Some Changes To The Flagging System Today

Originally posted by Danbones
Being someone who doesn't start many threads
and doesn't care much about received flags:
I like content in response posts...
(haha who knew eh?)

I'm not complaining about the change..
I just don't think I will use it because I flag for "interesting discussion topic"
not "agreement with OP..."
I'll flag even if I disagree with the OP because the more reads the more rebuttals

There are posters who kick butt better than I do...

Though I wish someone would take back Obama's peace prize....
thats another story for another day I guess.

Flag for you.

And no, I won't unflag it.

100% agree

Originally posted by Thunder heart woman
I think it's good we can take back flags, however I hope it doesn't become something petty and childish among conversations taking place in threads.

edit on 30-6-2011 by Thunder heart woman because: (no reason given)

You can be guaranteed that it will come to this.

I can foresee "Idiot! I am unflagging you!" simply because on page 8, there was a disagreement with either the OP or even just another poster on the thread.

More and more, I can see the fault in this.

IMO

Originally posted by jude11
I can foresee "Idiot! I am unflagging you!"

Trust me when I say, if we ever see something like that with regularity, the option to un-flag will be removed.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by jude11
I can foresee "Idiot! I am unflagging you!"

Trust me when I say, if we ever see something like that with regularity, the option to un-flag will be removed.

Thanks, and I hope so. Otherwise ATS will turn very ugly, very fast.

Jude11

This is a great idea. There have definitely been times that i would have been embarrassed if ATS let it be known WHO flagged a thread.

Darn,
I just noticed it says:
"UN flag"

I'm not a fan of the UN

Though I don't mean this as undo critisizm,
I do realize it is the age of the Undo

about efffin time !!!


hehe j/k



We appreciate your continuted partnership with the ATS members to help make the site a better more flexable enviroment for a member driven forum .

I don't think I like the big, bright, shiny un-flag button. Its just too tempting.

I think they should make it more subdued like the flag button. Its almost like you're begging people to unflag the stuff they've already flagged.


Must resist urge to push big red shiny button...[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/59d8a0a45114.gif[/atsimg]

Seems like the new-comers are a little deprived

I think this is a great idea! Hopefully people will remove their flags of some of the more "BSy" threads that have come around recently.

I don't see much room for abuse. It's your flag to give to someone, if you no longer wish to have given them a flag, you can simply take it back. It's not as if you can somehow remove flags given by other people, or give someone a negative mark or something.

I was thinking something that seemed like a great idea to me, simply don't record people's flags. If a thread gets flagged, that can get a thread on the front page, but it doesn't count towards any sort of collective flag tally. Would hopefully cut down on people posting outrageous stuff just to satisfy their own ego and collect flags, while still allowing important topics to be displayed on the main page via multiple flags. I think this idea, combined with the un-flag option would almost completely "fix" any issues the flagging system has. After all, do you make threads to get a useless score on your sidebar, or to provide content to ATS?

Cheers to the staff for this change!

OK, well, I suppose somebody is going to have to speak up for us, the silent majority of the ATS membership. So here goes... this is my first ever post.

I came across ATS about three and a half years ago, whilst searching for information about Pine Gap in Australia and was surprised and delighted to discover the wealth and range of other “alternative” topics which were being covered in great detail on this site. I was in my element and became a regular visitor, thoroughly enjoying the process of being “awakened” to what was really going on in the world.

After about a year of “lurking” I finally decided to become a member, mainly because I had read several threads discussing avatars and just wanted to see what all those pretty pictures looked like, not because I had an overwhelming urge to dive into the debates. That was two and half years ago, so I am not exactly a “new” member.

Since the time I signed up, I have consistently spent many hours every day reading through pages and pages of fascinating, informative and challenging threads. And a good few nonsensical ones too. I feel that I know you all very well and have developed a deep appreciation for those members who take the time to research and amalgamate reams of diverse information (with sources, of course) so that the rest of us could easily take on board the pertinent facts and, if desired, do further research on the subject ourselves.

I have, during my time as a member, learnt to differentiate between a “good” thread and a “not-so-good” thread, although I do realise, naturally, that all opinions are entirely subjective.

