Do you enjoy catching someone breaking a hub rule?

1. 59

   Shealy Healyposted 13 years ago

   Are you the personality type who just can't wait to catch someone who is breaking a hub rule? Or, are you more likely to ignore the rule breaking? I think the answer to this question lies in the intent of the real breaker. But, I have noticed that some people are more inclined to enjoy catching a rule breaker than others who may choose to ignore. Which are you?

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      psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I get a certain satisfaction flagging a question that is just spam advertising for prostitutes.  That needs to be squashed.

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      Neil Ashworthposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I was a police officer in the UK back in the late 80s, surrounded by people breaking petty rules just to get by in life most times, following that I coached kids soccer in school for over seven years and tried in vain to explain the offside rule, I have three kids of my own now and far too little time to even consider baby sitting for HP... good luck to those who do though! You have my blessing... (not that anyone would need it!!)

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   3. 58

      blackreign2012posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I am here to share my talent with others; I dont come here to police it; Unless it is something truly outrageous and detramental I urge others not to otherwise...

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      Kimberly Bunchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I just saw and read a rule breaker! But I am not a flagger! Unless it is something severe.

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2. 88

   Len Cannonposted 13 years ago

   I don't know if this thread is allowed.  I flagged it just to be sure.

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   1. 57

      climberjamesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      haha!

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      Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      LOL - I went to follow you (I collect people from forums), but I am already following you

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3. 68

   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   LOL!!!

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4. 91

   Pcunixposted 13 years ago

   I tend to ignore anything where I have any doubt.  I see quite a few hubs that are uncomfortably close to being inappropriate, but I just keep walking if it isn't definite.
   
   I think once or twice I may have flagged something incorrectly, but I probably usually err the other way.
   
   Finally, no, there's no joy in it.  I just hate seeing the place polluted with junk.

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      relacheposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Whereas I'm the type of person who feels that doubts mean that the post needs to be flagged so that admin can sort it out.

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      1. 91

         Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, but the staff here isn't exactly an army.  If we give them too much to look at, they'll be bogged down.
         
         Also, honestly, I'm often unsure.  I'm just not a black and white person; I always see gray at the edges. 
         
         One man's meat and all that.  There are people here who have some.. um... junk that is nothing more than MFA trash.  That plainly is not a rules violation; in fact, for some, its the reason they are here.
         
         I look at a bit of pollution like that and compare it to some excessively promotional hub that is over exuberantly trying to drive traffic to a post that is ten times more interesting than the MFA fluff and I have a hard time condemning it.  Really, I wish I could flag the MFA foolishness, but all I can do is vote it down and even that often seems pointless.
         
         I know you are one of those people who always knows their mind.   I do NOT always know mine.  I do what I can, I do the best I can, but all too often I have doubts.  You lean toward the "let the staff figure it out", I do not.   Simple as that, I guess.

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            lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Pcunix-I absolutely agree with you about those gray areas.  I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt than blow whistles. Unless I'm sure.

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               SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               no way.....
               
               

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            2. 0

               Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               there's a lot to absorb for a newbie and there seems to be grey areas.  I think people should be given a chance to make things right, but if they are blatantly abusing/malicious then give them the flick.

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         2. 67

            Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I agree. What a waste of resources. Imagine calling the police every time you "think" someone is committing a crime. Flagging a post is WAY too easy and I think you better know for sure if the hub is in violation before you do it.
            
            
            I think it's hypocritical that newbies get bashed for not reading the rules but finger happy flaggers get a pass on their gut feelings.
            
            
            How about this. Let's keep the flagging system. BUT whenever you misflag a hub, your hubscore gets negatively affected. People say "Hubkarma" is pointless. How's that for karma? Maybe that will sort out the finger happy flaggers with "doubts" from the responsible flaggers with "certainty",

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         3. 81

            David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I agree I am not black and white either and view things with gray on the edge. You can't be one sided to much cause there are so many variables to everything and we much approach everything in an open mind and not jump to conclusions rrite away, but instead decide on a balanced mind

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5. 93

   akirchnerposted 13 years ago

   It goes both ways for me - I worry about people making mistakes if they are honest ones and/or they have low hub scores and aren't getting it.  Then in other cases, I wonder 'how are they getting away with that?'  I am not confident enough (yet) to be a whistle blower - unless it is spam or I can obviously tell that I'm 100% sure something is amiss - but I don't enjoy doing it. 
   
