Unapproved Threads And Posts

[Folkie]

Sometimes when you start a new thread, or post a post to an existing thread, you may get a message like this:

There is automatic software on the Forum which checks every post that is posted, and in some cases puts the post into 'unapproved' status. This means that it isn't visible on the Forum until an admin or mod reviews it and, if appropriate, approves it.

This may happen for a number of reasons. For example:

• The software is trying to identify posts that may be spam, or in some other way unacceptable on the Forum. There may be a word or phrase in your post, which you may have used quite innocuously, but which the software has flagged as a possibly suspicious keyword.
  .
• You may have been trying to post in a section where posting isn't allowed; for example: trying to start a new thread in the 'Off Topic Archive' section.

The software displays the above message to you, but doesn't inform the admins or mods about it at all. It may be quite some time before the admin or mods even see the post (if at all), and even if we do, we may not notice that it is 'unapproved'.

If you see that message when trying to post, please ask the admins or mods to review the post, and consider approving it.

You can do this by PMing one of us directly, or use the 'Contact Us' button (which is at the bottom of every page), which sends a message to Bert.

You could use the 'Report Post' button (), but obviouly not on the post in question (since it isn't visible on the Forum). Instead you could 'report' another post in the same thread, or another post of your own. If you do so, make sure that you explain exactly what the problem is, and that you're not actually complaining about the post which you 'reported'. The advantage of doing this is that it immediately sends a message to all admins and mods.

[Hippysmack]

I had an unexpected reaction to blueberry delight yesterday or I'd have sent you a PM.

As much as I've seen posted on this forum, I was unaware the software will flag you.

By now, everyone knows of my commitment to this forum and the Sportsterpedia. There is absolutely nothing I'd do to jeopardize that.

I still have no idea exactly what put my words in the 'screening basket' and frankly I'd rather just let that be. But I was pissed and rightly so when it happened. I do appreciate your response.

Is there a list somewhere that clearly shows what the software doesn't like? I think that would be very helpful.

I hope my reaction didn't cause too much undue stress on the community. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, always have. However, that also makes me a very bad poker player.

[sportsterpaul]

I too have received that message, can you imagine that, and being mild mannered, soft spoken and feeble, was surprised as well.
Thanks for the explanation.

[Hippysmack]

Originally Posted by sportsterpaul

I too have received that message, can you imagine that, and being mild mannered, soft spoken and feeble, was surprised as well.
Thanks for the explanation.

Now That is kinda shocking.

My hat's off to the mods as they do a great job at filtering some of the posters who clearly have their agendas.

But, in a non-confrontational conversation about whatever subject, I don't believe any software has the brains to filter what is meant to be derived from certain key words.

Knee jerk reactions to certain key words these days are causing more harm than good... as probably my knee jerk reaction to the situation as well.

There is a man I work around nicknamed 'Beaver'. People have been calling him that for many, many years and possibly longer than I have been called Hippysmack. He has now been told that his nickname has derogatory overtones and he must be addressed now at work as his birth name.

[Folkie]

I expect that you may be right: about the software not having the brains. Which is why it's good that the posts found are just delayed being posted, and not just junked right off. Then a mod gets to look at it, who may have a little more in the way of brains!

It is quite rare for innocent posts to be suspended in this way. If it happened more often, I'd be in the habit of checking for them all the time.

[Stairman]

Originally Posted by sportsterpaul

I too have received that message, can you imagine that, and being mild mannered, soft spoken and feeble, was surprised as well.
Thanks for the explanation.

I have none of the above qualities, yet I have never received that message.

[Folkie]

I see that we're getting a few of these at the moment. The recent ones are all in one particular thread, in the 'Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll' section. It's not every post in the thread, just the odd one here and there. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.

I don't know if anyone has used the 'Contact Us' button, but no one has contacted me, or reported the thread. If this happens to you, tell someone (a mod, or Bert) about it. The sooner we know about it, the sooner your post can be approved and appear in the thread.

I fix them when I come across them, but I don't spend all my time checking for unapproved (moderated) posts. I'll try to remember to check more often.

But if you get the message telling you that a post is awaiting approval: TELL SOMEONE!