[Smithy]

So before this starts don’t start posting in here complaining about your infractions (unless it’s a relevant example to the topic I guess) and such that’s not the point of this thread

And mods dont close it straight away bc it’s meant to be an open discussion and not a dictatorship of a forum

Anyway, on topic it’s been brought up numerous times but I’m gonna bring it up again because something needs to be done on the site bc it drives members away.

WHY is there no set infraction system on the site? for years now infractions are handed out by mods with zero consistancy at all and as much as mods will say they have no bias, it’s quite blatant that there is and always will be, on top of that there is no appeal system and whenever I personally have replied to an infraction I have never received a response and I imagine many members are in the same boat.

I really don’t understand why mods/admin are so against have a rigid structure of what is classed as a rule break and what isn’t, it’d completely rule out any accusation of bias because it’d be there in black and white as to what is against the rules. It seems like atm there’s far too much of a grey area where depending on who the mod is they can decide what to infract and what rule they want to relate it to.

On top of that, I’m not too sure why there is such secrecy around infractions, thinking about it more it seems that the less secrecy around it the less people can complain because it’s there for everyone to see, surely if everyone could see who got infracted for what and how many points were handed out, nobody could ever claim it was unfair because everyone could see it (this idea has only just come to me now it wasn’t an original part of the thread but yes let’s do an infraction list similar to a ban list), so for example if member A calls member B a twat and gets a one point infraction and then member C calls member B a silly billy and gets a 5 point infraction, everyone could see the blatant bias in the modding.


So yes, that’s me two cents, keep it RELEVANT please ladies

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i mean

my latest infraction was for commenting on a picture that was posted in a music thread

i thought that was beyond ridiculous and i actually messaged the mods about it but didn’t even get a reply so

[Marsh.]

I didn't think they worked points like that. It was just so many individual infractions added up to a ban?

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

I didn't think they worked points like that. It was just so many individual infractions added up to a ban?

It’s a point based system whereby 9 points mean a one day ban (iirc) and then it goes up from there

But each infraction comes with a set number of points, but the problem is people don’t know how many points they have per infraction

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

It’s a point based system whereby 9 points mean a one day ban (iirc) and then it goes up from there

But each infraction comes with a set number of points, but the problem is people don’t know how many points they have per infraction

Ah right. See when they changed it I assumed they'd removed the points system to make it simpler.

But they just removed members ability to see the number of points they received.

Not strange at all.

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Ah right. See when they changed it I assumed they'd removed the points system to make it simpler.

But they just removed members ability to see the number of points they received.

Not strange at all.

Exactly


Marsh’s passive aggressiveness aside removing members ability to see the number of points handed out just means that mods can do as they please and as much as they all say “it’s a team, it’s discussed” it an admin overruled and said no this is what’s happening, it’s not like they’re going to argue the point

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Exactly


Marsh’s passive aggressiveness aside removing members ability to see the number of points handed out just means that mods can do as they please and as much as they all say “it’s a team, it’s discussed” it an admin overruled and said no this is what’s happening, it’s not like they’re going to argue the point

Not entirely sure what this means? Admin do overule us sometimes, and no, its total paranoia to even think that we just do as we please tbh. Has been said before but every single infraction given out automatically creates its own discussion thread in the mod section. So everything we do is pretty transparent behind the scenes (by the way, I see no reason for members to 'police' us as has been mentioned, admin do just fine) and quite often we will challenge each other if we feel one is too harsh or too soft. Sometimes admin will step in also.

I see no reason at all for it to be public which members have had infractions. besides satisfying your noseyness

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

But each infraction comes with a set number of points, but the problem is people don’t know how many points they have per infraction

You already know why this was. People used to be able to see how many points they had, and they would post about how they infractions had all expired so they were going to insult people, then when they got close to a ban again they would calm down purposely until one expired, then start again. Basically its this way, as people abused it. Like the appeals section.

