ModTools Functions: Difference between revisions

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This is one of the personal crib sheets used by Vee Martin, Mentor, when she was training new moderators. The views expressed within this and her other two crib sheets are her own. The other two crib sheets are [[Moderating a Post]] and [[Problematic Posts]].  
This is one of the personal crib sheets used by Vee Martin, Mentor, when training new moderators. The views in this and her other two crib sheets are her own. The other two are [[Moderating a Post]] and [[Problematic Posts]].


;A brief summary of [[ModTools]] functions
;A brief summary of [[ModTools]] functions


== Dashboard ==
==Dashboard==
See [[ModTools#Dashboard]].
See [[ModTools#Dashboard]].


== Messages ==
==Messages==


=== Pending ===
===Pending===
- messages from moderated members and where you’ll do most of your work as a mod. A pink shape with a number in it indicates how many messages want moderating. The pink shape will appear wherever on the dashboard something needs to be done.
Messages from moderated members - where you'll do most of your work as a mod. A pink shape with a number shows how many messages need moderating, and appears wherever something needs doing on the dashboard.


=== Approved ===
===Approved===
- occasionally you’ll come across a message from an unmoderated member that is wrong and needs attention. Messages can now be edited even if they are on the board. If an edit is needed it is often simpler to do it yourself and advise the member that you have done it, but ideally we should be encouraging members do it themselves. If it’s a minor infringement you should contact the member via a standard message and remind them of the rules, eg reposted too soon. If it’s a major infringement you should inform the member why, eg offering goods for sale, and delete the post using a standard message.
Occasionally you'll come across a message from an unmoderated member that's wrong and needs attention. Messages can be edited even once they're on the board. If an edit's needed, it's often simplest to do it yourself and let the member know, though ideally we should encourage members to do it themselves. For a minor infringement, contact the member with a standard message reminding them of the rules, e.g. reposted too soon. For a major infringement, tell the member why, e.g. offering goods for sale, and delete the post using a standard message.


=== Review ===
===Review===
- this is where a message has been flagged up by the server because it contains something questionable. It might be a worry word, something illegal perhaps or possible spam. Worry words are often just false alarms, such as balls, which can be an innocent offer of golf balls for instance rather than porn. If it’s not a legitimate worry the post can be released. MTs has very good spam filters but you will occasionally come across a spam message. These are usually where a member’s email address has been hacked and contain a web address which often leads to a porn site. You should use a standard message to inform the member and delete the post if that is the case.
Where a message has been flagged by the server because it contains something questionable - a worry word, something illegal, or possible spam. Worry words are often false alarms - "balls" might mean an innocent offer of golf balls rather than anything else. If it's not a genuine worry, release the post. ModTools has good spam filters, but you'll occasionally see a spam message get through - usually where a member's email has been hacked, containing a web address that often leads to a dubious site. Use a standard message to inform the member, and delete the post if that's the case.


=== Edits ===
===Edits===
- fairly self explanatory. If you click on it you’ll see when a member has Edited their post, it then comes through this section for Approval (or not).
Fairly self-explanatory - click it to see when a member has edited their post; it then comes through this section for approval or not.


== Members ==
==Members==


=== Pending ===
===Pending===
- most groups auto-approve members so you would only use this button if your group has special rules which require investigation before approval eg details of addresses to ensure they live in the catchment area. It requires a lot less work for mods to have every application auto-approved and to pick up those who live outside the catchment area when they first post though.
Most communities auto-approve members, so you'd only use this if your community has special rules requiring investigation before approval - e.g. checking an address is within the catchment area. It's much less work for mods to auto-approve every application and pick up anyone outside the catchment area when they first post.


=== Approved ===
===Approved===
- this will show a list of all approved members and is useful if you want to search for someone.
Shows a list of all approved members - useful for searching for someone.


=== Member review ===
===Member review===
- members are flagged up by the server if there is something about their membership of a group which is suspicious. A pink bar will tell you why they have been flagged and the instructions in blue at the top of the page will offer suggestions about what to do. The most frequent use of the review is for multi-joiners. Many groups do not allow people to join a multitude of groups especially if they are over a wide geographical distance. Consult your group rules and fellow mods about their policy on this.
Members are flagged if something about their membership looks suspicious. A pink bar explains why, with suggestions in blue at the top of the page. The most frequent case is multi-joiners - many communities don't allow joining a large number of communities, especially over a wide geographical area. Check your community's rules and fellow mods' views on this.


