Grammar InSpecter

October 14, 2012 1:04 PM

How about a spelling/grammar reason to flag FPPs?

For example, the current post on Arlen Specter misspells his name, and so the tag is also wrong. Subsequent comments correct the error, but the FPP remains incorrect. Not a big deal, but it does happen fairly often, and an additional flagging reason (spelling/grammar) would be a quick and unobtrusive way to get the mods to make a fix, instead of making a comment in the thread.

posted by weapons-grade pandemonium to Feature Requests at 1:04 PM (69 comments total)

I just use the html/display error flag for that kind of stuff.
posted by LionIndex at 1:05 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

For something like that, it's way more effective to just use the contact form - a simple flag doesn't tell us what's wrong, and assumes we're going to be able to catch and correct it, which isn't always the case.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 1:06 PM on October 14, 2012

The contact form is the way to handle things like this.
posted by hippybear at 1:17 PM on October 14, 2012

I want a flag for redundant responses.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 1:43 PM on October 14, 2012 [8 favorites]

I want a flag for edit window abuses, but I also want a pink unicorn to appear in my backyard.

Also I want a backyard! Mods?
posted by lalex at 1:58 PM on October 14, 2012

For edit window abuses, flagging as "other" or using the contact form both work well. That is something we're taking seriously, so please do let us know.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:01 PM on October 14, 2012

Flagging actually doesn't work well because there's no way to indicate that an otherwise non-troublesome comment is problematic because it's been changed a few times. Where's the flag for "hey, this comment used to be different"?

I've actually non-intentionally abused the edit window recently and frequently, and I'd guess nobody has flagged my comments.

Edited to add: can we please have an "edit abuse" flag?
posted by lalex at 2:06 PM on October 14, 2012

Well, we can see an "edited by" message under every comment, and if I get a flag on something that doesn't otherwise make sense, and it's been edited, I'll check the edit history on it. It's far from perfect, though, and the contact form is super helpful if something is complicated.

(And I'm not sure what you're referring to as "abuse" - looking through your edit history, it seems within tolerances.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:11 PM on October 14, 2012

What if the spelling error is on purpose, to service a pun?
posted by Renoroc at 2:12 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

And, hey, a good example of why we don't want people to do the "edited to add" thing - I couldn't see that until I hit "submit" and refreshed the page.

We're not categorically opposed to adding a flag category, we're just letting things shake out for the moment to see what makes the most sense in terms of enforcement.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:12 PM on October 14, 2012

hey guys have you heard of the contact form i hear it's pretty cool
posted by klangklangston at 2:12 PM on October 14, 2012

(And I'm not sure what you're referring to as "abuse" - looking through your edit history, it seems within tolerances.)

Really? I can think of several times where I've edited comments to change their meaning, which I though was verboten under the current "fix typos only" rule.
posted by lalex at 2:14 PM on October 14, 2012

There are too many flag categories. If there were fewer people might get the fact that you don't need a flag category for every damn thing.
posted by grouse at 2:16 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

Looser.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:16 PM on October 14, 2012

Really? I can think of several times where I've edited comments to change their meaning, which I though was verboten under the current "fix typos only" rule.

You are correct in that that is verboten (and the dog name edit was over the line, yes; please don't do that.) I didn't go digging for context on the others, maybe I missed something. (But, again, if you know it's against the rules... please don't do it? We haven't had to ban anyone yet and we'd like to keep it that way.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:20 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

i use "it breaks the guidelines" for edit window abuses.
posted by nadawi at 2:22 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

(and the dog name edit was over the line, yes; please don't do that.)

Actually, I wasn't thinking of the dog name edit. I edited my comment in that thread to add one possible dog name, and to say that I liked the OP's chosen dog name. Are added afterthoughts considered an abuse of the edit function?
posted by lalex at 2:24 PM on October 14, 2012

Yeah - they break the linear flow of the conversation. (They don't show up until people refresh the page, which means people looking at the page will respond to the unedited comment, not the new one.) Just make a new comment.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:29 PM on October 14, 2012

It seems pretty clear from the edit comment window that the ONLY appropriate use is typos.
posted by muddgirl at 2:30 PM on October 14, 2012 [5 favorites]

"Please don't add/change/delete the content of a comment. This is for typos and small fixes only. Write an additional comment or contact the mods if there's a bigger issue."
posted by muddgirl at 2:30 PM on October 14, 2012

It's pretty clear from the MeTa comment form that everybody needs a hug, but there sure is a dearth of hugs.
posted by grouse at 2:41 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

There is a shortage in the hug supply,
But there is no shortage of hugs.
posted by running order squabble fest at 2:42 PM on October 14, 2012 [6 favorites]

posted by LobsterMitten (staff)

I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
posted by ersatz at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2012

posted by LobsterMitten (staff)

Out of curiosity, what day did the [staff] tag go into effect for the two newest mods? This is the first I've noticed it.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2012

OK, so what flag should we use when we see the (frequent) substantive edits of comments?

