How to delete (your own) messages / threads ? [SOLVED]

by Guest Mon 04 Jul 2016, 07:31

Hi. Is it possible for regular users to delete public messages or threads that they started?

by Guest Mon 04 Jul 2016, 10:20

Hello,
members cannot delete thread they started and messages posted. As I know only Moderators and Adminscan only delete threads and messages. Deleting thread or message, here on forum is rarely. Most of messages that contain inapropiriate content are censored by this emoji:

.

by **The_gh0stm4n** Mon 04 Jul 2016, 12:15

knorella wrote:Hi. Is it possible for regular users to delete public messages or threads that they started?

Hello @knorrr, Very Happy

With threads (or individual messages) that you yourself made, it works this way:

1) Assume you made a thread, for example because you need help with something. You will make an opening post, and you are the "thread-starter". As long as nobody has replied to your opening post, you can delete that single-post thread. The Delete-button should show up on your opening post as long as there is no reply from another user. I saw it myself a couple of times; usually users delete their own support-requests, because in the meantime they managed to solve the problem themselves.

2) If you post individual messages under threads made by other users, and nobody has posted another message AFTER you, then you can delete your own posts in that case, too.

These things are done that way (I assume ?) in order not to distort the flow of discussion too much. If everybody could delete their posts/threads all the time, longer discussions could look a bit weird for readers. Because previous messages simply disappear...and it kind of distorts "cause-and-effect" relationships, when replies seem to be there without a cause. Razz

If there is a specific post of yours you would still like to "purge", even after other users posted something, you have the option to click on the button "Edit", under a post. And then replace the text with anything you like. A dot, emoticon, whatever. Note that this method won't help you, if any subsequent messages (by other users) in the thread actually quoted your previous message.

And yes, in general we don't tamper with these things unless e.g. messages break a forum rule, are off-topic or are otherwise considered inappropriate. However, if you still feel something should be removed, try dropping a message to a Moderator or Administrator. If your reasoning isn't too outrageous, we might grant your request for removal/editing. But as said, it might be more practical if you edited your own posts, using the "Edit"-button.

Warning: TEA

by Guest Tue 05 Jul 2016, 05:50

Thanks for the responses! Really clears up everything. I did notice the DELETE button, but only on some posts and now I know why.

EDIT:

If I'm not straying too far off-topic, what's the lock button for?

by **The_gh0stm4n** Tue 05 Jul 2016, 13:18

knorella wrote:Thanks for the responses! Really clears up everything. I did notice the DELETE button, but only on some posts and now I know why.

EDIT:

If I'm not straying too far off-topic, what's the lock button for?

You are welcome, and no worries. Very Happy

That little lock-button is actually intended for Moderators/Administrators only. But if you try clicking on it....wait, I think I even have a screenshot of what happens.

How to delete (your own) messages / threads ? [SOLVED] Screen13

How to delete (your own) messages / threads ? [SOLVED] Screen13

The orange-colored lock signifies that a post can be reported by other users (by using the "report"-button on the left of it). If you see a red-colored lock however, it means that this specific post cannot be reported, until further notice. It has been "locked for being reported" by a Moderator/Administrator.

To my knowledge, neither has the report-button been abused by regular users thus far, nor this particular moderating-option been utilized by a team member. But one reason messages can be locked for being reported is in order to prevent people from harassing other users, by constantly reporting their (harmless) posts. Which will be especially common on those forums that tend to experience lots of drama, bickering, and "problem users" in general. Such as forums about politics, religion, some (?) teenager-orientated forums, etc.

In that latter case though, it may be more efficient if it was possible to turn off that reporting-option "globally"; but I'm not sure if that is possible on here. Maybe @Admin or @Edin ElDi can shed more light on that.

Returning to the lock symbol...yes, I'm not sure why it shows up for normal users. Razz

But then, the "view IP-address" button shows up for me too, although the function is only reserved for Admins these days. Forumotion's modified phpBB-software is good enough for the fact that it is free of charge, but in many respects it still feels "unfinished", for a lack of a better word.