I will reply to most messages about infractions. Though I do tend to ignore it if people just send me a huge rant, or if its extremely clear why they got one but they are trying to pretend its not.

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

because it makes no sense to do it this way. Context is often important . Like, if we had it set so that everytime someone called someone else an idiot it was an infraction, fair enough. But then in the chat thread, there would be a bunch given out per day and we would still be in the wrong

But common sense has to be used, especially in C&G if people are clearly joking then you obviously wouldn’t infract someone, for example the other day in my birthday thread (dezzy I think) said happy birthday you slag (or something along those lines) it’s quite obviously a joke, unless somebody explicitly complains or it’s reported or leads to an argument then you can’t really compare the two

]
There is a set system also in a way. There are set points for each thing. But its impossible to moderate a forum like this with completely set rules..I mean lets think of a random example that we could have for total consistency with no thinking of the context or anything else. Racism = instant ban. Seems fair enough. But some people would class saying the N word was racism (hopefully all would think this). Some would class saying immigration needs to be controlled as racism. So even then, someone has to use their judgement to if the comment is actually racist or not

But again, surely that just comes down to common sense, it doesn’t take a genius to see what is racist or not, that being said or not, why not using the warning system to remind members that certain points such as the one you mentioned could be perceived as racist by others, but again, only if it has offended someone, or somebody has reported the post

Insults are either a warning, 1 point, 3 points, 5 points, or we can chose to ban outright depending on the severity. Would you really prefer every single post that could be perceived as an insult to have 5 points or something? I think..be careful what you wish for with that one tbh

No I really do think that there should be a flat out one point system, this is the rules (excluded irrelevant ones) from a different site I post on, and I’ve never once seen anyone complain about the system because it’s fair

Spoiler:

Penalties

Reminders are warnings with no points attached. These are issued to new members, for first time offenses and content that isn’t severe enough to receive a full warning.
*
Warnings are points issued to members that break the rules. Points accumulate and expire over a period of time depending on the violation. Accumulated points will result in a ban from the forum after reaching a certain limit.*You can view your warnings in your profile.
*
14 Day Ban — Occurs when member reaches 5 active warning points, or gets warned when they already have 5 active warning points.*(Currently inactive due to issue with forum software)
*
60 Day Ban — Occurs when member reaches 10 active warning points, or gets warned when they already have 10 active warning points. (Important Note: This ban may take effect even with expired points; see this thread for clarification)

Abrasive — 1 point, expires in 60 days
Your comment was rude and/or hurtful to other members or staff.*
*
Disruptive — 1 point, expires in 30 days
You did one of the following:
- Spammed gifs/images/smileys/random keys
- Posted a pointless thread or too many times in a row
- Intentionally used a fake, misleading or attention-seeking thread title
- Used all caps in a thread title or capitalized one or more words for the sole purpose of hyping the thread
- Bumped one or more old threads for no reason
- Posted in a language other than English when the thread did not call for it
- Typed or formatted your posts in a disruptive or annoying style
- Participated in disruptive group behavior
- Intentionally fooled the profanity censor
*
Flamebait — 1 point, expires in 30 days
You started a thread or posted a reply that just seems to be fishing for an argument, or you perpetuated an argument by quoting such posts.
*
Insensitive — 1 point, expires in 60 days
You posted something disturbing or highly polarizing with no concern for other people’s feelings.
*
Vulgar — 1 point, expires in 60 days
You posted sexually suggestive content.
*
Spoiler — 1 point, expires in 30 days
You posted information that gives away major plot details of a movie, TV show, book or video game. For more information on this, see the Entertainment guidelines.*
*
Personal Attack — 2 points, expires in 90 days
You personally attacked another member, viciously and/or repeatedly, on the forum or on their wall.

