I was just trying to moderator flag a post to send the moderator an important message, but couldn't possibly fit it in the comment box. If you're not going to give space to send a full message, then stop playing around and delete the comment box.
You really messed up, Stack Exchange.
As a result of this question, I am seriously considering increasing the text input limit on the moderator flag box from 150 to 151 characters.
Note new mod dialog and new length of other comment.
Things that require moderator attention generally don't need whole paragraphs to explain. We only need a quick note of what probably needs to be looked at, and the small comment is pretty sufficient. If the textbox is too large, then it can easily be filled with a lot of noise that is unnecessary for getting the job done.
If something is so large that you can't condense it to 150 characters, and important enough that you must alert the moderators, send an email using the "contact us" link in the footer. Moderator flags aren't really for things that require huge amounts of explanation. The comment is just to give enough context for action.
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/#######/ is 43 characters and is just a quick mouse drag. You can even supply an answer post ID and it'll link proper for us, although this does use more of your time. But it leaves 107 characters to illustrate Dupe of or Please merge this into or even An evil multi-migration, by Jon Skeet no less! with plenty to spare for even a second URL. Alternatively, if a big problem spans multiple posts consider flagging them all (or in bunches) with the fancy new raised amount of mod flags.
Commented
Jan 7, 2011 at 19:50
Changes to the mod flag box are actually status-planned...
we're also adding common reasons to the mod flag dialog, which is being redesigned to be less.. scary -- Jeff Atwood
The moderators are supposed to use their own judgement when acting on an issue. The box is intentionally small so that the user can point to the issue and say, "please consider this for moderator action" - it is NOT meant to write an essay telling the moderator why it's wrong, or trying to convince them of the wrongness of the situation.
If there is an issue which requires a great deal of explanation, then you should either email the team@stackoverflow (yes, it does eventually get to the moderators) OR post something on Meta asking for moderator action (prior to the moderator alert these were the only two options available). Meta is also a good place to try to weigh in on why the situation should be moderated when you expect the moderator to waver on whether to act or not. I'd go so far as to say that you should only email the team in those cases where a long message is required and a certain amount of privacy seems necessary.
Please give us an example of a question which requires more than 150 characters to point out the problem. If this limit is a problem going forward, then it needs to be evaluated and corrected, and the best way to get to that point is by supplying examples.
If you have something that important to say to the mods, then make it either an answer or a comment on the question, then flag them with a note to say "See [comment|answer|edit] labeled @MODS for detail". You could even stick it in a revision history and use that to "erase the evidence" if you felt the need.
I don't see the problem. Yes the box is short. Work around it.
