During my revision, exam and course work period at university it seems that there was a bit of a ruckus regarding some comments being left by some members on certain files on this site. The result was certain authors pulling their files from the site because, rightly, they just couldn't be bothered with the hassle of dealing with the trolls.

Had I been active at the time I would have added my two cents but unfortunately I was very busy and I still haven't looked deeply into the issue. If the people affected by this wish to get in contact with me then they are more than welcome to. I do know that LHammonds and Buddah have done extremely well in my absence in keeping up with reported comments and have got the ban stick out more than a couple of times to remove troublemakers from the site.

As a result a few updates have been made to the site and new doctrine has been brought in to help further compound our policy on what people should be using the commenting system for. If you go to make a new comment you will notice that there is a commenting terms and conditions page that you have to agree to in order to leave a comment. Apparently "play nice" isn't concise enough so hopefully this sets it out more clearly. These new terms and conditions are in addition to the terms you agreed to when signing up for an account on this site and are void of the "three strikes and you’re out system" that is used on the Nexus forums. If you troll in the file or image comment systems, or SPAM ratings without justifying them, you're gone. No ifs, no buts, no warnings. Banned.

This has been our policy for some time now and we’ve been banning accounts behind the scenes without causing a stir. Hopefully people are aware that this site is not just a “free-for-all” and we do care about the quality of the files and comments on the site and the types of people who use the site.

Let me once again reiterate that we have great moderating staff here and the best way to deal with flamers, trolls and immature posts is to report them and not respond and react to baiting posts. There are report functions for comments and files so if you think something needs to be dealt with then use these features. We cannot check and read every new file, image and comment left on the site so we depend on you, the user, to help us in our moderating duties.

To compliment the commenting doctrine I’ve also added a new feature for file authors who upload to the site. All new files have an option to disable commenting altogether. This will be further complimented in the coming days by new options that will allow you to choose how you want your file users to get in contact with you, if at all. Disabling comments is for new files only and cannot be changed once it is selected. It also automatically disables ratings. If you are a current file owner on the site who would like to have their comments disabled without having to upload their files again please <a href=”http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?act=Msg&CODE=04&MID=1”>get in contact with me</a>.

This is great news! I'm pm'ing this to a few people.

Thanks for making these updates, DarkOne.

DarkOne: thanks very much for adding this option. I was one of those certain authors who pulled files saying enough is enough. There comes a point where it just becomes too much, considering that modders offer their efforts freely with no conditions. No one is REQUIRED to download or even look at mods - I even marked my stuff adult which cut the trolling down, but sadly didn't eliminate it.

I have always left positive and constructive comments to authors if I use and love their mods, even reporting any bugs I might find. If I see something I don't like, I simply pass it on by.

I would also like to add a huge thanks to both Buddah and Lhammonds for being sharp and on the case whenever comments have been reported. Moderating forums and mod sites is a labour of love as I know from my own experiences. Considering both hold down their own paid jobs, I think they do an excellent job in the face of adversity. Buddah even took the time to PM me about this feature.

Because you have put yourselves out for people like me who have been driven to the limit, I am prepared to put my files back on here - with commenting disabled of course! It might take me a bit of time as some stuff is being updated now that I can do my own modelling. I may need Lhammonds' help with some of the larger files again!

Once again, you have my thanks for taking these steps to control the trolls.

I'm very glad to see this implemented. Thank you and LHammonds and Buddah for all the work you do here to keep it running smoothly.

I think the attitude and moderation on this site has always been an example of how things should be done. For all those who enjoy TES games and encourage creativity it's a great place to spend time. You can expand your games every day, get and exchange ideas, with no hassle and all for free.
Those few that just want to mess with people get a short thrill, get noticed, and get a small experience.

Thanks to all those that keep it that way, and thanks for your mods AlienSlof.

AlienSlof, when the time comes, shoot me a link to wherever you have your file(s) located and I'll pop them on TESNexus for you. You can either create the upload page and then tell me where to put it or you can let me create the page, upload the file/images and I'll transfer the page under your ownership.

Oh, and welcome back and I hope this time 'round is more enjoyable. ** hug ** <-- the kind my wife doesn't mind.

LHammonds

Big kudos to you Darkone for implementing this, and to LHammonds and Buddah for everything that they have done as well.

Welcome back Alienslof, I for one can't wait to see the updates.

-corrandk

I am soooo glad that this issue has been addressed and acted upon. Especially to all of you that has supported those authors through your emails, pm's and posts. I can't possibly thank each and everyone of you, not being able to remember everyone, but for every word of support.. thanks.

Aoikani

Thanks Woogie for informing me of this post. And it's nice to see the Aliens are back!

Bravo

I pulled my MODs from this site about a year and a half ago due to flamming, and spamming also.

Wished you were tougher on that then . . .

I have since made hundreds of Mods for my own pleasure, and haven't shared them with the community here.

Maybe if your new policy sticks--I may upload here in the future some of my Mods I wish to share.

If you need another moderator that is available during many weird hours (the troling hours then let me know, I am a moderator at several other sites (forums) and can provide info as needed.

