Abuse of staff powers / Outright fail in communications and knowledge of rules.

[Mentor]

Recently i was contacted about an arbitrary and pointless rule being supposedly broken - despite the fact this is actually one of the fictious rules some mods seem to like trying to enforce.

The rule was that of avatar size, having been a member on this forum a very long time, i have archived the platinum rank (twice in total) before the post requirements for it were moved. My avatar was uploaded back when that limit was 5000 posts.

The avatar stayed on my account for more than a year while my post count was under the boundary needed without comment - This is fair in my opinion as taking away a privilege someone has already earned seems a little harsh.

Suddenly a certain super mod decided this should no longer be the case and asked me to alter the size of it. Rather than kick up a fuss i decided to comply and conferring with a manager agreed to apply for the 3 months free VIP gained from being here 5 years. I was advised to contact Jin whom i am yet to get hold of.

Now this certain mod has decided that there was a magic time limit of 24 hours (which had never before this been mentioned) Since i have not yet managed to contact jin. They took matters in to there own hands and removed my avatar and gave me a warning.

... So guess what, i'm going to kickup a fuss. I name no names, but will provide them to appropriate staff if required and i'm happy for those involve to come forward and try and explain themselves.

I'd rather do this in a public forum as it seems certain staff still seem to be in the habbit of making rules up whenever they think there in the safty of Private Messaging which cant be posted on the forum without breaking an actual rule, thus can be hidden...

So what will i dispute?

The 24 hour time limit
Take a look though the rules... i dont see this one there?

Communication
This issue was passed up to a higher member of staff at my request. I discussed the issue with this staff member and came to an agreement.
The mod decided obviously there was no point checking with the guy he passed the issue on to - that would make no sense?

Avatar size limit itself
This rule does not and has NEVER existed. It is totally made up.
Gaining a user-rank allows you to set an avatar to a larger size. Having achieved this i did set my avatar to this size.
There is NO rule that says i should ever have to resize it if the rankings are changed to the point i no long have this rank.
There is NO rule that says i cannot have an avatar as large as i had it - regardless of rank of vip status


And what's my big gripe?
My avatar was removed from failing to comply with a non-existent rule within a non-existent time frame.

Whats more i even agreed, just to be nice, to follow this fictional rule. I agreed to apply for the VIP status i have earned from my time here. I had agreed this with the super mod's superior.

I request the warning remove, my avatar put back (as i am no longer able to do this myself due to the size constraints added when setting it)

I also would like to request mods and super mods especially be forced to actually read the rules once in a while. Equally to take in to account that when you pass an issue on to someone, chances are, they may actually do somthing about it themselves.

Bit of a rant, but the story can be confirmed easily enough by admins, and the rules are easily found within the FAQ if anyone what's to check the validity of my claims. I see this a massive abuse of powers by said member (seeing as there power was used to enforce a rule they made up) and a failing in the moderation proccess that needs to be looked in to.

Thankyou,
Mentor

[Callum.]

just find it ashame that you've been here 5 and a half years and can't keep the avatar you've had so long. pretty stupid.

[Hecktix]

If this was not against the rules, then there would not be an infraction entitled "Profile Violation".

Following your Private Message yesterday, politely asking you to remove your avatar as it was over the size limit for your member group (limits which have been around for quite a long time) you raised concerns which were forwarded to management.

The result given to you was that your avatar was over the limit for your usergroup and the only way to ensure it wasn't was to buy VIP.

In terms of "24 hours" there is no fixed rule, infact the moderator guide states that "if the user has not removed their avatar some time after your request for removal (and they have been online since that PM) then a warning should be issued and the avatar should be removed." I personally work to a time constraint of 24 hours, other mods do too however some could quite easily issue a warning earlier.

I've seen the PMs from management (the ones saying I was right and that your avatar was oversized) and both Forum Managers were aware that this warning would be coming your way should you not remove the avatar.

This rule is the same for every other member and has been enforced for as long as I've been a moderator. Like I said, if it wasn't a rule there wouldn't be an infraction for it, and it certainly wouldn't be part of the Super Moderator guide.

