Discussing Banned Members

[Devastant1971]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

I used to run an FPS game clan and its forums and server. Posting why someone has been spanked with a temp ban, that has a tendency to create bad blood between the banee and banner. (Are those even words?)

Now, when you are bringing down the Mega Gothic PermaBanHammer of Squish, if someone has done enough to get a permban, believe me, no one, not one solitary soul, not even the cat, will wonder why

[The Chef]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

I understand that, but it's just natural to be curious. Whenever I hear about anything "tragic" that has happened but doesn't come with disclosure I run to google or wikipedia to read all I can about it. Obviously getting banned from OS wouldn't be considered tragic but you know what I mean. This was more of an attempt to help clear out the frowned upon conversations that pop up in the OT thread, so when it opens back up it can stay open

Plus I like to make sure I don't do whatever it was that got the person banned in the first place lol.

The OT thread wont have a problem staying open as long as people realize that discussing why someone was banned isnt allowed, it isnt our responsbility to allow it because the posters cant contain themselves.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

I don't like the idea of having a seperate forum.

However, the mods should probably realize that when a long-time member like Cebby or Born gets banned without receiving a red card (for their last straw as far as I can tell), chances are someone is going to bring it up in a thread sooner or later.

This is how I feel as well. I don't think a separate forum is a good idea because it opens the door for things to get out of hand.

I realize as regular members we should just move on and leave the topic of banned members alone, but like it was said, when it's a long time member and there is no red card to see why that member was banned, then curiosity is going to strike.

I actually asked a mod about the Cebby banning because I couldn't find why he was banned. I'm assuming it was because he got heated over PMs or something. I didn't get an answer, but it's not really my right to know and I can understand if the mods just want us to move on.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

The OT thread wont have a problem staying open as long as people realize that discussing why someone was banned isnt allowed, it isnt our responsbility to allow it because the posters cant contain themselves.

Pretty sure there was no discussion of banned members in there for awhile.

[Dog]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

Ya, I don't think a separate forum is necessary, maybe just an improved red card system where we don't run into an issue where there is a pink name with no red card

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

Here's an idea, assuming anything even needs to be changed, which I'm not sure it does:

When a member is banned and gets a pink name, when you click on his name and bring up that drop down box that's usually used for PM's, viewing that person's arena, etc., put in the option of "Infraction History" (or some other name. that's the first that came to mind for me) and allow people to view the reasoning for the ban. Obviously there's no need for a comments section, lol.

[ryan36]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

Pretty sure there was no discussion of banned members in there for awhile.

It was a due for a break.

Ya, I don't think a separate forum is necessary, maybe just an improved red card system where we don't run into an issue where there is a pink name with no red card

Well, I can only think of 4 situations that would come up where you wouldn't see a red card.

1) It's someone with multiple user names or is circumventing a ban
2) It's a PM to a mod
3) Someone has received many yellow cards, and the mod staff makes a decision to ban a habitually warned poster.
4) The post was deleted because it was SO offensive it couldn't stay.

It's important to bear in mind A) ALL offenses are bannable, and B) Members at OS don't have a "right" to know. Most times, you can ascertain what happened, by looking at the 4 things I mentioned.

[ryan36]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

Here's an idea, assuming anything even needs to be changed, which I'm not sure it does:

When a member is banned and gets a pink name, when you click on his name and bring up that drop down box that's usually used for PM's, viewing that person's arena, etc., put in the option of "Infraction History" (or some other name. that's the first that came to mind for me) and allow people to view the reasoning for the ban. Obviously there's no need for a comments section, lol.

You have this. IF an infraction was issued, you'll see the warning icon.

[Dog]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

It was a due for a break.



Well, I can only think of 3 situations that would come up where you wouldn't see a red card.

1) It's someone with multiple user names or is circumventing a ban
2) It's a PM to a mod
3) Someone has received many yellow cards, and the mod staff makes a decision to ban a habitually warned poster.

It's important to bear in mind A) ALL offenses are bannable, and B) Members at OS don't have a "right" to know. Most times, you can ascertain what happened, by looking at the 3 things I mentioned.

I think option #3 is where there is a gray area IMO. Where we don't really know why. As you said though, we don't have a "right" to know, so any of these ideas could all be for nothing anyway

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

It was a due for a break.



Well, I can only think of 4 situations that would come up where you wouldn't see a red card.

