arn
Jul 17, 2003, 07:39 PM
Hey all,
Seems there has been some issues recently. I guess it's time to post a summary thread of how this board is moderated.
The first thing to note is that this is a busy bulletin board... there are in excess of 1000 posts per day. The forums are loosely moderated by myself, and Rower_CPU, Eyelikeart, and Mr. Anderson.
The point of moderation is not to censor topics, promote our point of view, or any other secret agenda. The point is to keep the forums enjoyable and free from too many things that detract from that experience.
One thing to remember is that moderators are people too. You can piss them off or get on their "bad side".... this isn't me being unfair, or trying to threaten any of you. This is being human. So, if you start pissing off a Moderator or myself... then you better understand that.
I will tend to give the moderator's the benefit of the doubt in many cases... Especially in situations in which the other user has received warnings. If you have a specific argument or issue with a moderator etc... email or pm me. Otherwise the moderator is right.
(Obviously, there are checks and balances. If one moderator starts going off on an irrational banning spree -- they they will no longer be a moderator, etc... but you have to msg me. Posting a public outcry is frowned upon.)
Goals of the Forums
#1 goal is to discuss Mac News and Mac Rumors.
So, the rules and decisions are made to protect this goal over all else. Following closely are discussion of other aspects of Macs and help fellow users etc... Further down the list is the community discussion, and far at the bottom of the list is the political discussions.
Keep this in mind...
Instantly Bannable offenses
In general, we try to give some warnings, but these are one-time bannable offenses. You will not get a warning.
1) Direct personal insult. ie "You are an idiot." and all the variations. Why? Because this isn't grade school. People should be able to not insult people. And the only purpose of a post like this is to incite other people.
There are a lot of other non-direct-personal insules... "that is an idiotic comment". Depending on the context/nature, they may get edited. Bottom line -- don't try to piss off others.
2) Spam. The real thing... not just being a prolific poster. ie. Someone posting the same exact post in 10 different threads. Someone posting multiple pointless posts in the same thread. This will get your account banned -- and get your IP banned from the forums and site where you won't even be able to load the site.
Things Not to Do
These aren't instantly bannable - but will get you edited and or warned.
1) Off-topic posts in the non-Community discussion areas. Keep it free of off topic posts. Off-topic posts will be deleted/edited. If you keep doing it see #4.
2) Warez
3) "Trolling" - this is more of a pattern, and will get you banned... but can be a subjective call. Basically, don't try to pick fights.
4) Anything that will cause more work for the moderators or myself. If banning you is easier than dealing with the problems you are causing, you will be banned.
The other side
Sometimes we are quick to the trigger, as it's hard to see the context of certain posts.
If you think you've been banned by mistake.... email me. or private message me. If it's an honest mistake, I will probably reinstate your account.
arn
Seems there has been some issues recently. I guess it's time to post a summary thread of how this board is moderated.
The first thing to note is that this is a busy bulletin board... there are in excess of 1000 posts per day. The forums are loosely moderated by myself, and Rower_CPU, Eyelikeart, and Mr. Anderson.
The point of moderation is not to censor topics, promote our point of view, or any other secret agenda. The point is to keep the forums enjoyable and free from too many things that detract from that experience.
One thing to remember is that moderators are people too. You can piss them off or get on their "bad side".... this isn't me being unfair, or trying to threaten any of you. This is being human. So, if you start pissing off a Moderator or myself... then you better understand that.
I will tend to give the moderator's the benefit of the doubt in many cases... Especially in situations in which the other user has received warnings. If you have a specific argument or issue with a moderator etc... email or pm me. Otherwise the moderator is right.
(Obviously, there are checks and balances. If one moderator starts going off on an irrational banning spree -- they they will no longer be a moderator, etc... but you have to msg me. Posting a public outcry is frowned upon.)
Goals of the Forums
#1 goal is to discuss Mac News and Mac Rumors.
So, the rules and decisions are made to protect this goal over all else. Following closely are discussion of other aspects of Macs and help fellow users etc... Further down the list is the community discussion, and far at the bottom of the list is the political discussions.
Keep this in mind...
Instantly Bannable offenses
In general, we try to give some warnings, but these are one-time bannable offenses. You will not get a warning.
1) Direct personal insult. ie "You are an idiot." and all the variations. Why? Because this isn't grade school. People should be able to not insult people. And the only purpose of a post like this is to incite other people.
There are a lot of other non-direct-personal insules... "that is an idiotic comment". Depending on the context/nature, they may get edited. Bottom line -- don't try to piss off others.
2) Spam. The real thing... not just being a prolific poster. ie. Someone posting the same exact post in 10 different threads. Someone posting multiple pointless posts in the same thread. This will get your account banned -- and get your IP banned from the forums and site where you won't even be able to load the site.
Things Not to Do
These aren't instantly bannable - but will get you edited and or warned.
1) Off-topic posts in the non-Community discussion areas. Keep it free of off topic posts. Off-topic posts will be deleted/edited. If you keep doing it see #4.
2) Warez
3) "Trolling" - this is more of a pattern, and will get you banned... but can be a subjective call. Basically, don't try to pick fights.
4) Anything that will cause more work for the moderators or myself. If banning you is easier than dealing with the problems you are causing, you will be banned.
The other side
Sometimes we are quick to the trigger, as it's hard to see the context of certain posts.
If you think you've been banned by mistake.... email me. or private message me. If it's an honest mistake, I will probably reinstate your account.
arn