=== Chat review ===
===Chat review===
'''Red''' chat reviews are for your community. These come up often, because the filters catch any mention of money, addresses, and so on - common in chat as people arrange pick-ups, compare costs, or offer petrol money. Click 'View chat' to see the context. Most of these are perfectly legitimate arrangements and should be approved (select 'Not Spam'). You can add notes to either member, or to the chat itself, where appropriate - use sparingly, or members may feel they're being watched. Mark as 'Spam' anything obviously so and not part of a genuine conversation - usually a web address on its own. Whitelisting stops a chat that keeps getting caught by the spam filters, when it's plainly legitimate, from being caught again.


'Red' chat reviews for your group(s).  Unlike other spam  this will come up quite often because the filters are sent to catch any mention of money, addresses etc of which there is quite a lot in chat as people arrange pick-ups, compare notes re costs, offer to pay petrol etc. You need to click on ‘View chat’ to see the context. Mostly these so-called spam chats are actually perfectly legitimate arrangements between members and should be approved ie select ‘Not Spam’. You have the option to add notes to either member where you feel it is appropriate or to the chat itself. Use sparingly or you will give members the impression big brother is watching them! Mark as ‘Spam’ anything that is obviously so and not part of a conversation between members - usually a web address on its own. Whitelisting is where the same chat keeps getting caught up in the spam filters when it is plainly legitimate, and will avoid this happening in future.
One recurring issue is a member telling another that the free item has gone, but they have one to sell - against the rules, since all offers on Freegle must be free. The simplest option is to delete the chat, though you might want to tell the member first that this breaks the rules. Adding a moderator note to the chat (to the right member) before deleting it sends it straight to them, regardless of whether you've released the chat. Alternatively, send a message via a blank standard message, and mark their record as a seller.
One problem which occurs from time to time is where a member tells another that the free item has gone but they have one to sell. As all offers on Freegle have to be made freely this is against the rules. The easiest option here is just to delete the Chat. However, you might wish to inform the offending member that this against the rules before you do so. If you add a moderator note to the Chat (make sure you pick the right member to send it to) before you delete it, it goes straight to that person regardless of whether or not you have released the Chat. The alternative is to send a message to the member via a blank standard message and also to mark their ‘card” as a seller.


'Blue' chat reviews for other group(s). Chat messages between members may get sent for review to check they're ok. They will always show for you if the recipient is a member of your group. You can choose whether they are also shown to other Freegle mods who have chosen this setting, in which case they can be approved quickly if they are innocent (but can't be rejected). Otherwise they'll only show for mods on the group. https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/messages-delayed-in-chat-review/4633/82 for details
'''Blue''' chat reviews are for other communities. Chat messages between members are sometimes sent for review. They'll always show for you if the recipient is a member of your community. You can choose whether they also show to other Freegle mods with this setting enabled, who can approve them quickly if innocent (but can't reject them) - otherwise they only show for mods on the community itself. See https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/messages-delayed-in-chat-review/4633/82 for details.


=== Related ===
===Related===
- the instructions which come up when you click on this explain what this function is about. Unless you select ignore you can invite members to combine different email addresses where it is appropriate.
The on-screen instructions explain what this is about. Unless you select ignore, you can invite members to combine different email addresses where appropriate.


=== Stories ===
===Stories===
- some members like to make positive comments about how Freegle worked for them, which can then be published. You have editing rights.
Some members like to share positive comments about how Freegle worked for them, which can then be published. You have editing rights.


=== Feedback ===
===Feedback===
- shows the comments members have made regarding the success or otherwise of their posts. Some groups make a point of following up unhappy members to see what might be improved.
Shows comments members have made about the success (or otherwise) of their posts. Some communities make a point of following up unhappy members to see what could be improved.


=== Notes ===
===Notes===
- this is a list of notes made about the members of your group. The instructions are at the top in blue.
A list of notes made about members of your community. Instructions are at the top in blue.


== Events ==
==Events==
Where members can advertise local events. These need mod approval before publication. Local communities have their own rules, but events should generally be relevant to the area, with some loose connection to reuse.


This is where members can advertise local events. These need approval by a mod before they are published. Local groups have their own rules about these but generally they should be relevant to the area and have some (loose) connection to recycling.
==Volunteering==
Should be relevant to the community's area, though there are no hard rules on other relevance. Needs mod approval before appearing on the community's Freegle page.


== Volunteering ==
==Publicity==
Most communities have links to Facebook and other social media. These are centrally composed graphics, which may or may not be relevant to your community's area, and which go onto your community's social media pages if approved. Remember to hide them if not relevant.


Should be relevant to the group’s area but no hard and fast rules about other relevancies. Need mod approval before they go on the group’s Freegle page.
==Admins==
Shows all Admins sent to community members in the past. Not for beginners, as it usually needs approval from all community mods. Centrally approved Admins are now also sent out periodically - you can decide whether they're appropriate for your community, choosing Approve and Send, Save Changes (to edit first), or Delete (not to send at all).


== Publicity ==
==Spammers==
Not really for beginners. Where reported members found to be spamming are kept, with information about them, and who's been whitelisted (exempted). Beginners should seek advice from experienced mods or their mentor if they think they've found a spammer.


Most groups have links to Facebook and Twitter. These are centrally composed fliers which may or may not be relevant to your group’s area and which, if approved, will go onto your group’s social media pages. Remember to hide them  if not relevant.
==Logs==
Lists all actions by members and mods in your community, by message or by membership. Useful for searching who did what and when - for example what a fellow mod did while you weren't on duty, if it needs following up.


== Admins ==
==Settings==
You set your own personal settings when you first use ModTools. Community settings and Standard Messages shouldn't be altered by beginners.


Shows all admins sent out to group members in the past. Not for beginners as need approval from all group mods usually. A new addition is that centrally approved admins are now being sent out periodically. You can decide whether or not these are appropriate for your group, the options being Approve and Send, Save Changes if you want to edit an admin first, and Delete if you don’t want to send it at all.
==Teams==
Information about who's who centrally. Can go out of date.


== Spammers ==
==Help==
Brings you here. If you can't find what you need on this page or the linked pages, ask on Discourse (click 'Us' in the top ModTools menu) to ask your question, or request more information be added here.


Not really for beginners. This is where reported members that have found to have been spamming are kept, get information about them and see who has been whitelisted ie exempted. Beginners should seek advice from other more experienced mods or their mentor if they feel they have come across a spammer.
==Chats - the speech bubble==
 
You'll find the speech bubble at the top right of the dashboard. You can chat here to anyone in a community you're a member of. To the left of the chat window is a slot for your community's mods. We encourage members to use Chat to arrange their transactions. You'll only see a chat here if possible spam has been flagged (see Chat review above). You'll also see a copy of any message you send to a member using standard messages, though occasionally these go astray, and at present they don't appear for TrashNothing users (any reply from a TrashNothing member will, though). If a member wants to discuss your message, you can chat about it here. Chat in ModTools works the same way as on Freegle Direct, except for the spam flagging.
== Logs ==
 
These list all actions by both members and mods in your group either by message or by membership. Very useful if you want to search for who did what and when eg what a fellow mod did when you were not on duty which requires follow up.
== Settings ==
 
You set your own personal settings when you first start to use MTs. Community settings and Standard Messages should not be altered by beginners in any way.
 
== Teams ==
 
Info about who’s who centrally. A bit out-of-date now.
 
== Help ==
 
This brings you here! If you can't find the help you want on this page or the links provided, ask on Discourse (click 'Us' on the top ModTools menu) to ask your question and/or to ask for more information to be included here.
 