Edited to add that I think a five minute edit window is insanely long.
posted by lalex at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2012

Every time I've used the contact form, it has worked. I recommend it!
posted by the man of twists and turns at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

Out of curiosity, what day did the [staff] tag go into effect for the two newest mods? This is the first I've noticed it.

Earlier this week. Monday or Tuesday maybe?

OK, so what flag should we use when we see the (frequent) substantive edits of comments?

"Breaks the guidelines" or "other" would be fine, drop us a line if you want to draw our attention to a pattern by a particular user or something that seems to require explanation.

We're not all het up about it right now, we're all definitely in the education phase, but we do want to nip bad habits right off and fine-tune our messaging and tools, so the more feedback we get, the better.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:46 PM on October 14, 2012

but there sure is a dearth of hugs.

I give someone a hug (IRL) every time I post a comment here. I thought that was the rule :(
posted by muddgirl at 3:19 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

Never mind the other stuff. The first sentence is in the present tense ("is known"), which implies that he is still alive.
posted by spitbull at 3:45 PM on October 14, 2012

A. Specter is haunting MetaFilter. The specter of spelling issues and edit windows!
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:33 PM on October 14, 2012 [3 favorites]

I want a flag for redundant favorites.
posted by davejay at 4:53 PM on October 14, 2012

I give someone a hug (IRL) every time I post a comment here.

Me, too. That's why I have to have two kids, so I don't wear either of them out with hugging.
posted by davejay at 4:54 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

Out of curiosity, what day did the [staff] tag go into effect for the two newest mods? This is the first I've noticed it.

Few days ago. Today was LMs first "official" shift so she's talking up a storm in here and you can notice it. Nice work LobsterMitten!

And yeah I think we've only had a short "Hey, maybe dial it back a little?" exchange with a few users and only one where there's been any sort of raised eyebrow situation. We know five minutes is long but if you have a super long comment with some complicated HTML or something we wanted to give people enough time to fix it on their own. We know this exchanges one twitchy nerd thing [I can't stand looking at the typos of myself or other people!] with a different twitchy nerd thing [the clarity must flow...] but so far it seems worth it and mostly useful.

There are lots of hugs at my house. You know how some people hoard cats... I have a different sort of problem.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:51 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

This should be implemented as a special class of flags visible only to the flagger.
posted by Artw at 6:00 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

It's pretty clear from the MeTa comment form that everybody needs a hug, but there sure is a dearth of hugs.

Bugs. It should say bugs.

Hang on, I'll send you some.
posted by Artw at 6:02 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

Hugs smell better than cats by far.
posted by not_on_display at 6:12 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

I can testify that cats fed raw food smell much, much better than cats fed cooked food (or, god forbid, kibble). I can always tell when my husband has flaked on getting to the pet supply store for the frozen raw stuff and has instead tried to sneak in an "emergency" can of cooked food because suddenly it's not safe to go within 25 feet of the litterbox if either cat is in occupation. Phew!
posted by Lexica at 7:50 PM on October 14, 2012

MetaFilter: a different twitchy nerd thing.
posted by Curious Artificer at 7:56 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

My cat's shit doesn't stink. True story. (Grainfree diet, yo.)
posted by heyho at 8:15 PM on October 14, 2012

Coincidentally, we got the staff tags on Oct 10, mathowie's birthday. This is the first comment I left with it, I think.

But I'm sad to report that my cat's shit still stinks.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:04 PM on October 14, 2012

This may be an odd question, but with the new edit window, are we obligated to correct spelling or grammar or any editable issues if we see it, or can I just let it be? I have no issues accepting minor mistakes and never liked the idea of the edit window. Quite frankly, I am scared of it. I would rather let an error be than risk making a change that breaks the guidelines even if it is done in good faith and unintentionally. Also, do moderators correct other folk's errors if they see them or are they left up to the user who made the error to correct?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:06 PM on October 14, 2012

Nah, the edit window is entirely at your discretion. We do not correct typos except when asked, and now that you can do your own, probably not so much then. (We haven't gotten a comment-based request since it went up that I remember.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:12 PM on October 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thank yoiu restless_nomad for the quick respponse.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:16 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

Metafilter: a twitchy nerd thing
posted by Jahaza at 9:38 PM on October 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

Thank yoiu restless_nomad for the quick respponse.

