Any Project to Replace Volunteer Moderators with Bots (e.g. Moobot and Supybot)?

May I inquire whether there is any consideration by GameSpot's management (or CBS Interactive) to replace the volunteer-run moderation system with software scripts?

Why would you suggest such a horrible idea?

Why would you suggest such a horrible idea?

c_rake

It may solve the perennial issue of volunteer moderators not having enough time to handle reports.

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[QUOTE="c_rake"]

Why would you suggest such a horrible idea?

Gelugon_baat

It may solve the perennial issue of volunteer moderators not having enough time to handle reports.

How would such bots be able to recognize TOS violations and separate them from regular posts?:?

How would such bots be able to recognize TOS violations and separate them from regular posts?:?The-Apostle

Exactly. Context is everything in moderation. Bots can't be programed to recognize such minor details.

[QUOTE="The-Apostle"]How would such bots be able to recognize TOS violations and separate them from regular posts?:?c_rake

Exactly. Context is everything in moderation. Bots can't be programed to recognize such minor details.

Spoken like a self-proclaimed software expert.

That said, I can't answer that question, but I am not about to believe that it can't be done when all there is against it is not hard technical evidence but just mere skepticism.

Spoken like a self-proclaimed software expert.

That said, I can't answer that question, but I am not about to believe that it can't be done when all there is against it is not hard technical evidence but just mere skepticism.

Gelugon_baat

Spoken like someone with actual work-experience is more like it.

There's a huge amount of grey in moderation. Save for spam removal, never is something so clear cut as "X offense equals Y action." Moderation doesn't work that way. There are too many variables to consider -- variables that you can never be fully prepared for at every turn. I may be no software expert, but I know enough about the job we do to know you can't just program a bunch of AIs to account for everything. Automated moderation does no one any good, anyway. Too rigid.

There's a huge amount of grey in moderation. Save for spam removal, never is something so clear cut as "X offense equals Y action." Moderation doesn't work that way. There are too many variables to consider -- variables that you can never be fully prepared for at every turn. I may be no software expert, but I know enough about the job we do to know you can't just program a bunch of AIs to account for everything. Automated moderation does no one any good, anyway. Too rigid.c_rake

Thanks for your insight, but I was asking the question at GameSpot's management. Also, I have not asked for or mentioned anything about the scope of any might-be project.

However, Can you imagine if a glitch comes out of this modbot suggestion? I can see this going terribly wrong. shadowchronicle

I can. GameSpot is not given the nickname of "GlitchSpot" for nothing.

Personally, I won't fret about things going topsy-turvy because chances are, they likely will in GameSpot.

May I inquire whether there is any consideration by GameSpot's management (or CBS Interactive) to replace the volunteer-run moderation system with software scripts?

Gelugon_baat

First off I would like to make clear that GameSpot is extremely appreciative of its volunteers who actively make efforts to help maintain the integrity of a site that encounters a heavy amount of traffic.  

To address your primary inquiry; while using algorithms to determine offending user engagement (cases including but not limited to: harassment, disruptive behavior, or even spam) is possible, it is not something that we are currently interested in perusing at this time.

Thank you Gelugon_baat for taking the time to address your concerns and provide feedback for the GameSpot Community.

To address your primary inquiry; while using algorithms to determine offending user engagement (cases including but not limited to: harassment, disruptive behavior, or even spam) is possible, it is not something that we are currently interested in perusing at this time.GameSpot

Thank you for the response.