New Infraction System (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Great explaination theBaron:

Now, no one does that on this Forum, do they? Oops, I might be considered "threadjacking" here.

Carlos

Thanks, Carlos, I am actually a linguist by education

I don't think we really have anyone in the forum who is a troll, or who hijacks a thread.

I think we do have guys who have strong opinions--well, actually, we all have strong opinions--and so the guys who argue about this or that manufacturer or topic do it because they believe passionately in what they say. To an outsider, it might look like trolling, perhaps, and maybe we should be a little mindful of what a potential new member might think. But I don't think anyone who wants to cause trouble lasts very long here in our group (or in other forums, for that matter).

And as for hijacking, it's hard in any discussion, especially a free-wheeling one, to stay on topic, unless someone undertakes to keep the discussion focused. This is more like a bunch of guys in a pub (or a Gasthaus ) sitting around talking about what they like best, and things may wander. It's more a matter of Netiquette to be aware of yourself, if you have a point and it's going to lead the discussion elsewhere, to start a new thread. That would be a good item to list under the 10 Commandments for behaving in a forum-start a new thread, if your point diverges from the thread topic, like I'm doing here, D'OH!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Russell]

I haven't run into any of these terrible posts myself. They don't seem to occur on the threads I frequent . Then when I do see a post deleted, or bigger still a thread deleted, it's like driving by a car accident; I hope no one's hurt but would have liked to have seen the action .

So now I'm off to Questions and Answers to get a clearer picture.

On a more serious note, I just enjoy the forum and experience the ease that comes with not having to be responsible. Now in my home where I am resposible, I too make sure the plumbing works.

Good luck to us all and may the best in us all prevail.

 

[Combat]

Doubleplusgood. Thought criminals to the wall.

 

[theBaron]

Doubleplusgood. Thought criminals to the wall.

I don't think that's a fair allusion to make, the purpose isn't to control what people think, but to keep the forum a place for civil discussions about toy soldiers. But we (that is, the forum members) have covered this topic frequently, so there's probably not any new points we can make.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Harrytheheid]

Hmmmmmm.

So, with a new infraction system in place which will prevent any......

......

......

Can I therefore assume that previous infractions are now NULL & VOID - and we start all over again with a clean slate?
Just one of those completely astonishing thoughts that occur to me on occasion.

Cheers
H

 

[4th Hussar]

Now that we have a moderation council, we have a new infraction system to go with it.

This information has been added to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) area. You can read the expectations of moderators here and the details of the infraction system and corresponding consequences here. The new moderation and infraction system goes into effect immediately.

The biggest change you will notice is that an infraction of any kind will automatically place the user on moderated status (all posts go into moderation queue and are not visible unless a moderator has reviewed and approved them) for no less than 24 hours. This will give people time to cool off and will prevent fights and heated arguments from escalating.

Best regards,

Is there a scorecard of infraction points ? Our local parochial school has one -100 points and you are expelled and dumped into the public school system

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hi Guys,
I'd be happy to elaborate on the new infraction system.

Trolling: Posting of inflammatory messages with the sole purpose of generating a response.
The Baron's example was excellent. Trolling posts are posted purely with the intent of winding someone up.

Threadjacking: To take over the content of a message thread by changing the subject of discourse to a topic outside the purview of the original subject and/or forum, while maintaining the subject line. A form of amusement for trolls. Threadjacking is distinguished from flaming, as flames are a quasi-personal attack on a poster or on a poster's style of discourse, where threadjacking is deliberatly steering the discussion offtopic.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hmmmmmm.
Can I therefore assume that previous infractions are now NULL & VOID - and we start all over again with a clean slate?
Just one of those completely astonishing thoughts that occur to me on occasion.

Cheers
H

Previous infractions are null and void only after they run their natural course, so no they weren't erased when the new system went into effect. Infractions disappear after so many days unless the same infraction is given in which case the old one picks up the new one's expiration date.
Much of the new system was already there in the old one, it was just not spelled out as distinctly. Now that there is a council of moderators we wanted to make it as cut and dried as possible for continuity.
Regards,

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Is there a scorecard of infraction points ? Our local parochial school has one -100 points and you are expelled and dumped into the public school system

Spammers get an automatic 100 infraction points and are banned for life. I guess it's public school for them!

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Oh boy, this is sounding a lot like court to me...


Paulo

It's not so much court as clear expectations and a striving for consistency in moderation. It might seem like a long list but it makes sense to make sure it covers all the main issues we have dealt with in the past. We have posted it for all members to see so that everyone knows what to expect. We will add other infractions if the need arises--this is the baseline.

The expectations of respect and civility from before the enactment of the new system remain exactly the same, so in that respect nothing has changed. What has changed is that we have clearly spelled out what the infractions are and what corresponding consequences await. With half a dozen moderators it is definitely good order to have a specific and clear plan in place to keep the moderation consistent.

So hopefully it won't feel like court but instead like a forum where there are clear expectations of conduct that benefit all who participate.
Regards,

 

[Shannon Reuss]

I think it's posting items to a thread that are off the thread's topic, redirecting the discussion to a different point. At least, that's from what I've seen of the term in forums I belong to. Usually a discussion thread will head into some sidebars, but in a friendly discussion, everyone stays close to the topic, and if someone raises a point that is a new direction, he'll often create a new thread.

I would say there's a connotation, too, of deliberate, frequent and aggressive misdirection of threads.

Prost!
Brad

It is the natural process of a forum for a thread to meander through a variety of topics so it would be very unlikely that a person would get a threadjacking infraction for taking the discussion in a new direction. On this forum a person would primarily get a threadjacking infraction by using a thread to start a fight with someone or goes off on a diatribe that halts and ruins the discussion and turns it into a soapbox for their personal beef.

