Form Letters
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Happy Saturday, folks!
I posted a response to Wysper's "Open Discussion" debate thread, and I thought I should probably move it to suggestions (since it is, after all, suggesting something >.>).
In light of the somewhat recent discussion on how mods come off as mean in their warning messages, I thought it might be a good idea to have a series of "form letters" Mods can use when messaging users with warnings, bans, and whatever else they message users for. The use of form letters will prevent users from getting their feelings hurt by the mods' phrasing.
Some people on the other thread were concerned that form letters would come off as even harsher. I don't think this is the case, especially if it's widely known that they are, indeed, form letters. There won't be any personal motives behind the phrasing of them - they'll be standard things that all users get when they break a rule, or whatever.
Another concern was brought up about users replying back to the message with questions, and how there wouldn't be a form for the mods to use. I'm not sure exactly what kind of questions users would ask in response (maybe "Why?" or "I didn't do this!! Where's the proof that I did?"), but I don't think it would be too difficult to create a couple standard replies (or an example of a recommended reply).
I typed up a small example of a form letter for a warning. I'm not sure exactly what needs to be in these, but this will give you an idea of what I was thinking:
"Hello (Username),
This message is a reminder that it is against the rules of Alacrity to (do whatever thing they did). Please keep this in mind and do not (do whatever it was) again. If you repeatedly break this rule, you will (receive another warning, fine, punishment, etc)." (End with something kind of positive, like "Our goal is to keep Alacrity a fun and friendly place, and blah blah yackity yada").
J'aime suggested that mods institute the use of smiley faces in their letters, and I agree - a simple smiley can go a long way towards clarifying the tone of your message!
If a form letter seems a little too drastic, something else that might work is a list of "recommended words" and "words to avoid" (I'm not sure exactly what words are typically used in Mod messages, or how they come off, so if you've got suggestions on these, please share!). A list like this could also be great in addition to form letters, especially for the questions users ask in reply to warnings.
Mods, please don't take this suggestion the wrong way - I've never been on the receiving end of one of your messages, so I'm not in a place to judge. I'm just reacting to the posts I've seen from other users about the sometimes harsh tone in warning/banning/whatever messages. No offense intended to you guys :)
I posted a response to Wysper's "Open Discussion" debate thread, and I thought I should probably move it to suggestions (since it is, after all, suggesting something >.>).
In light of the somewhat recent discussion on how mods come off as mean in their warning messages, I thought it might be a good idea to have a series of "form letters" Mods can use when messaging users with warnings, bans, and whatever else they message users for. The use of form letters will prevent users from getting their feelings hurt by the mods' phrasing.
Some people on the other thread were concerned that form letters would come off as even harsher. I don't think this is the case, especially if it's widely known that they are, indeed, form letters. There won't be any personal motives behind the phrasing of them - they'll be standard things that all users get when they break a rule, or whatever.
Another concern was brought up about users replying back to the message with questions, and how there wouldn't be a form for the mods to use. I'm not sure exactly what kind of questions users would ask in response (maybe "Why?" or "I didn't do this!! Where's the proof that I did?"), but I don't think it would be too difficult to create a couple standard replies (or an example of a recommended reply).
I typed up a small example of a form letter for a warning. I'm not sure exactly what needs to be in these, but this will give you an idea of what I was thinking:
"Hello (Username),
This message is a reminder that it is against the rules of Alacrity to (do whatever thing they did). Please keep this in mind and do not (do whatever it was) again. If you repeatedly break this rule, you will (receive another warning, fine, punishment, etc)." (End with something kind of positive, like "Our goal is to keep Alacrity a fun and friendly place, and blah blah yackity yada").
J'aime suggested that mods institute the use of smiley faces in their letters, and I agree - a simple smiley can go a long way towards clarifying the tone of your message!
If a form letter seems a little too drastic, something else that might work is a list of "recommended words" and "words to avoid" (I'm not sure exactly what words are typically used in Mod messages, or how they come off, so if you've got suggestions on these, please share!). A list like this could also be great in addition to form letters, especially for the questions users ask in reply to warnings.
Mods, please don't take this suggestion the wrong way - I've never been on the receiving end of one of your messages, so I'm not in a place to judge. I'm just reacting to the posts I've seen from other users about the sometimes harsh tone in warning/banning/whatever messages. No offense intended to you guys :)
Roo (#8507)
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08-20-2011 at 10:01 PM
Oh, awesome! That was fast XD
XXƉƦ. ✖ The Soldier [Professional Glitch Breeder] (#9)
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08-20-2011 at 9:58 PM
Just wanted to let you guys know that the Form letter's ARE in the works. :-)<br /> <br /> And they will be put together by the Admins and such, so we will be sure to word them properly and throw in a plethora of smiley faces where needed! :-P We all know how much I love them myself. <br /> <br /> ^..^<br /> Wysper<br />
GeistNoir (#4246)
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08-20-2011 at 9:03 PM
Fully support! Not only would it help cut down on genuine misunderstandings due to lack of tone on the internet, it would probably also let mods handle more things in less time.
Rilee (#7595)
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08-20-2011 at 7:43 PM
I fully support a Form mods fill in the blank on the aspects of what is going on but leave it pretty cut and dry. I have had a few of those mod written issues for supposed rule breaking all of which turned out to be false...however, it wasn't the warning I was mad about but the tone at to which it was sent. <br /> <br /> I am not some half Twit child (not that a child should even be talked to like that), I am an adult and a paying member and those mod replies came horribly incorrect and harshly toned and where taken as a direct attack.<br /> <br /> The use of a forum would stop the warnings from sounding like an attack on the user.<br /> <br /> Not sure where to go with the whole smiley face thing...<br /> <br /> But as for the the respond to message thing I think those can be blocked like ads to an email that can not be replied back to sender but the forum letter should also entail "If you feel you have received this message in error please submit your claim to the issue hub. <br /> Thank You.<br /> <br /> Your ala support Team"<br /> <br /> Working
Roo (#8507)
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08-20-2011 at 2:34 PM
Yeah, that was something I thought about XD I've done that too - toss a smiley in to be snarky. But if it's used right, like in KaT's example, it can be very helpful. Without the smiley, her example could be interpreted as mean o.o
Steaks (#5484)
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08-20-2011 at 9:39 AM
Yeah it really does depend on the situation
KaT (#5747)
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08-20-2011 at 9:34 AM
Support, gamzee, I guess it kind of depends on the situation. It'd probably work better if it was say:<br /> "You are breaking the rules by doing yaddayaddayadda, how ever this only a warning so please be more careful (:"
Steaks (#5484)
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08-20-2011 at 9:08 AM
I support. Something I'd like to point out would be the smiley point though...<br>Smileys can sometimes come off as snarky or sarcastic; for example, I have come up with one situation and a way that a smiley could come off as snarky.<br><br>User A is blocking User B. User A goes to User B's page and says:<br>Normal: "Please do not contact me again."<br>Snarky: "Please do not contact me again :)"<br><br>I argue with people a lot online on other sites and I can speak from experience that ":)" can really get people p.o'd lol.