Moderator Guide
Welcome to the FAOL moderation team. This guide covers everything you need to know.
If you need admin-level help, contact @rtidd.
Day-to-Day Moderation
Flags
When a member flags a post, you’ll see it in the Flag Queue. Options:
- Agree — take action (hide post, warn user, etc.)
- Disagree — dismiss the flag
- Ignore — defer for someone else
Moving Topics
If a topic is in the wrong category, click the pencil icon next to the category name and change it.
Closing & Archiving
Use the wrench icon at the bottom of a topic to:
- Close — no more replies
- Archive — close + hide from latest
- Unlist — hide from topic lists but still accessible by URL
Editing Titles
Click the pencil icon next to any topic title to fix typos or improve clarity.
Games Admin
The Games Admin page is at /games/admin.html. You must be logged in as a moderator or admin.
Pattern ID — Reviewing Images
The Pattern ID game shows members a fly pattern photo and asks them to identify it. The quality of photos matters.
To review patterns:
- Go to Games Admin
- The Pattern ID Images tab shows all patterns
- Use the filter bar: All | Unvetted | Approved | Rejected
- For each pattern:
- Click the image to see it full-size in the lightbox
- Click Approve if it’s a clear photo of a finished fly
- Click Reject if it’s a tying step, blurry, not a fly, or poor quality
- Click View Topic to see the original fly pattern post
- Click Save Now when done — changes are live immediately
What makes a good Pattern ID image:
- Clear photo of the finished fly
- Good lighting, in focus
- Shows the whole fly (not a close-up of one part)
- NOT a tying step or materials photo
Pattern ID — Adding New Patterns
New patterns are added automatically when apply_theme.py runs (admin task). But you can also add them manually:
- Find a great fly pattern photo in the Fly Patterns category
- Right-click the image → Copy image URL
- In Games Admin, scroll up to the Add Pattern form
- Paste the image URL
- Select the fly type tag
- Click Add Pattern then Save Now
Trivia — Managing Questions
The Trivia Questions tab lets you:
- Add questions manually using the form at the top
- Generate questions from patterns — click “Generate from Patterns” to auto-create questions from approved pattern tag data
- Review generated questions — each one shows up with Add/Skip buttons
- Delete questions that are wrong or outdated
Always click Save Now after changes.
Handling Member Issues
Spam
Flag as spam → Agree → this hides the post and sends a warning. Repeat offenders get auto-suspended.
Offensive Content
Flag → Agree → choose the appropriate action (warn, silence, suspend).
Suspensions
Go to a user’s profile → Admin → Suspend. Always include a reason. Suspensions can be temporary (days) or permanent.
Useful Links
| Link | What |
|---|---|
| Flag Queue | Review flagged posts |
| Games Admin | Manage Pattern ID and Trivia |
| User Directory | Browse members |
| Site Statistics | Traffic and activity stats |
| Moderator Activity | What mods have been doing |