Infraction System

[anthony]

I want members to know and hopefully understand why we have the infraction system now implemented. The system is not an attack upon you, as many seem to want to take an infraction as. It is a way to notify members of their non-compliance to a forum rule/policy. Whether you agree with the rule or not, it is a way to privately notify members and punish those who really just do not want to take community rules seriously.

Everywhere you go has rules, regulations, laws, etc... online is no different. Those who PM an editor with their personal backlash or offence really just aren't helping themselves. We have notified members through PM to comply to certain rules, rules and policies which where formed by the very members of this forum. That didn't work and people just kept being ignorant. Now... the infraction system simply notifies you, gives you a little punishment, though if you continue to be ignorant then the system punishes you more harshly. As a member continues to disagree with wanting to comply to community rules, the punishments are automatically increased.

The infraction system was something I never implemented because even I thought it was harsh when focused at someone traumatised, however; it is just getting out of control from the editorial end to continue without it. If you comply to the community rules, you have no issue. If you make a mistake, you get notified of it through an infraction. If you want to be one off these people who refuse to accept simple rules for the overall community being, then you simply end up banned.

This system just takes some of that decision from any editor and more to a simple system that is equal across the board to all members, removing editors personal emotions about any member or situation.

There really is no need to contact an editor when you receive an infraction... it is designed for you to learn from your mistakes, that's all it is. If you direct anger to an editor because YOU made a mistake or simply refuse to read the rules of the forum, then that is not an editors problem, but instead yours. Part of this forum is about teaching people to take responsibilty for their own acts, instead of blaming others where the blame needs to be turned around to oneself.

 

[Nicolette]

It would be greatly appreciated if everyone would please go back and look at the [DLMURL="http://www.ptsdforum.org/faq.php?faq=v_rules#faq_v_rules8"]editorial policy[/DLMURL] to refresh their memory. For every thread I have approved today I have had to give an infraction for not capitalising thread titles....it can't be that hard.:rolleyes:

Thanks

 

[goingonhope]

If you comply to the community rules, you have no issue. If you make a mistake, you get notified of it through an infraction. If you want to be one off these people who refuse to accept simple rules for the overall community being, then you simply end up banned.

Thank you for your time Anthony in writing and posting out all of this!

And, I must say that I do like that if a mistake is made that an infraction notifies us; Another words, something is notifying us and letting us know, as opposed to remaining clueless and unknowingly causing frustrations.

Without such a system of infraction notification, it's easy to imagine many unneccessary frustrations would develop, as they've done before, and likely would do nothing but remain, ever increasing each day especially as new members find the forum, and the rest of us are enabled, and/or perhaps not even aware of such infractions.

Now we all get to be aware.


Well done, Anthony at implementing such a system, and I'd like now to really apoligize for any and all aggravation I look back in hindsight and see that I've unwittingly contributed to. I am sorry!

Personally, I like SANE, logical and reasonable rules and consequences as there was a long-long period of time in my youth that so much of what was unacceptable or even totally unacceptable, was overlooked and so many, many times even encouraged. Whereas, what was perfectly sane, normal and reasonable was met with sudden and unexpected harsh and cruel consequences.

Anyhow, thanks again for creating this such thread, among everything else you've included and written in the:

• Announcements Section,
• the top of the pg. Notices
• and even the far left FAQ's Section.


Hope

 

[fin]

I greatly appreciate the boundaries that are in place with having an infraction system. I have to say I do worry about trying to remember them but that isnt such a bad thing.

(Am going to ramble something about me now...related in some small way)

During my first time adding a thread to the forum I was so nervous and struggling to remember what I had written and read I missed checking the thread title and did just that "forgot the capitals"...it happens and I will never do it again (-short of me melting down and not having any idea of what it is that I am doing, but I digress...).

This idea of knowing what is and what isn't ok is exactly as it should be.
And having a system that keeps personalities out of the instruction and implementation of these rules seems to me to be a good thing.

I think the thing that perhaps upsets someone when they get infraction is it is impersonal and does seem kind of scarey...so look at it for what it is...you made a mistake -its cool -dont do it again.

Unless of course it is deliberate in which case the infraction thing is still the right way to go. Because it keeps the place safe.


Oh.... the thread titles being in capitals as is recommended makes complete sense if you have ever tried to find something quickly and are scanning the thread lists.

It would be greatly appreciated if everyone would please go back and look at the [DLMURL="http://www.ptsdforum.org/faq.php?faq=v_rules#faq_v_rules8"]editorial policy[/DLMURL] to refresh their memory. For every thread I have approved today I have had to give an infraction for not capitalising thread titles....it can't be that hard.:rolleyes:

Of course I am now worried that I am going to screw up now

 

[brokenchild]

While I understand the editorial policy and why it is in place, I do not understand the need to punish those who do not follow it.