David
ImChance

Darkone, a big thank you to you, and to Buddah and LHammonds for their tireless and expert efforts on behalf of the community.

The comment disabling feature will certainly be an encouragement for me to once again make my mods available on this site.

A big welcome back to AlienSlof.

Bond

I wish to add my voice of support to this decision. I highly approve of the iron fist against those who sow destruction, when they target those who create.

I think it would be even better if, like on YouTube and other such sites, the creator of a mod had the ability to simply delete harassing comments (from their own work). Some might say such a thing could lead to even honest constructive criticism being deleted, but I consider creators to have a bit more character than that, as a whole.

It was considered but I believe this would be another future that the few would spoil for the many.

I don't get a lot of comment on my stuf, but I am happy to read all this. I think it will keep the snickering children quiet ...

Good to have you back, AlienSlof.
Here's another *hug*

Steph

Well I am just going to put my opinions about this. First of all I want to say the moderation job is rather contridicting, someone sent me a PM to stop trolling then banned me...what was the point of that in the first place. I am banned so I can't read it.

In my defense I said 1 negative thing about a skin (first post ever, I have been browsing several months though, checking out new things), the skin I am referring to was misleading and did not look like anything like the name mentioned, nor was that any good like many I have seen. therefore I gave it a 1 and then I said it looked nothing like him/her. Author provided no images. Banned..wtf?

First of all, if you make a mod congrats on the hard work at all, but half of you don't provide images, sometimes an adequate description, then get all fussy when you don't get a 10, 9, or 8 on your mod. Its called critique, its what happens when you make art, get over yourself. If you think you are so amazing you pulled your mods out,and you want people to go "oh my gosh we are soo sorry please put them back up" there are like 20,000 more to choose from.

Seriously live with it, some of the negative comments arn't trolling and just true.

If you guys decide to delete this comment for whatever reason, then you are just biased. If you want to fix the system, then give these kids what they want, a rating system that goes from 8-10. Once again I am not being mean or rating mods because I feel to be mean, I just think it was worth my time to rate it poorly because it was overall a poor skin.

Also read my post in anyway am I flaming or calling people names. I simply giving my point of view and some ideas to be fixed.

Do what you like. I am out.

I didnt say anything in here and wanted to .

I love work work ! And hope to see more ( I've used your mods since morrowind even )
And speaking candidly , hopefully , understandably I hope you reinstate your work . The people who flamed you wouldnt use your mod , but I do and my hard drive crashed so recollecting it has been problematic .

just a sidenote , I'm hetrosexual . So dont take what those flamers said as a negative conotation in general on one thing or another . ***holes are a whole different species

I think if the post contains any personal insults at anyone, they know better and they should be banned. So now what isn't personal about someone's hard work? If it wasn't for their great personality, they may not share it! I really try to just acknowledge that, constructive criticism is one thing, but a wise man once told me, "When in doubt, don't post, pass it by..." I've kept that in consideration since, we're not all critics here, why make that name for yourself? Glad you're back, Alienslof!

First I want to say thank you for the changes. I know it's tough on everybody but it's a necessary step. I applaud you Dark One and all of the Moderators.
I am a MW modder and recently had trouble with a individual. LHammons and Buddah took care of it very quickly!

Thank you for all of the time, effort, blood and sweat that you invest in this community.

Other sites are taking this same stance of no warnings. Insta-Ban. It's a sad but necessary step.
Great House Fliggety's has been declared a "Safe haven for Modders" It is heavily moderated. Anybody that trolls will be instantly banned. No warnings.

We have modders leaving the community left and right because of trolls.
Midgetalien pulled all of his mods off of PES recently. Apparently Sinblood/e-bride pulled their work also(I am unclear as from where). If anybody know why I would be interested. I know of several people that have left the offical forum completely or pulled drastically back, I'm one of them.

I am seriously considering disabling comments on all of my mods. For one reason only. I mod for myself first and others second. I only need feedback if something is wrong. It's disheartening to know that some peoples whole existence hinges on them making you feel/look bad. Especially when they keep asking me to do something that is completely illegal.

So keep up the good work!

Please give it another go ecarasone. For every jerk on the forum there are at least 20 people ready to defend you plus a great team of moderators.

I just wanted to add that I don't care about the trolls, flamers, and snickering adolescents who have nothing to do except try to be 'cute'. They bore me. I mod for me and me alone. I share my mods with the community because I have received a lot from the other modders and gamers and I like giving something back.

As to the quality of any of my mods, I will always accept constructive critism because I know I'm not perfect. But remember .. everything every modder creates and uploads to any of the download sites is free to anyone. No charge. All you have to do is download it and it's there for you to use. Try it out and if you like it use it. If you don't like it delete it and move on. I've downloaded hundreds of mods. Some I like and use, others get deleted or put on a cd and stacked up in my pile never to be seen again.

If the modders were charging for their work and making a living at it, first there would be a lot less modders and the mods would be much higher quality. the gamers would have more to complain about if a 'bad mod' was released.

[/rant]

(sorry. I get bitchy sometimes)