Privileges

SmokeDetector operates a privilege system. That is, before you are able to use a number of commands (most notably the feedback commands), you must be added to a list of privileged users in SmokeDetector’s code.

Please review this page before getting in touch with someone with a request; once you know what you need, see whom to ping.

For broader background, please also review the training section.

For guidance on reviewing possible spam posts, please review Feedback Guidance.

Getting reviewer privileges with SmokeDetector

In theory, anyone can be added to the privilege list. In practice, this doesn’t always work out, so as a general guideline, we look for a few things to indicate how qualified you are.

These are all general guidelines, rather than hard limits. Really, we’re just checking to make sure that you’re a sane person who won’t abuse the system. We understand that there are cases of users who have little apparent activity who can be excellent at moderation; we’re also aware that the converse is true. Take note of what’s mentioned here, but also remember that requests are judged on a case-by-case basis.

For Stack Exchange moderators and Community Managers

If you’re a Stack Exchange network moderator, you’re automatically privileged with SmokeDetector in Charcoal HQ by default (and in SOCVR if you are a Stack Overflow moderator). You don’t need to be added to the explicit privilege lists, as your diamond also gives you privileges with SmokeDetector. We assume that moderators are, on the whole, pretty good at moderation.

Moderators can also see additional information on their site dashboard in relation to spammers and autoflagging participants.

Moderators and Community Managers are routinely given both the Flagger and Reviewer roles on metasmoke. Granting those roles is, however, a manual process and mistakes or oversights happen. If you are a moderator or Community manager and don’t have those roles, please feel free to ping a metasmoke administrator in the Charcoal HQ chat room.

Diamond-based privileges apply to any room you have a diamond in. This means, in effect, they extend across one entire chat server (two if you’re an SO or MSE mod; three if you’re an SO and MSE mod - looking at you, ChrisF). Diamond privileges do not inherit like normal privileges do - if your privileges in CHQ are based on your diamond, they will not inherit to Tavern on the Meta.

Privilege Levels

There are multiple privilege levels on SmokeDetector and metasmoke, each giving you access to different commands, tools, etc. There isn’t any exact threshold that you have to meet in order to be eligible for many of these privileges; rather the admins will grant them to you at their own discretion. If you think that you should have some of these privileges but you don’t, please contact an admin.

This is not a strict hierarchy; if you have special needs, you might need a specific privilege. This exposition roughly outlines a typical progression from newcomer to trusted project admin. (Obviously, most users never want or need to become project administrators.)

(SD) refers to privileges set in the code of SmokeDetector in users.yml and rooms.yml, (MS) refers to privileges set from within metasmoke (the admin would then add you using the form on this page), and (GH) refers to privileges set on GitHub.

SmokeDetector privileges (SD)

The process for acquiring these privileges is listed above. Depending on where you get privileges, your privileges may apply to one or to multiple rooms: if you acquire them in SOCVR, your privileges will apply only to SOCVR; if you acquire them in Charcoal HQ, you will also be automatically privileged in Charcoal Test and Tavern on the Meta.

This privilege level allows you to:

Technically, this privilege is granted in the Smoke Detector source code by adding the user’s numeric account ID to the privileged_users list for the room in question. When this is in place, the !!/amiprivileged chat command will cause Smoke Detector to reply “✓ You are a privileged user”.

Flagger (MS)

Given the number of accounts which are set up by spammers and trolls, this role is usually granted manually. Accounts which are associated with a Stack Exchange account and are, potentially, able to participate in flagging across the network (i.e. has the association bonus) and which have been in existence for some time are generally given this role once a metasmoke admin becomes aware of the new account. There are, however, no hard requirements. Under normal circumstances, the creation of an account is automatically reported in Charcoal HQ chat room and acted upon to grant this role, or not, when a metasmoke admin sees it. You are welcome to enter the Charcoal HQ chat room and request the role from a metasmoke administrator.

Reviewer (MS)

Everyone who has SmokeDetector privileges is eligible to get the reviewer role. However, this process is not automatic, so you will need to sign up for a metasmoke account so that an admin can grant it to you. Moderators on any site in the Stack Exchange Network and Stack Exchange Community Managers are routinely given this role without asking for it, but it’s a manual process, so might be missed when the account is first activated.

This allows you to:

Blacklist manager a.k.a. code admin or blacklister (MS)

[Note to admins adding a Blacklister: In addition to adding the Blacklist Manager role to the user’s MS account, the user’s GitHub account must be added to the Other Awesome People (OAPs) team on GitHub (only visible to Charcoal-SE members). If the user is not already a member of the Charcoal-SE GitHub organization, they will need to be invited to join Charcoal-SE and accept the invitation; hint: you can invite them to Charcoal-SE and add them to OAPs at the same time. After all that is done, or at least the after the Blacklist Manager role is granted on MS, the user (or someone) will need to run !!/amicodeprivileged to have SD update its cached list of Blacklisters.]

Core (MS)

Given to people who have contributed to Charcoal in a significant way. This signals that you are a core member of our team.

Benefits include:

GitHub push privileges a.k.a. proper code admin (GH)

These people have collaborator access on GitHub.

One of the project’s owners on GitHub will add you as a collaborator to the correct repository by assigning you to the appropriate team on our GH organisation. Note: if you’re already part of the GH organisation, the team maintainer can also add you.

SmokeDetector Runner (MS)

Note that you can still run a SmokeDetector instance without this privilege; however its functionality will be limited without it.

Admin (MS)

These people get access to lots of administrative tools. They are able to see most data that is usually only visible to its owner, and perform system-level administration and maintenance tasks. All admins are also subscribed to the [email protected] mailing list - any email sent to that address will reach the admins.

They can:

MS Developer (MS)

Only available to our benevolent dictators Art, thesecretmaster, Undo, and Thomas Ward (who runs the MS infrastructure on behalf of the benevolent dictators). Only Undo can grant this privilege level, by editing the database directly from the console.