Moderator Orientation

Summing up the responsibilities of a Moderator would be the word "guidance". Moderators with the power to manage users, their primary function is to enforce the rules and attempt to keep a positive environment! They represent our network and make sure that things are going smoothly. They don't have the responsibility of kick/banning people and their primary goal is to be helpful and positive. The following powers are granted to all moderators in all channels where TripBot has OP. Note: Just because TripBot has OP does not mean it's an official TripSit room. Whenever you have doubts/need advice/help, do not forget about ~teamtripsit!

Reports

/msg TripBot ~report <user> <reason>

<reason> should be as descriptive as possible, and may even include a link to a pad of logs.

Moderators will make heavy use of the ~report command to keep records of events on the network, and should be used every time you have to verbally warn a user. Moderators will also receive notifications of user 'reports' which take place in a certain room. If you're around, please respond to these reports and follow up with a ~notify stating you have dealt with the situation. This is something that is sometimes abused by people. When a report is filed wrongfully, explain to the issuer that it is not something to abuse; repeat offenders should be ~warn 'ed.

Warning

Syntax: /msg TripBot ~warn <user> <reason>

You can provide an automatic warn when placing a ~quiet by including #warn in the reason.

You can also see a user's previous warnings with ~warnings username.

Warnings are counted and permanently stored online for staff to view past events. These should be used as much as possible, as it provides a good record for us when considering a ban. The user is not notified of the warning when it is issued; it is only used for internal record keeping. Verbal warnings suffice most of the time, but when there is repeat behavior or serious offenses such as sourcing it is good to make a note of it.

Quiet

Syntax: /msg TripBot ~quiet <#room> <user> <reason> #warn

is optional if you intend to manually remove the quiet when the situation has passed.

<#room> is optional if you are using the command in the target room.

1. warn is used to automatically apply a warning with the quiet reason.

As a Moderator, this command will be your primary mode of recourse against a problem user. This command prevents the user from speaking in that channel or changing their nickname; and also sends a notify to staff in that channel. It is an excellent tool for trolls and rowdy users who need a small break to cool off. It's usually better to employ a timed quiet rather than a permanent one, since this is difficult to follow up and is more of a 'permanent' solution, which isn't generally the intended use of a quiet.

Often a good method of 'moderation' is simply to attempt to guide a channel into a reasonable conversation. It's almost always better to try and defuse a situation with your words, than to immediately move towards silencing or warning a user. Most people listen to reason, and simply changing the subject is often an effective tactic in ceasing any buffoonery. ~question can be used to try to pull in a random conversation topic. Should trying to change the topic fail, one quiet is usually enough to change the subject quickly.

Rule Breaking Procedure

As a member

• ~report the user

As a TripSitter

• Verbal warning to please chill out or leave the room.
  • In the event of serious trolls, this may be skipped.
• ~quiet <#channel> <username> <reason> to quiet problematic users in #tripsit.
• ~report <user> and discuss the problem with other staff in #teamtripsit.
• Join #tripsit.me and say ~teamtripsit

As a Moderator

When you receive a ~report about a user, or witness the activity yourself:

• Verbal warning to please chill out.
• If user is doing a serious infraction, this may be skipped, and you may immediately:
• ~quiet the user for a specified time limit.
  • For minor infractions 10 minutes is a pretty good number.
• Talk to the user.
  • This may be the most important step. A user needs to know what they did wrong and should hear it from a human rather than a robot.
• ~warn the user (if necessary) providing information about the encounter.
  • Warning will be sent via PM on most occasions as to avoid drama in the main channels and a note will be added to their file on Titan pad.
  • Occasionally public warnings will be issued.
• If a ~warn is not necessary, ~notify #tripsit.me of the outcome of the interaction.
• If the above ~quiet was not timed, remember to undo the quiet.