Mass Deletions Thread

[Gravy Train]

Forum URL: thelasthearth.freeforums.net

Scott I believe requested in a locked thread to start a new one re: mass deletions:

ETA: The post below was from VS Admin  but I couldn't quote it properly since the thread was locked. Scott was in correspondence about the issue with ladydi , but I was just invited to the convo.  I summarized below the issue rather than copy/paste the PM, but can forward the PM to VS Admin  if Scott doesn't mind.

 if a forum was affected by a mass deletion that removed postings that should not have been removed, please create a new support thread so that we can look into that issue.

This happened to us last month, and one of the mods, ladydi contacted him by PM to explain the issue.  Not only was the member's posts deleted, but entire threads that other users had posted on were completely gone. Scott said there was nothing that could be done about it, and he was contacted within 24-48 hrs of this occurence.

As site owner and admin, I was not notified, either.  This was an act that was done purely out of spite, as the member left to join greener pastures, and wasn't banned until we found out the member was taking material from posters on our site and presenting it as their own on the new site, despite presenting disrespectful and disruptive behavior in the past.

ladydi PM'd Scott originally, and I've been included in the conversation, to keep the internet drama to a minimum.

The reason I'm responding to the request to create a new thread is because the actions of this one individual ended up being quite destructive.  Without a prior investigation, all posts and threads started by the member were deleted.  We found out when another member couldn't find some of the posts they had made in the past to reference something.

I'd like to put in a request that we can have some kind of action in the future to prevent this.  Yes, the deleting mass posts I'm against of course, but I think it's careless to listen to one individual, and delete not only their posts, but everyone elses' who may have been affected by it.  I understand we'll never be able to recover the posts now, as Scott  told ladydi , but is there anything we can do to prevent this from happening in the future?

Not only is it petty, but it's selfish, because the vast majority of posters in the mass threads that were deleted weren't even involved in the ridiculous soap opera.


Thanks for your consideration.

[Brian]

Hi, Gravy Train.

Simply put, if a mass deletion was performed only the posts of the user in question should be deleted. If content other than this ended up deleted I'm fully willing to admit to an error on our part by whichever member of the support team performed the deletion. That should not have happened at all.

After closing the thread we're going over each user's input and reviewing our options in regards to how we handle content deletion requests.

[Gravy Train]

Apr 4, 2016 11:30:11 GMT -8 Brian said:

Hi, Gravy Train .

Simply put, if a mass deletion was performed only the posts of the user in question should be deleted. If content other than this ended up deleted I'm fully willing to admit to an error on our part by whichever member of the support team performed the deletion. That should not have happened at all.

After closing the thread we're going over each user's input and reviewing our options in regards to how we handle content deletion requests.

Thank you, I understand the other thread was locked; but since VS Admin wanted us to start a new thread if other posts were deleted by accident, I wanted to let you guys know for the record.  Mistakes happen, if any other members find they are missing content affected by the thread deletions, I'll let them know it was an error and that proboards is going to be looking into how it handles content deletion requests.

Just an FYI, that user was the only member who was "banned" before the deletion.  The other thread mentioned admins ruling with an iron fist.  After former members of the mod team chose to leave and delete all their own posts and pms, their IPs were banned for actively trying to destroy the site.  To me, personally, banning feels like firing somebody, and as a mod team, we don't take it lightly, nor enjoy doing it.  

Would just be nice to get a head's up next time, as there are always two sides to every story.  Thanks again for your quick response and explanation.

[Barkley]

Just an observation, but we can't delete posts in the "Delete post thread" because it's locked. 

On a more serious note, I wanted to mention the subject of editing and deleting, but the thread was closed. (I do hate closed threads I have to say)

This is also something I've never come across on any other forum, except PB. I used to think it was my kind nature that allowed members to edit and delete at will, but after checking, it appears they can do it by default, which leaves the opportunity to edit your way out of a debate if it isn't going well, or delete a remark that was wrong, in order to make yourself look right.

I'm not concerned about it at this time as my members are impeccably behaved, but if we were much busier, it would be something I'd want to implement.


I'd like to see a time out on both edit and delete, that admins can choose.

That way, members have an option to edit or delete, but can't go back through the forum editing and deleting at will.

Can I ask a mod to put this as a feature request please?

Many thanks.

[Barkley]

Actually I'll start a feature request thread on it, thanks.

[moonbeam]

There is already a plugin that does this. Unfortunately, I'm not home and can't look up what it's called.

[m2marsh]

Apr 4, 2016 12:58:19 GMT -8 Barkley said:

Just an observation, but we can't delete posts in the "Delete post thread" because it's locked. 

On a more serious note, I wanted to mention the subject of editing and deleting, but the thread was closed. (I do hate closed threads I have to say)

This is also something I've never come across on any other forum, except PB. I used to think it was my kind nature that allowed members to edit and delete at will, but after checking, it appears they can do it by default, which leaves the opportunity to edit your way out of a debate if it isn't going well, or delete a remark that was wrong, in order to make yourself look right.

I'm not concerned about it at this time as my members are impeccably behaved, but if we were much busier, it would be something I'd want to implement.


I'd like to see a time out on both edit and delete, that admins can choose.

