Correct process for deleting post in General Discussion

[TMS]

Hello,

I have just received a note/warning/handslap for this post (visible only to staff with cross-forum rights):

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php?p=1327751#post1327751

For the record and the benefit of those who can't see it, the post contains a series of ellipses, specifically, "..........".

The reason given for this warning is that the post is "content-less". I agree.

The series of ellipses are the result of an edit. I felt that the original content of the post would be unhelpful and figured it wouldn't achieve much by posting it, so chose to delete it immediately.

Unfortunately, usergroup permissions haven't been applied in the same way across all sub-forums. When I edit a post in most other sub-forums (such as the Add-Ons Forum), the option is there to delete the post. That doesn't appear to be the case for General KSP Discussion.

As such, I chose to remove the content by editing the post with the minimum number of characters allowed, as I genuinely couldn't think of anything positive to say about the thread.

From experience of administrating several large vB boards, this inconsistency usually happens when different staff members apply permissions in different ways (usergroup settings, forum-specific settings, botched access masks) which create a bit of a permissions mess.

Two questions:

• Are the permissions intentionally set like this (and why)?
  
• If so, what is the correct method of deleting one's posts in sub-forums that contain no delete option?
  

Thanks,

TMS

[KasperVld]

I'll have a look at the permission sets, users shouldn't be able to delete posts including their own, but I've been noticing that it happens from time to time in the logs. The process here would be to report the post by clicking the little triangle with the exclamation mark underneath the post, but I assume I don't have to explain how that works to you And yes, vBulletin's permissions system is a mess.

[cpast]

The Forum FAQ suggests that it's intentional that you're allowed to delete your own post.

[TMS]

The process here would be to report the post by clicking the little triangle with the exclamation mark underneath the post...

To be clear, the working policy is that users have to notify staff for every post they want deleted?

That's a very odd workflow.

The Forum FAQ suggests that it's intentional that you're allowed to delete your own post.

Haha. Yep, knew I'd read it somewhere. Thanks for posting.

Ironically, my edited posts is in a thread about inconsistent copyright policies, and the overreaction to it.

[sal_vager]

Members used to be able to delete their own posts but that functionality was lost with forum updates :/

So yeah, if you want your post or thread closed or deleted, let the moderation team know

Also, it's just a notice, we use those so there's a record.

[TMS]

Hi,

Post deletion is a core feature of vB. It's not the result of a plugin. There's no way on earth (or Kerbin) that the update script to 4.2.1 removed or disabled that functionality. If it did, I'd be extremely worried about your installation.

I run several installations of the 3.7x, 4.1x and 4.2 series and I've never heard of or seen that happen.

Or are you saying that a policy decision was made during the last upgrade to remove that functionality?

[cpast]

Members used to be able to delete their own posts but that functionality was lost with forum updates :/

But it works in other sections (e.g. in this section), so why would a technical issue (what "forum updates" seems to imply) affect only some sections?

[vexx32]

Huh. I was under the impression that users could still delete their own posts. The permission for it might change a bit between forums, though. You need to go into the advanced editor page to check; click Edit, wait or the editor to show, then click Advanced, and see if the option to delete the post is on that page somewhere. From memory, it's a radiobutton and a textbox.

In any case, if you can't delete your post, feel free to ask us to do it for you. (Either by reporting it, or you could post in the relevant stickied thread here in the Forum Forum for that purpose.)

Edited August 4, 2014 by vexx32

[TMS]

OK guys, I don't want to make a big issue over this but I do need to give you some feedback.

I'm getting the impression that nobody really knows what's going on, as there seems to be different opinions amongst staff and non-staff alike. That's fine, I don't expect a well-oiled machine. However, I do expect to be treated fairly.

If you expect your members to do something (or understand the nuances of what not to do), you need to inform them in advance and keep that information consistent. The only written information on post deletion describes a process that can only be followed under specific circumstances. Self-sufficient persons will likely fill in the blanks in that process, rather than bothering staff with minutia. That's what happened here.

Notifying users of the correct process (or of a partially-implemented policy) by way of issuing warnings to individuals feels unfair and inefficient - although no less efficient than having staff handle every minor deletion.

I don't feel that I've done anything wrong here. In fact, I feel I did the right thing by clearing up my own error in judgement.

Also, it's just a notice, we use those so there's a record.

I understand that for purposes of transparency amongst staff, you'll run disciplinary/advisory communications through the infraction system and have it auto-dump a copy into a hidden forum. That's fine and I understand the reasons for it.

My problem is that it was issued inappropriately, under circumstances in which I could not have been expected to know the (possibly) correct course of action. We both know that large forums use that record to determine future courses of action when dealing with individuals.

As such, I'd like the 'notice' reversed or, ideally, deleted via ACP.

[KasperVld]

I noticed the same thing as you here TMS, usually we're a pretty well-oiled machine though

The whole thing definitely needs some straightening out, so we'll do that as soon as possible, and we'll also look into that notice.

[TMS]

Many thanks.

Can't ask for anything more than that.

[KasperVld]

We've enabled the ability to soft-delete your own posts to all forums. Please let me know if it's not working somewhere