Poll: New forum rules - Yay or Nay?

[Realitycrash]

Haven't seeeen any yet!

Edit: There we go.
And..Eh, Don't really care. I never planned to get more warnings anyway.
Where is the health-meter, though? Can't see it.

 

[torzath]

I really can't say I like them, but I understand why they are the way they are.

 

[awesomeClaw]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

Wait, why doesn´t it say that in the rules.

That be pretty useful to know beforehand. Perhaps you could edit it in?

 

[Woodsey]

You guys are posting too fast, and I'm trying to keep up as best I can, so sorry if I've already been ninja'd.

And really, the mods aren't perfect. If one gives you a stupid sentencing that they then refuse to revoke even though you see it as unfair, as does everyone else in the thread, then that gets counted against you forever.

And that's why there's an appeal system.

OK, but without diving into my own specific example, that's what I meant by "refuse to revoke".

I like it, it'll make my job a bit easier cuz less people will complain about inconsistency. If you have any questions about the new rules, please address them here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/chat/Moderation-Team].

Why don't you have a FHM?

Because I don't know what you mean. Mind explaining?

Forum health metre.

I do, it's empty.

No, none of the mods do. Empty ones still show a grey bar.

I can understand SpinWhiz, but is this not unfair considering you're still general users?

 

[lemby117]

eh if it means that there are even less inflamatory posts then i support it.

Edit: I have just seen my forum health bar, surely I can get health back I am stuck on orange health forever, forum comunity service maybe???

 

[Andalusa]

New rules? Well, I haven't posted anything in a while.. hang on.

EDIT Ah yeah... huh.
All common sense, really.
Well, I haven't been penalised for anything in all my time I've been here, so I must be doing something right.

 

[JochemDude]

It's too harsh for my taste, kinda unforgiving isn't it? The warning should be there too say like 'Watch your mouth' not a countdown to banishment.

 

[drisky]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

Oh thats nice, I was afraid some of our dark pasts were going to come back to haunt us in a new system of numerical fairness, rather than actually considering the person behind it.

 

[sir.rutthed]

Ya, I say have the strikes reset every six months or something, at least until a certain threshold. I really like the strict forum rules around here, but this is a bit too far. Have an auto reset every six months or so as long as you keep under 5 strikes, and I think it'll be fine.

Edit:

Well, I dislike two things about the "health meter", but it's not what you'd expect.

1. I can see other people's health meters by going onto their profiles. Thus I must assume that they can also see mine. Personally, I think my moderation history, even if it is just a graph that shows how many times I've been moderated, is none of any other regular member's business. That should stay between the member in question and the moderators.

2. This one is just technicalities/nit picking, but it isn't really a health meter, is it? Health meters start of filled and then drain as you take hits. This meter starts off empty and fills as you take hits. Maybe change it so it starts off as a full green bar, draining but staying green as you get warnings, then changing yellow and red as you get more and more moderations until it's empty and you're banned. Or just change the name to something else. Like I said, this is really nitpicky.

Also this. My history is my business, and I don't want anyone seeing when's the last time I got busted for trolling because I went drunk posting. Can we get a fix on this please?

 

[Kross]

Regarding all the people getting upset over the "permanency" of warnings - You do know that they were always visible to the mods on your account, right?

What exactly do you think happens to a person with warnings on their account who does something actionable? The previous history would always influence the severity of the new punishment, except it was completely subjective based on the mod. Warnings themselves don't hurt badges and are for little rules transgressions that hopefully a reasonable person would learn from without needing actual punishment. Now we have set minimum punishments for people with a history, which should lead to much more consistent moderation. We've had people with something like 18 1-2 day warnings/probations/bans on their account as they keep pushing the boundaries of moderation which was just silly.

Also, outside of being perma-banned, none of the moderation actions do anything more severe then preventing you from posting for the duration of the ban and disabling a couple badges. If you honestly have such difficulty posting that you manage to hit the max ban level and using the appeals system/talking to mods does nothing, then maybe you should just take a break and read for a while. It's very apparent that the old system led many people to not take any action less then a ban seriously at all, as they are arguing from the point of view that the all of the "hey, stop doing that" notes are completely cosmetic because they're out of sight and out of mind.

As far as Pubclub goes, that really doesn't come into consideration at all beyond occasionally going "whoa, this jerk bought PubClub, that's a shame. ". The majority of PubClub benefits have nothing to do with forums.

 

[mireko]

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

How do you mean? Are you referring to appeals or some kind of automated point reduction?

 

[Owlslayer]

What new rules? Haven't gotten any notices...
So I'll make this post, hopefully see the new rules, and most likely edit this one to say my opinion. Success!
EDIT: okay, saw the new rules.
The forum health bar, you say? I currently have no opinion on that, i suppose.
I don't think anything else was changed...

 

[Atlas13]

Honestly, it looks like the only thing this will do is kill posts of emotional, honest content, and keep posters from posting content, because they're afraid that they don't share the same opinions as the moderators/the rest of the forum members.

Also, I have never understood the deal with advocating/debating illegal or "icky" things. Why can't the forum just have an 18+ section where people can feel free to post what they want?

 

[Quassimodo]

hm? i must make a post just to see them new rules

 

[6037084]

Wait there are NEW rules? I didn't even bother to read the old ones

 

[Mercsenary]

hmm have to look into this.

I think the thing with ad blocker is that you are advocating ad blockers. Maybe. I dont know. It is a bit vague about it.

The thing with the different levels of infraction and consequences: I dont see it. If you are an ahole up until the point of full on ban, I dont see how 9 months of you NOT being an ahole will redeem you. Granted maybe you did change and that's what the appeal system is for.

 

[michiehoward]

I just want to know, how successful are people who appeal, percentage wise. LOL

I personally like to see the post peeps get put on probation for.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

This makes me feel alot better about the permanent marks. I was worried that people would be pushed over the limit by posts they made years ago before they started acting civil. Knowing that you guys will take into account how long ago previous marks were made is a good sign.

 

[Xanthious]

Well I see absolutely no reason to participate in anything that might resemble a serious debate any longer. As long as penalties are permanent with no option of removal EVER it's simply not worth the risk you might hurt someones feelings and get a permanent strike against you. There should be a way to get strikes removed. RIP meaningful and spirited debate on the Escapist.

Honestly, I will probably still visit to watch the couple of videos I enjoy on this site but the reality is the forum rules actually discourage participation out of fear of being permanently marked for what could be a simple misstep. I now look forward to visiting this site once a week to check the videos and going elsewhere for discussion and news. Eh it's been a good ride I guess. . .

 

[JochemDude]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

Thanks, I was worried there for a moment. Tweaking is a never ending story.
Edit I do have a question about the not mentioning Illegal acts in the USA thing. How does that work with state laws and such, 'Cause how would that work with topics about drugs, I see trouble in some states considering medicinal purposes in that which pop up in the forum like every week. I am not from the USA myself and I really wouldn't have a clue in how far laws are different into extent to laws in my country, but I can see how that kinda limits the extent of expression towards topics which question morality in those grey areas, which are most of the time the best places for a solid and 'real' discussion.