My point is, that even though up until now I have never uttered a word in a post, I feel perfectly qualified to click on that “flag” button and let it be known by all and sundry that somebody considers the thread in question to be worthy of attention and either a bloomin’ good read or important information that needs to be “out there”.

Now it would seem, however, that because I have not “proven myself” by making the obligatory 20 posts, my opinion no longer counts. I know that this comes across as a “petty” complaint to some people but my feelings are hurt. And, to really rub salt in the wounds, in spite of the fact that I can no longer flag a thread, I am constantly faced with that ugly, garish, red “Un-flag” button which I have no way of getting rid of!

Up until now I have graciously accepted the fact that I can’t send U2Us as the price I pay for not posting. I suppose that sending messages could be considered a privilege but I cannot, for the life of me, see how the ability to flag a thread should be considered a privilege denied to the “lower class” of member. After all, flagging a thread does absolutely nothing that benefits me in any way. With the number of threads I have flagged during my time here, the only result I have gained is an almighty ache in my right index-finger joint! The only person to gain any benefit from it is the author of the thread.

I have even flagged perfectly worthy threads which I had spotted slipping un-noticed down the boards, apparently overlooked or ignored by the membership. I always hoped that the author in question would feel a bit better knowing that at least one person had read and appreciated what they had gone to the trouble to produce.

Okay, so you’re probably saying, “Look, why don’t you just make the 20 posts and get it over with? Then you won’t have any problems.” There are in fact many reasons why, up until now, I have had no desire to get involved in things myself.

Firstly, throughout my entire life, I have always been a little on the timid side and rather lacking in self confidence. I totally avoid confrontation if at all possibe and if I were to have a post ridiculed or pulled apart by one of the more critical or condescending members, it would probably scare me off for good. I know, I need to develop a thicker skin, and I suppose it could happen yet....

Secondly, there’s that innate fear that whatever is posted online is going to be there forever, even if tomorrow you have second thoughts and wish you’d never said it. There’s just no way of un-saying it. I know this applies to everybody, but it just bothers some of us more than others.

Thirdly, there’s the simple fact that by the time I’ve read all the way through a thread, whatever comment I might have made has already been made by one or more members already, and we all know how unacceptable “me too” type posts are.

There are other reasons too, which I won’t go into here, but the point is that although Greeneyedleo may dismissively ask “how hard is it for anyone to make 20 contributing posts?” and consider it to be “easy” , the fact is that a lot of us out here do NOT consider it “easy” at all.

I’m fully aware that many people these days revel in the fact that they have a recognizable online “presence” and love the attention that they get from that fact. Please be aware however, that there are also a lot of people who are the polar opposite and are quite happy to watch from the sidelines and attract no attention at all.

In my own case, I know that I can, at least, string a sentence together but I also know people who suffer from severe dyslexia who would never post anything on line for fear of making a fool of themselves. I also know people who dropped out of school early and wouldn’t post for fear of being ridiculed for their lack of education. There are many reasons why people might not wish to post comments and no, it definitely isn’t “easy” for everyone.

Actually, I have always intended to start posting in threads and I certainly never planned on having my first post be a long drawn-out whine, lol! But I did feel the need to speak up for the “silent” members, who, because of that very attribute are hardly likely to come onto this thread and complain that they can’t “flag” any longer.

After all, we sit and look at the adverts too and I’m sure that our numbers are included in the count for advertising revenue. We read the threads and send links to our family and friends, thereby bringing in more members. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve recommended ATS to other people as a source of REAL news as opposed to the MSM propaganda.

The fact is that in spite of the fact that we’re not very vocal, we quiet ones can be good little members too. And we want our Flag button back!

PS. I actually like the new “Un-flag” facility very much, just in case you thought I was nothing but a “moaning minnie”.

I have more than 50 posts and yet am not able to flag. Please elaborate.

reply to post by Granuaile


Wow, for your first post that's quite a large one! I think you should voice your opinions more often, as it seems you are able to do so quite constructively and with civility. Something that can't be said for many people here, myself included on occasion

It seems there should be some sort of a 4-month rule or something, that if you are a registered member for more than 4 months you have full flagging/thread starting ability. If someone is trying to start sock puppet accounts, it's probably easier for them to make 20 posts, than to wait 4 months for the ability to flag, so there wouldn't be any damage there.