Argghh... too late for a fix!
posted by Jahaza at 9:39 PM on October 14, 2012

Fixing spelling and grammar is one of the awesome things that happens here.
posted by Brocktoon at 11:34 PM on October 14, 2012

Are added afterthoughts considered an abuse of the edit function?

I realize that this has already been answered, but, from the EDIT function verbiage(he said, realizing he would have to break the rules in order to make his point):

This is for typos and small fixes only.
posted by philip-random at 11:50 PM on October 14, 2012

I promise not to do it again.
posted by philip-random at 11:52 PM on October 14, 2012

I want a flag for redundant acronym syndrome. Any time someone says ATM machine or PIN number I want to know the mods will be all over it. I've been using the Racism/Sexism flag to report it up to now.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 3:49 AM on October 15, 2012 [5 favorites]

I agree with ArmyofKittens, and propose that the flag be titled "RAS Syndrome", just to see if the people who are bothered by this can bring themselves to click on such a flag.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:44 AM on October 15, 2012 [4 favorites]

I want a flag for redundant acronym syndrome.

Hilarious comment! I LMFAO'd my fucking ass off!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:56 AM on October 15, 2012

the current post on Arlen Specter misspells his name

Meanwhile, Phil Spectre is still in prison.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:01 AM on October 15, 2012

I want a flag for redundant acronym syndrome.

Okay, but only on FPP posts.
posted by taz (staff) at 6:37 AM on October 15, 2012 [2 favorites]

taz: "Okay, but only on FPP posts."

Flagged as Racism/Sexism.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 6:56 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

it's way more effective to just use the contact form - a simple flag doesn't tell us what's wrong

This is generally the case, though as a stopgap if you can't get to the contact form what you can do is flag the post while communicating the details to us via the substrate of the collective consciousness. Before you click the button, begin meditating and visualize the appropriate all-suffusing color appropriate to the reason and sub-reason for the flag. In the case of typos and misspellings, that's a sort of low-key mid-tone brownish pink.

In other words, flag and mauve om.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:34 AM on October 15, 2012 [9 favorites]

End Grocer's Apostrophe's Through Judicious Use of Flag's
posted by Mister_A at 7:40 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm sorry, every time y'all talk about flags, I think of this bit: Do you have a flag?
posted by patheral at 8:22 AM on October 15, 2012

It would be really cool if the contact form had a field for URL, and that was auto-filled in with the page you clicked Contact on.
posted by smackfu at 9:13 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Vote #1 quidnunc kid to replace the tired and worn "flag" system with an updated international maritime signal system, allowing YOU, the user of MeFi, to tell ME, the new absolute ruler of MeFi, whatever you want, in exacting detail. You can use this new system to signal, "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me" or "my nets have come fast upon an obstruction" or even "I require a tug."

So vote #1 quidnunc kid, because everyone needs a tug.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 9:30 AM on October 15, 2012 [6 favorites]

Mr. The Quidnic Kid, if you can figure out how to provide tugs over the internet, I will stand at attention and vote.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:33 AM on October 15, 2012

In other words, flag and mauve om.

##########################################################
| Software Failure. Press left mouse button to continue. |
|Guru Mediatation #00000004.00000AACO|
##########################################################
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:47 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

I see you and raise you.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:57 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Quidnunc, I need to converse with you about huge ships.
posted by Mister_A at 9:58 AM on October 15, 2012

the dramatic reinterpretation of one of literature's classics - the semaphore version of Wuthering Heights
posted by philip-random at 10:06 AM on October 15, 2012

Whoa.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:07 AM on October 15, 2012

This should be implemented as a special class of flags visible only to the flagger.

aka Hell flags.
posted by bonehead at 10:13 AM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Meanwhile, Phil Spectre is still in prison.

Yes, but Ernst Stavro Blofeld remains at large.
posted by TedW at 3:16 PM on October 15, 2012

In other words, flag and mauve om.

Good god that man can set up a pun!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:36 PM on October 15, 2012

but there sure is a dearth of hugs.
No shortage of hugs here, just nobody to give them to :-(

... propose that the flag be titled "RAS Syndrome", just to see if the people who are bothered by this can bring themselves to click on such a flag.
The collective twitching could well throw the earth off its orbit.
posted by dg at 7:35 PM on October 15, 2012 [1 favorite]