   I'm so busy just trying to keep my hubs up to par and doing a good job that I try not to think outside my box and decide if people are doing it 'on purpose' or by accident! I do think there are folks out there who literally get their jollies by pointing out people making mistakes or by shooting them down just to feel better about themselves.  Just my personal opinion but been on the receiving end and it did not feel very good! In my case, they were innocent mistakes/starting out kinda things and although I appreciated the 'knowledge' - the way it was delivered left a LOT to be desired! Now I consider the source!

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6. 67

   Set's All Setposted 13 years ago

   A snitch on Hubpages is a snitch in real life. I can imagine how it plays out when the two collide.
   
   
   Girlfriend on the phone: How was your day baby?
   Me: Good. I was on Hub for a few hours.
   GF: Anything interesting happened?
   Me: Yeah, some guy was trying to make money online but he was breaking the holy hubpage rules.
   GF: You reported him right?
   Me: Of course I did! It's my duty!
   GF: Nice...
   Me: So, how was your day hunny?
   GF: Oh, not so good. I'm in jail right now. Apparently, someone tipped the police that my driver's license expired today.
   Me: ... rules are rules hunny...

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7. 71

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   I take no pride in doing it, but I flag hubs and I do report obvious violations of HubPages rules and forum rules.
   
   I do it to protect HubPages. It protects my earnings.

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      relacheposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         "I do it to protect HubPages. It protects my earnings."
         
         This x2

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   2. 67

      Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Please... Flagging is a clever way for hubpages to outsource work. They have a problem with spam, nudity, etc so instead of hiring more staff to moderate or even hire programmers to code some scripts, they push the work onto us.
      
      Now, I realize this may be a conflict of interest and I do not want to bite the hand that feeds but some of you guys need to lay off the chap stick.
      
      None of you guys are getting paid to seek and flag hubs. "I do it to protect HubPages. It protects my earnings." What are you guys? Stock holders?
      
      Hey, if flagging turns you guys on, more power to you. You can sleep better at night knowing you helped hubpages... for free.... Oh yeah, and because it protects your earnings. It's like people that volunteer at their local community cleaning up dirty parks. Pat yourself on the back because you helped the community and saved the city money from hiring illegals to do it for 6 bucks an hour cash.
      
      
      I need to eat and I understand some of the things people do to make a buck. I'm not the type to stop people from eating. I think it's petty.

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      1. 88

         Len Cannonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Don't be silly.  Every forum in the world has a report button.  I don't speak for anyone else because I'm sure there are plenty of apple polishers, but I've only ever flagged or reported something I find annoying or offensive.
         
         As someone who has had a position of authority over a large community it is impossible to see every infraction.  Even if you do read every thread, every hub, you'll just miss things.  Getting an e-mail from a concerned community member, checking out the problem, and deciding if it is against the rules is what moderators should be doing, not spending their lives reviewing every article we send in.

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         1. 67

            Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            How am I being silly? Does Hubpages benefit from community moderation or do they not? Yes, forums have moderators and report buttons. They benefit from it too.
            
            The point of my last post was the obvious. In my opinion, there are no benefits to participating in this moderation if you are not being directly compensated.
            
            Look at that, you just called me "silly". Am I going to report you for "personal attacks"? No. Not because I am not a concerned community member, but I think it is petty. And yes, I have read the forum rules. You should check it out at your leisure.
            
            Getting back to the subject, it is clear that I don't enjoy reporting people that break the rules but I also don't expect everyone to be as mature as I am. However, the option is there and that is your prerogative if you decide to flag a post or a hub. What I don't agree with and what seems to be the case with this thread is people that are trigger happy on the flag button.
            
            http://hubpages.com/help/user_agreement
            Linked above are the rules. What is offensive to you may not be offensive to others. Hell, you may look in the mirror and be alright with your face but I may be offended, even disgusted by your appearance. Flagging a hub because you want a moderator to sort out your trash is a waste of time. And we all know, time is money. Don't waste a moderator's time. Be sure.
            
