# Moderator Actions in polls should affixed to the OP **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 6, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702 "2011-08-06T05:24:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/41 "2011-08-06T20:45:20Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > **I don’t disagree with anything you just said.** But on the flip side of the coin, there is a huge uproar arising over a handful of people who received Mod Warnings - something that doesn’t even rise to the level of a slap on the wrist. > > As I understand it, if such infractions ever add up to the level of coming under review, the frequency and specific circumstances of each of them is considered. IOW, the chances are close to nil that any of those who received warnings will be impacted by them in any way, unless they’re practically trying to rack them up. > > Just saying… a little more perspective = a little less outrage. You have a good point on one hand, but as far as the principle of the thing, it _is_ outrageous. And I think principles are important concerning this. I agree with SoulFrost, and esp the post by RaftPeople. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/42 "2011-08-07T01:45:16Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > But no, it does not automatically follow that they have to then post their reasoning without having read the full thread. Why should a poll thread be different to any other type of thread in that regard? The only difference in a poll thread is that you can make a recorded vote, and I doubt anybody has ever been warned for that. I don’t agree. **Sklad the Rhymer’s** hypothetical posts would be a good example. Often, the complexity of his situations require one to post a reply. His “Other” choices in the polls are often the best, and include instructions to post a detailed response. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/43 "2011-08-07T01:46:59Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > It doesn’t seem desirable for mod actions to be implemented differently depending on what kind of thread is at hand. This is confusing at best. I am not arguing that the moderation protocol change in anyway. I am pointing out a situation where moderator actions could be innocently unnoticed, and a simple solution to draw the reader’ attention to that action. The rules in a poll should not change anymore then the rules in any thread could change by way of moderator action. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/44 "2011-08-07T01:53:38Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Also, as has already been noted, if someone reads the op before any mod notes are added and then posts, that person will assume that one reading is sufficient if she/he decides to post again in that thread. Posters would have to go back and re-read the OP before every posting to see if anything new were added to it, wouldn’t they? I think if someone is posting multiple times to a poll thread, they are responsible for reading the entire discussion, just as the rules apply to every other thread. Moderator actions in polls should not be exclusive to the OP and should be posted as a reply, as per standard procedure. I am suggesting a solution to the poll-thread-responders’ unique behavior of post first, read later. I am in no way suggesting that users could be allowed to participate in a discusion without reading the entire thread, including mod notes. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/45 "2011-08-07T02:08:51Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > ETA, I see the problem with that now…notes being added to the OP after someone has already read it…can’t win them all. I suppose all you can hope for is that after your post, you will read all subsequent posts even if you haven’t read the ones prior to yours. If a moderator note is added to the OP AFTER a poster has read the OP but BEFORE they respond to the thread, I’m pretty sure that would be considered a simul-post. That could happen anywhere, and I doubt that poster would get a warning. If a moderator note is added to the OP AFTER a poster has read the OP and AFTER they already responded, the poster will be expected to follow the actual moderator instructions located within the thread. The moderator note in the OP is only a pointer (and likely a summary) to the actual moderator action located in the thread. A thread participant does not need to recheck the OP for mod notes, they only need to read the new posts since their last visit. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/46 "2011-08-07T02:13:12Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Recently I contributed nothing worthwhile to a thread. I thought I was getting too close so I unsubscribed to the thread. A while later I went back to see what was happening and decided to reply to the thread. > > In the interim a Mod has issued a caution. I wasn’t aware of it and posted. I got a warning. > > To me that is fair enough. **It is my responsibility to ensure I am up to date with the thread.** Bolding Mine. Correct. you never had any reasonable excuse to post without reading the discussion. Someone posting their initial response to a poll does. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/47 "2011-08-07T18:30:23Z")
[QUOTE=TubaDiva] Refusal to read all relevant posts in a thread and being ignorant of posted moderator instructions is no excuse. [/QUOTE] So what’s the excuse for… A) Warning those who didn’t violate the “debate” rule? B) Not warning others who continued to “debate” in a very similar manner after the initial four warnings? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/48 "2011-08-07T23:01:20Z")
Just jumping in to say I would have been in the same situation. For most threads I read before replying but for Polls I either vote/read/reply or vote/reply/read depending on the question being asked. For some questions it just seems more honest to post my initial thoughts without influence by what is already there. I think adding short summary of mod notes to the OP’s in polls would be an excellent addition. If someone has already read the OP and posted their initial response, a requirement to be up to date on the thread before replying again seems reasonable and the normal location of the mod note would cover those readers. Another to consider - what about someone who catches up on all the threads, starts typing their response and by the time they hit submit they’re in violation of a new mod note. I’ve seen other boards where they warn you if additional replies have been posted since you started and suggest that you preview. Is that an option with this version of board software? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/49 "2011-08-07T23:07:47Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Is that an option with this version of board software? If I understand you correctly, you can already preview posts. There’s a link right next to “Submit Reply” on the Reply page itself (and not Quick Reply). IIRC, it should also show any posts made up to that point. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702/50 "2011-08-08T01:23:14Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > If I understand you correctly, you can already preview posts. There’s a link right next to “Submit Reply” on the Reply page itself (and not Quick Reply). IIRC, it should also show any posts made up to that point. Yes I understand that but the feature I was referring to presents you with the message “new posts have been added since you started your reply, do you wish to preview” when you try and hit post. It’s very helpful on busy threads. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderator-actions-in-polls-should-affixed-to-the-op/591702.md?page=2)