# Reported
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [September 20, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994 "2011-09-20T22:25:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/21 "2011-09-21T01:15:31Z")
> [@cochrane](#):
>
> Besides, it was six months ago, and it’s just now bothering you?
Didn’t notice dates. Believe both threads have had recent posts. I’d be very surprised if there were no other similar examples, but these are the two I’ve noticed.
> [@monty](#):
>
> Officious rudeness? I realize that plenty of sites (far too many, in fact) are basically kindergarten. Luckily for us, the SDMB is not part of that inanity. Adults gather here, so to speak, and interact in an adult manner. “Fear of Snitching” is a childish viewpoint and contributes to the decay of many things that were once good, IMHO. As others have posted above, notifying others who see the spam post about it being reported serves to save those others time and effort; it also serves to save the mods/admins from wading through tons of reports on the same thing.
It’s all quite grand to be sure, but I see the flame bait “Report” posts as the childish, particularly the two I linked. As I pointed out above, I’m aware of the usefulness of the practice, but thanks for repeating the rationale.
This makes me curious, now. Aren’t mods going to read the threads eventually anyhow?
---
### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/22 "2011-09-21T01:17:51Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Where is **manhattan** when you really need him?
Last I checked he was off in the Greater Magellanic, creating new new planet with new life. Seemed happy enough. Dating Inanna, Queen of Heaven.
---
### Author:  [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/23 "2011-09-21T01:23:51Z")
It was covered pretty recently in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13500729#post13500729).
> [@Multiple Spam Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-spam-reports/572435/4):
>
> Reports go to every mod for the forum that the reported thread is in. If one of those mods is online when the report comes in, the spam is usually dealt with immediately; otherwise it has to wait till one of us logs in.
>
> As **runner pat** (who is a world-class spam spotter, BTW) said, multiple reports don’t make anything happen any faster, it’s all a matter of which mod is online when. So, yes, report the post then post in the thread saying “reported” so others know they don’t need to.
>
> Also, if you see multiple instances of spam by the same spammer _in the same forum_, you don’t have to report all of them, since we automatically delete all spam by a particular person as part of the banning process. If you see the same spammer in different forums, though, go ahead and report, since the mods in one forum may read the email sooner than the mods in the other.
>
> There is no master email queue of reports. A mod may just happen to see spam in another person’s forum while reading the boards (as we all do, being members as well as mods), in which case we’ll go ahead and delete. And since \*all \*spam goes when we delete the spam, if I’m banning someone who popped up in MPSIMS, whatever he or she spammed in GQ and IMHO will disappear as well, even though I didn’t see the reports to the mods in those forums.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> **twickster** , MPSIMS and Cafe Society moderator
> [@Multiple Spam Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-spam-reports/572435/5):
>
> Just to reinforce what **twickster** said, if you see a spam post or thread, please report it and then simply post “reported” in the thread so others know they don’t need to. The forum moderators will see the report and deal with it if we are online. Multiple reports don’t get rid of the spam any faster. When I see 10 “reported posts” in a row my inbox, it is generally multiple reports of the same spam post. We certainly appreciate people trying to be helpful, but it takes more time to go through them all than if there were just one report.
> [@Multiple Spam Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-spam-reports/572435/6):
>
> Yes, what **Colibri** and **twickster** said, but I’d add: we’d rather go through a dozen reports of the same spam than have people avoid reporting something for fear of duplication. Failure to catch spam quickly is worse than having to go through multiple reports. So, if in doubt, report it… please! Then post that you’ve reported it so others needn’t.
---
### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/24 "2011-09-21T01:32:25Z")
Might I add that it would be nice, if the problem is spam or an offensive link, if y’all didn’t quote the offending post then say you reported it. When you do so it gives us two links to break instead of just one.
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### Author:  [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/25 "2011-09-21T01:51:48Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#):
>
> Deported
Retorted.
---
### Author:  [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/26 "2011-09-21T01:59:24Z")
Maybe it helps, but RP always seems like he’s bucking for teacher’s pet. [In this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13698056&postcount=16) he proactively reported a perfectly good thread just because it looked weird (to him).
But again, what do I know.
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### Author:  [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/27 "2011-09-21T02:04:41Z")
Re-poured it.
---
### Author:  [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/28 "2011-09-21T02:10:01Z")
Sorted:
[ol]
[li] **Ask, Don’t** : Resorted[/li][li] **Chameleon, Kid** : Retorted[/li][li] **Duck, Man** : Re-poured it[/li][li] **Horse, Crazy** : Deported[/li][li] **Mace, John** : Reported[/li][li] **Panda, Darth** : Retorted[/li][/ol]
---
### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/29 "2011-09-21T02:23:44Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#):
>
> This makes me curious, now. Aren’t mods going to read the threads eventually anyhow?
