User blocking message - Requesting a reword

[Nazenn]

^{To be clear, I am not advocating for the removal of this system, and I have nothing to do with any previous discussions on the topic. I am also posting this on the public forums because I do not feel safe on the private mod author forums (Edit for clarity: while they remain unmoderated. Also posted publicly because this is an issue that involves the general users of the site that can only see this public forum). No further discussion will be had on this point, I merely am posting this little 'disclaimer' because I don't wish to be dragged into any assumptions or associations. I will not respond to comments about this statement from people other then staff.}

 

So I'm aware that some of these things I am mentioning may require partially rewriting the system, as right now I believe you have simply attached a redirect to a username check when loading a page that shows the same page to everyone, but I do feel like the current message provides inadequate information to actually allow users to follow through on 'unban' requests with mod authors.

 

Right now when a mod author bans a user from one of, or all of their mods, this is the current message that shows:

The author of this mod has blocked your access to this file. This is not an error with the site and the Nexus staff will not get involved with unblocking your access, so do not contact the moderation team for help. Accessing an author's mod page is a privilege, not your right.

You can try to amicably resolve this issue with the mod author, if they'll let you, but be warned: if you are rude or break our terms of service when contacting the mod author and they report you it's extremely likely you will be banned completely from these sites. Is it worth it? You decide.

 

However I identified several problems with this message today when I clicked on a new file only to discover that I had been banned from the mod (As it turns out, an accident, the situation has since been resolved very nicely)

 

- The first issue identified is that from the above message I have no way of knowing who the mod author is.

The message makes it explicit that nexus staff are not to be contacted about these situations, which I understand. But considering that I clicked on the name of a file from the Newly Released section and then was immediately taken to the redirect page about the ban, there is no way of knowing who to contact. This appears to be a major flaw in this system as the only way I actually managed to figure out who the author was, was to log out, check the file again, and then log back in to message them.

The mod authors username or a link to their profile, or even a direct link to message them via the forums, should be provided at the top of this message to allow people a direct way to actually deal with this situation instead of the hacky, and somewhat rude, workaround of having to log out and check or contacting the staff to find out the name.

 

- Second issue is inability to know what mod did the redirect

While this is less of an issue, as usually people will know what they clicked on, for people who open up lots of pages at once when checking the status of files, or like me does a check on all new files when I first log on in the morning, it can be hard to know what you are actually banned from. This could probably be ignored if it had to be, but it would nice to be implemented as well alongside the mod authors name purely for clarity purposes and also if the mod author requests a screenshot because the ban was accidental etc, it also helps for proof.

 

- Third problem, potentially inflammatory language in the message

As I said at the start of this post, I am not advocating for the removal of this system, however a potentially annoying or frustrating thing to encounter, aka finding out you have been banned from an anonymous mod by an anonymous user, is made somewhat worse by the language in the actual ban message which can be interrupted as dismissive and even as mocking in a way. While the purpose of the message is clear, to ensure that people are aware that the staff are not responsible and that they should be courteous and follow the site rules when contacting the mod author for more info, it would be nice if the actual language was more formal and professional so it didn't sound like the person who has just been banned is being scolded.

 

If I may suggest an alternative based on other suggested rewords I have seen around as well:

The author of this file, (username here), has blocked your access to this file, (mod name here).

Accessing a mod page is a privilege, not a right, and the Nexus staff will not intervene in the authors decision.

All contact on this matter should go directly to the mod author where you can try and resolve the issue.

Please remember the Nexus Terms of Service and site rules in all communication with other users of the site.

(Link to the rules)

 

I also want to know if when banning someone mod authors have an opportunity to input a reason for why the ban was enacted that would then show on that page? I've never banned anyone from my mods so I am unsure of how that part of the feature works and don't wish to turn someone into a guinea pig XD

If not, I would also request that feature as it allows the mod author to enact a ban and notify the person of the reason without having to message them via PM or wait for a message and could further help to reduce tensions when these situations arise.

 

Thanks for reading, sorry for the world of text, let me know if the staff have any further questions.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Nazenn

[TheVampireDante]

Valid concerns, I'll bring it up with the rest of the staff and see what they think of the situation.

[MotoSxorpio]

Blocked, not banned. Only Staff can ban anyone.

 

You should have felt more at home in the mod forums, in the public any response you might give could be detrimental to your cause and account status.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/g5Klevd.png?1

 

The above image represents what I saw while proceeding with blocking a user from a mod. So...at this point, the reason is apparently only visible by the mod author doint the blocking (not BANning). This is whether you block one file or all files you upload from this user. (keeping it only visible to author probably is a check against flaming through blocking...)

 

Blocking a user from PMs will take you to your own profile and the "ignore" features that have been present since I joined.

