Poll: New forum rules - Yay or Nay?

[Xisin]

I voted a huge Nay! I've always been against the escapist's rules; they always seem far too strict. For example, there is a saying that goes, " a picture says a thousand words." Yet, even if the picture in my post says everything about my opinion, I would get a strike against me.

The same is true for opinions about people. I can say that I dislike everything Tom hanks has ever done in his professional life, but not about a contributer. It's as if the moderators want to pretend that negative feed back never happens. I thought criticism was good as long as it was constructive or slander.

 

[squeekenator]

Some neigh. I don't post here often enough to feel particularly threatened by these rules, but the idea of permanent strikes feels a bit iffy. If someone's a valued member of the community for years and makes just a few slip-ups during that time they can be hit with a permaban, it doesn't seem right.

 

[Darth_Dude]

Ignore this, Im posting this to make the new rules come up

 

[ParkourMcGhee]

I think they're going a bit overboard on this one

># Ad Blockers
> Illegal

Really?

And the 8 strikes permanent stay isn't really appealing to me as frustrating as some people can be.

Also I still don't see why there's no explicit rules against double posting.

I vote minor nay, but it's not like I'm gonna change anything :/

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Ignore this, Im posting this to make the new rules come up

Just quickly, for you and anyone else, the rules can be found here without you needing to make a test post:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/codeofconduct
There's a stickied topic at the top of some of the forums for a link to this.

I'm going to miss the reaction images and youtube imbeddments greatly...

Hehe. I'm going to just respond to this (because I have no qualms with the rest of your post), but just quickly... Nice haiku.

Just about you "miss[ing] the reaction images and youtube embedding", though...
<spoiler=Pic>http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/8/28/128959198667859009.jpg

(A lot of this is directed at people in general, Siege. I'm just using your post to say this, it's nothing personal.)
As it has always been, people are allowed to have images and YouTube embeds in their post. The problem the mods have is when a post is made up by nothing except the aforementioned vid or picture. You could possibly argue that it's a bit of a roundabout way of doing so, but it's merely to stop people posting responses which really have no reason to be there, except maybe to get their post count up.
If it's worth responding to, surely you can think of at least a full sentence to post?

As for putting them in spoiler tags (something you didn't ask about, but I'll bring it up anyway while I'm here), that's just so that you don't annoy people. Some people don't have super-speedy internet, and when people start posting more than a couple pics or vids in a thread, it can greatly affect the speed with which they can load the thread they're just trying to be a part of.

Heck, that reminds me, sometimes the pages here don't load completely for me. Even when I refresh several times. Not only that, but I find it troublesome that in one of my threads, even after several tries, I keep getting 404 errors when posting. But, I'm not gonna let that, or these newfangled updated rules bother me. I just got accepted to college the other day, so all's good.

Yea, sometimes that happens to me, too. Not as much lately, though...
Congratulations on being accepted.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Meh, whether I like them or not the new rules are here to stay, so I guess I'd better get to liking them. I must say though, years of gaming has taught me that where there's a health bar there should be med-kits. Having a system where users cannot redeem themselves for past transgressions seems unfair to say the least. But hey, I don't call the shots here. Fair enough, new rules memorised.

EDITed to correct for hangover-induced spelling mistakes.

 

[Leg End]

Actually, it has little to do with the current subject. XD

Though, it is still the Pro to what that is to Anti.
n
Might take a while to find it, with the time to find and the fact that my computer is utter shite. >.>

Meh, I'll still look at it.

Well, if you want someplace quick(and this being a place that I also disagree with on several issues, including motivations), try Newgon. Google shall take you there.

Eh, here is to hoping I don't get banned for that. (=_=)

Uggghhh... just looked at that site, wish I hadn't now, feel like I'm about to be sick. I really hope you don't believe that...

As I said, I disagree with them on several issues. :L

 

[Dastardly]

As for me, I'm all for these new rules for the forums.