[hah]

i agree with the avatar rule, every other fansite got rid of it and allow 150x150 regardless; of your usergroup

also if your a new user and you select one of the Habbox avatars that are 150x150 its lets you

edit; i tough this would be some good power abuse like oli banning loads

[Hecktix]

Oh and I'm pretty sure your avatar hasn't been an issue before because as far as I can remember you've always had donator/VIP where the limit is 150x150.

[Seatherny]

I will use a perfect example:

Laws in real life change all time time e.g. smoking ban in public areas. You have to keep up-to-date with the rules and follow them.
If you didn't temporarily remove it after the Super Moderator's warning, its your fault.

I believe it is you who should read the rules from time to time.

[Chippiewill]

Oh and I'm pretty sure your avatar hasn't been an issue before because as far as I can remember you've always had donator/VIP where the limit is 150x150.

Erm... -cough-

Avatar size limit itself
This rule does not and has NEVER existed. It is totally made up.
Gaining a user-rank allows you to set an avatar to a larger size. Having achieved this i did set my avatar to this size.
There is NO rule that says i should ever have to resize it if the rankings are changed to the point i no long have this rank.
There is NO rule that says i cannot have an avatar as large as i had it - regardless of rank of vip status

[Mentor]

If this was not against the rules, then there would not be an infraction entitled "Profile Violation".

Following your Private Message yesterday, politely asking you to remove your avatar as it was over the size limit for your member group (limits which have been around for quite a long time) you raised concerns which were forwarded to management.

The result given to you was that your avatar was over the limit for your usergroup and the only way to ensure it wasn't was to buy VIP.

In terms of "24 hours" there is no fixed rule, infact the moderator guide states that "if the user has not removed their avatar some time after your request for removal (and they have been online since that PM) then a warning should be issued and the avatar should be removed." I personally work to a time constraint of 24 hours, other mods do too however some could quite easily issue a warning earlier.

I've seen the PMs from management (the ones saying I was right and that your avatar was oversized) and both Forum Managers were aware that this warning would be coming your way should you not remove the avatar.

This rule is the same for every other member and has been enforced for as long as I've been a moderator. Like I said, if it wasn't a rule there wouldn't be an infraction for it, and it certainly wouldn't be part of the Super Moderator guide.

Habbox's rules: http://www.habboxforum.com/faq.php?f...aq_rules_forum

Can you point it out for me, as a dropdown option in the mod panel doesnt really cut it in my mind - especially when thats for inappropriate avatars /sigs containing nudity/violence etc.

24 hour time limit is fair enough if you tell the person this. If you keep this time a secret then pounce, while the user is still actively attempting to resolve the issue. Then no, this is not fair by any standard.

My avatar was over the limit for my user group - BUT this is NOT against the rules.

If you have enforced this "rule" on other users, then they should also be removed. There is NO rule. If habbox choose's to add a rule on this fine. But at current, there is none. And applying a new rule back to events before its existence is inappropriate.

Equally, if the super mod's guide includes rules not in the public rules (see real rules) Then obviously who ever maintains this guide needs to get on and update it.

A super moderator really should know the forums actual rules though, not just what some guide tells them. If the normal members are expected to, then you should doubly so.

Also i have never been a donator - nore VIP before that. I have had VIP via MoTM, but my avatar pre-date's that's existence by a time measured in years (i think around 3)

[xxMATTGxx]

Recently i was contacted about an arbitrary and pointless rule being supposedly broken - despite the fact this is actually one of the fictious rules some mods seem to like trying to enforce.

The rule was that of avatar size, having been a member on this forum a very long time, i have archived the platinum rank (twice in total) before the post requirements for it were moved. My avatar was uploaded back when that limit was 5000 posts.

The avatar stayed on my account for more than a year while my post count was under the boundary needed without comment - This is fair in my opinion as taking away a privilege someone has already earned seems a little harsh.

Suddenly a certain super mod decided this should no longer be the case and asked me to alter the size of it. Rather than kick up a fuss i decided to comply and conferring with a manager agreed to apply for the 3 months free VIP gained from being here 5 years. I was advised to contact Jin whom i am yet to get hold of.

Now this certain mod has decided that there was a magic time limit of 24 hours (which had never before this been mentioned) Since i have not yet managed to contact jin. They took matters in to there own hands and removed my avatar and gave me a warning.