Regards,

 

[wadepat]

It's not so much court as clear expectations and a striving for consistency in moderation. It might seem like a long list but it makes sense to make sure it covers all the main issues we have dealt with in the past. We have posted it for all members to see so that everyone knows what to expect. We will add other infractions if the need arises--this is the baseline.

The expectations of respect and civility from before the enactment of the new system remain exactly the same, so in that respect nothing has changed. What has changed is that we have clearly spelled out what the infractions are and what corresponding consequences await. With half a dozen moderators it is definitely good order to have a specific and clear plan in place to keep the moderation consistent.

So hopefully it won't feel like court but instead like a forum where there are clear expectations of conduct that benefit all who participate.
Regards,

Hi Shannon,

I want to congratulate you and the moderators for striving for greater clarity and specificity in the rules for forum behavior. I also want to thank you for taking the time to respond to questions emerging from the membership ranks. Answering the questions posed by members further claifies and defines the parameters of acceptable behavior. Clearly, you and the moderators have spent great amounts of time conceptualizing possible scenarios that can negatively impact peaceful and meaningful discussions among members, and, in so doing, have constructed a fine and clear list of expectations for member behavior. Of equal importance is the presentation of penalties that will be assessed to members who are judged to have violated the rules.

In your discussion of the rules you have implied, but not clearly stated, a very important concept. Unless I am mistaken, you intend the rules document to be a living one. That is, as situations arise, the document will be revised and updated to meet new needs and challenges the forum might encounter. In short, no one should consider the rules to be absolutely static and carved in stone. Rather the list of rules is dynamic and will evolve as necessary and desirable.

Also, clearly, the rules are founded on the concepts of civility, personal responsability, politeness, and respect for all members. I suspect if we all strive to display these qualities in our forum interactions, we need not even worry about infraction points.

You and your team have done an outstanding job and must be congratulated for the dedication to ensuring the existence of a peaceful, warm, and pleasent forum environment. Thank you for all your efforts.

Rest assured, I support your rules and I challenge all other forum members to do the same!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hmmmmmm.

So, with a new infraction system in place which will prevent any......

......

......

Excellent, I think a picture is worth more than a 1000 words and it is always nice to find something of interest in a thread. I love those guys.

 

[jazzeum]

Can I therefore assume that previous infractions are now NULL & VOID - and we start all over again with a clean slate?
Just one of those completely astonishing thoughts that occur to me on occasion.

Cheers
H

You know what happens when you assume.........

 

[Andanna]

With the thread title, you just gave me quite a jolt. I thought I would have to return to school and learn new aerithmaetik. Or be barred from the forum.

I am rather glad this has to do with etiquette and not with math ...

Thank you for keeping this place civil.

 

[Spitfrnd]

You know what happens when you assume.........

Assumptions are normal and a necessary fact of any human interaction. We assume, for example, that the rules will be appropriately applied. If an assumption proves false, then it in turn is replaced with a corrected assumption.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hi Shannon,

I want to congratulate you and the moderators for striving for greater clarity and specificity in the rules for forum behavior. I also want to thank you for taking the time to respond to questions emerging from the membership ranks. Answering the questions posed by members further claifies and defines the parameters of acceptable behavior. Clearly, you and the moderators have spent great amounts of time conceptualizing possible scenarios that can negatively impact peaceful and meaningful discussions among members, and, in so doing, have constructed a fine and clear list of expectations for member behavior. Of equal importance is the presentation of penalties that will be assessed to members who are judged to have violated the rules.

In your discussion of the rules you have implied, but not clearly stated, a very important concept. Unless I am mistaken, you intend the rules document to be a living one. That is, as situations arise, the document will be revised and updated to meet new needs and challenges the forum might encounter. In short, no one should consider the rules to be absolutely static and carved in stone. Rather the list of rules is dynamic and will evolve as necessary and desirable.

Also, clearly, the rules are founded on the concepts of civility, personal responsability, politeness, and respect for all members. I suspect if we all strive to display these qualities in our forum interactions, we need not even worry about infraction points.

You and your team have done an outstanding job and must be congratulated for the dedication to ensuring the existence of a peaceful, warm, and pleasent forum environment. Thank you for all your efforts.

Rest assured, I support your rules and I challenge all other forum members to do the same!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Thank you Pat,
You have articulated our plan and intent very well. It is as you said a 'living document' and will be revised and modified as necessary.
We appreciate your support and hope other members will see that this plan is meant to be to the benefit of all. The new system has taken hours of careful consideration and work to come to fruition and took much deliberation and thought.
Best regards,

 

[jazzeum]

Assumptions are normal and a necessary fact of any human interaction. We assume, for example, that the rules will be appropriately applied. If an assumption proves false, then it in turn is replaced with a corrected assumption.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but I was being a bit more base because when you assume you make an *** out of you and me both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Combat]

I don't think that's a fair allusion to make, the purpose isn't to control what people think, but to keep the forum a place for civil discussions about toy soldiers. But we (that is, the forum members) have covered this topic frequently, so there's probably not any new points we can make.

Prost!
Brad

This is one of those well-intentioned ideas that sounds good in theory. Who could be against members being civil? The difficulty lies in how it is enforced. There are biases and personality conflicts on the forum. That's human nature. We all have different likes and dislikes. What is deemed "inflammatory" may depend on a lot of subjective factors. For example, if I sold mostly KC products for a living, I might believe it inflammatory for others to criticize those products on my forum and potentially reduce sales. I'm not saying that is what is happening - the TF folks seem like amazingly fair and nice people, but it is human nature to bring our own interests into these decisions.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but I was being a bit more base because when you assume you make an *** out of you and me both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you're not trying to bait me there are you? Is that trolling?