As many of you have likely noticed there have been a lot of duplicate observation flags in the last day or two. They’re burying other flags. What is the appropriate course of action here, if any?

It was discussed and staff answered there likely won’t be new flag category, but a DQA vote, with @tiwane saying we shouldn’t use flags anymore, but for now it’s a strange situation, because last time I asked if flagging is ok for curators I got an answer that curators use some filters and aren’t bo…

Contact the users and ask them to delete the duplicates. Either a comment or a DM is fine. Responsible users delete quite readily if contacted. I’ve spent quite a lot of time resolving these flags, too, in the last couple of days. .

I think the users have already been contacted - I guess I wonder if there should be another category of flags for duplicates so that the duplicate flags don’t bury taxa/inappropriate flags.

That is an intriguing suggestion. Sort of like there’s a separate filter for copyright infringement and spam flags?

Yeah, that’s what I’m proposing. Preferably with the requirement of linking the duplicate for easy reference.

Thanks for linking - I had looked for something similar to what I’m suggesting but couldn’t find it. https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/create-a-flag-category-for-duplicate-observations/29647/46 I guess this is technically resolved then. The duplicate flags are still a pain imo, and it seems like the …

I did - painfully copypasta the duplicate links. But got no response from observers. Now I just - Duplicate please delete. Or please combine multiples.

@tiwane said there, “If duplicates are a problem for identifiers (and potentially data users) I think a better solution would be via a DQA vote or, probably most effective, clear instructions for new users…” Re DQA vote, did I miss which one should be used? I used to use one but backed off after so…

[image] antrozousamelia: there have been a lot of duplicate observation flags in the last day or two. They’re burying other flags. I thought @kueda had implemented a change last month to specifically prevent flags for duplicates . Maybe it is not working as intended?

I think he meant a new one they will add, I just add no evidence of organism and many other people do that too, imo it’s better than just leaving duplicated data.

If my duplicate copypasta comes up in my notifications again Then I will - Life - no it is as good as it can be. No evidence of life is usually not true.

An abundance of duplicate observation flags

Curators

lotteryd June 16, 2022, 9:54pm 16

Roger that, thanks!

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An abundance of duplicate observation flags

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