... So guess what, i'm going to kickup a fuss. I name no names, but will provide them to appropriate staff if required and i'm happy for those involve to come forward and try and explain themselves.

I'd rather do this in a public forum as it seems certain staff still seem to be in the habbit of making rules up whenever they think there in the safty of Private Messaging which cant be posted on the forum without breaking an actual rule, thus can be hidden...

So what will i dispute?

The 24 hour time limit
Take a look though the rules... i dont see this one there?

Communication
This issue was passed up to a higher member of staff at my request. I discussed the issue with this staff member and came to an agreement.
The mod decided obviously there was no point checking with the guy he passed the issue on to - that would make no sense?

Avatar size limit itself
This rule does not and has NEVER existed. It is totally made up.
Gaining a user-rank allows you to set an avatar to a larger size. Having achieved this i did set my avatar to this size.
There is NO rule that says i should ever have to resize it if the rankings are changed to the point i no long have this rank.
There is NO rule that says i cannot have an avatar as large as i had it - regardless of rank of vip status


And what's my big gripe?
My avatar was removed from failing to comply with a non-existent rule within a non-existent time frame.

Whats more i even agreed, just to be nice, to follow this fictional rule. I agreed to apply for the VIP status i have earned from my time here. I had agreed this with the super mod's superior.

I request the warning remove, my avatar put back (as i am no longer able to do this myself due to the size constraints added when setting it)

I also would like to request mods and super mods especially be forced to actually read the rules once in a while. Equally to take in to account that when you pass an issue on to someone, chances are, they may actually do somthing about it themselves.

Bit of a rant, but the story can be confirmed easily enough by admins, and the rules are easily found within the FAQ if anyone what's to check the validity of my claims. I see this a massive abuse of powers by said member (seeing as there power was used to enforce a rule they made up) and a failing in the moderation proccess that needs to be looked in to.

Thankyou,
Mentor

The 24 hour time limit
Take a look though the rules... i dont see this one there?

I will give it to you that it does not say anywhere to the public that you have 24 hours to remove it. I think this is a thing we may have to include to stop any confusion. Although the rule states for the Super Moderators that the user has up to 24 hours to remove any oversized avatar and signature. (That's if they have been online)

Communication
This issue was passed up to a higher member of staff at my request. I discussed the issue with this staff member and came to an agreement.
The mod decided obviously there was no point checking with the guy he passed the issue on to - that would make no sense?

It did indeed get passed on, I said that the Super Moderator summed it up and that your avatar was still over the current limits. Once you replied back, I mentioned that your usergroup got changed from Platinum > Emerald because it didn't match up. (Which I did say if it was a mistake, let me know and I will see what I could do). I did indeed tell you to contact Jin regarding the Gold VIP for 3 months for users being on forum for over 5 years due to Nvrspk4 not really being around, who first started it. Although, I never did say it was an alternative and that your avatar should stay.

Avatar size limit itself
This rule does not and has NEVER existed. It is totally made up.
Gaining a user-rank allows you to set an avatar to a larger size. Having achieved this i did set my avatar to this size.
There is NO rule that says i should ever have to resize it if the rankings are changed to the point i no long have this rank.
There is NO rule that says i cannot have an avatar as large as i had it - regardless of rank of vip status

There are rules regarding Avatar and Signatures in the FAQ. This can be found at two places:

1. http://habboxforum.com/faq.php?faq=n..._userpostranks

2. http://habboxforum.com/faq.php?faq=n...aq_item_avatar

Regarding your user-rank, I explained above which is most likely causing the avatar issue.

"What is the set avatar size for a Habbox member?" I would of thought that meant that there is a set size for different ranks. Then it also mentions VIP sizes.

My avatar was removed from failing to comply with a non-existent rule within a non-existent time frame.

It's not a non-existent rule, I would say it might be a rule that isn't full on clear to some members but from what I remember, it's been like this for a while. Just the ranking system has been changed over the years but hasn't changed since.

[Hecktix]

Erm... -cough-

For over a year now the userranks have been set at what there are.
The reason this has not been an issue is because Mentor has had VIP for the majority of this time.