 

Robin and staff thought this through. In order to keep from having to moderate an author block, liberties were not given as for reason giving. Now, if it were not a fill in the blank, but instead used from a list...but we can't now discuss that list here in the public. Because that list would pertain to mod author's wants and must somehow adhere to ToS, convey an intention and be acceptable to users. If you can find that ground where it all comes just so perfectly together, by all means...

 

I understand the need to get an idea across. You did well there. But...

 

...this seems to be an underhanded way to get a workaround or make a mod author give you reasoning for blocking you from a mod.

 

If you were blocked...live with it. Not much you can do besides appease the mod author.

 

One thing I know Robin is into and that is accountability and transparency. Some of what you suggest would make the freedom given to authors moot. If staff has to get into just one of these blocks...it could very well ruin it for everyone. The feature could be removed. And then moderators would have to do more work in regards to reports, because mod authors would be reporting anything they deem worthy of getting blocked.

 

I am sorry, it is difficult to explain both sides of this as I know it. It is a grand trade, for sure. Going public with it...I dunno, but I think its a bad idea. Mod author forums would have been better, you said well what you wanted but dissed pretty much all mod authors in doing so.

[Nazenn]

Valid concerns, I'll bring it up with the rest of the staff and see what they think of the situation.

Thank you Dante. If you decide against any edits, and if its not too much hassle, I would love to be informed as to why just so I know

 

Blocked, not banned. Only Staff can ban anyone.

 

You should have felt more at home in the mod forums, in the public any response you might give could be detrimental to your cause and account status.

True, blocking not banning, sorry I just used the word that was most familiar to me for this situation.

Well if I behave in accordance to the site rules, posting publicly shouldn't have any impact on my account status, however as I said, I wouldn't be discussing this in more detail with anyone other then staff.

 

I understand the need to get an idea across. You did well there. But...

 

...this seems to be an underhanded way to get a workaround or make a mod author give you reasoning for blocking you from a mod.

 

If you were blocked...live with it. Not much you can do besides appease the mod author.

And yet if you read my original post you'd see a few points:

- No where did I say mod authors HAVE to provide a reason, only that if they want to that reason should be visible to the person if the author wishes. If the author wishes to give a reason and the reason is incredibly rude or discriminatory, then the same rules about respect between users of the site should apply there as they do everywhere else on the site and the mod author should be held responsible. If mod users try to report mod authors for a reason they don't like but is legitimate by the sites standards then the mod user should be held accountable for a false report, the same as they would now if they tried to force staff to intervene.

- The ban I had was resolved with no ill will between me and the person so there's nothing personally underhand here.

 

Going public with it...I dunno, but I think its a bad idea. Mod author forums would have been better, you said well what you wanted but dissed pretty much all mod authors in doing so.

Part of the reason this was posted publicly is also because it affects the general public of the site. This is the message that everyone sees, it doesn't just affect mod authors. General users who have also seen this message should feel free to weigh in on it.

I also didn't 'diss' all mod authors as a group, but I'm also not going to pretend that everything is okay on the private forums while they remain unmoderated for the sake of saving face. Regardless, I have edited my original message to be more informative and less generic to provide better explanation on my decision as I have done here.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Nazenn

[blove]

Wait...are you allowed to make yet another pissy post and then declare "no further discussion will be had on this point"?

[Nazenn]

Yet another? I haven't made a post on this before? :smile:

You should also note that I'm not declaring a moratorium on discussing the point on hand, I just don't want to get into a huge debate with people over my reasons for posting my first post on this issue publicly.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Nazenn

[blove]

I was speaking of your posts in general, but feel free to remain oblivious.

[Nazenn]

I'm sorry but if you can't point me at specific situations then I legitimately don't know what you're talking about, whether its another specific thread i have made or if you are confusing me with someone else or what.

[Arthmoor]

If I may suggest an alternative based on other suggested rewords I have seen around as well:

The author of this file, (username here), has blocked your access to this file, (mod name here).

Accessing a mod page is a privilege, not a right, and the Nexus staff will not intervene in the authors decision.

All contact on this matter should go directly to the mod author where you can try and resolve the issue.

Please remember the Nexus Terms of Service and site rules in all communication with other users of the site.

(Link to the rules)

 

+1 for this. The wording could definitely use this kind of clarification. So long as the mod author does not need to make the specific reason(s) public.

 

BTW, you would have done just fine asking this in the proper forum, but what's done is done.

[Trollenstein]

I'd support it but I have a feeling it was very intentionally put that way. Anyone that knows basic english can pull the tone from the message. They are fully aware of what it looks like, and likely want it that way.

I don't think the message should stay as it is currently but good luck trying to convince an admin that they're going about something the wrong way, let alone someone who is flexing in some silly text that's a warning about further punishment because your posts weren't enjoyed by a content provider.

 

Nexus is intentionally being harsh. They won't change.