What happens when BA blog comments are "awaiting moderation"

[Messier Tidy Upper]

I'm not sure whether this is the right place to ask this or not (& my apologies if not) but I've been wondering about how the system works for the comments to threads the Bad Astronomer, Dr Phil Plait, posts on his blog.

So what does happen to a BA blog comments post which is "awaiting moderation"?

1. Who moderates it?

Is it the BA personally or a team of moderators?

2. How long should we expect the process to take?

3. What do they (he?) look for & decide upon?

4. Can they (he?) edit posts - either by request or not - to make what would be an unacceptable post acceptable eg. by removing a swear word or particular offensive sentence & leaving the rest of the post intact?

5. Is there any appeal on moderation decisions there?

6. Where can folks go if they have trouble or aren't sure if they're even having trouble with moderat/ors/~ing on the BA blog comments?

7. How does this process compare & contrast with moderation here on the BAUT forum & the Universe today blog?

Again, sorry if this is breeching netiquette I've tried to find answers on the BA blogsite and been unable to, maybe not looking in the right place or missed it?

-----
For context and as a personal sidenote; I'll also add that for some unknown reason I've been having trouble posting on the BA blog comments under my main email address in the past few days & so have resorted (legitimately I think) to using an alternative email address to get around this baffling difficulty.

I am not doing that here as I gather that is against the rules here. (& apparently a "hanging offence.")

I don't think I'm in trouble or have done anything wrong on the BA Blog Comments threads. If I am I certainly don't know why and I haven't seen any message either on the BABC threads or via email telling me so.

Honestly I don't know what's going on or what's happening there so any anyone could help explain or fix this problem would be really appreciated too. I've emailed the BA personally about this problem posting on his blog and have had no reply so far.

Now here's hoping this here post comes through okay...

[slang]

I can't speak for BA of course, but I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my understanding. If I get something wrong no doubt someone will correct it soon.

1. Who moderates it?

Is it the BA personally or a team of moderators?

AFAIK it's BA, and BA alone. And some automatic filters trying to keep spam out.

2. How long should we expect the process to take?

Between minutes and forever. Minutes when he's actually administrating or reading the blog responses, and it seems to be forever if it's a comment to an 'older' blog entry. Hours if you posted during sleepy time in Boulder.

3. What do they (he?) look for & decide upon?

Spam, rudeness, and more. Phil has posted a comments policy, how he expects posters to behave. Unfortunately the search facilities aren't very good so I can't find it right now.

4. Can they (he?) edit posts - either by request or not - to make what would be an unacceptable post acceptable eg. by removing a swear word or particular offensive sentence & leaving the rest of the post intact?

Yes, I think I've seen him do this (adding a note that he edited it, or something like that).

5. Is there any appeal on moderation decisions there?

AFAIK: Not really, you might try emailing Phil. Maybe Discover Magazine has a complaints department type thingy to deal with problems on one of their blogs.

6. Where can folks go if they have trouble or aren't sure if they're even having trouble with moderat/ors/~ing on the BA blog comments?

See previous answer, I think.

7. How does this process compare & contrast with moderation here on the BAUT forum & the Universe today blog?

It's much better here Unless Discover Magazine offers something, there really isn't anything like a formal moderation or appeal process on most blogs. Blog owner does as (s)he wishes.

& so have resorted (legitimately I think) to using an alternative email address to get around this baffling difficulty.

I wouldn't worry about it, it's just a blog, not a forum. As long as you don't blatantly misbehave there's no reason to block you, either on email or other options. It's not as formal as it is here.

I don't think I'm in trouble or have done anything wrong on the BA Blog Comments threads. If I am I certainly don't know why and I haven't seen any message either on the BABC threads or via email telling me so.

It's conceivable that somehow you got caught up in some kind of measure to keep spammers out. In extreme cases it can be necessary to block big chunks of the internet, and if that happens, as an admin, all you can do is hope there wasn't a legitimate poster in that section..

Now here's hoping this here post comes through okay...

Nope, never saw it.

I am not doing that here as I gather that is against the rules here. (& apparently a "hanging offence.")

It can be (a bannable offense), if you do it to get around being banned, or actively are trying to use two accounts at the same time. If, for some technical reason, you are unable to use your current/old account, the big ban-hammer won't come down on you if you create a new one. You'd have to stop using the old one though, or contact moderators for advice (if for some reason you are able to use your original account again).