            I don't flag for my own personal reasons but I'll respect responsible flagging. They even have form radio options that briefly explain the rules when you hit the flag button. If you flag because you are "annoyed" or "offended" then you have a lot more free time then me. I wish I had that much time to waste.

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               CulinaryFoolposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               And yet you had the time to respond to the previous posts...

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               1. 67

                  Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I also I time time to respond to this post. Why don't you grow up and add something to this thread instead of representing your username?

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                     psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     pot: kettle.

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                        Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Really? I seem to be the only person in this entire thread that linked the actual Hupages Terms of Use whereas others have hearsay. What have you added? Nothing.

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            2. 88

               Len Cannonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I do not care what you find offensive.  The only things I've reported in the past three months that I can remember was some crazy dude who linked to photos of childeren's genitals and a hub with about 40 words selling pornography.
               
               And please. Report me calling you silly if you think it is a problem. It takes less than 20 seconds for a moderator to ignore.  Since you have so much more free time than me, you can write a novel about it in response.

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                  Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  You don't seem to be understanding my points so let me clarify you from further confusion. "Offensive" and "annoying" are subjective terms and they vary from person to person. What you find offensive may or may not be enough to warrant flagging.
                  
                  I already said I won't report you. Stop clinging. In your previous post, you claim flagging from concerned community members should save a moderator's time yet you imply that if I do so, I would be wasting 20 seconds of a mod's time. Don't worry about how I spend time. I can type pretty fast.

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                  1. 88

                     Len Cannonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     I didn't say you would waste their time. I said it takes no time to decide if it is worth acting on.  I am sure we could all spend our time better at Hubpages, however.  Some member's time is more valuable than others, afterall.

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                     1. 67

                        Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        This is going to be my last reply to you.
                        
                        My position is clear. The option is there. Use it at your discretion but make sure it is done with respects to the TOS linked above.
                        
                        What I do NOT agree with from the majority of the pro-flaggers in this thread is the reason they flag. Words like, "uncertainty", "offensive" and "annoying" were the reasons why they flag. These terms are loose and vague.
                        
                        The rules are written. If it is our responsibility to flag hubs because our earnings are shared, then it is also our responsibility to learn the rules before we do it. We can't have the former without the latter. Or at least, we shouldn't.
                        
                        That's my stance.

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                           Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           I think you're absolutely right.

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         psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Earnings are shared, ergo responsibility is shared.  I find your insinuations pretty gross.

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         1. 67

            Set's All Setposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Google writes our checks, not Hubpages. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the host but I'm not going to fix their house. It is an even exchange. They host my content, they get a cut. The only responsibility I have is my own wallet.
            
            It's analogous to renters and homeowners. I just simply don't make it my job to do their work as homeowners like home maintenance. If the roof was leaking, should I fix it myself? Maybe if I owned the home but not if I'm renting.
            
            I'm glad you find my insinuations gross.

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   3. 84

      KCC Big Countryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly! We ALL owe it to the community to flag obvious violations.  We ALL have a stake in this.

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   4. 85

      Lily Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ditto.
      
      It doesn't get me "excited" to do it, nor do I go around "searching" for violations, but if I come across one I cannot ignore it.  I have no power other than to bring something to the attention of the powers-that-be and then it's on their plate to make a final determination...

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      Jane@CMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ditto.  Well said Cags.

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   6. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Me too. 
      
      It's not about dobbing, it's about being a good citizen.  Like if you see someone stealing an old lady's handbag in the street - you're not "dobbing" if you report them to the police, you're doing the right thing.
      
      I often have to grit my teeth and tell myself to get away from the "flag" button when I see a Hub that is complete junk but doesn't break the TOS - because I know I'd just be creating work for the HubPages team for nothing.

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8. 0

   Kathryn LJposted 13 years ago

   I read a hub the other day which was basically someone bitching about a friend they had just fallen out with.  It was juvenile, badly written and basically a vehicle to be horrid to someone.  I didn't flag it up though because I thought everyone who read it would see it for what it was.

