Forum Changes - Sept. 2009

[Provost]

Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for the 99% of members who operate within the forum guidelines of "respectful but vigorous debate" more than 99% of the time. You make it all worthwhile.

It is my sincere hope that no one will ever "earn" one of these infractions, but we all have our down days. The system outlined below allows for that without being overbearing, I believe.

However, we know that some folks just don't like the guidelines and want to do things their way. Therefore, to give an incentive to operate within them, I've done two things.

First was to "turn on" the infraction tool for moderators here. This allows them to flag a post as inappropriate and, in turn, the member gets a brief written explanation of what as wrong and what might be improved.

Second, today, based in large part on the feedback on this thread, I've increased the consequences for accumulating too many of these infractions. Below is a list of said infractions, some explanation of them, the number of points they render and the length of time they last.

Like points on your driving record, they can add up over time, but also have a "sunset" where they drop off your total after a certain time. That time here is two weeks, for now.

Say a member called someone else a name, thereby belittling them. It gets flagged by a moderator. They have ten points on their account for the next 14 days. If they don't repeat the problem, the total drops to zero after 14 days. All is well.

But if they then pick a fight with someone, and get flagged, their total jumps to 20 and they have earned a three day suspension to cool off. If it's all in one day, it will be 14 days before their point total drops below 20, another three days before they're allowed back on.

Repeated problems of the same type have an added bad consequence, the sunset is extended. For instance, if someone made two posts where they called someone names, on the same day, and both got flagged, they have earned 10 points for 28 days, not just 14 days. Two more like that in close succession and they've given themselves a rather long "time out." It'll be almost two months before their point total drops below 20 and they're allowed back on again.

To be clear:

As long as there are 20 points on your record it will be three days before you get back in.

As long as there are 25 points on your record it will be a minimum of two weeks and possibly permanent suspension.

So, forthwith, the list of infractions:

Insulted Other Member(s).. 5pts -- Expires after 14 Days
Insults can take manifold forms, but the mods are all folks whose judgement I have come to trust. Remember the Golden Rule, the real one, and you'll be fine.

Inappropriate Language.. 5pts -- Expires after 14 Days
Things that would have gotten a kid's mouth washed out with soap in "our era." It was also not acceptable around the dinner table. Doesn't matter if the software filter puts those little asterisks in there or you try to do it yourself to evade the filter. Let's aim a little higher.

Name calling.. 10pts -- Expires after 14 Days
Doesn't contribute anything substantive to a debate and usually is seen as a tactic of someone who has run out of ideas but wants to silence the other side. Don't go there.

Deliberately trying to pick a fight.. 15pts -- Expires after 14 Days
This would be a serious problem and put someone on notice that they're way over the line, but the mod thinks there's hope they can control themselves.

Serious breach of forum guidelines -
about to be banned... 25pts -- Never expires
Someone needs to be excluded from the forum immediately, perhaps permanently, subject to the Provost's review.

Spammed Advertisements.. 25pts -- Never expires
Allows the mods to close off the access of a spambot. Not intended for use against humans.

You can look at your infractions on your user profile under the "User" CP tab at the top of your forum list.

I hope this note lays out the boundaries clearly but concisely. It is a work in progress and may be updated, changed or adjusted as time goes by and needs arise.

Please feel free to discuss the above set up on this thread.

Respectfully,
Provost

[Provost]

I think the only fly still in the ointment (i.e. unknown variable in the equation) is that the owner of that group has to turn on the privacy feature. I think.

Non-members viewing the forums would not see the social groups since they're not logged in as members, even if the groups were viewable to members. I think.

Further research will be conducted. All observations and data points welcome.

Provost

[yerbyray]

I like the idea as it would act as a "caution flag" for me and educate me when I unknowingly did something wrong. I am not the most active poster and there is long periods of time between when I do go active so I forget what the rules are.

All forums are different so people do make honest mistakes.

I think it will be hard to enforce the flaming or picking fight issues. Not to mention name calling if you do not know the relationship between the two parties or history.

[cookiemom]

That's the theory Ma.

Now, if you will help us test it..... click on the "Community' tab, click on "Social Groups" . Pick one that you are not a member of. Click on it. You may be able to see categories of posts inside it. What we want to know is: Can you read the individual posts in a social group without joining that group?