I’m not a mod (obviously) but I don’t think they read every single post of every single thread, which is why they want people to report stuff (and not just spam).
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/30 "2011-09-21T03:18:52Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> I’m not a mod (obviously) but I don’t think they read every single post of every single thread, which is why they want people to report stuff (and not just spam).
I am a mod (obviously), and this is correct. There are plenty of threads that aren’t of interest to me, so I don’t read them. We absolutely rely on you guys to not only report spam but to report possible rules violations, etc.
And remember, speaking of “etc.,” that you can report your own post, so if you need mod action (forum move, typo fixed in thread title, etc.), go ahead and report it, instead of just saying “yo, mods, couldja…” in the thread. We may or may not see that request in the thread, and you’re not imposing to ask.
---
### Author:  [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/31 "2011-09-21T03:20:52Z")
I think posting “reported” should only be used for really obvious spam, to prevent mods from being inundated by reports. If it’s a borderline case, report it, but don’t post “reported.” That’s kind of obnoxious and insulting to someone who may well have posted a link in good faith.
By really obvious I mean something like “Hey guys, great website! Check out great deals on watches, footwear etc. at [www.yornutsifyouclickthis.com](http://www.yornutsifyouclickthis.com)”
---
### Author:  [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/32 "2011-09-21T03:24:45Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#):
>
> Check out great deals on watches, footwear etc. at [www.yornutsifyouclickthis.com](http://www.yornutsifyouclickthis.com)"
Reported
---
### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/33 "2011-09-21T03:27:21Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Sorted:
> [ol]
> [li] **Ask, Don’t** : Resorted[/li][li] **Chameleon, Kid** : Retorted[/li][li] **Duck, Man** : Re-poured it[/li][li] **Horse, Crazy** : Deported[/li][li] **Mace, John** : Reported[/li][li] **Panda, Darth** : Retorted[/li][/ol]
And once they’re all nice and in a row… **snorted**
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/34 "2011-09-21T03:35:40Z")
Contacted my attorney. Torted.
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### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/35 "2011-09-21T04:03:09Z")
> [@PlainJain](#):
>
> Maybe it helps, but RP always seems like he’s bucking for teacher’s pet. [In this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13698056&postcount=16) he proactively reported a perfectly good thread just because it looked weird (to him).
>
> But again, what do I know.
I disagree with this post except the last part.
If you are online at certain times, when most of the members are asleep, it seems to be the time in particular where the foreign language spammers become active. Runner Pat seems to be online at that time (I am because of time differences) and reports spam messages - most of which are obvious. It is not inconceivable that an innocent post gets caught up.
Calling him a teachers pet in this forum is not called for.
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### Author:  [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/36 "2011-09-21T04:06:40Z")
I think this thread needs to be aborted.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/37 "2011-09-21T04:13:24Z")
> [@PlainJain](#):
>
> Maybe it helps, but RP always seems like he’s bucking for teacher’s pet. [In this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13698056&postcount=16) he proactively reported a perfectly good thread just because it looked weird (to him).
>
> But again, what do I know.
Frankly, **runner\_pat** is almost always on the mark with his reports of spam. I’d rather have him make an occasional mistake rather than not be so vigilant. I don’t think describing this as being a “teacher’s pet” is particularly helpful on your part.
However, as **samclem** noted, posting “reported” should generally be limited to spam; otherwise it can come across as junior modding.
---
### Author:  [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/38 "2011-09-21T04:17:54Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> However, as **samclem** noted, posting “reported” should generally be limited to spam; otherwise it can come across as junior modding.
I’ll post it if the rationale behind the report is administrative-based, such as spam, wrong forum, mistake in title, requests (where the poster didn’t request himself), etc. Substantive/judgment calls (e.g. non-pit insults) don’t get an in-thread notice.
My reasoning, though, is a bit contorted.
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### Author:  [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/39 "2011-09-21T04:22:24Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Frankly, **runner\_pat** is almost always on the mark with his reports of spam. I’d rather have him make an occasional mistake rather than not be so vigilant. I don’t think describing this as being a “teacher’s pet” is particularly helpful on your part.
>
> However, as **samclem** noted, posting “reported” should generally be limited to spam; otherwise it can come across as junior modding.
It’s the posting of “reported” that **Dave Hartwick** was complaining about. nobody objects to reporting bad posts, even borderline cases. But except for really obvious spam, there’s no need to tell the world that you’ve reported it, as you yourself note. At best it’s pointless and at worst it annoys and insults a good-faith poster.
---
### Author:  [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reported/596994/40 "2011-09-21T05:12:22Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Where is **manhattan** when you really need him?
Dude, whatever the history was betwix y’all let it go. Manhattan’s been gone for years.
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