[Moose]

1. Who moderates it?

I need to distinguish between Phil's blog itself, and the mirror thread that appears in BAUT's Bad Astronomy Stories forum.

If the URL says Discover.com, then you're on the BABBlog and the BA himself will moderate your comments. (As far as I know, Phil doesn't have a moderation queue on his blog.)

If the URL says bautforum.com, then you're here, and our moderation team will handle it. Generally, all we're checking is to see if it's spam-sign, although we do pay attention for other problems that might show up as well.

2. How long should we expect the process to take?

It varies. It can be as little as a few minutes (if someone is checking the queue at that moment), or the better part of a day if we all happen to be too busy to look. Generally speaking, the queue is checked several times a day. We try to not let it get too backed up.

3. What do they (he?) look for & decide upon?

It's mainly a spam-fighting measure. We catch 99%+ of the board spam that way.

We do look for other rules issues the same way we do when we're reading posts casually. We, perhaps, keep a slightly closer eye because our newest members are a bit more prone to make mistakes. Generally speaking, we try to take it easy on our newest members.

4. Can they (he?) edit posts - either by request or not - to make what would be an unacceptable post acceptable eg. by removing a swear word or particular offensive sentence & leaving the rest of the post intact?

Yes, we're able to do that if the message can easily be made right. We usually follow it up with a PM or an in-post message to inform you of the action taken, the reasons for the action, and a bit about the rule you may have missed.

For larger problems, we can block the message, and we'll PM you with the decision, the reasons, etc.

5. Is there any appeal on moderation decisions there?

Yes. If you have comments or concerns about any moderator action, the moderation team invites comment through the "reports post" facility, which will create a thread in the mod section that we'll all see. You can also PM an individual mod or admin, but our reaction time tends to be slower that way.

6. Where can folks go if they have trouble or aren't sure if they're even having trouble with moderat/ors/~ing on the BA blog comments?

On Discover.com, you'll want to talk to the BA. He runs that whole show. On bautforum.com, talk to a mod or admin via the report posts facility or via PM. We're here for that.

7. How does this process compare & contrast with moderation here on the BAUT forum & the Universe today blog?

Someone else will have to fill you in about Universe Today. I think Fraser may have some help, but I couldn't tell you with any certainty.

For context and as a personal sidenote; I'll also add that for some unknown reason I've been having trouble posting on the BA blog comments under my main email address in the past few days & so have resorted (legitimately I think) to using an alternative email address to get around this baffling difficulty.

I don't know BA's policy on his Discover.com site. Here on bautforum.com, yes, we do have a "hanging offense" rule about alternative accounts. The intention is to prevent sock puppetry, suspension/ban evasions, and other mischief.

We do, however, recognize that there are several instances where it might be necessary to have multiple accounts on a single IP or single email address, or the need to create a new one. The trick is that you have to tell us about your situation, preferably ahead of time. Definitely let us know about it before we spot it on our own.

I don't think I'm in trouble or have done anything wrong on the BA Blog Comments threads. If I am I certainly don't know why and I haven't seen any message either on the BABC threads or via email telling me so.

I'll have a look for it. Can you tell me what thread(s) you've attempted to post in?

[01101001]

For context and as a personal sidenote; I'll also add that for some unknown reason I've been having trouble posting on the BA blog comments under my main email address in the past few days & so have resorted (legitimately I think) to using an alternative email address to get around this baffling difficulty.

See BAUT Forum topic Is it just me or is everyone labled as a spammer wherein BAUT member, and now moderator, and one might even say a net-friend of BA, Sticks had a protracted time (this is one topic of many) of not being able to post to the Bad Astronomy Blog. I don't know that it was ever solved.

Being in that state might just be something you have to learn to live with.

[ToSeek]

I need to distinguish between Phil's blog itself, and the mirror thread that appears in BAUT's Bad Astronomy Stories forum.

Actually, the mirror threads are visible only to us moderators. Fraser was working on having a mirror forum for Phil's blog but apparently never got all the kinks out.

[Moose]

Oh. For some reason, I was thinking "Bad Astronomy Stories" was mirrored as well.

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Thanks everyone for your replies here. Much appreciated.

I've just tried posting again on the new "London calling" thread on the BA board - & again it hasn't gone through for some weird reason.

Worse yet, my other email address isn't working now either. :-(

Iwanted to post this comment (at the ocomments yet stage) :

***
Cool! Hope you're having fun there. But .. er ..if I may BA, have you heard anything about the MESSENGER fly-past of Mercury the other day? Any news or images from that you'd care to share with us? Please?