If you can't, then the Provost has flipped the right switch, and the Social Groups are 'private'--not viewable for non-members, with the exception of moderators. We still can see inside the groups, and will receive alerts if someone mashes that button on a social group post.

Right now, I've tested the system when completely logged out and viewing as a 'guest'. Not only can I not see inside--the tab to get me to social groups is not even present. We do still need to know what a typical user sees when properly logged in.

And yes please, lets get the Singles Out Looking and the Portly Old Gals Just Like Me Exercising threads off the main boards. Nobody sees me in those clothes . The phrase 'get a room' applies quite nicely here, and they are easy to set up.

As you requested, Mrs. Lawson, I went to the social groups page a few minutes ago, and, although I am not a member of any of those groups, I could indeed read the individual messages [with the exception of the Mid-Atlantic Campaigners group, which had a note stating that only group members can view its contents.]

Please let me know if I can be of further service.
Ma

[Spinster]

Thank you Ma.

That tells us that the privacy filter is in place and working properly, as the Mid-Atlantic is not viewable, and sends the proper notice.

For any other groups, the group owner will need to set the options to make the group posts 'private'--viewable by members only.

Some groups will choose to remain publically viewable, and that's just fine

[Provost]

It will have it's tough moments, I'm sure, but the mods here are all hand picked for being pretty wise ol' birds. Most of us can read a thread and get the drift if something is mean or nasty or lighthearted. And if we make a mistake, it can be undone. Posts that are 'deleted' are only screened from users view. I can reinstate them if needed.

So relax, enjoy the forums and have a good time here. I'm working on trying to find a template that will change our "look" to something more 'wood and iron' and less '1990's techno pizzazz.' I hope that will visually set us apart from the at least two other CW sites I know that use this same software.

Thanks for the feedback!

Provost

[Provost]

Just for the sheer thrill of experimentation I've turned on the "reputation" feature. That means that if you like a post, you can click on the little scales in the top bar of that message and let them know that. I don't know all the ins and outs of the system, but it looks like it might be a way to affirm someone who is posting good material, which is why I turned it on.

To my understanding everyone starts out with 10 points and the more clicks they get the higher their reputation level. No prizes will be awarded other than the esteem of your fellow men (& women!).

Provost

[josie wales]

Just for the sheer thrill of experimentation I've turned on the "reputation" feature. That means that if you like a post, you can click on the little scales in the top bar of that message and let them know that. I don't know all the ins and outs of the system, but it looks like it might be a way to affirm someone who is posting good material, which is why I turned it on.

To my understanding everyone starts out with 10 points and the more clicks they get the higher their reputation level. No prizes will be awarded other than the esteem of your fellow men (& women!).

Provost

PRO, Thanks and keep up the good fight to guide the Forum in an even better direction.....I believe this to be a very positive idea with a small caveat......would the person posting the scaley thing be identified ? To discourage more of the recent unpleasantness on the Forum, I propose full disclosure of Feedback....this works well in eBay.....especially to those of us with Perfect Feedback. Perhaps some of the more timid posters would feel inclined to participate in Feedback if the person leaving said feedback was in public sight......just a thought, JW

[Provost]

JW,

So far as I can see, there have been only three reputation "awards" made, all by me, and one of those was to test what could be seen by a regular user and what they can't see.

It seems that the recipient doesn't see who the reputation was given by, only the date, time and comments.

However, in my admin pages I can see all the reputation "events" and who they came from, who they go to, plus the comments. I can sift out of those events only the ones to or from a particular member and a time period, as well.

So there is some accountability for what's said/done by/to whom, but the recipient doesn't seem to get all that info, alas.

Provost

[josie wales]

JW,

So far as I can see, there have been only three reputation "awards" made, all by me, and one of those was to test what could be seen by a regular user and what they can't see.

It seems that the recipient doesn't see who the reputation was given by, only the date, time and comments.

However, in my admin pages I can see all the reputation "events" and who they came from, who they go to, plus the comments. I can sift out of those events only the ones to or from a particular member and a time period, as well.

So there is some accountability for what's said/done by/to whom, but the recipient doesn't seem to get all that info, alas.

Provost

Pro, Though somewhat limited in reach, your solution is a positive step towards more civility here. The newbies, outside gazers and the 95% of the Forum folks who enjoy the normal give-and-take of this place should benefit. Go for it and thanks for the continued good efforts ! JW