We have been reviewing our site policy regarding our infractions, warnings, and banning policy and have reached a point of changing it. Going forward, we have the following Infractions selectable by staff in dealing with problem members:
Code:
[B]Title[/B] [B]Points[/B] [B]Expires[/B]
Abuse 1 12 Month(s)
Other BLUA Violation 1 12 Month(s)
Drug Solicitation 1 12 Month(s)
Violation of forum guidelines 1 12 Month(s)
Repeated violation 1 12 Month(s)
Depending upon the number of active infraction points (all points expire in 12 months), the system will automatically suspend an offending member's account for X days upon earning Y warning points. This 'Temp Ban' length of time is outlined here:
Code:
2 pts = 1 day
4 pts = 3 days
5 pts = 7 days
6 pts = 2 weeks
7 pts = 1 month
8 pts = 3 months
9 pts = 6 months
10 pts = 12 months
Still under manual control will be:
- Sr. Staff can add additional time to the suspension if the member continues violations during the Temp Ban.
- Sr. Staff can ban accounts permanently in obvious situations (ie, SPAM).
- Admin can reverse a warning, infraction, or ban if there was an error in issuing it.
This will put the ultimate power to 'Temp Ban' someone in the hands of the mods who issue infractions and warnings, but each one they issue is recorded and subject to review by sr. staff to ensure there is not an abuse of the system by anyone on staff (for example, a mod on drug binge hammering out warnings to a member just to ban them for fun). Such actions will be reviewed by sr. staff and appropriate action taken (up to and including reversal of infraction points and removal from staff).
We are still working out a way of making it known whom is on Temp Ban (at least, those of an extended period) so that members understand why someone has had their site access revoked and for how long. This is still somewhat under discussion, and we'll update this thread shortly. Up to now there has been a 'Ban on Sight' list of people who fucked up bad enough to NOT ever be allowed back, but we are reforming those bans to be more in alignment with our system outlined above. As of this week, the following persons are on extended ban status:
You'll note some of those have multiple usernames listed,
part of our system will be that if another account is registered during that Temp Ban period, the ban on the original account is extended and that recent alias is banned. It is on the offender to abide by the ban or have it extended. Members are asked to help us identify those persons when you see them back on site during a temporary ban of their account (you can PM a staff member or use the REPORT function on their posts).
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The changes above have not gone into place as yet, though we'll be editing the site settings this week. Also, I will outline below some of the history of what got us to this point.
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It's been noted that when someone is under a suspension, registering additional accounts will lead to more infractions which creates longer bans....it creates the quandry of how to communicate questions or concerns to the site whilst in that suspended state. For those wondering, here are some sample questions, and their related answers:
- I have had numerous names over the years and I was wondering if you are going to reinstate one or am I going to make up a new one?
Our policy is that if you've screwed up enough to be on this kind of list, those account names aren't coming back. You, the 'person' are able to return, but your old 'screenname' is dead. Please register a new account when you are eligible.
- 2. I've read that I come back Sept. 2010. Does that mean I come back on the 1st of Sept. or on a specific day?
It wasn't specified, but technically September 1st is in September, so that would be the first date of eligibility for return.
- 3. So when Im back, does my warning level go back down to zero and how many more warnings until banishment again?
We've debated this, and it isn't quite set in stone as yet. Some of us prefer that the old points be carried over, so future generations of staff are aware of the problems caused....please note, however, that given the time frames, most of those points would have expired and will not be counting towards any future bans, and nobody but staff can see the point count. Others prefer to let the new account come in with zero points, though we keep note of who this new person used to be and how many points they'd earned under that old account. Regardless of how we keep notes on people, the net effect to any banned person is the same - you are coming in clean again.
- 4. If I think of any more questions, is there an email address I can send them to? I dont think it is a good idea to post in this forum any more than this one time.
You are correct, posting here or registering simply to ask these questions probably won't be smiled upon too much. However, there is a 'Contact Us' link at the bottom right corner of every page which will submit your questions to the admin group. If it is something specific to your case, we may respond via email (use one you can receive a response with). If the questions are beneficial for all to learn, such as the ones raised here, we'll post the response publicly for you and anyone else to learn. If it is simply more trolling, we won't respond at all - we reserve that right.
Edit 8 JUN 2010 - added the points/days_suspension listing for member education.
Edit 22 JUN 2010 - added four questions and answers
Edit 24 AUG 2010 - knocked "Repeat Offense" from 2 pts to 1 pt, eliminated 3 pt "Major Violation" since it was never clearly defined. All infractions are now 1 pt.
In the mean time, heres the updated one.