When I first started dealing with my past, there were times that no matter how hard I tried, I could not have followed those rules. It took me YEARS to remember that when I write "I" it needed to be capitalized. In my head I didn't see myself as a person deserving of a capital "I" and it took time to get there.

No matter how simple you think the rules may be to follow Nicolette, the fact is, for some people at some times, they are VERY hard to follow and rolling your eyes at the situation makes me think you don't understand that.

I do think it's a lot to ask of people who are having a very traumatic moment to type correctly. Sometimes, you just need to get something out and grammar, spelling and punctuation goes out the window no matter how much you'd like it not to.

I really do think being punished for incorrect grammar is kind of silly and over the top on any internet forum, and especially one for people with PTSD.

I think there are some really great people here but I don't check in often, for many reasons, one of which is the editorial policy and getting punished for grammatical errors.

Anyway, not that it matters, especially since I'm never here, but that's my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Luthien]

I agree with brokenchild. I was majorly triggered both times that I received this "infraction". I have also seen one person who received one, and then never came back. Her name was Ruby...and she got an infraction on her first ever post..then she came back and sarcastically commented about the infraction, as it clearly distressed her...She never returned. Makes you wonder about the necessity of this rule, doesn't it?

Even if she is the only one this ever happened to, you guys stopped a person from getting the help they may have received, because of nit picking...

Why are the editing rules so important anyway? No one is harmed if the thread titles are not capitalized or if they're not worded exactly right...it is just silly grammar rules, and it is something you should not chastise a troubled person for.

You two are the ones who chose to make it a rule, and who are choosing to edit it...therefore putting the work on yourselves. The one rule I do see the need for is posting descriptive titles...that one makes sense...I just wonder about the other two.

Anyway, I probably wont get an answer, and in the long run, it doesn't matter...but I hope it makes the moderators think.

I guess running a forum makes you feel like pretty powerful, and since you have all the control you can do whatever you want...too bad that you make mistakes, and others get affected.

I'm sorry if expressing my opinion isn't allowed...I'm not trying to be a jerk...So, I hope it is clear why I have said something. I did it because I feel for Ruby, who tried to reach out, and help herself, but who was turned away because of a grammatical error.

The moderators claim to understand PTSD, so they should see why this would be distressing, and understand why it would alienate some to the point that they were unable to return.

Sorry for being totally blunt.

 

[kers]

Just to put in my two cents, every community, whether real or virtual, needs rules in order to operate smoothly. Written communication is the basis of this community, and basic expectations make it easier for all community members to participate in and benefit from this communication. The editing rules are not, in my opinion, unreasonable. They make clear communication possible so that we can help one another.

Being triggered by an infraction has very little to do with the rules and quite a lot to do with how one's PTSD is affecting their life. Anthony's responsibility is not to keep people from being triggered, it's to provide a forum in which people can challenge themselves and begin healing. Any communication with others presents the possibility of being triggered; learning to deal with those triggers is part of learning to manage PTSD.

 

[fin]

please read my other earlier post on this and....please, PLEASE read right to the end of this ;IF you are reading this post. THANKYOU

Ok ....so I agree with kers and I also understand what brokenchild is saying;

I have trouble with capitalising as I find it hard to write "I", BUT and this is a big BUT, I have found it helpful to write "I", I have to say it is allowing me to feel in some small way some empowerment, like I have a right to be, to exist. That I am a good thing. That I will be ok.

And this now writing this feels a little strange to me...but that isnt a bad thing. I know that just by thinking it as I write...well... here- it feels like I am being given the right to be. Oh and when I write "to be" that is because I havent felt I had any right to exist at all...so what I am saying is that I am starting to feel like I do (kind of anyhow).

my first post/thread ...was "Introducing...(drum roll please)....me!" and that was how I wrote it...and I got the infraction and it freaked me out. I thought my humour -self depricating- came across better...if people didnt think I thought I was "all that", because I dont...I would just like to be able to. So when I saw it had been capitalised it troubled me .....I SOOOooooooooooooo didnt want anyone to think I was that "up-myself" (if you know what I mean).
The thing is...and after the initial infraction...which as I wrote earlier here I completely understand, I am glad it was capitalised....because we all deserve to feel that at least here we are "I"'s.

It is a very frightening thing to receive when you come on upset and are trying to reach out, and maybe the infraction could be worded slightly differently. But and again this is a big but....I do feel safe here.

I looked at the infraction and looked at what was said, I read other peoples stuff and looked at myself and thought "take this as it is meant", and it wasnt meant to make me feel like I was crap....and I knew from what I was reading that I wasnt in a place with people that wanted to make me feel like crap.

This is an extraordinary place

~fin

 

[anthony]

Just to put in my two cents, every community, whether real or virtual, needs rules in order to operate smoothly.

Being triggered by an infraction has very little to do with the rules and quite a lot to do with how one's PTSD is affecting their life.

Anthony's responsibility is not to keep people from being triggered, it's to provide a forum in which people can challenge themselves and begin healing.

