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Thread: Town Hall Discussion: Feedback wanted on rules, moderation, banning procedures, etc.

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    Default Town Hall Discussion: Feedback wanted on rules, moderation, banning procedures, etc.

    ============================
    EDIT 1/5/08

    Due to the wandering nature of this thread, and a pressing need to deal with profanity right away, we have created a new thread with very pointed questions about profanity (what is/isn't). Please continue general discussions in this thread, but answer the specific questions at this link: http://broncosforums.com/forums/show...4747#post84747

    Thanks
    ============================

    Ok, we are a few days short of our four month anniversary and it’s time to take another look at our rules and guidelines. Initially, we put our rules together in a rather hurried fashion, and ‘borrowed’ bits and pieces from several other online communities to give us a starting point.

    Now that we have all had three or four months to see how things are going, we would like some feedback. The advisory board can't guarantee that all feedback will be implemented, but it will all be listened to and considered. The importance of discussion like this is for the advisory board to see where the community stands, and if there are areas where it is clear that most members feel a change should take place, then we will strongly consider such a change.

    First, let’s set some ground rules:

    • This is not a chance to pile on the moderators. They have a tough job, and are attempting to enforce the rules that are in place.
    • Blame the system, not the people. If our rules are too strict, let’s focus on that, because the moderators are expected to enforce the rules in place, whether they like or agree with them.


    Back to what we need to accomplish. This is an open discussion. This means we aren’t voting, we aren’t asking for yes/no responses, we are looking for feedback. What’s working well, what would you like to see different. In addition, while we have yet needed to ban any members, that time will come. We need input from you on the process you would like us to follow. So, with all of that said, here are some of the topics we would like feedback on, but feel free to cover any other rules/moderation/banning topics you feel we need to discuss.

    Rules in general:
    • Are the rules as they are written now, on the mark, too strict, too loose?


    Obscene Language/Profanity:
    • Where should the line be drawn in terms of what is or isn’t profanity?
    • What is or isn’t acceptable language to use?
    • Are terms like WTH or WTF ok?
    • What about people posting words that are caught by the profanity censor, or slightly altered to avoid the filter. Is it ok to post: The team played like *** or the team played like sh!t?
    • What level of language should actually be filtered, where should the line be drawn between what is ‘acceptable’ to most people, and what is profane?

    Sexually Explicit Images:
    • What images shouldn’t be allowed?
    • Nudity is a given, because this is not an adult-only site, but beyond that, where is the line drawn?
    • Are pics or women in bra and panties (Victoria Secret models) or bikinis ok? What about men in speedos?
    • A normal bikini bottom vs. a thong?

    There are many different opinions about what is or isn’t acceptable, what is or isn’t sexually explicit. Where do you stand?

    Moderation:
    Realize that the moderation is tied very directly to the rules, and that changing the rules will have the knock on effect of changing how moderation is done.
    • Do you feel we are hitting the mark in our moderation (general threads, game day threads, etc.) or are we too strict or too lenient in our moderation?
    • Again, respecting the hard work of our volunteer moderation staff, are we hitting the mark with our moderation, and how can we get better?


    Duck Before Entering/Smack:
    Should this forum be more loosely moderated than other forums? Should more flaming/personal attacks be allowed?

    Banning:
    • The time will come, when we have to start banning members. There are multiple issues to consider and methods that this can happen.
    • The first issue related to banning is how strongly should the rules be enforced. Meaning, is it acceptable for people to repeatedly break the rules (posting profanity for instance) and simply have the moderators edit/delete posts, or should the rules be strictly enforced and those that break them should be suspended for x days?
    • At what point, in terms of breaking rules, should a person be suspended from the board. If they avoid the language filter once, or 10 times or 100 times?
    • Should banning be a formalized process, such as a system that might have two official warnings and then a suspension, possibly followed by a probation period, OR, should all bans be voted on by the 7 members advisory board, OR should suspensions/bans be determined by the moderators?
    • On other message boards, few things have created as much controversy as banning, so this is something where we really need community feedback, in terms of how it should be done.


    Infraction Point System:
    • Should we consider implementing an Infraction Point (IP) system, with publicly stated point values and suspension/banning/loss of privileges thresholds?
    • While people coming over from BM have a bad taste in their mouth about how the IP system works, many other sites have successfully implemented IP systems, and it provides a means to avoid surprises to members in regards of where they stand and reduces the number of 'surprise' bannings.


    Any other Rules/moderation topics you would like to discuss
    • Any other topics related to rules, moderation, banning or similar topics that weren't covered above.
    Last edited by Tned; 01-05-2008 at 05:10 PM.

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