Same here. The only people that need to be worried about it are those who are unable to tell the difference between "having a possibly controversial opinion" and "expressing a controversial opinion the way a complete cockmeister might." If you can't engage in a civil disagreement, a discussion forum is far, far out of your depth.

Or, you know, people who are being punished ONLINE for saying things unseen people ONLINE don't like. It's like it's suddenly turned into Nazi Germany here (my personal opinion, I am not comparing the Escapist to Hitler's regime and I am also not saying someone is Hitler). This is not cops vs. robbers. We're all gamers and now IMHO you're turning it into "crimes." It's ONLINE. It's supposed to be FUN. Where's the FUN in this?

You're right. It's only "online." So why are you getting so serious over your rights on a board like this? I have to put up with jackasses and douchebags in real life. Online is supposed to be my escape from that. Why should I have to put up with them ONLINE, too? Where's the FUN in that?

 

[Leg End]

As for me, I'm all for these new rules for the forums.

Same here. The only people that need to be worried about it are those who are unable to tell the difference between "having a possibly controversial opinion" and "expressing a controversial opinion the way a complete cockmeister might." If you can't engage in a civil disagreement, a discussion forum is far, far out of your depth.

Or, you know, people who are being punished ONLINE for saying things unseen people ONLINE don't like. It's like it's suddenly turned into Nazi Germany here (my personal opinion, I am not comparing the Escapist to Hitler's regime and I am also not saying someone is Hitler). This is not cops vs. robbers. We're all gamers and now IMHO you're turning it into "crimes." It's ONLINE. It's supposed to be FUN. Where's the FUN in this?

You're right. It's only "online." So why are you getting so serious over your rights on a board like this? I have to put up with jackasses and douchebags in real life. Online is supposed to be my escape from that. Why should I have to put up with them ONLINE, too? Where's the FUN in that?

Did an Escapist contributor just imply I am a "jackass" or "douchebag?" MODS! He slandered me; please ban his ass forever!

Eh, possibly. :L

Hard to tell, I'm sleepy as all hell. >.>

 

[Buizel91]

The "On Probation forever" thing is stupid, and the fact the health meter doesn't reset itself if you have been good, other than that i can cope.

Also, when i have 2 warnings? :| i can only remember 1 and that was like last year!

EDIT: I have actually just looked through my messages...only 1 warning notice...

Escapist Mods...explain why you say i have 2 when clearly in my messages i only have 1?

 

[LightspeedJack]

The bar needs to drain over time or something.

Otherwise, I really have no major issues with the bar itself existing.

Outside of the non-content related bans. Suspensions for repeat minor infractions? Fine. Bans? Not fine.

Yep, this means I will definitley be banned at some point because I get moderated for stuff I just don't understand so I will enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Dastardly]

Did an Escapist contributor just imply I am a "jackass" or "douchebag?" MODS! He slandered me; please ban his ass forever!

Good luck trying to spin that little yarn. I wasn't aware that you were making this something personal--which, by the way, is usually the fastest way to draw mod wrath, if you're keeping score here.

You seem to think people should be allowed to act like jackasses and douchebags (which are really the only behaviors that get modded besides clear policy violations), because otherwise forums are not "fun." I've simply countered with equal-but-opposite reasoning: to me, if I can't come here to get away from people acting like that, the forums are not "fun."

Historically, I've found that there are more people out there who want to avoid that sort of behavior than there are people that need to exhibit that sort of behavior. Clearly, the folks tasked with moderating this forum found the same thing. That's why the rules favor those who feel there's more "fun" in not having to put up with that crap.

 

[JoJo]

Actually, it has little to do with the current subject. XD

Though, it is still the Pro to what that is to Anti.
n
Might take a while to find it, with the time to find and the fact that my computer is utter shite. >.>

Meh, I'll still look at it.

Well, if you want someplace quick(and this being a place that I also disagree with on several issues, including motivations), try Newgon. Google shall take you there.

