Imported from https://github.com/wikimedia/countervandalism-cvn-clerkbot/issues/3.

@Seahorseruler@github.com wrote on 2 Nov 2014:

I propose the following additions to CVNClerkBot and wanted to get your thoughts:

• An Ignore List that ignores by hostname or nick for users who misuse the !staff command.
  • Users who are on the ignore list will instead be PMed "This function is currently not available. Please visit #countervandalism for help."
• A Cool Down period for the !staff command that will limit how often it can be used.
  • For example, if we want to restrict usage of !staff to once every 5 minutes per person, set the cool down to 300 seconds. If the same user tries to use the command again before the time is up, they will be automatically asked to wait for a response to their original inquiry before trying again.

@Krinkle@github.com wrote on 2 Nov 2014:

I think we can make it a lot less formal. There's no need to inform the user of the command or function being "unavailable" or being in wait. Their message is still (naturally) sent to #countervandalism, people still see it and may respond. It's just a notification to the staff channel that may not be sent. That doesn't have to be broadcasted elsewhere or even to the person requesting the attention. That would only provoke potential abusers or give them the illusion their activity isn't ignored (and essentially confirms that when it isn't unavailable, their ping did in fact trigger a notification in the staff channel).

I agree it should be rate limited, but we can just have that be silent.

@Az1568@github.com wrote on 1 Aug 2016:

This is currently being abused in multiple channels to flood out the bot. Needs to be fixed as soon as possible.