Approved Custom forms addon: reports, applications etc.

[ozzeh / dave]

There is an addon for XenForo (this forums software) that will allow you to create custom forms, which can be used to submit player reports, bugs, admin applications etc, with options to force the user to specifcy data before posting (ie. steamid, location, ..) and stuff like that.

http://xenforo.com/community/resources/liquidpro-simple-forms.289/

I feel this plugin/addon would be useful because it would help users submit their reports, applications, etc. I've seen quite a few reports, ban appeals etc where people haven't followed the guidelines for posting that report/appeal (ie. failed to include steamid, name, user etc). This plugin should eliminate invalid/improper reports by forcing them to enter the required informations.

The forums being used with this should have permissions set to deny users the ability to post new threads so they're forced to use the report form. I also recommend setting up multiple report types (player abuse, admin abuse, bugs, etc.).

It may be a good idea to require users to link their steam account before using the custom forms as well.


- Screenshots -
Example of a report form I created on another site:

Spoiler

The input fields can be customized fully.

How it would look when you view the reports forum:

Spoiler

Note the red boxes. Normal users will not be able to create new threads normally (bottom right), and would be forced to use the report form(top left, screenshot above).

Who can create threads, and the default 'Pending' prefix are controlled by the admin control panel.

Example of how the report thread will look.

Spoiler

Note that this thread can be customized - aka change the order the fields are displayed, change what's displayed, bold, itallics, etc.

Example of how submitted reports are published (posted as threads, posts, emails, ...) - thread example

Spoiler

Again, this has its uses outside reporting players. It could also be used for posting admin applications, bug reports, possibly suggestions, etc. The plugin has some powerful potential IMO.


Cast your votes, and post your thoughts on this.

 

[mittens]

I like this but it doesn't seem like there is a way to force people to use it so we will still get useless reports like "Someone is hacking on 2fort"

 

[Astir]

Nice plug in, but it's not a free plug in and Skial's finances are not open for discussion (no I don't know anything about it either).

I think it would make the forums look more professional and would lead to a more efficient way of handling reports, just like we have the serverside report bot.

Also indeed:

I like this but it doesn't seem like there is a way to force people to use it so we will still get useless reports like "Someone is hacking on 2fort"

But people can add look at our Steam Group (perhaps a link in the section header?) and add an active admin for urgent issues.

 

[ozzeh / dave]

I like this but it doesn't seem like there is a way to force people to use it so we will still get useless reports like "Someone is hacking on 2fort"

True, there's nothing stopping people from submitting useless stuff. However by marking the fields as 'required', they must enter something. For example, requiring the steamID field will force them to go get it, type it in, etc.

This seems Useful but it's there another custom forum of apply admin?

The site staff will be able to use this to create a admin application.

 

[Astir]

I think it won't be needed for the Admin Application section. If appliers can't even read the stickies and figure out how to use the proper format, I don't think they are suited for admin either.

 

[Questionable Moose]

Stupid people will still write stupid reports. Unless the addon actually got a check to see if the inputs are actually the information that are required, then this would be a improvement because those users would then be forced to take the necessary step to fix it. Otherwise they'll just write whatever and then we're back on square one, again.

I love structure in reports, but without a necessary check for the inputs to see if the information is legit, this isn't really going to change anything.

 

[DaivdBaekr]

It looks nice, but when you get right down to it our report system's already pretty much copying and pasting anyways.

 

[ozzeh / dave]

Stupid people will still write stupid reports. Unless the addon actually got a check to see if the inputs are actually the information that are required, then this would be a improvement because those users would then be forced to take the necessary step to fix it. Otherwise they'll just write whatever and then we're back on square one, again.

I love structure in reports, but without a necessary check for the inputs to see if the information is legit, this isn't really going to change anything.

As far as validation goes, there's not much. You can require a minimum/maximum length for the input, use regex to validate steam IDs, that's about it.

Oh well, I tried.

 

[mittens]

As far as validation goes, there's not much. You can require a minimum/maximum length for the input, use regex to validate steam IDs, that's about it.

Oh well, I tried.

lol I like the idea a lot but in the end it would just be a waste because people will post reports in the general section... not use the format... even if they do use this they will skip important fields like which server it was or just put "2fort" when there are a ton of 2fort servers... ultimately it's not worth the investment.

 

[PsychoRealm]

Is there a way to force usage of such "templates" in sub-forum? For instance, if you want to create a new thread in "Ban Appeal" subforum, the only way to create a new thread is to go through a template and if there are any fields missing - it will just prevent appeal from being posted. In such a way admins won't have to post the links all the time asking users to follow the format.

 

[ozzeh / dave]

Is there a way to force usage of such "templates" in sub-forum? For instance, if you want to create a new thread in "Ban Appeal" subforum, the only way to create a new thread is to go through a template and if there are any fields missing - it will just prevent appeal from being posted. In such a way admins won't have to post the links all the time asking users to follow the format.

That's exactly what this is/does.

 

[PsychoRealm]

That's exactly what this is/does.

Then it might be of a great use in Ban Appeal section.

 

[ozzeh / dave]

lol I like the idea a lot but in the end it would just be a waste because people will post reports in the general section... not use the format... even if they do use this they will skip important fields like which server it was or just put "2fort" when there are a ton of 2fort servers... ultimately it's not worth the investment.

Well for the server part, you could have a drop-down box with the list of Skial servers. However this list would need to be updated each time we add/remove a server. Though I understand what you're saying, people will always find a way to spam

Then it might be of a great use in Ban Appeal section.

As stated above, there's still the possibility of people using the forms incorrectly/filling fields with spam. Besides that, the thing here is this would be a paid plugin. While I'm sure some people (including myself) would donate, it still might not be worth the investment as mittens stated.

 

[PsychoRealm]

As stated above, there's still the possibility of people using the forms incorrectly/filling fields with spam. Besides that, the thing here is this would be a paid plugin. While I'm sure some people (including myself) would donate, it still might not be worth the investment as mittens stated.

There should be some kind of a trial, shouldn't it? As for spam - in my opinion it's easier to delete spam post rather than remind in every single thread that appellant must follow the format.

 

[Phaiz]

Nice plug in, but it's not a free plug in and Skial's finances are not open for discussion (no I don't know anything about it either).

Pfft, just toss it into the capital budget.
Seriously though, every time I request something at the hospital that's what my boss tells me she will do.

 

[Bottiger]

The price seems a little steep for a form. If you really want it, just say how much you are willing to commit, and if it reaches $25 then send it together and I will buy and install the plugin.

 

[chuckwagon]

This actually seems really helpful. At the very least I can pitch in $10.

This is a one time $25 fee right, not a yearly subscription?

I am not sure about the steamID part. A lot of everyday TF2 players don't know how to find a players steam ID. If a form ends up being too much of a hassle there might be a chilling effect on reports.

 

[mittens]

That's why it says underneath the steamID section "get this by typing 'status' in your console"

 

[chuckwagon]

That's why it says underneath the steamID section "get this by typing 'status' in your console"

Yeah but it is hard to copy and paste from console. You have to copy the whole line, not just the steamID part. Or try to memorize a 9 digit number. This could seem like a hassle for some. I dunno, maybe it would be fine, I am not a fortune teller.

 

[mittens]

I think it would be fine. Someone who has no clue what that is will just put "XXXX" whereas the people who do can give more necessary information.