*READ* Regarding the current conduct seen around the forums

[Serebii]

Hey Guys

I'm sure recently a number of you have noticed about an increase of rule breaking, censor evasion & general mod bashing...well let me clear some stuff up since some of you don't get it.

Rule Breaking of any kind is not tolerated. Everyone gets at least one warning for rule breaking before getting banned, the ban is usually a short one...no more than 2 weeks (2 weeks is only for extreme offenses) and if after the ban is lifted, the user in question continues to violate the rules, then possibly another warning depending on how long it has been since the ban has ended and then an even harsher ban is placed.

This isn't being harsh, this is being fair...we are a place for everyone, thats why we don't allow swearing or rule breaking. Rule Breaking creates anarchy and the forums fall apart

Now the Mods are just doing their job, and yes I am aware that some have been breaking rules themselves, but instead of going on a mass moan about it, contact me, Fox or Shining Mew and we will deal with them...if they break the rules, they are subject to the same rules and guidelines as you and have no preferential treatment. So if you see them acting up, just report it to us three...it's that simple

Now in regards to certain activity by members, I have to re-iterate. STOP CALLING PEOPLE N00BS. It is a derogatory statement and helps nobody. Everyone was new at some point and you ALL probably asked what may seem like stupid questions when you first started on Pokémon forums. Just because people may be new or don't look for things does not give you the right to insult them...it IS counter-productive.

Replying to SPAM is also a problem I have seen increased lately. If someone SPAMs or break the rules...don't respond to it, no saying "This is SPAM" "You're going to get banned" or anything...just quietly report it to the mods of the section or any active SuperMods and they will deal with it.

I know that a couple of my SMods have said this recently in another thread, but it does seem better for it to come from me as maybe you will take notice.

Now, I don't want to risk any wrath here, but we are going to clamp down on derogatory statements such as calling people n00bs as it really isn't fair...you will get one warning, if you do it after being warned...2 Week Ban...just like I said, that is our strict policy.

To counter some of the complains about Mods that we have been receiving...Almost all of them are active, those who are inactive without warning do get given a chance to come back, if they don't then they are removed. The Mods do not abuse power, they are just members who are policing the forums by the guidelines that the admins and myself have set in stone since 2001. While the banning policies have varied over the last few months and years, they are in no way strict...if they were strict it'ld be a one month ban for the first offense with no appeal.

Mods can't ban, there is a thread where they report people who have violated rules and should be banned and people are only warned/banned if there is ample evidence and it really is something ban worthy, not just if they made a mistake or got caught up in a heated discussion/arguement.

So Please, stop the rule breaking, stop the derogatory statements and stop moaning about the Mods...they're doing the job they've been asked to do, not one they're doing for kicks

Cheers

~Serebii

 

[ShadowKitsune]

Well gee. Another way to control and restrict our free speech? Thanks Joe.
If people are going to post on these forums, they shouldn't post ridiculous crap like I've seen on these forums lately. And we also don't appreciate people coming on here to flame another person for what they like. (Wooper the Glooper)

And don't tell me that the mods haven't abused their powers, cause they have. TRJessie has been on a thread closing power trip lately on the R/S/E forums...

So maybe you should look at what these people are posting before going off and once again restricting free speech.

 

[Serebii]

Or maybe you should stop being blind and actually see things as they are. If someone is going around flaming...report them and they will be dealt with. If a mod is closing threads...then those threads are either repeat threads or are breaking the rules

I am not restricting free speech, but I'm trying to keep a forum image that is consistent with the site's scope and target audience.

Thank you

 

[The Benmeister]

And don't tell me that the mods haven't abused their powers, cause they have. TRJessie has been on a thread closing power trip lately on the R/S/E forums...

That's hardly abusing power, you should see half of the topics on there. Most of them are about things that are either breaking rules, in the wrong section or in things that lie within the seemingly inaccessable areas that we call stickies.

It's pretty sad, in a way. Technically this thread shouldn't even have been made because everyone should already know most things contained in it. I'm just glad the mods are doing their job. I'm not complaining.

 

[Ohtachi]

Somehow I knew you would post this. *Coughschatroomcough*

 

[TRJessie579]

I love when people pull out the 'free speech' card.

