don’t worry about it. No apologies are needed. It was a slap to the face that I needed, even though I didn’t like it. Sometimes, that’s the only way to grow.
It tends to be seen as inflammatory and can cause further problems.