Re: 3rd RfD: Mass-deletion of moderated groups without a moderator

On 3/12/25 10:19 PM, Rayner Lucas wrote:

 For groups in the latter category, I'm considering setting up some kind of
robo-moderation service for them. This would have a couple of benefits:
it would give time to try converting a group to unmoderated as a test
case, and would also permit seeing whether anyone is still attempting
to post to the groups. It could therefore serve as a temporary measure
if it's unclear what the best course of action would be.
 A robo-moderation system could also be a starting point for a more
general moderation platform. Currently, a serious problem is that
prospective moderators can't simply start moderating a group: they need
to set up email addresses, install and configure software (most of which
is outdated and awkward to set up), and get their Usenet provider to
allow them to post approved messages (which not all providers will be
willing to do). If we're going to have a mass deletion of groups without
moderators, I think we also ought to make sure that moderating a group
is not an unreasonably difficult thing to start doing.
 Thoughts?

I agree that robo-moderation for certain groups, on a test basis, is a good idea. The robo-moderator could be configured with some basic checks against flooding. Otherwise, it seems to me that the risk is a small one, as whoever controls the robo-moderator can disable it or modify it if needed.
We could let the robo-moderator run for 6 months or a year and see what, if any, new articles come in.