❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ covers common questions for users, moderators, admins, and developers.
👤 Users
Q: Do I need an account to view reports?
A: No, you can browse the map anonymously. An account is required to submit reports, comment, or flag content.
Q: How do I get an alias username?
A: When you first sign in with Google, Apple, Mastodon, or BlueSky, the system generates a random alias for privacy.
Q: Can I delete my reports or comments?
A: Yes, you can delete your own reports and comments from your profile page.
Q: How do I make my profile private?
A: In your profile settings, you can choose Public, Members-only, or Private visibility.
🛡️ Moderators
Q: How do I become a moderator?
A: Admins assign the moderator role to trusted users.
Q: Can I promote someone to moderator?
A: No, only admins can assign or remove roles.
Q: Are moderation notes editable?
A: No, notes are immutable for accountability.
Q: Where can I see my moderation history?
A: The Moderation Log records every action, visible to moderators and admins.
🛠️ Admins
Q: How can I require approval for reports?
A: Toggle the Require Approval setting in the Admin Dashboard.
Q: Can admins see private user profiles?
A: No, privacy settings apply to all roles, including admins.
Q: How are bans handled?
A: Admins and moderators can ban/unban users. All actions are logged in the moderation history.
💻 Developers
Q: How do I set up the project locally?
A: See the Developer Guide for full setup instructions.
Q: Where are API endpoints located?
A: Under /api/, grouped by feature (auth, reports, moderation, analytics, users).
Q: How do I extend the schema?
A: Update the MySQL schema, modify seed.sql, and document changes in CHANGELOG.md.
Q: How are docs deployed?
A: The project uses MkDocs with GitHub Actions. Docs auto-deploy to GitHub Pages on pushes to main.
🌐 General
Q: Is my real name shown anywhere?
A: No, the platform only uses alias usernames for privacy.
Q: Can the data be shared with researchers or the city?
A: Yes, future versions will provide a public API and export features.
Q: Where do I report bugs or suggest features?
A: Open a GitHub Issue using the provided templates.
Still have questions?
Check the Glossary or open an Issue on GitHub.