That way, members have an option to edit or delete, but can't go back through the forum editing and deleting at will.

Can I ask a mod to put this as a feature request please?

Many thanks.

I've seen the back edit and deletes during an argument on many forums (using the vbulletin software).  It is underhanded.  That's why when I'm debating with someone, I always quote them so they can't go back and try to make themselves look better by revising history.  That way, if they pull any shenanigans, at least the quote in my post still remains.  

[Lady Dyanna]

Apr 4, 2016 13:05:31 GMT -8 moonbeam said:

There is already a plugin that does this. Unfortunately, I'm not home and can't look up what it's called.

Yep. We actually put that plugin in place on our Forum. It's titled "Disable Editing after a Certain Time." It allows you to set the time in minutes for how long editing could occur. You can choose separately to disable deletions as well.

We've never denied a member request to have a post edited or deleted, but it seemed a prudent measure to prevent mass destruction.

[Barkley]

Apr 4, 2016 13:18:04 GMT -8 Lady Dyanna said:

Apr 4, 2016 13:05:31 GMT -8 moonbeam said:

There is already a plugin that does this. Unfortunately, I'm not home and can't look up what it's called.

Yep. We actually put that plugin in place on our Forum. It's titled "Disable Editing after a Certain Time." It allows you to set the time in minutes for how long editing could occur. You can choose separately to disable deletions as well.

We've never denied a member request to have a post edited or deleted, but it seemed a prudent measure to prevent mass destruction.

Plugins don't work on mobiles I'm afraid.

I'd guess that 70% of traffic these days is mobile browsers.

[Lady Dyanna]

Apr 4, 2016 13:19:57 GMT -8 Barkley said:

Apr 4, 2016 13:18:04 GMT -8 Lady Dyanna said:

Yep. We actually put that plugin in place on our Forum. It's titled "Disable Editing after a Certain Time." It allows you to set the time in minutes for how long editing could occur. You can choose separately to disable deletions as well.

We've never denied a member request to have a post edited or deleted, but it seemed a prudent measure to prevent mass destruction.

Plugins don't work on mobiles I'm afraid.

I'd guess that 70% of traffic these days is mobile browsers.

Just realizing that now. Actually went and tried it out after a comment on your feature request thread said that. Thanks!

[Gravy Train]

Apr 4, 2016 11:30:11 GMT -8 Brian said:

Hi, Gravy Train .

Simply put, if a mass deletion was performed only the posts of the user in question should be deleted. If content other than this ended up deleted I'm fully willing to admit to an error on our part by whichever member of the support team performed the deletion. That should not have happened at all.

After closing the thread we're going over each user's input and reviewing our options in regards to how we handle content deletion requests.

Not to beat a dead horse, but since Proboards made a mistake in this case, is there a way to restore the content that was deleted in the mass thread deletion?

[Brian]

Possibly. I'd need to check with our system admins to see if we can get a hold of the query that went through to determine if we can find all of the content ourselves or if we need to dig deeper and manually find out which threads authored by the user were deleted.

[Feather Crystal]

May I insert myself into this conversation since I know that I am the banned member on Last Hearth that Lady Dyanna is talking about?

As Gravy Train says, there are two sides to every story! I am the other side.

I won't stand meekly by and allow Gravy Train and Lady Dyanna to falsely accuse me of taking someone else's material! I'm not interested in using anyone's material other than my own. I was going to leave my own material on Last Hearth, but they banned me without any warning. There was a threat made during a private message, which I have a screen shot of on my home computer that I can provide as evidence. An admin named Mojo accused me of plagiarism saying I had stole regular jon umber's work. regular jon had posed a question in my thread about some book chapters, and I did re-read those chapters, but I came to a totally different conclusion and created a new theory. Furthermore, I contacted regular jon umber to ask him if he thought I had plagiarized him, and he said "no". Here are his words:

Regular John Umber

Replied: Monday at 2:48 AM · Report

I can't find my response to Mojo anymore, but I insisted that firstly I had just posted a rough idea, and Feather took it in a direction that wasn't quite where I was heading, so much so that it was a different idea entirely. And I said to both Mojo and Feather that I was fine with what she was doing.

I am presenting this evidence hoping to change your mind about helping banned members delete their posts. If an Admin bans a member it is like firing that person, but when you're fired you still get to take your things.

Every accusation they have against me needs to be presented with evidence. I have created nearly every thread I have ever started on my home computer first in Word format, so I have time stamps for every theory. I have proof of anything I've originated, so I take it as a great insult to be accused of stealing anybody's work.

Feather

[Craig]

Feather Crystal, i would invite you to review the following topic

support.proboards.com/thread/578484/notice-change-content-deletion-policy

[Lady Dyanna]

Apr 4, 2016 14:53:34 GMT -8 Brian said:

Possibly. I'd need to check with our system admins to see if we can get a hold of the query that went through to determine if we can find all of the content ourselves or if we need to dig deeper and manually find out which threads authored by the user were deleted.

Hi! As Gravy Train has been short on time, I wanted to check back in with you to see if there has been any progress made looking into whether or not the posts of our other users would be able to be recovered?

Thanks so much for looking into this for us. It is greatly appreciated!