Playing KingKong

[Delacroix02]

Well, to be honest, a computer-controlled plane is now flying full-speed towards your house. I mean, what the hell? If I am to commit a homicide, let there be some serious fireworks!

Seriously, thanks for backing me up on this one. I believe, that a warnings/infractions system would suffice. I would make it look like this:

- 3 infractions / warnings - temp ban (2 months)
- 4th infraction / warning - permanent ban

An infraction would disappear from the account after 1 month.
Which means if yu get 3 infractions in 3 months, once per month, you don't get banned. But hey, hey, hey! There are rules and RULES. Let's take a look at my idea of infraction degrees:

1. For first-time violation of rules #1, #2, #3, #7, #11, #12 - infraction level 2.
2. For second-time violation of the same rule (out of ones mentioned in point 1) - temp ban.
3. For third-time violation of the same rule - permanent ban.
4. For first-time violation of other rules - infraction level 1.
5. For second-time violation of other rules - infraction level 2.
6. Third-time violation of other rules leads to a temp-ban.
7. If an user had at least once received a temp-ban, he/she is rewarded with a permanent ban for breaking ANY rule even once.
8. If during temp-ban, a banned user harasses / spams / attacks a moderator in any way, the reward is a permanent ban.

Would implementing such a system be okay?

On the other hand, a promotion system could also be implemented. In the system I recommend, a "+" icon is located under the nick of every user. If this user's post has helped you in any way, you click the "+" icon and a dialog pops up, in which you have to explain, how this pos helped you. And this user gets a reward point! 10 reward points can lead to lowering the infraction level by 1. How's that?

Sorry for that offtopic, I just couldn't resist.

[DABhand]

LOL

From mini-mod to mini-owner.


I wonder whats next :P

[dazzashazza]

Hmmmm......seems a tad complicated

Back to King Kong

BTW....your missile missed the house

[Delacroix02]

Well, it was aimed to wake Kong Kong. He'll visit you.

[Joe Forster/STA]

A complicated banning system should be automized which, in fact, needs to be supported by the bulletin board software. Is it? I don't think so. Also, I don't think I've ever been quick or unjust with banning; I might have been harsh a few times but, well, I'm also human...

By the way, the netiquette recommends that people should keep reading public forums for, at least, two weeks before they post in there. Guess why; to become familiar with what's allowed and what isn't and what to expect from senior forum members, moderators, administrators. With this in mind, even quick banning and harsh behavior may be justified (although that may not be a good idea, from a completely objective point of view).

Furthermore, the forum rules are very clear - I'm happy and proud that my recommended refinements and explanations have been added to them - and, with the big pop-up windows, you just can't miss them. So, is there any real reason to get annoyed when someone calls a newbie's attention to the fact that he made a mistake (e.g. not searching the forum) that is obviously a mistake, according to the obvious forum rules?! And I'm very sorry but, with real life around, most people, including the moderators, don't have time to explain everything, including the forum rules - what, where, how, why - again and again and again to everyone. In fact, it shouldn't be explained at all; people should grow up and understand that they need to educate themselves instead of expecting other people to educate them, especially when that educational service - e.g. this forum - is FREE!

[Delacroix02]

Well, your statement is just and I totally agree with you. With so much hassle required to add the features I mentioned, and amount of work required to maintain such service, it is an utopia, having it here. Well, I believe that I've never seen an unjust ban - although it is sometimes visible, that you guys are a bit too harsh. Anyway, just like you said, we are all human beings, and you have the right to lose patience sometimes. I think, that with such dedicated people and clearly explained rules, this forum is one of the most user-friendly forums I've ever been to. Just take a look at the user count - it's popular, isn't it? So, with all the good and bad sides, this forum is a verified, good service. And it's FREE! Cheers.

[DABhand]

Well you know say you just became a mod and went ban happy, now thats being harsh.

But after a number of weeks, you see the same crap, the same requests, the same questions (when they could have searched), the same advertisements, the same warez crap.

You would get a bit miffed and be harsh.