🇳🇱
So I'm realizing a big problem with allow non-englist posts in QOTO.., Me and the other mods ( @arteteco and @Surasanji ) cant moderate it proactively. We have to wait for reports and then still have trouble.
It hasnt been a problem yet but worries me.
@Karthikdeva @freemo @arteteco @Surasanji We will need to have people willing to offer the help and monitor them, or ban non-english posts outright.
Restricting to western script, european languages only is easier, but could be seen as unfairly restrictive.
@Karthikdeva @freemo @arteteco @Surasanji If there's any problematic posting in one of those unfathomable language/scripts, we end up facing anger from remote instance admins, or possibly flam wars if post is political in nature.
Neither an interesting perpective or productive use of admin, mod team's time and attention.
I would suggest reinforcing the site's main subject / theme as well, we don't want to be another masto.social with thousands of general posting users imo.
@design_RG @freemo @arteteco @Surasanji
It's extremely complicated. My first few days in QOTO, I was indulged in political toots and conversations with members of other instances.
#QOTO has a beautiful theme. But i guess, its not just limited to STEM (but primarily )
@Karthikdeva @freemo @arteteco @Surasanji A light touch at the tiller is essential for good seamanship sometimes.
Pointing the way without being harsh, ideal.
The site has this unique focus and a talented membership acting in the STEM field, education, etc. we might lose people if it turns spammy and messy; there are many instances to chose.
I hope we can find the right approach, and it's nice that things here are discussed so openly. Unusual in my past experience.
Thats the fear, relying on reports usually means its too late..
@freemo @Karthikdeva @arteteco @Surasanji If we get flamed from other instances it will be hell, and denigrate this instance's reputation.
Politics in India and the region can be quite passionate and inflamed from what I have seen. It doesn't belong here, that kind of discussion or conflict, so it's important to have monitoring if posts in these languages stay accepted.
@freemo @Karthikdeva @arteteco @Surasanji In interest of being clear, I have blocked non-western script posts, which are totally obscure to me, via settings in mastodon web client. So I haven't seen any posts that Mastodon identifies as non-english or european languages.
Yea for most users they wont see languages they dont know. I am worried for the users who can understand it and might be seeing spam.
@design_RG @arteteco @Surasanji it may seem unfair. But I'm okay with whatever @freemo decides. I'm willing to help mods w.r.t Indian languages (Tamil, Hindi, etc)
@Karthikdeva @arteteco @Surasanji @freemo
That's wonderful Karthik! Site really needs help with those.
I am planning to offer my help on the next mod nominations round, when i will have enough time and experience.
For the moment the best way to help is to report non-english posts asap and offer a translation when you do.
@freemo @design_RG @arteteco @Surasanji yup, duly noted :)
The issue isnt limited to indian languages however. We have other languages used here as well.
I can read French without much difficulty, which I've seen a lot in the federated timeline. It hasn't shown up here yet, but if that community establishes a presence on this instance feel free to reach out.
I'm also making progress at learning Farsi, which I see occasionally on the local timeline. Nothing's appeared offensive to me yet, but I'm not yet proficient enough to identify innuendos etc. that aren't outright insults.
That's kind of you, thank you, Kyle. A service to the community, if we can spot any improper posting, no matter the language.
I am guilty of some Spanish practice chatter with some of our own users and visitors. I do speak Portuguese as well, although haven't met any local user here yet who speaks it.
The major problem is the non-western languages which are obscure to most of us, and difficult even to try and machine transtalate - I copied one from a local post and tried Yandex Translate, but it did not auto-recognize and I wasn't sure either which it would be (appears to be Tamil).
For someone who knows a language and lives overseas, a spontaneous conversation which pops up in a thread can feel homely, or be a chance to practice for someone who's learning.
The Western European languages are fairly common and easier to comprehend, even if someone is beginning to learn.
I keep following the Le Monde bot, and enjoy parsing the news headers and enjoying the polish and elegance of their French texts.
@freemo @arteteco @Surasanji Most languages can be translated automatically, and while not perfect, it should be good enough for initial screening process and identifying the potentially "bad" ones, I think. Then can first ask to the tooter for an explanation, and if they don't/can't cooperate ask the community.
Regarding waiting for reports being "too late", I think that's more of a growth issue, language is just another speed bump not a brick wall.
Fair points, for now I prefer to rely on translations. But its tricky since it isnt automatic. Also tone and subtle context is important a lot of times.
@freemo @arteteco @Surasanji hmmm... quick search for a browser plugin yielded nothing automatic... shame on UI
TL;DR Gargron, why not automatic translation in mastodon?
I am kinda surprised @gargron hasnt implemented this feature. I'd also be curious as to why if he is willing to share.
@freemo @arteteco @Surasanji Indian languages, especially Tamil (which I'm seeing a lot in QOTO instance) and Hindi (barely) needs to be checked promptly.