Downloads Section Overhaul
We've launched an overhaul to the downloads section today. Including new fields, a revamped layout for actual download pages and the ability to link mods together - we hope that the new downloads section is a big improvement for everyone.
There'll be more information regarding these changes in the next few days.
New File Approval System Trial
We're also announcing a significant change to our file approval system. With the number of files we have to process each day, it is becoming highly impractical to approve every single file. Due to the busy schedule of many moderators, files sometimes have to wait over a day or two before being processed. This can't continue, and we've definitely heard your complaints on the matter. As a result, we are starting a 1 month trial of a new system.
Effective immediately, members will no longer have to have their files approved by moderators unless there are outstanding circumstances or the account is extremely new (less than 1.7% of members fall into those categories). In addition, thanks to the hard work from Cyan, we now have an automatic virus scan system. When a file gets uploaded, it is automatically scanned for viruses. If anything comes up, the file will be unapproved automatically. This will significantly reduce the chances of anyone slipping malware through. We will still be checking through files to look for any violations, and we encourage everyone to report files if they think something is incorrect. We know some files will still be improper, but the vast majority (over 70% of them) have been fine to approve as-is. We don't believe a minority of improper files should warrant every file having to wait days on end for approval.
Anyone who fails to follow the upload instructions will have to deal with their files being taken down as soon as the problem is noticed. It is in your best interest, as well as ours, to follow all rules thoroughly before you submit a file. You don't want to have your file taken down randomly because you didn't follow the directions - no one will be able to download your file until you resolve any issues. Anyone who routinely has issues following proper upload rules will have their auto-approval privileges revoked until they learn how to upload correctly. In addition, we reserve the right to revoke anyone's auto-approval privileges if they repeatedly upload fake mods or other joke mods that are only designed to interfere with this site.
On a related note, we will be phasing out the old system that allowed some members to bypass the approval system. Since almost every member can now bypass approval, there is no need for that system to exist. As an extension of the retirement of that system, members who have been allowed to change their profile backgrounds in addition to bypassing file approval will have that background feature revoked. That was a very old legacy system that hasn't been right for this site for a long time.
If at the end of the one month trial (6th of March) or sooner, we determine that the new system is not working, we will revert back to the old approval system and attempt to enact some other internal changes instead. The profile background feature will not be restored, and the auto virus-scan feature will remain in place. If the new system seems to work, it will remain in effect until further notice and the old auto-approve system mentioned earlier for select members will be removed entirely. We will notify everyone on any updates to the approval system as additional posts in this thread.
Malediction
Asst. Community Manager.