***

But my post never appeared, not even as "awaiting moderation" although a 'duplicate message detected' screen did come up. But no comment -or at least not mine.

I've refreshed the page, I've tried as usernames StevoR & StevoR (aka Plutonium being from Pluto) and as 'Plutonium Being from Pluto' and as Scotty from Star Trek IV as a test message (Computer? Computer? Are you working computer? A keyboard how quaint!) .. & nothing. My attempted post just isn't appearing at all & I'm left baffled, frustrated and sad. :-(

@ Moose - yes, please, please can you help me here & see if you can find out what's gone wrong & fix it? I love this blog, heck I think I'm addicted, and to not be able to post for reasons unknown is killing me! (Well metaphorically anyhow.)

PS. I emailed the BA about this a couple of days ago & have had no reply. :-(

[Messier Tidy Upper]

I need to distinguish between Phil's blog itself, and the mirror thread that appears in BAUT's Bad Astronomy Stories forum.

If the URL says Discover.com, then you're on the BABBlog and the BA himself will moderate your comments. (As far as I know, Phil doesn't have a moderation queue on his blog.)

I'll have a look for it. Can you tell me what thread(s) you've attempted to post in?

Its definitely the BA blog itself - the Discover one moderated by the BA himself.

The thread in question (well the latest one of a few) is : http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/ba...alling-part-1/

[Moose]

@ Moose - yes, please, please can you help me here & see if you can find out what's gone wrong & fix it? I love this blog, heck I think I'm addicted, and to not be able to post for reasons unknown is killing me! (Well metaphorically anyhow.)

I understand. Unfortunately, it's the BABBlog (discover.com) and not BAUT (bautforum.com) where you're having trouble. There's really nothing I can do to help you other than suggest doing what you've already done.

PS. I emailed the BA about this a couple of days ago & have had no reply. :-(

BA's pretty busy these days, especially since he became CEO of JREF. It can take him a while to respond.

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Okay. Thanks Moose.

Its just bugging me .. I know the BA's really busy but if someone else can let him know as well I'd really appreciate it.

I've just tried posting on the atheist Christmas book thread as well : http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/ba...comment-217331

This under StevoR somewhere around comment number 125-127 :
***
@ 114. Dunc Says:
<i>"Of course, a lot of the Hogmanay over Christmas here is to do with a history of the Presbyterians and Church of Scotland being against Christmas celebrations, leading to some of the festivities moving to later in the month."

Yup – the only successful War on Christmas was waged by the Church. Christmas wasn’t even a public holiday in Scotland until 1958.</i>

If I recall history class right didn't Oliver Cromwell try to - and for a few years succeed in - abolishing Christmas?

***

Again .. nada, nothing, zero, zip, zilch & Arrrrggghh! :-(

[Moose]

Its just bugging me .. I know the BA's really busy but if someone else can let him know as well I'd really appreciate it.

You're outta luck for a bit, I'm afraid. BA's in London for TAM. I wouldn't even begin to expect a response until Wednesday at the very earliest.

[slang]

Besides, I'm not sure that getting into contact with BA will help. If you didn't do anything controversial, there's really no reason to expect that you're being blocked intentionally. If it's unintentional, it may take quite some effort to figure out why or how, which he may or not have time for.

But maybe there's something else going on: did you try it with a different browser (IE vs Firefox or vice versa)? Did you try to use your email address from a different PC (like, at a friend's house)? It might be worth trying to contact someone with Discovermagazine.com's technical staff, find out if they're having any issues.

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Besides, I'm not sure that getting into contact with BA will help. If you didn't do anything controversial, there's really no reason to expect that you're being blocked intentionally. If it's unintentional, it may take quite some effort to figure out why or how, which he may or not have time for.

But maybe there's something else going on: did you try it with a different browser (IE vs Firefox or vice versa)? Did you try to use your email address from a different PC (like, at a friend's house)? It might be worth trying to contact someone with Discovermagazine.com's technical staff, find out if they're having any issues.

Well I have just tried from the public library and it worked - I can post from there.

But when I got home I found I still couldn't post from my home computer. Which narrows the problem down somewhat & gives me at least some ability to post providing the library's open.

But why is this happening & what could it be about (or on) my home computer that is preventing me from posting on the BA blog &, it would seem so far, only the BA blog? Any ideas? Anyone? Please help!

