Some things do not make sense?!

[Nemo]

You know as well as I do that I can't discuss specific bans with you on the forum.

Im not discussing my ban, whats it about, im discussing why i didnt have a chance to redeem myself (even though i did nothing wrong) and why i won't have a chance to be unbanned.

[Elkaa]

Im not discussing my ban, whats it about, im discussing why i didnt have a chance to redeem myself (even though i did nothing wrong) and why i won't have a chance to be unbanned.

All I can say for that is, as ever, email contact us and wait for a reply.

[Nereo]

Maybe they let them back after they are banned and tell them to post new threads after an argument to improve the forum stats? :S

Just an idea

[Nemo]

All I can say for that is, as ever, email contact us and wait for a reply.

Did it like a week ago, you said checked daily. I fail to see the point in using contact us again if theres apparently no point.

[GommeInc]

Decided to reply to these together, because whilst you put forward some good points, what you're saying isn't possible for a forum like this. Since the recent moderation changes, the amount of bans and cautions issues has dropped massively. Before, when I checked on the bans, there was often 10, maybe 11 people cautioned or banned at the same time - Now, before the bullying earlier today, there was only 3. This in itself is showing how the emphaises is being put more on communicating with the members, talking to them and trying to ensure that they don't break the rules anymore.

What thing isn't possible? It sounds like you're justifying yourself that there are less bans, which is something you should aim to do. Banning members isn't the main option.

However, what you're saying about having a talk after (or before) the ban is issued to see what's wrong just isn't a viable option on a forum of this size, with the few amount of administrators we have. Having to each time, before (or after) a permanent ban is issued ask questions about why it was done, or try to resolve it that way would be an entire job in itself, probably for more than one person due to the amount of issues that arise day in, day out. It doesn't mean, however, that we aren't making every effort to ensure that our userbase is happy with the situation we can offer on the forum, and that every effort is made to ensure that bans are issued as rarely as possible, as I highlighted above.

It is possible, there's not that many major arguments by the looks of things, unless you think every negative factor of the forum is something you must aim to please, which it shouldn't... The other option is hiring more staff and because the forum is "so big" it'll be easy to find such people

A prime example of this is today, when several members started posting inappropriate images for the forum, and attempting to bully other members - Situations like that are the main reason for bans on the forum currently, and if someone is on the forum for the sole purpose to bully, or join in with bullying on the forum, to be quite honest I don't think they should be on the forum at all, and as such bans were issued. Looking back in retrospective I'm sure that if they'd of known bans were coming their way, at least 2 of them would not of done it, however we're not here to hold your hands, and give 1,000 chances before bans are issued - That's why the PM before warning/infraction system is there.

Posting images is a good reason to ban someone straight away if they continue to do so, one thread/post doesn't really justify a ban, rather a caution which I think disables the ability to post images. Or can't you do that with vB? IPB forums can disable image postings for member groups Members who are bullying just need a time out, a quick word with them should solve it and suggesting they get banned if they continue.

Communication does help, and it's being used effectively on the forum, and furthermore most bans that are issued are checked, especially if reported to us as possible incorrect, but asking for a system of where each person is spoken too, before (or after) a ban is issued, isn't a viable sollution, without a (much) larger administration team.

You've got moderators... They can talk to people too. If they don't have the power to confront people, then you've nulled the moderation team. No, they cannot ban, but it is their duty to moderate and control their own little forums and they should at least have the power to confront members about issues and forward it to an administrator if needed. That is afterall what moderators should be allowed to do, not just removed text from posts etc. Can't moderators see and edit notes about members so they know if they've been contacted before about their behaviour? That's how some forums do it

[kk.]

naughtynemo is a good example of this... He's allowed freely on the forum on another account but not allowed on his other account? Surely it would make More sense to just caution until he's redeemed himself. If this was done, you can ban people who don't and then ip ban them. I know that people change them but it's one option. I'll reply more in full tomorrow but one more thing is something that gomme brought up. Their are fewer and fewer people being banned and I can't imagine every one of them will protest. 3 people doesn't take that much effort to reply. Or even have someone that looks at all the evidence of the ban and make a judgement. I'm sure many people will be willing to step up to the role. I can't imagine their are that many bans on this forum a day.

[nvrspk4]

In regards to shutting a thread and why it makes any sense whatsoever, basically if an argument is raging in a thread yes you can PM some people but they'll probably be going back and forth anyway. Secondly, those people are usually in a cold rage, so by shutting the thread you give them a little time to cool off. Thirdly, yes the arguers MIGHT stop, however that doesn't stop someone from reading through the argument and picking up where it left off, starting it back up again. Then we're playing a constant game of catch-up trying to talk to every new member that posts.

Reopening the thread seperately gives it a new start - its hard for people to carry the argument over because arguments are often off the topic a little bit, therefore it looks silly when they try to continue the argument without the previous posts in the thread. Also it lets people cool down, and it sends a clearer message to others not to mess it up again.

There are levels of punishment. There's losing some privileges (caution), losing your account temporarily (temp ban) and losing it permanantly (perm ban). A perm ban is not an attempt to permanantly keep someone off our forum. A perm ban is basically the next level of punishment - we deny them their account, they lose their rep points, some of their fame, their posts, their usergroup, PMs, VIP etc. etc. etc. They're not being denied the community, they're welcome to come back (and be good) and enjoy the community. However if they continue, we up it to Autoban. Its simply levels of punishment, you're mistaken in thinking that a perm ban is an attempt to keep them off our forum (or I may have misunderstood what you meant.)

[JackBuddy]

I got a warning from Professor-Alex (and I think GommeInc too) after I played my parts in those numerous threads, and looking back I probably said stuff that was just as 'negative' as NaughtyNemo and Neversoft. But they received no PM warnings. I'm not sure if Nemo got a PM or not, but I was just wondering why neversoft/sadness didn't receive one.

[Niall!]

Jack, nimah didn't, he was just permabanned.

[Hayd93]

Again, they could just PM the person in question to tell them to calm down and come to some sort of agreement. I'm against bans anyway, they never work and it's alot easier to PM someone about whatever issues they have. Not only do they see you in a good light, it also solves having to hit the ban button every 5 mins.

The point you made there is a good one,
I always prefeer to pm the member explaining. I find it alot more effective and i find that after a nice pm explaing the coperate more. The times i give infractions are usually to members who send me back a rude reply or just ignore what i have said, In that case theres no point in pming them sort of members are they will just throw it in you face.

What also makes me laugh is saying mods hit the ban button ever 5 mins. If you have proof of this please do pm me because most weeks i dont even touch the ban button.

Anyway what i said was just pointless as someone will just come with a comment in this thread or another thread saying how we ban mamabers for fun. I can tell you know i would mutch rather pm then its alot less hassle but most just ignore the pm's so we have to ban in the end.