Eh, here is to hoping I don't get banned for that. (=_=)

Uggghhh... just looked at that site, wish I hadn't now, feel like I'm about to be sick. I really hope you don't believe that...

As I said, I disagree with them on several issues. :L

Alright... well no offence but considering some of their claims I don't think they're a very good example of "pro-pedo", all I could see were a load of disgusting justifications for child abuse, though I didn't stick around long. That makes it impossible for me to take anything else they say seriously, if they've already abandoned such an evident truth.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

As for me, I'm all for these new rules for the forums.

Same here. The only people that need to be worried about it are those who are unable to tell the difference between "having a possibly controversial opinion" and "expressing a controversial opinion the way a complete cockmeister might." If you can't engage in a civil disagreement, a discussion forum is far, far out of your depth.

Or, you know, people who are being punished ONLINE for saying things unseen people ONLINE don't like. It's like it's suddenly turned into Nazi Germany here (my personal opinion, I am not comparing the Escapist to Hitler's regime and I am also not saying someone is Hitler). This is not cops vs. robbers. We're all gamers and now IMHO you're turning it into "crimes." It's ONLINE. It's supposed to be FUN. Where's the FUN in this?

You're right. It's only "online." So why are you getting so serious over your rights on a board like this? I have to put up with jackasses and douchebags in real life. Online is supposed to be my escape from that. Why should I have to put up with them ONLINE, too? Where's the FUN in that?

Did an Escapist contributor just imply I am a "jackass" or "douchebag?" MODS! He slandered me; please ban his ass forever!

I'll bite the bullet here:

1) No. From how I read it, he was saying that the rules are good, because they stop people from turning into jackasses and/or douchebags online, since he gets enough of that outside the net. He wasn't saying anything about you personally.

2) If you're actually offended, I'll repeat this: "Report and move on".

I'm going to use your response as a springboard into another example that's been bugging me. This isn't a personal attack, just a thought that I'd like to share, which your post helped me get into.

If someone starts getting cruel, you don't respond unless you know you can respond in a civil manner. If you respond in this way, then it will either quickly be revealed that the guy is trolling/extremely emotional (either way is their fault for posting in that state), or you'll calm them back down. I've done this several times, and except when the other person has had an extremely emotional day, we've always ended up finding some common ground we both agree on, and neither one of us has to face repercussions. Quite a few times, we've even ended up as friends on this site.
If you can't do this, you're just putting yourself at risk. Not because the mods have a thing where they enjoy hurting the victim, but because the victim ends up incriminating themselves (usually more than the original poster), because they start getting emotional about being "attacked" online.

 

[Mandalore_15]

Strikes should expire after a while. It'd be too easy to get banned month or even years after a few incidents after a long time of good behaviour.

 

[Trolldor]

Did an Escapist contributor just imply I am a "jackass" or "douchebag?" MODS! He slandered me; please ban his ass forever!

Good luck trying to spin that little yarn. I wasn't aware that you were making this something personal--which, by the way, is usually the fastest way to draw mod wrath, if you're keeping score here.

You seem to think people should be allowed to act like jackasses and douchebags (which are really the only behaviors that get modded besides clear policy violations), because otherwise forums are not "fun." I've simply countered with equal-but-opposite reasoning: to me, if I can't come here to get away from people acting like that, the forums are not "fun."

Historically, I've found that there are more people out there who want to avoid that sort of behavior than there are people that need to exhibit that sort of behavior. Clearly, the folks tasked with moderating this forum found the same thing. That's why the rules favor those who feel there's more "fun" in not having to put up with that crap.

Who decides who qualifies under those categories?
The mods.
Are the mods gods of objectivity?
No.
So why do these qualify as reasons for mod wrath if anybody can see how vulnerable it is to exploitation?
A mod doesn't like your opinion you're an asshole worthy of moderation - as my first issued probation so brilliant displays.
The system is flawed because it relies on the idea that the mods can not and will never make mistakes.
And to say otherwise is to ignore that all the decisions are permanent with a fixed point system. If the mods fuck up its on your permanent record and you're one point closer to a permanent ban. Not all appeals will succeed.
This is why you have expiries on your record, to allow mods to act while still implementing a system that accomodates both extended good behaviour and mod mistakes.

