I saw the "lock" option above a topic and it gave me an idea. If it's already in use, I apologize. I think , in order to save the mods from looking for locked topics (I didn't see an option that let's us edit our topic name), we should have an option where we click on the picture of the lock and it sends an alert or notice to a staff to lock a topic?

- in order to edit the topic title you have to click on it. I thought I could lock my own topic too and spent a few minutes getting mad at the icon lol! If it's not meant for us to be able to lock our own threads, maybe they should remove the icon?

I quite like that idea. Instead of having to figure out which mod is on, it could just send an alert, or even flag the post in a way only staffers can see.

I like this idea a whole lot. 0:

This gets suggested a lot and my concern is this: If there's an option for a user to lock a topic, there's likely going to need to be a way for them to unlock it. This mean users get to play the rage lock-unlock game.

You can always ping the mods and they'll take care of it when they are on, or file a ticket. I think that's simple enough and less likely to be abused/annoying.

I like this idea I think that is long as the button isn't easy to miss click I don't see why it can't have a conformation "are you sure you want to lock this thread we will not unlock it if you change you mind you'll have to make a new thread" I think that pretty much cuts out abuse.

edit: I saw someone mention that someone might keep making threads and locking them, this can be rectified within the forum rules like the ones for r200 you may only have one active and since there is a page requirement if you see someone spaming+locking they are breaking the rules so they should be warned,banned,etc. I think for the most part at least in r200 people follow the rules (I can't speak for forums i currently don't visit) so I think we can/should have the power to lock without fear of too much abusive behavior.

I find I am accidentally clicking the Lock button, so as far as I am concerned, it sucks. Locking should remain a MiniMod/UA thing.

Could just have a pop up "Are you sure?" when you click it so there are no accidental lockings.

Allowing users to lock/unlock threads will be extremely messy, but having the lock button flag posts for mods to see isn't a bad idea. Making it ping them directly seems like it could get annoying though? Unless maybe those alerts had their own section ("Lock Request" or something) to keep things organized.

I feel weird making suggestions on this topic because I'm not a mod, so I really don't know what would work best for them. :P I just know that I really don't want to see regular users given the power to lock or unlock their own threads.

To staff who lock: Is it ok to edit topic titles with lock requests if people find making tickets and pinging too obtrusive? Do you guys have a preference in locking protocol?

I don't think users should be able to lock and unlock their own threads either. Some people will be able to handle it but there are enough people who would abuse the feature to make it more of a nuisance than a benefit.

And just generally speaking: I don't know if I should be flattered that you think us MMs are just drowning in our tasks and need help, but we're really okay. Pinging us doesn't bother us at all. :) Having these few tasks handled by a trained group helps keeps the forums orderly and minimizes some of the issues and others have raised.

I prefer to be pinged, commented, or messaged instead of having the topic title changed to "lock please" or something else related. I'm pretty busy and so I have limited time as to when I can lock a thread that needs it, so being pinged doesn't bother me in any way. Otherwise it may take hours to a day or two for a topic to be locked if I'm not pinged to it.

I can't speak for the other minis, but I'm fine with either pinging or editing post titles. Neither is intrusive. But like twocents says, if you're going to edit, then edit the post title to something that indicates you want the thread locked. "Answered, please lock" will get you a lock. Just "answered" probably won't.

EDIT: that said, in forums like the Help forum, it can be helpful to preserve the original text of your topic, so other people with similar questions can look up your topic. It's not a matter of rules or anything, just a consideration.

And just generally speaking: I don't know if I should be flattered that you think us MMs are just drowning in our tasks and need help, but we're really okay. Pinging us doesn't bother us at all. :) Having these few tasks handled by a trained group helps keeps the forums orderly and minimizes some of the issues and others have raised. I have ALWAYS preferred pinging, because otherwise threads can be missed easily. It's a lot less effort to click on a ping than daily have to go through 3 pages (or whatever) to see if there's another 'lock' topic. I think it also looks better in the forums.

Comments are an option as well, especially if you want to express that you'd like the person to not bump it up by making a post in it in the process.

I usually file tickets to get my own topics locked if the mm isn't on - it's typically very quick and a UA has never complained about it.

OMG I DIDN'T MEAN TO REPING THE MM GROUP MY BAD GUYS I LOVE YOU PLEASE DON'T FLAME!

When I find the titles it's easy for me to lock them, so it's a nice added level of letting any of us who happen to be online lock it sooner. In my mini days, I preferred when the OP changed the title to "lock" and then pinged me, so the ping told me exactly what needed to be done.

I prefer getting pung to lock things, altho I do tend to check every few hours for titles like "lock me!" Ambiguous titles like "nevermind" tho, are sort of annoying. :P

-flames Reya-

flames with Jovi OMG HOW COULD YOU????

I don't mind topic changes but pinging really does help us because sometimes some do slip through the cracks and especially if it is a busy forum.

I usually prefer pinging though during my UA days I usually preferred editing the title and then pinging for locks. That was a personal preference though.

That said, with my own titles I usually ping UAs to have them locked.

I personally prefer pings to topic changes, because I find closed boards interesting to check up, and [lock please] titles are just boring and confusing :P

I don't really need a system for being alerted to boards, as I guess it feels like that would almost be a secondary MM ticket system which probably won't get used that much? I'm not bothered much by pings c:

and on the subject of pings... /blowtorches reya :9

[edit] Omg I feel so lost without my purple icon, I don't recognise anyone x'c