Forum Changes - Sept. 2009

[Provost]

In order to streamline our management of the forums I've instituted a few changes today.

1) As of now, any moderator can work on any forum. They will still have their areas of expertise and will stay mainly in those areas, However, if a problem arises (i.e. an alert) in another area they will have the ability to act on it.

2) I've implemented the "infraction" tool in this software. This means that if someone gets tagged by a moderator enough times, they'll get an automatic three day hiatus from the forum. As it stands right now, each tag is a point and it takes 25 points to earn a hiatus. Each point has a "shelf life" of 10 days, i.e. it drops off your record then. So if you get 25 tags in one day you're out for three days. If you accumulate 24 tags over 11 days you just squeek by. I trust that is clear.

It is my sincere hope that being tagged will invoke a healthy, civil self-analysis to avoid further tags and not become a twisted "badge of honor" among the less restrained members of the community. Our goal is to approximate civil discourse on matters that will enrich us all, not see how much we can get away with. If that is not possible for you, other arrangements will be made. 'Nuff said.

More updates will follow as they are necessary.

Please feel free to answer the poll and discuss your thoughts about these changes on this thread.

Respectfully,

[josie wales]

Hey, I really enjoy this forum and the majority who chose to govern themselves. Many thanks to the moderators who ride herd on the flow of discourse....with this post, I'll go first. Glad the "teachers are back in the room"....although I enjoy a good natured rib, a well aimed jest and occasionally a Southern biased rebuttal, I am very turned away by those who pride themselves in being di#####ds whose inbreading serves only to discourage the remainder of us....either hardcore, mainstream or absolute inquiring rookies. Somewhat like watching Springer or a close up car wreck , the negative harmful stubbed-up posts of the few are really as cute as some of the 7th grade Phys. Ed. stuff that most of us got over a while back. Mods and Provost.....as Tony Evans said in Dallas: "Take it back....we know they don't give up easily but, take it back. " Ok, group hug, Kumbaya and a bowl of warm hosewater with cardboard cookies to all !!

[50th VA Corporal]

All I can say is thank you! I look forward to civility returning to the forum.

[Mint Julep]

I think 25 in ten days is pretty lenient.

[Micah Trent]

Nice to see some order in place again.

[jurgitemvaletem]

I think 25 in ten days is pretty lenient.

IMHO, much too lenient.

[jthlmnn]

Thank you!

[Provost]

I appreciate the feedback here. Any suggestions on how many "hits" someone should get before they get placed in "time out?"

I also appreciate the words of encouragement. Frankly, they are sorely needed this week.

Provost

[josie wales]

Pro, Most folk on this Forum wouldn't want even one demerit....why give these few disruptive bullies any slack at all ? I suggest the following: First offense, Moderator PM's the perp with warning. Second offense gets you three days in the box.....Third offense, well my friend, you're outa' here for good.....don't come back no mo'....start your own Forum and bi**h all you need to. Three strikes and is good enough for baseball.....baseball been berry berry good to me. Just a thought, JW

[Micah Trent]

I appreciate the feedback here. Any suggestions on how many "hits" someone should get before they get placed in "time out?"

I also appreciate the words of encouragement. Frankly, they are sorely needed this week.

Provost

# of hits:
How about the Lucky 7 or the Bad Luck 13?