File Share Request — 1 point, never expires
You requested a link to an illegal download or an illegal download website, either directly or by hinting at it.
*
Graphic — 2 points, expires in 90 days
You posted content of a highly violent, discomforting or sexual nature.
*
Offensive — 2 points, expires in 1 year
You posted something racist, homophobic, or otherwise discriminatory.
*
Explicit — 2 points, expires in 1 year
You posted a sexually or violently explicit image or your profile info contains sexually or violently explicit content.
*
Duplicate — 1+ points, 3 month ban, never expires
We’ve discovered that you have a duplicate account and are carrying on a second persona.

Originally Posted by Vicky.

You already know why this was. People used to be able to see how many points they had, and they would post about how they infractions had all expired so they were going to insult people, then when they got close to a ban again they would calm down purposely until one expired, then start again. Basically its this way, as people abused it. Like the appeals section.

It’s the same now though, people can still see when their infractions expire and it doesn’t take a genius to see if you have three outstanding infractions then you’ll be, less inflammatory let’s say to reduce the risk of you getting infractions, The fact is, before the points system was removed from view, members still got banned, so clearly that logic is faulted

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

It’s a point based system whereby 9 points mean a one day ban (iirc) and then it goes up from there

But each infraction comes with a set number of points, but the problem is people don’t know how many points they have per infraction

Surely not knowing how many points you have makes it harder for you to be like 'hmm well I have 4 points until I'm banned for a day so I could risk getting a 1 point infraction to call LeatherTrumpet a twat'

[RileyH]

Originally Posted by Cal.

Surely not knowing how many points you have makes it harder for you to be like 'hmm well I have 4 points until I'm banned for a day so I could risk getting a 1 point infraction to call LeatherTrumpet a twat'

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Cal.

Surely not knowing how many points you have makes it harder for you to be like 'hmm well I have 4 points until I'm banned for a day so I could risk getting a 1 point infraction to call LeatherTrumpet a twat'

[Marsh.]

I would certainly like to know why calling out an ignorant member for an ignorant comment is member insult but calling out a racist member isn't?

[Jay.]

I remember getting one for mentioning the name of a shop in soap and without any hesitation I received one 12 hours later, with no reply when I asked why.

Just needs to be more transparent and I'm surprised it isn't already. That idea should work a lot better because it helps us almost police them, so it keeps everything fair.

[Firewire]

Originally Posted by Jay.

I remember getting one for mentioning the name of a shop in soap and without any hesitation I received one 12 hours later, with no reply when I asked why.

Just needs to be more transparent and I'm surprised it isn't already. That idea should work a lot better because it helps us almost police them, so it keeps everything fair.

Masala Masood?

[Jay.]

Originally Posted by Firewire

Masala Masood?

That would be it, yes

[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Jay.

I remember getting one for mentioning the name of a shop in soap and without any hesitation I received one 12 hours later, with no reply when I asked why.

Just needs to be more transparent and I'm surprised it isn't already. That idea should work a lot better because it helps us almost police them, so it keeps everything fair.

This is still my most favourite night in the chat thread

[Gstar]

Originally Posted by Jay.

I remember getting one for mentioning the name of a shop in soap and without any hesitation I received one 12 hours later, with no reply when I asked why

No one ever replies to those messages been trying since 2013. Pretty sure I posted Gl0rangu in the reply as a test one time but still no luck

[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by Germyle

No one ever replies to those messages been trying since 2013. Pretty sure I posted Gl0rangu in the reply as a test one time but still no luck

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Germyle

No one ever replies to those messages been trying since 2013. Pretty sure I posted Gl0rangu in the reply as a test one time but still no luck

infract ha

[Marsh.]

My aggression isn't passive!

It's on a boil wash!

[Amy Jade]

I've found messaging a mod outside the infraction works for me (Usually Niamh or Dezzy, sorry guys )

I do wish there was a better way to appeal though, I normally feel quite bad bothering people to deal with my issue.

[BBUK-Fan]

Here here

[Firewire]

I think removing the reporting posts feature would help a lot

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Firewire

I think removing the reporting posts feature would help a lot

Why?