== Chats - the speech bubble ==
 
You’ll find the speech bubble at the top right of the dashboard. You can chat here to anyone in a group of which you are a member. If you look to the left of the chat window you will see there is already a slot for your group mods. We encourage members to use Chat to arrange their transactions. You will only see this though if possible spam is flagged up (see 2 above). What you will also see is a copy of any message you send to a member using the standard messages, though occasionally they do go walkabout I’m afraid and at the moment they do not appear for Trashnothing users. Any reply from a TN member will do however. If that member wants to discuss the contents of your message you can chat here about it. Chat on ModTools works in the same way as that on Freegle Direct except for the flagging up of possible spam.
 
There are lots of other functions which as a beginner you don’t really need to know about. Indeed some moderators never learn to use them! By all means look at them but don’t change anything without the go-ahead from your group owner or mentor.
 
== Discourse - the Us icon ==
 
As mentioned above, you are automatically joined as a new mod. Discourse is a rather complicated piece of software for groups and is not at all user friendly in my opinion. You can alter your preferences for how often you receive notifications, emails etc from the various central Freegle groups, although you may find it easier to read any new messages on the web as finding the right preferences for yourself is not at all easy.


There are other functions you don't need to know as a beginner - some moderators never learn to use them. Look at them if you like, but don't change anything without the go-ahead from your community owner or mentor.


==Discourse - the Us icon==
As mentioned above, you're automatically joined as a new mod. Discourse is fairly complex and not always user-friendly. You can adjust your notification and email preferences for the various central Freegle groups, though you may find it easier to just read new messages on the web rather than tuning preferences.


VMM Aug 2020
VMM Aug 2020


 
==Links==
== Links ==
*[[Discourse]] - information and links for all the central discussion groups, offering help and support for volunteers
*[[Discourse]] - information and links for all the central discussion groups, offering help and support for all volunteers
*[https://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/images/Training_manual_for_modtools_2020.pdf Mentors' Training Manual for ModTools]
*[https://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/images/Training_manual_for_modtools_2020.pdf Mentors' Training Manual for Modtools]
*[[ModTools]]
*[[ModTools]]
*[[Recruiting, Training and Retaining]]
*[[Recruiting, Training and Retaining]]
*[[New Group Owner Training Step 1]]
*[[New Group Owner Training Step 1]]


[[Category:Recruit/Train/Retain]]
[[Category:Moderating with ModTools]]
[[Category:ModTools]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026

This is one of the personal crib sheets used by Vee Martin, Mentor, when training new moderators. The views in this and her other two crib sheets are her own. The other two are Moderating a Post and Problematic Posts.

A brief summary of ModTools functions

Dashboard

See ModTools#Dashboard.

Messages

Pending

Messages from moderated members - where you'll do most of your work as a mod. A pink shape with a number shows how many messages need moderating, and appears wherever something needs doing on the dashboard.

Approved

Occasionally you'll come across a message from an unmoderated member that's wrong and needs attention. Messages can be edited even once they're on the board. If an edit's needed, it's often simplest to do it yourself and let the member know, though ideally we should encourage members to do it themselves. For a minor infringement, contact the member with a standard message reminding them of the rules, e.g. reposted too soon. For a major infringement, tell the member why, e.g. offering goods for sale, and delete the post using a standard message.

Review

Where a message has been flagged by the server because it contains something questionable - a worry word, something illegal, or possible spam. Worry words are often false alarms - "balls" might mean an innocent offer of golf balls rather than anything else. If it's not a genuine worry, release the post. ModTools has good spam filters, but you'll occasionally see a spam message get through - usually where a member's email has been hacked, containing a web address that often leads to a dubious site. Use a standard message to inform the member, and delete the post if that's the case.

Edits

Fairly self-explanatory - click it to see when a member has edited their post; it then comes through this section for approval or not.

Members

Pending

Most communities auto-approve members, so you'd only use this if your community has special rules requiring investigation before approval - e.g. checking an address is within the catchment area. It's much less work for mods to auto-approve every application and pick up anyone outside the catchment area when they first post.

Approved

Shows a list of all approved members - useful for searching for someone.

Member review

Members are flagged if something about their membership looks suspicious. A pink bar explains why, with suggestions in blue at the top of the page. The most frequent case is multi-joiners - many communities don't allow joining a large number of communities, especially over a wide geographical area. Check your community's rules and fellow mods' views on this.