We do not restrict people's opinions. You can have whatever opinion you want, as long as you present it in a calm way. If you start cussing people out and insulting them, you're going to get a Warning or a ban.

This is also how it works in the US in general. If you go into a coffee shop and you don't like your drink, you can go up to the counter and calmly state your opinion, perhaps even get a refund. But if you start cussing at the cashier, screaming, threatening them, etc, the police will probably be called, and the person in question can yell about free speech all he wants and still get arrested.

What would be the point of this board if we let threads go into all-out flame wars? That is why we have these rules, to keep the place running smoothly. When you signed up for the board you agreed to follow the rules as they are laid out. If you really have a problem with them, and it's apparent we aren't going to change them, you are free to leave any time you want to.

The only other thing I'd like to add is, any time I see a post or a topic about mods "abusing" power, doing something wrong, etc, no proof is provided, whether it's about me or about someone else. I see "THE MODS ARE TOO STRICT!!111" or "_______ is being STUPID!!111" but there's never a link to a thread that shows the mod in question doing the "bad thing" they're accused of.

If you can show me threads I've closed without reason, please do so. I'd be happy to review them, and apologize and/or reopen them if you are correct. Looking at the R/S/E forum, on the first page, there are a whopping 4 threads closed out of 20. Two have been closed by me, one because it was answered, the other because there was already a thread relating to the topic. The other two were closed by Torched, one because it was answered, the other because it was bumped.

I'm just not seeing the problem.

 

[Ohtachi]

I love when people pull out the 'free speech' card.

I don't. ;/ *Yes, I know you're being sarcastic.*
Besides, the rioting over the mods has calmed down now. We need stricter rules for n00bs. That is what I'm thinking about. There are so many n00bs out there how haven't been banned that can't wait to come on and start SPAMing.

 

[Zephyr Flare]

I do note it was me who orignally set out the R/S/E rules and that was when a question was answered it was closed. All spam/rule breaking threats also were.

Anything else such as dicussion, left. If you have a problem with that you can ake it up and I'll gladly take it till you get it.


Sandra

 

[Jetx]

Wow, another announcement?

I've noticed all that stuff, I can't say I'm guilty of anything, but I'll try hard to avoid doing what you said. The mods do take getting used to when you're a newbie, but they do their jobs properly, and not much else matters. I have noticed a few breaking some minor rules such as the swear filter evasion, but... I'll shut up now...

 

[Tropical Spirit]

Uh, while I agree with most things there, I have a question about the filter bypass thing. Imo, not allowing filter bypass in rated fics isn't really fair. No one wants their fics, wich have clearn warnings, full of asterisks. :\ And what about words like anal or ass? Those don't seem very reasonable. Not to mention words like analysis. >_>;

But that aside, I think the other points should be inforced. :\ People who complain about SPPf being strict are lol. 99% of the forums are MUCH more strict than SPPf. And that n00b issue is something that I agree as well. You don't need to call people names to make a point, really. I'm now surprised about the fiasco that rule unleashed when I look back.

 

[~*Myuu the Ryuu*~]

thank you Serebii especially the n00b part. it's in the rules, but nobody cares...

but i think something big is going to happen soon. strange occurences such as the increased rule-breaking happen before big things. something big's going to happen...

 

[Serebii]

I don't. ;/ *Yes, I know you're being sarcastic.*
Besides, the rioting over the mods has calmed down now. We need stricter rules for n00bs. That is what I'm thinking about. There are so many n00bs out there how haven't been banned that can't wait to come on and start SPAMing.

There are no "n00bs" as you call them...thats the problem.

What we have are several morons on a rotating IP who keep registering and posting idiotically, and innocent new people get flamed constantly being called n00bs because of these morons

 

[Ohtachi]

We should have moron watchers. I could make a list of idiots right now for you to ban. It is that pathetic. ;/

 

[Serebii]

We do not ban people just for being "n00bs" as you call them...that's just wrong

If they break the rules, report them to mods in that section...if not, then for gods sake just leave them alone

 

[TRJessie579]

Trust me, we're doing our best "watching," and as soon as we see a problem poster it's reported and then dealt with, but it's really hard to pick these people out before they start posting, especially with the rotating IP. We can't do an IP ban, so we just ban one new name after another until they get bored. Sucks, but that's all we can do.