1) It's someone with multiple user names or is circumventing a ban
2) It's a PM to a mod
3) Someone has received many yellow cards, and the mod staff makes a decision to ban a habitually warned poster.
4) The post was deleted because it was SO offensive it couldn't stay.

It's important to bear in mind A) ALL offenses are bannable, and B) Members at OS don't have a "right" to know. Most times, you can ascertain what happened, by looking at the 4 things I mentioned.

I thought it was said recently in the TOS thread that warnings have been removed? Or did I read that wrong?

And IMO the OT thread was doing well the day before and day of it's closing. Before that though I could agree maybe it did need a break, but meh, no point in talking about this. It's closing for this week isn't really up for discussion.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

You have this. IF an infraction was issued, you'll see the warning icon.

That's what I meant though. For the rare times where there's a situation where there is no red card to view, the reasoning for all bans could be placed in something like that and it would be specific to each banned user.

It would also accomplish what Bum's idea is trying to while not having an open forum to discuss it where things would almost inevitably get out of hand at one point.

Just throwing it out there though. Like I said, I'm not even sure things need to be changed, but it's always good to see if things can be improved on.

[ryan36]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

I thought it was said recently in the TOS thread that warnings have been removed? Or did I read that wrong?

And IMO the OT thread was doing well the day before and day of it's closing. Before that though I could agree maybe it did need a break, but meh, no point in talking about this. It's closing for this week isn't really up for discussion.

I see what your saying. It used to be we let everyone accumulate warnings, and a certain number of warnings then equaled a week in the cell, a timed ban etc.

NOW, the warnings don't "add up" to anything. They're just us giving you a heads up. A user could have a few warnings over time, about minor things and not get banned.

Users are no longer GUARANTEED a rope with which to hang themselves. It's all mod's discretion. It allows us to more uniformly say " hey, you're pushing the envelope too much here" without "punishing" people.

It also allows more severe violations to be dealt with permanently. This makes the forum more pleasant for all, because the trolls that would previously be allowed back, are not.

Bans that a user perceive as unfair (as in they did NOT violate TOS), can be appealed.

There are NO timed bans, etc. You get banned, you're done.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

I see what your saying. It used to be we let everyone accumulate warnings, and a certain number of warnings then equaled a week in the cell, a timed ban etc.

NOW, the warnings don't "add up" to anything. They're just us giving you a heads up. A user could have a few warnings over time, about minor things and not get banned.

Users are no longer GUARANTEED a rope with which to hang themselves. It's all mod's discretion. It allows us to more uniformly say " hey, you're pushing the envelope too much here" without "punishing" people.

It also allows more severe violations to be dealt with permanently. This makes the forum more pleasant for all, because the trolls that would previously be allowed back, are not.

Bans that a user perceive as unfair (as in they did NOT violate TOS), can be appealed.

There are NO timed bans, etc. You get banned, you're done.

Ohhh, okay. I thought warnings were removed altogether, but I guess they've just been changed from what they were.

Thanks.

[ryan36]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

That's what I meant though. For the rare times where there's a situation where there is no red card to view, the reasoning for all bans could be placed in something like that and it would be specific to each banned user.

It would also accomplish what Bum's idea is trying to while not having an open forum to discuss it where things would almost inevitably get out of hand at one point.

Just throwing it out there though. Like I said, I'm not even sure things need to be changed, but it's always good to see if things can be improved on.

Respectfully, I think OS has evolved past this point in quality, member conduct and content- and is popular enough of a site that a list of our dirty laundry is counterproductive to the quality image Steve and Millennium have worked so hard to cultivate.

I DO understand the desire for it, out of curiosity and entertainment value, but I don't think it contributes to the site's mission. That's just MY opinion, and I'm not Steve or Millennium , so don't take my thoughts as "official."

But we're all part of the most elite sports gaming site on the web out of a lot of hours of blood, sweat, and tears from Steve and all the mods and staff through the years.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Discussing Banned Members

Respectfully, I think OS has evolved past this point in quality, member conduct and content- and is popular enough of a site that a list of our dirty laundry is counterproductive to the quality image Steve and Millennium have worked so hard to cultivate.

I DO understand the desire for it, out of curiosity and entertainment value, but I don't think it contributes to the site's mission. That's just MY opinion, and I'm not Steve or Millennium , so don't take my thoughts as "official."

But we're all part of the most elite sports gaming site on the web out of a lot of hours of blood, sweat, and tears from Steve and all the mods and staff through the years.

This makes a lot of sense. Solid answer.