Announcement: Infraction System

[Phathead]

Over the last week or two we have slowly been instituting an infraction system to curb some of the problems we have seen on the forums over the last few weeks.

Points will be given as follows:

• Inappropriate Language - 1 Point
  
• Insulting Other Member(s) - 1-2 Points
• Insulting Mod(s) or Admin(s) - 4 Points
• Posting Offensive Material (Porn, etc) - 4 Points
• + Custom infractions as needed

Each infraction will expire 6 months past the date of issuance. For instance, if 2 points were given for insulting a member today, those 2 points would expire on 10/1/12

Temporary bannings will occur at the following levels

• 4 Points - 2 Days
  
• 7 Points - 2 Weeks
• 10 Points - 2 Years

Some of you have already accrued some points, and if you have questions about them or your standing feel free to PM any of us.

In some ways it is sad that after ten years we have had to finally create a system like this. Once upon a time this was a place where we could debate and argue, but not resort to vulgarity and insults.

I, like other mods/admins here, am extremely busy and use RR as a place to relax. It is not any fun when after a 17 hour day I have to come here and clean up messes others have created. This is where the inconsistencies as of late have come into play, and is something we will be working on.

From here on out, I suggest you consider the advice I use when posting here.

1. If someone jabs at you, walk away before deciding if you need to respond. If anything, take it to PMs as we used to pride ourselves on not dragging disagreements out into the public
2. Think before you post, especially in the heat of the moment. I would say I only actually post about 30% of what I intend to post because I realize that it is probably not a good idea to actually post something.
3. Learn to let things go. Life is full of disagreements, but the better man learns to let things slide and to take most things with a grain of salt. As my mentor once told me,

   "Growing angry and bitter about something that is out of your control is a waste of time and energy. It does nothing to fix the problem and in the end all it will do is make things worse."

   If anything that advice is good to follow in your daily life as well.

I will leave this thread open for the time being for discussion and to hear thoughts from other members. As always, PMs are available for concerns or questions you do not wish to make public.

Thanks and as always,

[jjkusaf]

Sweet. Long overdue.

[Jim 18]

oh how i miss the good 'ole days here!

[PBritain]

Dang, straight from 2 weeks to 2 years.

Can anyone even remember someone that posted here in 2010?

(Not saying I disagree or agree, just commenting)

[ElvisOnFire]

Dang, straight from 2 weeks to 2 years.

Can anyone even remember someone that posted here in 2010?

(Not saying I disagree or agree, just commenting)

Was the carp that long ago?

[S_Gibson]

I'll just throw some random thoughts in here.

We pretty much unofficially lifted all bans prior to change in forums. When all the accounts were transferred all the bans were not reinstated in the new database. However still have the list and reserve the right to ban a few individuals that were not worthy of returning and maintained a 0 tolerance policy to those that decide to come back. A few would have to offer some sincere apologies for some of their action prior to and after leaving before we would allow them to post with our blessings. I'd imagine their ego's or vile natures would prevent them from considering it.

The new policy we are working on is not a cure all. We have been working on this for weeks, because of problems that have been arising for months. It seems over the last couple weeks though things are becoming more and more unruly and childish. The number of people that want to make it more and more difficult for the mods or admins or insult the mods or admins is increasing also. This came with reopening registrations. We have gained a lot of great posters, but unfortunately a lot more unwanted ones.

There are several people in that time that have earned permanent bans and temporary. Permanent bans will still be issued when we feel they are required, and I can name 3 people on this site currently I'll almost bet it will be unanimously decided we need to rid this site of completely.

For instance if you post or do something as extreme and disgusting as our recently removed T_Saprano you will never be welcomed again, so don't assume a poster can be cute and post a link to some obscene bestiality or trash this site in any other way and get a slap on the wrist.

Basically keep the ignore button handy, but some people still will still received permanent bans, and those that have since we changed forums will remain banned. Other may not.

It is so frustrating constantly dealing with and being belittled by some of the inconsiderate, juvenile crappy posters here we have had to take the stances we have lately, so everyone can expect little leniency or compassion when infractions are issued. Hate if for some of the new or old posters that happen to be bystanders, but things have to change as many posters think we should have to deal with their constant crap. All the mods have the authority and permissions to give infractions, and there will be no tolerance for people that want to complain about them, insult or take jabs at them on these forums. No one has to agree with them, they just have to shut up on these forums about it.

And to those on here that like to make quick jabs or are only here to troll or constantly starting something with people in every thread. Your days are numbered. Taking little jabs, then waiting for someone to retaliate to retaliate will be dealt with. You guys that are doing this know who you are, and it is not as subtle or disguised as you think.

Shame parents won't babysit their own kids, or some adults act worse than many kids. The members of this site (and some donations from visitors) pay all the expenses and take all of the time to maintain this site (do you see any ads to pay for it?), and the ungratefulness and unruliness of many of our posters is appalling. Guess it reflects their sorry upbringing, low morals and feeling of entitlement. I really hate this forum the way it is currently, and I pretty certain I have the most money invested in at than anyone over the last 12+ years. I've seen the worst there is in people through this site, and have even had to get with law enforcement several times because of idiots on this forum. Forgive me if I don't give a damn about some of your precious little feelings at times or really care that you don't like what anyone here is trying to do.

I think I've seen and heard all the excuses and insults any poster thinks they can spill for acting like a punk or ungrateful child on this site. I've seen how mean and vile people are in email, PM's and off these forums. Obviously, I see all the jabs and personal attacks made towards myself and others on here. Phat and many of our mods haven't seen the half of it yet and since granting more control over aspects of the site others are seeing why a more firm and less caring stance is needed. A while back a few posters thought they would peck away at a certain mod on here and they found out it wouldn't be tolerated. Unfortunately we were late getting to it and I wish we had gotten tougher sooner, because I saw later how bad it had gotten for some on here.

Just a few ramblings and random thoughts.......

[T18]

I hate to ask this but what constitutes inappropreate language?

I assume just posting an Eric Cartman style F-bombing is a no no but more along the lines of words like sucks and hell, is it safe to assume that if one can say it on Network TV its fair here to?

[Zone15]

I hate to ask this but what constitutes inappropreate language?

I assume just posting an Eric Cartman style F-bombing is a no no but more along the lines of words like sucks and hell, is it safe to assume that if one can say it on Network TV its fair here to?

Well I said something that I thought was safe too, but apparently it wasn't; so I wouldn't trust the Network TV reference. I now know that I cannot say the first letter of a cuss word in certain context as apparently that is construed as a cuss word.

[WCPainter]

I hate to ask this but what constitutes inappropreate language?

I assume just posting an Eric Cartman style F-bombing is a no no but more along the lines of words like sucks and hell, is it safe to assume that if one can say it on Network TV its fair here to?

If you have to question whether a word is okay, probably best to think of a synonym.