Flags and their proper use

Question

I don't want to be one to complain, but, you guys DO know what it means to flag a post, right? I'm just asking because today two of my threads were flagged in g2g for no reason. At first I thought it was a mistake as people stated. Some people think flagging means agreeing. Here's a thread where it happened:
https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/497595/does-thomas-knower-1600-1641-qualify-for-the-pgm

After the first time, I can see the mistake. Second time? Something's up. Let me tell you. It's very annoying. We're all adults here. At least I hope we are. It would be nice if someone were to clarify what it means to flag a post. Because that means someone's going to get in trouble. And I didn't do anything.

In the first thread I made, it was removed. Whatever. This thread might get flagged too. I honestly do not care. But, here's a PSA for you.

Don't flag posts unless it's something derogatory. Flagging doesn't mean anything positive. Capiche?

Thanks.

 

Edit: The flag has been removed. Still don't know why it keeps happening. Whatever. Thanks for the help, mods!

Comments

Chris --

Keith has given you a great synopsis down below of how things work on G2G.

Just to give some additional insight: Most of the time when something is flagged, the someone who flagged it thinks they're "liking" it. ;-) It's not an uncommon mistake, and moderators, sysops and leaders always look at the situation with an open mind to understand what happened.

No worries! :-)

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Thanks. =) It was just weird because everywhere else I go on the 'net flagging means "You're in trouble".

Glad moderators have an open mind. Been there and done that.  I know how much of a responsibility it is to keep people in line. No matter where they are on the Internet.

Thanks for the help!

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You're welcome, Chris. We always like to say that WikiTree is unlike any other site on the web, and this is part of why. ;-)

Happy WikiTreeing!

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And that is a really good thing! =D

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Other fora I've used require a brief description when flagging or reporting a post.  I think that would be a great addition here, so our leaders/mods/powers wouldn't have to guess or read minds.

Answer 1

Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear you have been having problems. I've only ever seen two flags here. Hope you get it sorted out. It may well just be an error with someone new not understanding just how complicated WikiTree can be.

I am also wondering what sysops is as I've seen that a few times recently, but have not been able to find out what the tag signifies.

Take care!

Julie

Comments

Honestly? I just picked the best tags suited for this situation. Sysops seemed like the best idea because it is a forum moderator issue. And judging by the related posts it seems like this issue has been going on for a while. It may just be newbie errors. I dunno. Just really annoying. Not taking it personally. I just thought it was an issue that needed to be brought up because having it happen twice in a day is just far from being a coincidence.

Both ironically involved the Puritan Great Migration.

Whatever.

Thanks for the comment! =D

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If "Honestly?" means am I sorry to hear you are having problems, I am as I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have posts flagged without any reason - I certainly can't see any.

If "Honestly?" is surprise that I don't know what sysops means, yes it is true. And I'm still not really any the wiser. Assuming it is systems operations.

Hope it all gets sorted out!

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On WikiTree, the sysops (system operators) are the WikiTree Team members.  They manage the technical and behind the scenes aspects of the forum.

Others who assist in the G2G forum include Moderators and Leaders.

Flagging a post brings it to the attention of the Moderators and the sysops.  We generally suggest using it when a post is inappropriate, but it can be used in other ways to produce the same result.  It is a little flexible.

After reviewing the flagged content one of the members listed above might leave the flags, remove them, or take other measures to correct an issue.

Receiving flags does not in any way hurt you or your account.

The g2g tag "sysops" is acceptable for use and is a suggested tag.

Most propper g2g tags refer to plurals such as "leaders" instead of "leader".  When unsure, you can click a tag and see how many (if any) have used that tag.

I hope some of this is useful or interesting to you... have a super day!

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Thanks, Keith. Good to know how moderating works here. Usually when stuff is flagged elsewhere it hurts an account. Like if someone flags a Youtube video, that video could conceivably be taken down. Or if it's on a forum someone could be banned.

I was just confused because where I go on the Internet getting flagged hurts the account. It gets people banned. That's why I was like 'What's going on here?"

Not taking it personally. But, it was just odd.

Thanks for clearing it up.

@Julie. "Honestly" just means I just picked random tags. =) I wasn't sure which ones would suit the thread. Sorry for the confusion.

Answer 2

I looked at the original post, Chris, and I see no reason for it to be flagged. The flag SHOULD BE REMOVED by sysops, in my opinion (by the way, I answered the question you asked.)  The only thing I see is your somewhat irreverent opening: "Like it says on the tin" which doesn't bother me in the least.

Comments

LOL. Well, Jim, How else would I begin a thread? Thanks for your answer.  I commented back.  Never been called irreverent. I'll take it. =)

I try to be as laid back as possible with posts. Always have been regardless of forums. Never really had an issue and I've been online for ages.

Dunno why it was flagged, either. Usually posts that are flagged are reported to moderators. I know this from experience in moderating places.  Don't want people getting me in trouble over something...well...stupid. That's the best way I can describe it. Or trivial. Thanks for the comment.

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When flags are given without due justification the moderators remove them and nobody is in any trouble.  Sometimes a friendly word about their suggested use is shared with the flagger.

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Hmm... As a moderator, I've removed quite a few obviously misplaced flags, but I can't ever see who added the flag, so I can't contact the flagger about the error.

Added: I can see who hid a hidden post, but I can't see who added a flag.