 

[mb16]

I find this system annoying due to one of my "hateful" comments from ages back, wasnt hateful at all in my eyes. It was when i posted in a thread that Mechas weren't proper mechs (i wont go into details why), but i was wanting a debate on the topic (not an argument). I then come back and see i have been warned for this post?!

And now as i made a post that was seen as "hateful" i have 2 left warnings without negative consequences.

Also knowing my luck i will be warned for this post

 

[Leg End]

Actually, it has little to do with the current subject. XD

Though, it is still the Pro to what that is to Anti.
n
Might take a while to find it, with the time to find and the fact that my computer is utter shite. >.>

Meh, I'll still look at it.

Well, if you want someplace quick(and this being a place that I also disagree with on several issues, including motivations), try Newgon. Google shall take you there.

Eh, here is to hoping I don't get banned for that. (=_=)

Uggghhh... just looked at that site, wish I hadn't now, feel like I'm about to be sick. I really hope you don't believe that...

As I said, I disagree with them on several issues. :L

Alright... well no offence but considering some of their claims I don't think they're a very good example of "pro-pedo", all I could see were a load of disgusting justifications for child abuse, though I didn't stick around long. That makes it impossible for me to take anything else they say seriously, if they've already abandoned such an evident truth.

Good point. :L

Wait, "evident truth"? That referring to the fact that they are like NAMbLA, but worse? XD

 

[Dastardly]

Who decides who qualifies under those categories?
The mods.
Are the mods gods of objectivity?
No.
So why do these qualify as reasons for mod wrath if anybody can see how vulnerable it is to exploitation?
A mod doesn't like your opinion you're an asshole worthy of moderation - as my first issued probation so brilliant displays.
The system is flawed because it relies on the idea that the mods can not and will never make mistakes.
And to say otherwise is to ignore that all the decisions are permanent with a fixed point system. If the mods fuck up its on your permanent record and you're one point closer to a permanent ban. Not all appeals will succeed.
This is why you have expiries on your record, to allow mods to act while still implementing a system that accomodates both extended good behaviour and mod mistakes.

I don't disagree with you that it's harsh. I don't personally know any of the mods, and I've never interacted with them on the forums, so I can't say whether I believe them to be paragons of good or not. Yeah, a permanent system leaves little room for error, though there is still a process to appeal the decision.

My disagreement, in the post that you quoted, is with people who think that policing this kind of behavior is about killing "fun." From what I've seen here, as regards warnings/probations/etc., the mods are pretty consistent about the things they'll moderate. Tons of people on here have controversial opinions or... non-standard personalities, and they get on just fine.

If you can express an opinion without personally attacking another poster--meaning you discuss the issue, rather than the person posting it--you're in good shape. If you're not admitting to illegal activity, or advocating it by posting links to help others engage in it, you're good, too. If you make sure you don't just post two word image-macro replies, or posting tons of videos without the "spoiler" tag to aid people with slow connections, you're going to be just fine.

But there are some folks that just can't resist turning an argument personal. They can just say, "Here are the reasons I disagree with your opinion." Or even "I think that opinion is entirely unfounded, and it relies on some of the dumbest, most ignorant logic I've ever encountered." Instead, they just have to say, "You're stupid, dumb, and ignorant. And that's why I'm right!" There's a world of difference between the two, and some people can't seem to understand that difference. Mature discussion just isn't for them, at this point in their lives.

Mostly, though, I take issue that some people think this forum should be designed for the "I can't have fun unless I'm allowed to insult/flame/troll people whenever and however I want" sort of people. There are already plenty of forums for them. This isn't (and in my opinion shouldn't be) one of them.