Coming Warning System - Member Input Time

[anthony]

As part of the next version of the Xenforo software, we will have a built-in warning system back. Some may remember the old infraction system in the past software, which wasn't very friendly, though did the job. This new system is extremely friendly for staff... maybe still intimidating for members, however; here is your time for input into what you would like, and not like, to see from use of this system.

The system will replicate the rules.

I can tell you some my of my thoughts at this point, however; I have not yet discussed these with staff, which they may add too when discussed with them privately, as this system is built for staff to help manage forum members.

My plan is to remove banning members for suicidal posting and other aspects, as that is all the system really allows us right now, either all or nothing solution. The warning system allows us to change that approach by implementing usergroup control to remove permissions, without shutting the content off from members, but more the ability to interact with members.

This will leave banning isolated to pretty much spammers and trolls, not members who are having a bad day, week or month.

So... to see what I am talking about, you can watch the video directly from Xenforo themselves on the system. It contains everything, most of which is not relevant to you as members from an admin / staff viewpoint, though you will be able to understand what can be done before you give feedback.

[DLMURL]http://xenforo.com/community/threads/user-warning-in-xenforo-1-1.21361/[/DLMURL]

If you have valid feedback, ideas and possible solutions, then please feel free to reply or discuss them here. I am open to criticism and negative comments obviously, though I do not wish to hear negative statements without some type of explanation, otherwise I will ignore such comments completely and not respond to you.

The more you can think about possible implications on how you would feel when receiving such warnings, how you would like things approached, etc, so there is as much balance as possible through the notification system. There is also making a notification public, which I think will remove some harshness from sending PC's for basic rule violations.

I look forward to your feedback.

Whilst staff will discuss this in private, we will listen to members input now and factor that into final decisions, which will be published prior to implementation for final feedback.

 

[anthony]

Based on the forum rule set, here is a likely list of warnings:

1. Attacking
2. Disruptive Post
3. Failure To Use Basic Grammar
4. Text Formatting Not Allowed Here
5. No Requirement To Quote Entire Post
6. No Requirement To Quote Entire Post When Responding To Member By Name
7. Advertisement / Self Promotion Is Forbidden
8. Link Removed As Not Relevant To Discussion
9. Do Not Post Email Addresses
10. Under Age Posting
11. Suicidal Posting
12. Trolling
13. Off-Topic Posting

There are some aspects that are still handled differently, ie. spam is handled by its own system, so no requirement to be added to a warning system.

The idea of the system is that it removes ambiguity from staff interacting with members about forum matters, so no matter which staff member handles something, the system responds via a default manner, outside of staff control. This minimises a staff member having a bad day and responding hastily, etc, as we all have bad days.

This puts user interaction back within users control, ie. if someone chooses to not follow forum policy, then they will cut their own access to the forum / ban themselves, not a staff member directly do it, which will occur through a points accumulation.

Right now, staff constantly communicate privately about any member issues... which this will minimise, as everything is recorded on each members profile automatically.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

Power to YOU Anthony, for having the knowledge, skills, and insight to stop the problems before they start. The BEST way to solve a problem? Don't have it in the first place!

Thank you again, for your passion and dedication. If what goes around, comes around is true, then you and Nicolette are in for some awesome blessings!

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Thank you very much for all of your and all staff's hard work! This is an amazing place. Your knowledge and inquisitive mind are impressive.

 

[CraftyCath]

The idea of the system is that it removes ambiguity from staff interacting with members about forum matters, so no matter which staff member handles something, the system responds via a default manner, outside of staff control.

I think this is a good point Anthony. Most people on this Forum are good people but there could be someone who would make a personal attack on a member of staff. If the system is preset it would protect staff and I believe that the staff need that protection. We are not made of steel and as wonderful as you all are, you can still be hurt. That should be avoided.

No one likes getting a warning but it is necessary, and as you said Anthony, it will also help to prevent staff who are having a bad day from responding negatively. (Not that I have seen this but it is possible).

Does it work on a points system and if so, do the points get cancelled over time?

It sounds fairer and safer to me. Thank you for being so thorough in all you do.

 

[Srain]

Self Promotion Is Forbidden

Oh man, I have a question....if I am trying to identify with someone is that "self promotion"??

I'm a little confused on this one.

 

[amethist]

What we mean by self promotion Srain, is for those who come here just to promote their own business, web sites, books. Anything where they are really only here to promote their own stuff and are not interested in what the forum is for.

We usually spot them and remove everything before most members even see it.

Amethist

 

[CraftyCath]

Amethist using her mystic powers to magically remove these things before we see them! :roflmao: I can see that so clearly in my head Amethist! :rolleyes:

 

[anthony]

Does it work on a points system and if so, do the points get cancelled over time?

There is a point system that can be applied, and if used with a specific warning, the option exists as to whether the points are permanent or time lapse based.

The point system will get used, for example, using the one system it would allow a staff member to view a suicidal post, use no other system we have except the warning system, which would warn them and ban them temporarily, all at once, by using points that would automatically exceed a threshold for temporary ban.

This system does a better job than how we are currently having to temp ban, for example, right now we must use the ban system, which means the member wouldn't even be able to read a thing on the forum, they just get a message saying they are banned, regardless the page they try to view.

This system allows an additional usergroup to be applied to their account, instead of banning them from the entire site, it can simply deny them access to post in any part of the site or PC, yet they can still read whilst banned.

What this does is leave our spam system, which incorporates the ban I previously discussed, completely isolated for spammers only, and not used to also ban users for issues, shutting them out completely from the forum.

A forum ban in this manner for example, would still allow users to access the chatroom to chat with others, just not post. If they are banned through the spam system, even temporarily, then that bans them from the chatroom as well.

 

[CraftyCath]

Thanks for explaining that Anthony! :)

 

[Srain]

Thank you Amethist! :)

 

[ifonly]

Hi Anthony, love the warning system!

I've 2 questions:

1. Is (1) Attacking a more subtle form of (13) Trolling?

2. Do you think maybe it's worth providing a brief example or explanation of (1) Attacking language? I only suggest this b/c if a bunch of members are engaged in discussing sensitive issues which makes some of them post hot headed comments, they may be unaware they are in fact using attacking language which breaches (1). Some people might not know where to draw the line between assertive vs aggressive language, or defensive vs offensive language.

Just a thought :)