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9. 80

   sabrebIadeposted 13 years ago

   I have ran across a few Hubs that made me say "Aw c'mon...how are they getting away with this?"
   If it were a serious infraction yes.
   Minor, no.
   But would I take any joy in it (which I think was the original question)...not at all.

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10. 59

    Brie Hoffmanposted 13 years ago

    I've only flagged one hub for nudity, the hub was encouraging sex with demons.  Usually, I think flaggers are on the same level as snitches, so I don't make a habit of it.

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    1. 88

       Len Cannonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Would you say you are in favor of a "Stop Snitchin' " campaign?

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          psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I think calling flagging 'snitching' is pretty juvenile.  If anyone break the TOS, including me, that's their problem--not the problem of the person who flagged the hub.

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11. 80

    mega1posted 13 years ago

    I have no problem with flagging a hub or forum comment now and then - I believe HubPages TOS are quite realistic and fair and I don't see why we should condone other hubbers violations of the rules.  Other sites do the same thing, encouraging people to flag blogs and chat forum posts that are not with the TOS.  I'm not happy when I find these abuses, but its only fair to report them.
    
    In fact, sometimes I wish there was a way to flag some of the forum threads that are repetitive personal, political and religious postings which are posted just to create a hype about someone or something - they are useless and rude, but technically within the rules.  They impose on other hubbers' use of the forums by being cleverly worded sometimes or by just the sheer number of them taking over the forums.  I think many of the hubbers I used to enjoy seeing in the forums have left or don't come as often because of these borderline abusive threads and the fact that one has to weed through all of them in order to find anything new and interesting.

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       Jane@CMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I so love (not) an innocent thread posted in the Hubbers hangout and within seconds it is turned into a religious or political post.  I think we should split the forums - 1 forum to log into for only religion and politics  

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12. 61

    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    Generally, I mind my business.  The one thing that will "get" me is when it's obvious someone has copied and pasted stolen material (and you can tell a lot of the times because the article can look like it's from a reference book, but then the Hubber can barely come up with a coherent sentence in English in the comment section; or else, the thing will be spun into something ridiculous, and it's clear that Hubber didn't know enough about English to correct any messes the spinner made).
    
    Why this irks me is I'll think, "Who or where did you steal this from?"  I've had my stuff stolen, and I think if anyone spots anything that looks stolen he should report it (not even so much to benefit HubPages, but because I'd appreciate if someone spotted my stuff stolen and reported it).  So, that's the one thing that gets me, and when I flag it, I do get a little sense of satisfaction out of it. Otherwise, who breaks rules is HubPages' business, as far as I'm concerned.

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13. 73

    Diane Insideposted 13 years ago

    generally I don't do anything unless I see what I just saw cheaprada keeps putting up spam.

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14. 60

    packerpackposted 13 years ago

    I really enjoy it a lot. Just now reported two threads by someone called "cheaprada"

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15. 59

    equeallaposted 13 years ago

    I am still relatively new on HubPages, and thus far I have enjoyed and apreciated what I have found.
    
    If someone use the opportunity to vent, it is fine with me. In the end we all use HubPages for individual reasons.
    
    When you look at some of the comments made on, for instance YouTube, one can only wonder about the integrity of some people.
    
    As I said, this far I have only met people with good standards and  an ability to voice even harsh opinions, with dignity. Perhaps, if I find exteme vulgar and indecent content, I will flag it. I would like to see the future of HubPages open to clean, thought provoking and informative conversation. This is how I found it.

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16. 74

    Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years ago

    Straight up Spam content.
    
    There is only so much penis enlargement, cheap China clothing rip-offs and fake Prada shoes in both the forums and hubs that are straight up spam that I can stand.
    
    Borderline or grey area hubs I haven't come across as yet. But anything I see that is a straight violation of the TOS, I am gonna slap you with a flag.
    
    Crap is crap, it hurts everyone and does devalue the site overall. If you want to come here and post your crap which violates, one can tell it's for the purpose of trying to obtain financial gain via spamming. You will be penalized.

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