[Messier Tidy Upper]

I've also just seen via browsing through a few other threads on the BA blog that I may not be the only one that's had this sort of problem :

Via BAB thread -http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/11/eb-ecneicsitna-nac-yfoog-woh/#comment-205480

55. T_U_T Says:
August 11th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

..
OT : why do I have to use anonymous proxy to post here ? Why is my IP banned ? I did nothing wrong here nor anywhere else.

So T_U_T are you out there? Did you manage to get that sorted & if so how?

[slang]

But why is this happening & what could it be about (or on) my home computer that is preventing me from posting on the BA blog &, it would seem so far, only the BA blog? Any ideas? Anyone? Please help!

Have you checked for viruses?

One possibility is that there's something wrong with your browser (plugin, settings, etc). If you're using Internet Explorer, try Firefox. It's a quick download and install, so maybe that's the easiest thing to try. If you're already using firefox, try IE.

One other, but less likely possibility is this: your PC is assigned an IP address by your provider. That's just a technical name for something that's needed by computers to be able to "talk" to each other over the Internet. This IP address may change over time, and some day you may get one that was previously used by a spammer. In that case, that particular IP address might be blocked by some automatic protections that BA might use. IF that's the case, there's not much you can do, perhaps call your ISP servicedesk to ask them how to change your IP address.

ETA: that last message hints that my third option might be a little bit more likely than I thought.. but try the others first.

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Thanks. I'll have to look into those.

Added : I've just installed "firefox' to see if that works ..

.... Sadly, no it hasn't.

[01101001]

If you read the thread I suggested above, you might find the result, as I recall, was that the BA said that his anti-spam software was being triggered and there wasn't much he could do about it. And that was back in the day when he wasn't so busy.

Were I affected similarly, I wouldn't be optimistic about the BA's taking the necessary time to sort out the problem. It might not be among his top priorities in life.

Find a work-around and use it. There's not much else we members of BAUT Forum can offer you besides condolences for your problem.

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Have you checked for viruses? ... <Snip>

I've got anti-virus software on & it hasn't detected anything -Stopzilla & also AVG. Never had any trouble virus-wise - not on this machine anyhow.

Still can't post any comments from home on the BA blog - still very frustrated by this.

Now the BA's back from Great Britain, I've emailed him again about this & begged for his help earlier today - this time from the local libraries computer.

Will have to see if this can be fixed ... am sure hoping so!

[NickW]

Its may be an IP ban accross a certain range, and by luck, your range might fall into that...

[Messier Tidy Upper]

Its may be an IP ban accross a certain range, and by luck, your range might fall into that...

I don't quite understand what that means. Range between what to what & for what? If so, would there be anything I can do to get my computer out of that unlucky range?

[slang]

An IP address looks like this: 192.168.1.1 It is the "address" of your computer in a network, it's how webservers on the internet know where to send the data that makes up a web page. IP addresses are assigned (by an organization called IANA), in batches or ranges to Internet Service Providers. And the ISP's then assign one IP from one of those ranges to you, when you make an internet connecting through that ISP. They do not always assign the same IP address to you, it can change from day to day, or in other periods. You can easily see what your current IP address is: http://WhatIsMyIP.com/

Now, imagine that someone who is a customer of the same ISP as you, starts to behave very badly on Phil's blog. The first way to get rid of him is to ban his IP address, the one he uses that moment. If, however, he gets a new IP address, close to his previous one, from the same batch or range, he can start trouble at Phil's blog again. One way to deal with that, is to ban the entire range of IP addresses that seem to be associated with this user. Returning to the example: Phil might ban 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3 ... 192.168.1.255 (255 being the maximum any of those four numbers can be).

IF this is the case, AND you are unlucky enough to get your IP address from your ISP from the same batch or range, there's little that can be done. Maybe the helpdesk of your ISP can help to get you out of that range. Maybe Phil could lift the IP range ban (IF there is one!) and hope the original person behaving badly has lost interest.

You haven't mentioned yet which web browser you use, and if you have tried another one?

[Messier Tidy Upper]

FIXED!! :-D

Tried to post again a few days ago - and WOO-HOO! it posted!

It now seems like whatever was causing this problem has been fixed - to my great delight.

Many thanks to the Bad Astronomer if he's the one who fixed it.
(Haven't seen any emails from him yet or had any contact but its suddenly working again.)

@ slang : Thanks for that explanation that make sense now. Appreciated. I'm not , ah, the most computer savy person around I'm afraid. Cheers. :-)