Getting back on topic, we might have the new user TL3 flag block thresholds in place by the end of the week, or next week at the latest. (some other internal stuff had to take priority for the moment, sorry) I also apologize that I have to be coy about the exact number of flags + tl3 users that will trigger this, but I do think they are safe and reasonable levels that would have kicked in a tad earlier in the specific example cited:
7 replies by this user were flagged
20 flags were cast total (distribution 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 3, 3)
6 users involved in flags – 5 TL3, 1 TL2
(I also flagged it to push it over the topic flag close limit a bit sooner, but I am not counting myself in the above)
So in the meantime, I suggest you practice your flagging skills on any new users who show up and start posting in what you consider to be clear and overt bad faith.
OK! I’ve deployed that here. If anyone wants to test it, create a new account, be a super jerk (in a test topic created and clearly marked for that purpose, obvs) and watch the TL3 flag magic happen.
And, in general, please continue to flag posts, especially posts by new accounts, when they are clearly being overt not-even-trying jerkholes.
Yeah test topics only please. It is true that all posts by a new user will be automatically hidden if they reach the TL3 flag or spam flag threshold, though.
@codinghorror: Can we move all of the talk about threads closing over to a Meta topic? It seems like the appropriate category, and most of this thread is now far removed from @ChickieD’s original post.
Based on your feedback, we have significantly relaxed the thresholds for auto blocking to happen, but bear in mind:
target must be TL0 (new user)
flaggers must be TL3 (regulars)
… for the auto-block part of this to happen. All other flag effects (hiding posts, auto-close of topics, etc) have their own thresholds that are calculated independently.