I wouldn't take it so personally, the threat of people starting multiple accounts is, apparently, pretty real, so unfortunately some people have to "suffer" without the ability to flag threads because of it. I'm sure nobody wants to stop members like you from flagging threads, but as the saying goes "a few people ruin it for everyone else"

Hang around the off-topic section and post there if you don't wish to get involved with more "serious" conversations in the main forum. Good luck, and take it easy.

reply to post by James1982


Thanks for your reply, James and yes, it was a bit long, wasn’t it? Oops! It looked so much shorter somehow, in the edit box, lol!

Still, I do feel a bit better having got that off my chest.
I wasn’t taking the new rule personally, really, but the fact is that I’ve become so accustomed to flagging all the threads that I feel are deserving that my finger moves automatically to the “Flag” button and now all I find there is a big red “Un-flag” button! Definitely upsetting my equilibrium!

I’ll have to take your advice about the off-topic section, though usually it takes me all my time to work my way through the serious stuff...Maybe I do need a little light relief...temporarily stick my head back in sand...

Thanks again. Appreciated. (And notice how short this was?)

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


It is a good idea but i can see people messing about with this system.... flagging a thread up then just for fun flagging it back down....

Originally posted by Rising Against
This is pretty cool..

I can imagine the "Un-flagging" system can work pretty well, especially for those annoying failed prediction threads in particular.

Indeed!

Tell us a date aliens will arive with a good story, I will flag it.

If it ends up being another no-show, I can take it back.

reply to post by Granuaile


Everyone INCLUDING mods and SO should read that post. It really does say it all. As I stated a silent - possible majority - is being denied a voice in ATS just because they choose not to post for whatever reason.

I seriously believe this is an arrogant position for ATS to be taking.

If someone is afraid to post they are afraid to post. To say otherwise is to say to the person suffering from vertigo - "Oh no problem walking around the top of the building", to the agoraphobic - "Going outside? Easy peezy!".

This is arrogance and a complete lack of empathy and ATS should be ashamed of itself. I shall say no more, as I am sure this is falling on deaf ears, other than it is symptomatic of the modern me, me, me attitude and nothing to do with understanding others.

reply to post by James1982

It seems there should be some sort of a 4-month rule or something, that if you are a registered member for more than 4 months you have full flagging/thread starting ability. If someone is trying to start sock puppet accounts, it's probably easier for them to make 20 posts, than to wait 4 months for the ability to flag, so there wouldn't be any damage there.

I like that idea. Very good thinking and something "the best staff on the Internet" should give some serious consideration. As you rightly say 20 posts for those of 'with an agenda' is simple, waiting 4 months is not.

reply to post by Granuaile


Fantastic first post Granuaile, unfortunately ATS, like most western countries, the rules are made for the lowest common denominator.

The 20 post limit was due to trolls doing what they do best, not that it stops them because they just troll 20 pages before starting their troll thread, this has been on the increase lately I've noticed.

Maybe instead of having just a 20 post limit before one can flag, maybe there needs to be a second option for people who have been a member for 3 months (whichever comes first) for members like yourself who aren't here to troll and disrupt.

Of course I have no idea of the logistics of this...It may be impossible.

reply to post by PuterMan

Puterman -
You are a well respected member of ATS, I hope your post will be noted and considered by the staff,

And Granuaile - thankyou for speaking up for the silent majority, who for whatever reason choose not to post, or do so rarely. The ability to flag IS their way of contributing to a thread. To remove the flagging system for them, removes their way of voicing an opinion. I also think a waiting time between joining and being able to flag would be fairer.
And you definately made your first post count!

Another thought that struck me whilst I was trying on my latest tin-foil hat, is that for a person or agency using sock puppets on this board it would be the perfect way to see how your puppets are doing in their ability to sway opinion.
Let them loose on a thread, then see how many members un-flag a topic.