Looking at Forum Moderation Standards

[Mrbeansman]

It would be nice if the GMs gave us actual human responses and not a bunch of stuff that reads like it was run through a protocol machine.

[noodles355]

They prolly have set replies. Like an IT help desk.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it plugged in at the wall?
Is the screen turned on?

[Kensagaku]

They prolly have set replies. Like an IT help desk.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it plugged in at the wall?
Is the screen turned on?

I'm aware this is the case, which is why I'm making this thread in an unlikely-to-be-met hope that one of the community reps or some other actual human behind the screen could take a look. I'm aware chances are slim and this is likely to be buried, but personally I'm fed up of people getting away with spamming their own personal delete-over-time report button and yet having their harassing posts intact.

[Mrbeansman]

They prolly have set replies. Like an IT help desk.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Is it plugged in at the wall?
Is the screen turned on?

Which is why these forums are doomed to fail. If mods can't talk like human beings then we as a community are doomed to make no progress. Just look at the last thread that tried to resolve these issues the thread was locked by a gm and the gm instead of addressing the issue gave a very vague response as to what justifies deleting a post. Just once I would like to see GMs tell a group of people to knock it off without trying to sound like Jesus.

[Zyeriis]

They don't take context into consideration when banning people. Just the other day I was banned temporarily for calling some one a troll who was purposefully following my posts around and trying to piss me off. Want some one banned? Have a few people spam the report button, they will ban that person regardless of context.

[Kensagaku]

[Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines.]

o_O I hope this isn't directed at me. This is a truly sincere thread, regardless of who replies and what their intents/goals are.

Thing is, I'm pretty confident that most of the people here are actually sincere. This is a serious issue on the forums, and because users can simply spam the report button and do away with all of their problems, it limits the amount of communication that we can have. Simply put, it turns things into a tyranny, a dictatorship, not a community like the forum's original intent was. I for one feel that this forum is doomed to crash and burn because the immature report-spammers are going to drive away everyone who isn't willing to walk on eggshells around them. This is not right.

So please understand that this is a sincere thread, and if you're not going to contributed to it, please just do the polite thing and leave it be. I really want to try and get this point across.

[BorkBorkBork]

The player base as a whole would take these forums a lot more seriously if you could actually have a real discussion without getting banned. Part of having a real debate is conflict and that includes telling people flat out that they are wrong. The way these forums are moderated you can basically say anything you want and if anyone disagrees you can report them until their posts get deleted.

And as far as people acting innocent when they've trolled someone....SE is seeing the results of how they moderate and the users of this forum are irritated and playing around with them. I'm not saying that there doesn't need to be rules but this practice of protecting little Johnnys eyes from any kind of criticism is resulting in what is happening here.

Bottom line if you post something wrong, you'll probably get made fun of a little bit but at the same time people will most likely tell you why your wrong. So grow some thicker skin and use it as a source of knowledge instead of a reason to mash the report button.

[Kindra]

While I agree with you BorkBorkBork, there is still a better way to put things down then insults. WHen we result to words that can hurt someones feelings it can go very wrong very fast. To tell someone they are wrong all you really need to do is point out where they are wrong and why. Calling them names and being aggressive towards them won't really help the situation. It's a cause and effect reaction.

Now there are those that are just angry right off the bat. They start off aggressive then get even more mad when you point out where and why they were wrong. Either way its still a cause and effect situation. people tend to react to those around them. Some think on their responses first others don't.

But allowing some to get away it while others that are getting hit with the stick for more or less the same thing is wrong. "Whats good for the Goose is good for the Gander." Cheesy I know but meh it fits lol.

[Melodicya]

Hello Everyone!

First I just need to say we did need to remove a few posts from the thread as they were off topic. Do try to keep the conversation to the topic at hand please.

While I'm not necessarily able to address all your concerns, I would like to provide insight on a few topics that came up.

In regards to the manner in which the Moderation team speaks on the forums. We try to speak politely and clearly in all our communications, both in game and on the forums, which sometimes leads people to rather logical conclusion that everything we say is "scripted." While I understand how it may seem that way, we do endeavor to provide the best service.

This leads me into the second answer to a question that was posed. You may recognize our names from within Final Fantasy XI if you've ever spoken to a Game Master in game. Some of the Game Master Team does work both In Game and on the Forums. (However, please keep in mind that because issues are handled differently, Forum issues can only be addressed through the forum, and In Game Issues only addressed in game.)

I just want you all to know your complaints have been heard, and while I can't address each of them individually, I will see if I can bring this thread to the attention of others who may be able to provide more insight.

Meanwhile, please do try to keep the conversation on topic.

As always, you can review the Guidelines here:

FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines
http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=20&la=1

Thank you very much for your continued feedback!

[Sayelle]

Thanks for the response, it's nice to know that someone is paying attention.