 

[Ohtachi]

What, the retards who SPAM for fun? They should be banned on the spot. Considering they plan the crap out unthoroughly. ;/

 

[Serebii]

What, the retards who SPAM for fun? They should be banned on the spot. Considering they plan the crap out unthoroughly. ;/

And they are...trust me

 

[JoshYEAH]

Rule Breaking of any kind is not tolerated. Everyone gets at least one warning for rule breaking before getting banned, the ban is usually a short one...no more than 2 weeks (2 weeks is only for extreme offenses) and if after the ban is lifted, the user in question continues to violate the rules, then possibly another warning depending on how long it has been since the ban has ended and then an even harsher ban is placed.

Methinks that a thread defining just how bans work is in order, personally.

This isn't being harsh, this is being fair...we are a place for everyone, thats why we don't allow swearing or rule breaking. Rule Breaking creates anarchy and the forums fall apart

Bit of a contradiction, saying you are a place for 'everyone' and then saying that rule breaking people aren't allowed. Don't they fall under the cate- yeah I'm being pedantic

Now the Mods are just doing their job, and yes I am aware that some have been breaking rules themselves, but instead of going on a mass moan about it, contact me, Fox or Shining Mew and we will deal with them...if they break the rules, they are subject to the same rules and guidelines as you and have no preferential treatment. So if you see them acting up, just report it to us three...it's that simple

Sounds good, but there are a couple of mods that spring to mind right now that have been recieving complaint for a while now, and while something may have been done, people on the surface don't know about it.

Now in regards to certain activity by members, I have to re-iterate. STOP CALLING PEOPLE N00BS. It is a derogatory statement and helps nobody. Everyone was new at some point and you ALL probably asked what may seem like stupid questions when you first started on Pokémon forums. Just because people may be new or don't look for things does not give you the right to insult them...it IS counter-productive.

Next time someone irl comes up and asks you a question that you've seen a million times before/asks a stupid question, try not to insult them or whatever, see if it works, then say that. :/ You're targetting the effect of the problem, not the catalyst, in bringing that up. Okay, it's a rule, however it isn't a productive one.

Replying to SPAM is also a problem I have seen increased lately. If someone SPAMs or break the rules...don't respond to it, no saying "This is SPAM" "You're going to get banned" or anything...just quietly report it to the mods of the section or any active SuperMods and they will deal with it.

Remember kids, the more you can add to spam the bigger your penis is.

I know that a couple of my SMods have said this recently in another thread, but it does seem better for it to come from me as maybe you will take notice.

To be honest I think people are more likely to listen to the mods than they are you, of course this is me being pedantic again

Now, I don't want to risk any wrath here, but we are going to clamp down on derogatory statements such as calling people n00bs as it really isn't fair...you will get one warning, if you do it after being warned...2 Week Ban...just like I said, that is our strict policy.

Yeah we wouldn't want no e-wrath.

To counter some of the complains about Mods that we have been receiving...Almost all of them are active, those who are inactive without warning do get given a chance to come back, if they don't then they are removed. The Mods do not abuse power, they are just members who are policing the forums by the guidelines that the admins and myself have set in stone since 2001. While the banning policies have varied over the last few months and years, they are in no way strict...if they were strict it'ld be a one month ban for the first offense with no appeal.

Again, maybe you should make a thread outlining all the policies you have in order. Just so you don't get stuff like that.

Mods can't ban, there is a thread where they report people who have violated rules and should be banned and people are only warned/banned if there is ample evidence and it really is something ban worthy, not just if they made a mistake or got caught up in a heated discussion/arguement.

We know.

So Please, stop the rule breaking, stop the derogatory statements and stop moaning about the Mods...they're doing the job they've been asked to do, not one they're doing for kicks

I dunno... I bet some of them get off on their e-power

-Josh

 

[Ohtachi]

Yeah, I noticed that. But I also noticed some under the radar that spam, but haven't been banned yet. And these dumb*sses are also planning it out. I spy on these people and watch them plan it out, thinking they can get away with it.

 

[Magma Leader Maxie]

Well, some idiot called charlizard registered again under another name and he was banned really quickly after that. The process seems efficient to me. Just constant watch (*yawn*) is needed. Tsk... tell me if it's normal behaviour to deliberately post SPAM on a Pokemon forum. [/rhetorical question]