Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart
Hmm. Thanks for your comments and taking the time to read it through, Vengealica. I do disagree though. If for instance a flag could be shown beside a user's name then we would all know that he or she was on a warning. If the mods have to pick out a user from a thread and send a PM to them advising of an impending infraction (I do not, heartily do not agree with automatic, computer-assigned bans or even warnings) then I think that is the same amount of work, perhaps more because in the thread you can (or they can I should say) issue the demerit, warning, card, whatever there and then, not have to remember to do it later or remind the member why they were infracted.
As I think I pointed out, but may not have been too clear about it, I would envision it ideally working thus:
Step 1: Member A is talking to Member B and calls him a ***got
A mod says "That's not acceptable language. Knock it off."
Step 2: Member A then uses the word again.
A mod says "I warned you; your're on thin ice buddy" (if he or she wishes to give two warnings: that would be up to the mod. He could if he wanted go on to step 3 immediately after step 1)
Step 3: Member A continues in the same behaviour
A mod says "Ok mister! That's it! You have a Yellow Card!"
(That could be bolded) If possible, as I said, a Yellow flag or something could then appear on Member A somewhere. I really don't know the logistics of it, if it's easy or hard to do, but surely something could be done? Even a spreadsheet with names on it? I don't know, but something)
Step 4: Member A, now Yellow carded, remains the same as he was.
A mod says: "Another yellow for you and that's a Red. Enjoy your week off."
Problem dealt with, again in view of all participating members within the thread. No behind-the-scenes skullduggery or ulterior motives can be claimed or accused.
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Trollheart, I copied your post from the Changes to Rule Enforcement thread and pasted it here to reply.
Although I do think the playfulness of Yellow and Red Cards is fun, and I agree that reminders of the rules in threads can be useful to inform people that moderation is happening, I have four main thoughts or concerns about your proposed system:
(1) I feel that giving people visible flags or some other visible sign that allows all members to see how many infractions that person has, such as the idea of coloring their avatars yellow or red, creates a feeling of a person being *shamed* publicly, which I oppose.
Seeing people's avatars colored yellow or red, which you suggested, or listing their infractions in a thread, reminds me of the notion of slapping a Scarlet A on someone, which I dislike.
(2) I feel, like Tore (and I) said earlier, that making moderation only subtly apparent, or not apparent at all, in threads is good for the overall flow of conversations and will be less likely to inflame drama.
However, I agree with you that it IS nice to know that rules are being upheld and what sorts of posts are deemed as breaking the rules.
What I've seen moderators do that I really like is go into a post that violates a rule and make a note (in red or whatever color that mod uses) at the bottom of the post saying something like: "Moderator's note: this post was deemed to violate a community rule and was edited/deleted. Please refrain from [making personal putdowns or whatever rule was broken]." Sometimes the offending words are deleted and part of the post remains. Sometimes the whole content is deleted.
This creates a less obtrusive method of moderating that still allows other members to see that rules were upheld.
As for your example of a mod posting, "Another Yellow for you and that's a Red. Enjoy your week off" -- I feel that mods should behave professionally, just like referees, and I oppose mods saying sarcastic things like "Enjoy your week off."
If a soccer referee showed personal anger at the player who breaks the rules, I would feel that is inappropriate.
(3) I feel that the rule enforcement system Tore suggested that uses infraction points (and that apparently is built into vBulletin) is similar to your "verbal warning first, followed by Two Yellow Cards = Red Card" in that both systems will require tallying up of infractions....so I'm wondering if you would feel better about the infraction point system if a 3-point infraction were called a "Yellow Card" and a "Red Card" were equal to 10 infraction points?
For example, your suggestion that a Red Card could be given for a more grievous violation (by-passing the verbal warning and Yellow Cards) is similar to Tore's suggestion that breaking a minor rule would be given a 3 point infraction, and breaking a bigger rule would result in more infraction points right away.
(4) I feel that enforcing rules equally for all members regardless of their background at the site helps make enforcing rules easier and reduces "unfairness" arguments.
You wrote about a situation in which one well-behaved member (like me!

) finally loses it after being attacked frequently, and mouths off to someone ("you ****ing *******!!"). You suggested that she shouldn't get an infraction because she has normally been so well behaved.
I feel that fairness requires that she would get a 3-point infraction (or Yellow Card) also, just like the person who goaded her repeatedly with name-calling.
No one should be above the rules.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart
Also, I would like to take issue with your "I agree with Soulflower". If the mod is at fault for insulting her (and it was only a little one) is she then not also culpable for voicing the opinion that he should be fired? Is this not what tore is trying to bring in, and she an advocate of it: equal and equitable treatment for all, regardless of rank or longevity?
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I feel that members of the community should be able to question the fairness of those in authority, and even say they feel the person in power should not be in power (a request for impeachment), without getting an infraction for expressing this viewpoint.
My reason is that I don't feel that the moderator power structure should be a dictatorship, so we have to be able to question their judgment and fitness for the volunteer position.
An issue, however, might be where, when, and how the request is made. If it is off topic in a thread about an unrelated issue, then that would be a concern.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart
could avatars be spray-painted yellow or red, or a yellow/red filter be used when they get infracted?
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I mentioned this earlier, but I'll mention it again: I would strongly oppose such a visible emblem of someone's infraction status. I think such a color system would emphasize the notion of the MB community labeling and shaming "rule-breakers" rather than focusing on the behaviors themselves.
I believe that an infraction point system, like Tore recommends, allows moderators to see a member's accumulating infractions behind the scenes without that information being public, and I feel that is the best way. The person herself can disclose that publicly, if she wishes.
I DO, however, like the notion of courteous, impartial referees as the image for Musicbanter mods, Trollheart.
I think your football analogy (there, I conceded "football" makes more sense than "soccer") for enforcing rules at MB is great in that it evokes what I feel would be the perfect mod: a referee who is friendly, impartial, fair, and quick to point out courteously when rules have been broken: