Moderator Guide

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In phpBB3, it is now possible to merge topics together, in addition to splitting topics. This can be useful if, for example, two separate topics are related and involve the same discussion. The merging topics feature allows existing topics to be merged into one another.

To merge topics together, start by locating selection menu beneath the topic in question, which brings you to the Moderator Control Panel. From here, you need to enter the topic ID of the topic you want to move the posts to. You can click SELECT TOPIC to see a list of the topics available and specify which. Checking the MARK ALL section will select all the posts in the current topic and allow moving to the existing topic. The posts merged into the new topic will retain their existing timestamp (e.g. they will not appear at the end of the topic they are being merged to, but will be sorted based on their timestamp).

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Rather than just merging topics together, you can also merge specific posts into any other topic.

To merge specific posts into another topic, start by locating the selection menu beneath the topic, and get to the Moderator Control Panel. From here, you need to enter the topic ID of the topic you want to move the posts to. You can click SELECT TOPIC to see a list of the topics available and specify which. Select the posts which you wish to merge from the current topic, into the existing topic. The posts merged into the new topic will retain their existing timestamp (e.g. they will not appear at the end of the topic they are being merged to, but will be sorted based on their timestamp).

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The MODERATION QUEUE is an area where topics and posts which need to be approved are listed. If a forum or user’s permissions are set to MODERATOR QUEUE via the Administration Control Panel, all posts made in that forum or by this user will need to be approved by an administrator or moderator before they are displayed to other users. Topics and posts which require approval can be viewed through the Moderator Control Panel.

When viewing a forum, topics which have not yet been approved will be marked with an icon, clicking on this icon will take you directly to the Moderator Control Panel where you may approve or disapprove the topic. Likewise, when viewing the topic itself, the post requiring approval will be accompanied with a message which also links to the post waiting approval.

If you choose to approve a topic or post, you will be given the option to notify the user of its approval. If you choose to disapprove a topic or post, you will be given the option to notify the user of its disapproval and also specify why you have disapproved the post, and enter a description.

For further information regarding the Moderator Control Panel, see Section 4.5, “The Moderator Control Panel (MCP)”.

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Unlike phpBB2, phpBB3 now allows users to report a post, for reasons the board administrator can define within the Administration Control Panel. If a user finds a post unsuitable for any reason, they may report it using the REPORT POST button beside the offending message. This report is then displayed within the Moderator Control Panel where the Administrator or Moderators can view, close, or delete the report.

When viewing a forum with post reports within topics, the topic title will be accompanied by a red exclamation icon. This alerts the administrator(s) or moderators that there a post has been reported. When viewing topics, reported posts are accompanied by a red exclamation and text. Clicking this icon or text will bring them to the Reported Posts section of the Moderator Control Panel.

For further information regarding the Moderator Control Panel, see Section 4.5, “The Moderator Control Panel (MCP)”.

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Another new feature in phpBB3 is the MODERATOR CONTROL PANEL, where any moderator will feel at home. Similar to the Administration Control Panel, this area outlines any current moderator duties that need to be acted upon. After navigating to the MCP, the moderator will be greeted with any posts waiting for approval, any post reports and the five latest logged actions - performed by administrators, moderators, and users.

On the left side is a menu containing all the relevant areas within the MCP. This guide outlines each individual section and what kind of information they each contain:

MAIN
This contains pre-approved posts, reported posts and the five latest logged actions.

MODERATION QUEUE
This area lists any topics or posts waiting for approval.

REPORTED POSTS
A list of all open or closed reported posts.

USER NOTES
This is an area for administrators or moderators to leave feedback on certain users.

WARNINGS
The ability to warn a user, view current users with warnings and view the five latest warnings.

MODERATOR LOGS
This is an in-depth list of the five latest actions performed by administrators, moderators or users, as shown on the main page of the MCP.

BANNING
The option to ban users by username, IP address or email address.

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The moderation queue lists topics or posts which require moderator action. The moderation queue is accessible from the Moderator Control Panel. For more information regarding the moderation queue, see Section 4.3, “What is the “Moderation queue”?”.

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Reported posts are reports submitted by users regarding problematic posts. Any current reported posts are accessible from the Moderator Control Panel. For more information regarding reported posts, see Section 4.4, “What are “Reported posts”?”.

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When viewing any particular forum, clicking MODERATOR CONTROL PANEL will take you to the forum moderation area. Here, you are able to mass moderate topics within that forum via the dropdown box. The available actions are:

DELETE: Deletes the selected topic(s).

MOVE: Moves the selected topic(s) to another forum of your preference.

FORK: Creates a duplicate of the selected topic(s) in another forum of your preference.

LOCK: Locks the selected topic(s).

UNLOCK: Unlocks the selected topic(s).

RESYNC: Resynchronise the selected topic(s).

CHANGE TOPIC TYPE: Change the topic type to either GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT, STICKY, or REGULAR TOPIC.

You can also mass-moderate posts within topics. This can be done by navigating through the MCP when viewing the forum, and clicking on the topic itself. Another way to accomplish this is to click the MCP link whilst viewing the particular topic you wish to moderate.

When moderating inside a topic, you can: rename the topic title, move the topic to a different forum, alter the topic icon, merge the topic with another topic, or define how many posts per page will be displayed (this will override the board setting).

From the selection menu, you may also: lock and unlock individual posts, delete the selected post(s), merge the selected post(s), or split or split from the selected post(s).

The POST DETAILS link next to posts also entitle you to alter other settings. As well as viewing the poster’s IP address, profile and notes, and the ability to warn the poster, you also have the option to change the poster ID assigned to the post. You can also lock or delete the post from this page.

Note
Depending on the specific permissions set to your user account, some of the aforementioned options and abilities may not be available to you.