standard reply for noobs asking about locks in use?

[femurat]

Every now and then I see a noob with (potentially) bad intentions asking help to pick a lock in use, not owned, on a shop door... or trying to pick a high security lock on a vending/washing machine...

I feel very sad when I see other members trying to explain why he shouldn't do that. I feel even more sad when I see the noob complaining about the answer received.

How about a standard reply to this situations? Any member could just copy and paste the standard answer without the unneeded effort to find the right words to explain that. To prevent possible replies and complaint of the noob a locked topic in the FAQ could be even better...

What do you think about this idea? Sorry, today I feel very moralist, I know

[edit- love it, poll added, and reply typed below. Go nuts!-unlisted]

[unlisted]

Well, as many like to "self moderate" the forums a bit, as far as I know (the other mods/admins) do not mind, nor do I for this type of query response.


I do understand where you are coming from, but alas, we will still have n00bs constantly posting with "possible ill intent" and a standard response (even with a URL link explaining more) will still just get the same retorted questions from the OP.

I'm all for leaving it as is, and just letting the forum members "have at it" until a mod/admin stumbles upon it.


I would like to remind everyone about that neat little "report post" icon, and encourage members to use it. It makes the moderators/administrators jobs so much easier in the long run.

[Schuyler]

There have been a few members who have come up with copy/paste replies in the past, but the OP response is usually the same as if you just said "Don't pick locks in use, buddy."

However, if you want to whip one up for yourself and people like it, it might get wider-spread use.

[unlisted]

I even think there was a thread dedicated to this subject before.. if anyone can dig it up, I can make it a sticky.


I kinda like this idea. - direct them to a link stating why not to pick locks in use, etc.. and if they persist, a mod can easily lock it, since its a "FAQ" and has been explained.

[unlisted]

Gotta love n00bs... Who is with me?

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4370&p=347046#p347046


Okay, here is the deal, lets make a "standard" n00b response for "fun" threads. Since its been a common recurring subject since 2004.... The community is more than welcome to make submissions, and there will be a final vote, added to a FAQ or sticky, and.. Thats pretty much it.

So, who wants to tackle the "n00b standard response?" (please keep in mind, this is a "family friendly" forum, and replies should be professional-ish)

[FarmerFreak]

I say it's worth a try. I don't think we have anything to lose by trying it.

I like the professionalism in Romstars post. It should probably say something about picking locks in use though.

And it may not change the noobs response (I dislike the word noob), but it would be easy enough to post the link. And if we decide later that it's pointless, then we can remove the sticky,...er..uh..you can unlisted.

[cppdungeon]

I think this is an alright idea, but you need to preserve the ability for stupid people to ask suspicious questions; it's a red flag we can't stand to loose. My only argument against it is that it is a bit impersonal, and I feel like the personal connection when someone is genuinely misunderstood--when the person is initially rejected, judged incorrectly, and then rejudged and encouraged--that is something that brings people into our community, and i something i would not want to loose either.

--Cpp

[unlisted]

Hence asking for everyone's input. I'm not going to put it together, and it will be upto the members to decide.


It also will not cause an "auto lock" of a topic, so there can be responses thereafter it.

[raimundo]

Unlisted,
report post, you mean I haven't found this, I pm a moderator when I find spam, and I coulda been just checking a box?..........

[tjweaver84]

The little exclamation point above the quote button in all the posts is the "Report this thread" button

[Squelchtone]

The problem should be stopped at the gates, not after the person is already on the forum wandering around the court yard.

I don't remember when I first registered, but I don't recall any kind of EULA or 10 commandments that I had to check a box and say ,"I read this, and agree not to be a troll, not to pick locks in use, etc, etc". Perhaps phpbb is customizable enough to allow for the Rules to be forced upon the user, as well as our moral opinions on how and where to pick or not pick certain locks.

I also don't agree with being able to read 90% of the forum without even creating a user name and without logging in, but that's another bees nest that I would rather not throw rocks at right now.

my .02

Squelchtone

[LocksmithArmy]

The problem should be stopped at the gates, not after the person is already on the forum wandering around the court yard.

I don't remember when I first registered, but I don't recall any kind of EULA or 10 commandments that I had to check a box and say ,"I read this, and agree not to be a troll, not to pick locks in use, etc, etc". Perhaps phpbb is customizable enough to allow for the Rules to be forced upon the user, as well as our moral opinions on how and where to pick or not pick certain locks.

I agree with this, although people could just check the boxes without reading it, it would be a big step tword accidental spam. I feel most people who break the rules immediatly with silly posts like"how do i pick my own door" or give pictures of locks obviously in use are just negligent not actually criminals... so I think squelchtones idea is a good way to inform these people of what they can and cant do right away.

just add a quick page before the index page where they much check a couple boxes before hitting the index. dont make them huge paragraphs or people will ignore them and just check the box. just a sentenc with a box then move to the next sentence and box...

[unlisted]

There is a main rules page you need to read when registering, or at least there was about a year ago...

but, like every other user agreement on-line, pple just pass by and press the necessary buttons. Ever read that user agreement when installing windows? heh...

I still think a standard response contained in a sticky with more detail is the way to go.

And that funky little Triangle with the "!" in the middle, its your friend for anything a mod/admin needs to see which does not involve direct conservation. (report off topic threads, spam, rudeness, fighting, etc)

Think of it like dialling 911 or 611. Quicker that way than a PM since moderators log on/off at different times, and some don't sign in for a few days @ a time.

[ElbowMacaroni]

I don't remember when I first registered, but I don't recall any kind of EULA or 10 commandments that I had to check a box and say ,"I read this, and agree not to be a troll, not to pick locks in use, etc, etc". Perhaps phpbb is customizable enough to allow for the Rules to be forced upon the user, as well as our moral opinions on how and where to pick or not pick certain locks.
Squelchtone

from what I remember from before I switched all my sites to Joomla due to a period of relentless security problems in phpBB years back, you can require acknowledgment of a customizable TOS.

-EM

[unlisted]

I don't remember when I first registered, but I don't recall any kind of EULA or 10 commandments that I had to check a box and say ,"I read this, and agree not to be a troll, not to pick locks in use, etc, etc". Perhaps phpbb is customizable enough to allow for the Rules to be forced upon the user, as well as our moral opinions on how and where to pick or not pick certain locks.
Squelchtone

from what I remember from before I switched all my sites to Joomla due to a period of relentless security problems in phpBB years back, you can require acknowledgment of a customizable TOS.

-EM

Again, this is not the topic/subject @ hand. Lets keep this on topic.

Someone must have some ideas.. anyone?