New Guidelines for Admin/Moderator Actions

[JusticeDemon]

Here is a copy of our proposed guidelines for Admin/Moderator Actions. Please review and let reply with your thoughts or suggestions. Thanks!

Changing Posts Guidelines:

Purpose: Censors inappropriate language not caught by system filters, removes offensive or inflammatory attacks or comments.

Every time a post is changed, the Admin doing it must note on the new message why it was changed. If the poster has a problem with that, they should contact the other Admin. Before an Admin changes a post, they will send that person a Private Message requesting the change. If no response is received within twenty-four hours, the change will be made for them. Most posts will either be considered highly offensive, or not offensive at all. The only time this change will be made will be at the request of another board member (ie, not an Admin or Moderator). The Admin will determine whether or not the request is valid and take appropriate action. The identity of the person requesting the change will not be shared.

Deleting Post Guidelines:

Purpose: Deletes duplicate posts, deletes "flooding" posts, deletes highly offensive, derogatory, inflammatory, or criminal posts.

A Moderator may delete duplicate or flooding posts at their discretion, however only an Admin may remove any other posts. This action will only be taken in the most extreme cases. Any questions or concerns about this action should be sent to both Admins.

Moving Post Guidelines

Purpose: Moves posts into other forums due to an off-topic post or forum redesign.

Any Moderator or Admin may move posts as they see fit. If several posts are being placed in the wrong forum by the same user, the Moderator or Admin will send them a Private Message informing them of this error. If the problem continues, an Admin will be notified and will contact the member.

Banning Members Guidelines

Purpose: Removes a member and bans their User Name and/or IP address.

If must be the concurrent decision of both Admins to ban a member for any amount of time. This is to be used as a last resort. Anyone who feels they have been banned unjustly is free to create a new User Name for the sole purpose of contacting the Admins. Any posts made will be removed. If multiple accounts are being created by a banned user and posts are being made, that IP address will be banned. Banning a member represents a failure of all other guidelines and the Admins' and Moderators' abilities. It is to be avoided if at all possible.

Locking Threads Guidelines

Purpose: Ends discussion in a forum without deleting it.

Admins and Moderators are able to lock threads to prevent further posts instead of deleting the thread entirely. This is not as serious as deleting a post, because the thread can be Unlocked by any other Moderator or Admin. Before locking the thread, the Moderator or Admin will make a final post in the thread explaining why the thread is being locked. Anyone who feels a thread should be locked should contact a Moderator or Admin. Anyone who feels a thread should be Unlocked should contact one of the Admins and state their case. Any subsequent threads created to complain about a thread being locked will be deleted.

[callisto]

Um... Okay.

Is there a dress code now too?

[JusticeDemon]

No, silly. We're just trying to control people's "Powers" to make sure no one gets upset over the Mods' and Admins' actions. This way members will know the guidelines and will be able to say something if someone steps out of line. Even on the old MAC boards, the Moderators' actions sometimes felt oppressive and hypocritical. This should help prevent that.

[DanMan]

Having set guidelines is good, as long as it's not too restrictive. Personally I think it'd be more fun if people could accept the fact that none of this is all that serious and it's ok to have heated debates/arguments. Makes things interesting. Also I don't think the moderators really need to do too much. Most of us here are nice and reasonable and will yell at anyone acting like an idiot. Maybe moderators should only step in if a few people complain about someone or a post in a PM that they are offended... That's my thoughts anyway.

[BtVSFigs Admin]

DanMan said:

Having set guidelines is good, as long as it's not too restrictive. Personally I think it'd be more fun if people could accept the fact that none of this is all that serious and it's ok to have heated debates/arguments. Makes things interesting. Also I don't think the moderators really need to do too much. Most of us here are nice and reasonable and will yell at anyone acting like an idiot. Maybe moderators should only step in if a few people complain about someone or a post in a PM that they are offended... That's my thoughts anyway.

The only reason MODs are there is to mainly keep things in order, not really to regulate people. Some people will post just to post and that it was internet users call "spam". If it's a pointless post or if it's a post that has been repeated, its the MOD's job to take care of that. the Admin is basically a big mod who can ban and delete people, but that's only if we have a disrupter on the forum.

The only reason we're setting rules is because this forum is supposed to not be serious but be fun, but with constantly arguing and then personally bashing people, it takes the fun out of it.