Any communication with others presents the possibility of being triggered; learning to deal with those triggers is part of learning to manage PTSD.

Extremely well said Kers... have some rep. You really hit it on the head. It doesn't matter what I do or do not do here... you will always have people who come and go, who post once and leave for whatever reason. It doesn't matter what it is... it will continue to occur and they will voice their opinion as to why. Some are just trolls... some simply are to fragile to be here or elsewhere even.

If anyone thinks the rules here are tough, then you need to visit an autism forum... then you will learn about tough rules in posting. WOW... never seen anything like it, however; they exist on such a forum because going outside of the rules will often cause a major meltdown of many, not just one or two, but the majority.

Rules exist for the majority. They where designed, written and approved here by the majority also. The system is not a punishment as such, it is an easy and effective way for us to quickly get a problem across without losing too much time. If we had to sit and write specifics in a PM to every member not complying with rules... well, we used to do that and it just took far to much time. This is why I used a system that has been hiding for a year or more, because it cuts down the time taken to edit quite significantly.

One thing to edit a forum with a few hundred members, but this forum has nearly a thousand active members now. For those who don't know, I deleted none participating members who have never posted. I have removed near 5000+ members from memory... maybe more. So the member count you see on the bottom of the homepage is actual members who are relatively new or active; the rest are removed every few month.

The system is not personal... it is about saving time for us on the editing end of near a thousand active members. When we have near 100 new moderated members a week posting, guess what? It gets rather tedious to manage when 95%+ do not read the rules before posting.... they just post first then get upset when informed to read the very rules which this forum runs upon.

Again... very well said Kers in very little space. Thank you.

 

[jeapea]

I received an infraction. And then, another one. Two different things. I was having a rough time remembering the rules. I would read them, then go right to where I wanted to post, and forget or overlook my responsibilities. My bad.

I also got one by mistake that Nicolette apologized for. Not her bad, just a glitch.

However... it helped me to NOT take EVERYthing so PERSONAL. It's only a rule. If I could be taught to beat myself up... through negative battering by my abusers... I CAN ALSO LEARN TO LIFT MYSELF UP through simple warnings about human errors that we ALL make. That doesn't make me a TARGET. hellooooo???? It makes me able to correct MY mistakes. ABLE. I AM able. I am NOT stupid....

Here's what helped me the most. When I am needing to write something. I write it in notepad. Then, I come back to it the next day, when I am more calm. More able to pay attention to what I wrote. Then, check it a few more times, and maybe it takes a week or two for my post to actually GET here... to the forum. By then I can look at it more objectively... check for errors... and something else happens along the way. I have become less sensitive to the content of what I have written and I have helped myself face a particular issue while checking my grammar, capitals and thread titles. And, I can rethink whether it was really something I wanted to post or not anyway. I don't post everything.

I only have one query. If anyone has a question about using the forum, or how to write a title, or start a thread, or basically, if there is one who has trouble understanding the rules.... how about a 'commonly asked questions' section?

 

[anthony]

Hi JPS,

That is what the FAQ section pretty much contains. It is quite deep and quite complex. It can be added, deleted or amended at any time by myself. A good example is [DLMURL="http://www.ptsdforum.org/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_faq#faq_vb3_board_usage"]general forum usage[/DLMURL].

 

[Faith Hoffen]

Hello Anthony and Nicolette & PTSD forum visitors. I can certainly see why you have rules. Some rules are certainly necessary for a forum with this many visitors (we certainly don't want spammers or people being verbally abuse to others).

I and I hope everyone else reading this though feels badly for those who have come on here needing help and never returned because they felt rejected because of infractions. Anthony and Nicolette maybe that's not your intentions, but the fact is some people will feel that way (PTSD or not) because of questionable rules such as the grammatical rules. Are such rules as that really necessary? If you don't mind my asking - what is the reason for that? Rules should be questioned, and evaluated as to whether they are doing more help or harm. This is supposed to be a forum for empathizing with PTSD survivors. So, it would seem to me and I think a lot of others that that would be more important than grammar.

Maybe instead of eliminating people in that way, because two people don't have enough time to maintain such a large forum, you should elicit some help from other's in the editorial dept.? Just a suggestion. Of course, people can always go somewhere else on the internet; you do have a right to whatever rules you choose. I also have a blog, and anyone is welcome to visit. There is freedom of speech here at least, so thank you for that Anthony. But, I really don't think you all want to be perceived as uncaring, because you really do care right? We may continue to disagree, and I won't say anything else about it, if you do, but I think that helping someone who is hurting is way more important than grammatical rules.

I hope this doesn't come across as offensive; it's not intended that way. However I think a lot of people feel the same way. Even if you didn't mean to sound uncaring, that is the way it came across. As a PTSD forum, we all should realize that one of the most important things people need to heal from trauma is compassionate people who are there for them.