Chat review

Red chat reviews are for your community. These come up often, because the filters catch any mention of money, addresses, and so on - common in chat as people arrange pick-ups, compare costs, or offer petrol money. Click 'View chat' to see the context. Most of these are perfectly legitimate arrangements and should be approved (select 'Not Spam'). You can add notes to either member, or to the chat itself, where appropriate - use sparingly, or members may feel they're being watched. Mark as 'Spam' anything obviously so and not part of a genuine conversation - usually a web address on its own. Whitelisting stops a chat that keeps getting caught by the spam filters, when it's plainly legitimate, from being caught again.

One recurring issue is a member telling another that the free item has gone, but they have one to sell - against the rules, since all offers on Freegle must be free. The simplest option is to delete the chat, though you might want to tell the member first that this breaks the rules. Adding a moderator note to the chat (to the right member) before deleting it sends it straight to them, regardless of whether you've released the chat. Alternatively, send a message via a blank standard message, and mark their record as a seller.

Blue chat reviews are for other communities. Chat messages between members are sometimes sent for review. They'll always show for you if the recipient is a member of your community. You can choose whether they also show to other Freegle mods with this setting enabled, who can approve them quickly if innocent (but can't reject them) - otherwise they only show for mods on the community itself. See https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/messages-delayed-in-chat-review/4633/82 for details.

Related

The on-screen instructions explain what this is about. Unless you select ignore, you can invite members to combine different email addresses where appropriate.

Stories

Some members like to share positive comments about how Freegle worked for them, which can then be published. You have editing rights.

Feedback

Shows comments members have made about the success (or otherwise) of their posts. Some communities make a point of following up unhappy members to see what could be improved.

Notes

A list of notes made about members of your community. Instructions are at the top in blue.

Events

Where members can advertise local events. These need mod approval before publication. Local communities have their own rules, but events should generally be relevant to the area, with some loose connection to reuse.

Volunteering

Should be relevant to the community's area, though there are no hard rules on other relevance. Needs mod approval before appearing on the community's Freegle page.

Publicity

Most communities have links to Facebook and other social media. These are centrally composed graphics, which may or may not be relevant to your community's area, and which go onto your community's social media pages if approved. Remember to hide them if not relevant.

Admins

Shows all Admins sent to community members in the past. Not for beginners, as it usually needs approval from all community mods. Centrally approved Admins are now also sent out periodically - you can decide whether they're appropriate for your community, choosing Approve and Send, Save Changes (to edit first), or Delete (not to send at all).

Spammers

Not really for beginners. Where reported members found to be spamming are kept, with information about them, and who's been whitelisted (exempted). Beginners should seek advice from experienced mods or their mentor if they think they've found a spammer.

Logs

Lists all actions by members and mods in your community, by message or by membership. Useful for searching who did what and when - for example what a fellow mod did while you weren't on duty, if it needs following up.

Settings

You set your own personal settings when you first use ModTools. Community settings and Standard Messages shouldn't be altered by beginners.

Teams

Information about who's who centrally. Can go out of date.

Help

Brings you here. If you can't find what you need on this page or the linked pages, ask on Discourse (click 'Us' in the top ModTools menu) to ask your question, or request more information be added here.

Chats - the speech bubble

You'll find the speech bubble at the top right of the dashboard. You can chat here to anyone in a community you're a member of. To the left of the chat window is a slot for your community's mods. We encourage members to use Chat to arrange their transactions. You'll only see a chat here if possible spam has been flagged (see Chat review above). You'll also see a copy of any message you send to a member using standard messages, though occasionally these go astray, and at present they don't appear for TrashNothing users (any reply from a TrashNothing member will, though). If a member wants to discuss your message, you can chat about it here. Chat in ModTools works the same way as on Freegle Direct, except for the spam flagging.

There are other functions you don't need to know as a beginner - some moderators never learn to use them. Look at them if you like, but don't change anything without the go-ahead from your community owner or mentor.

Discourse - the Us icon

As mentioned above, you're automatically joined as a new mod. Discourse is fairly complex and not always user-friendly. You can adjust your notification and email preferences for the various central Freegle groups, though you may find it easier to just read new messages on the web rather than tuning preferences.

VMM Aug 2020

Links

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