Moderation Guidelines

[Mal]

Introduction

 

Sean's Preamble:

 

Like every other place you find yourself in life, there are constraints to what is acceptable on this forum. Ideally the constraints emerge naturally from the consensual values of all participants. But there will likely always be cases where it is necessary to impose a little structure here and there. Because my experience is that forums without rules, without structure, without constraints, rapidly degenerate into chaos. And not the cool, fun kind of chaos.

 

In short: Contribute real value to the discussion here. Be respectful (no insults, no porn). Keep it safe and legal.

Or in the words of our treasured Cat:

 

How about thinking about the qi of the board, the shen of the board, when you post, and see it as part of your practice, to be here.

A final introductory note for moderators:

 

The Universe is dispassionate,

It regards all things impartially.

A TaoBums Moderator is also dispassionate,

They too regard all members impartially.

 

Adapted from Laozi Ch15.

 

The moderation process involves:

 

1. A member screws up

2. We spot the screw-up or someone reports it

3. We work out what to do

4. We do it

5. We let the other mods know about it

 

1. Things that fit the “screw-up” category

 

Causes for moderation action:

 

* Making personal insults of other members

* Stalking and unduly harassing other members

* Profanity and vulgar language

* Threatening other members in any way

* Discrimination whether based on gender, race, religion, culture or creed

* Posting images that would be deemed offensive to the general public

* Unwarranted spam

* Links to malicious websites

* Links to websites that would violate these guidelines

* Illegal content (ie: links to download copyright software)

* Content that jeopardizes someone's privacy in an unsafe way or is otherwise dangerous to their safety

* Excessively and deliberately hijacking threads

* Overtly and incessantly trying to convert others (will be considered as spamming)

 

Sean's Note on Insults:

 

No personal insults.

 

It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc.

 

But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc.

 

While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other.

 

Sean's Note on Profanity:

 

To me I think it might boil down to: is this person engaging in an authentic, non-violent discussion with this community?

 

If someone is cursing AT someone (fuck you) or even about someone's opinion (your opinion is bullshit), that is a clear problem.

 

A bit more subtly, if someone's posts are just absolutely overloaded with vulgarity without any attempt to contribute or engage in a dialogue, then I would say that is a problem and could stand a private warning (hey buddy, what's going on with all the cursing and ranting, can we cool it a bit? there are pretty ladies here).

 

But if cursing is just a part of how someone expresses themselves (i fucking love this song!) then to me that is totally acceptable and sometimes even awesome.

 

2. We spot the screw-up or someone reports it

 

Most “screw-ups” will come in via the “Report Center”. There will also be cases of mods spotting a violation in their own browsing.

 

3. We work out what to do

 

If a moderator detects what they believe is a clear, unquestionable violation of the above guidelines they have autonomous rule to effect an immediate moderation action.

 

If the situation is in a "Grey area" (i.e. not listed above or not quite a full violation) or it is a major decision (i.e. the possible long-term suspension/banning of a member) then the issue is to be posted up as a new topic for discussion amongst the moderators or simply discussed in the Report Center.

 

Moderation actions will work on a "3-Strikes-Your-Out" basis.

 

First violation : Let the post stand unchanged, except in extreme violations, and issue 1st warning publicly or PM (preferred).

Second violation : As "First violation" plus 2nd warning.

Third violation : As "First violation" plus notice of suspension.

 

Exceptions to the 3-Strikes-Your-Out

 

If the violation is of an extreme nature then the 3-Strikes-Your-Out can be bypassed and the member suspended immediately. Included in this category are:

 

~ Threats of violence to another member

~ Direct, derogatorive insults

~ Blatant porn

 

4. We do it

 

Moderation actions include:

 

* Flagging posts

* Warnings

* Editing

* Moving posts / threads

* Splitting threads

* Closing threads

* Suspensions

* Bannings

 

NOTE: Under no circumstance will a moderator completely delete a post. Members have the primary ability and right "to post." If the full contents of a post requires editing then full explanation why will be noted in the relevant post, but the post will remain. The only exception to this rule is for housekeeping purposes of deleting multiple posts and double threads. Otherwise deleting member's posts and threads is strictly prohibited.

 

Flagging posts

 

If a post is is in a "Grey area" (i.e. violation not listed above or not quite a full violation) over which the moderators must discuss, then the post can be flagged by adding a note in the post indicating that it is under consideration.

 

Warnings

 

PM warnings are the most common "first step" in the moderation process. Try and make any warnings polite, personal, diplomatic, and yet straight to the point with an undercurrent of authority.

 

Editing

 

Sean's note on editing posts:

I'd really really like to keep editing down to a bare minimum. Early on I made a promise to the community that unless absolutely necessary I would keep the integrity of their words intact. Unless someone posts something illegal, pornographic or potentially dangerous to another member I say keep it. Insults, spam and absolutely excessive profanity are against policy but generally don't need to be edited except in extreme cases.

 

BUT! Be very careful about this as well. Don't edit blocks of people's text or the community will freak out maybe even more so than deleting because this power can be used even more manipulatively in the wrong hands.

The moderator who detects the violation has the right to edit the offending post as required. When editing or deleting this format will be used:

 

* The relevant words/images edited will be replaced with: <-- Edited by Moderator --> OR <-- removed pornographic image -- Moderating Team --> etc.

* At the bottom of the post insert:

 

Splitting threads

 

SPLIT the value-less posts into a new topic and put it in Off Topic or The Pit.

 

This is an advanced feature that you'll want to be careful with until you get the hang of it. but basically you can select individual posts inside a topic and split JUST those posts into a separate topic.

 

So there are a few steps to this. lets say you have a topic that is 80% pretty awesome but there are two or three hooligans that are just hurling insults at each other and it's starting to drag the topic down. step 1, warn and/or suspend the offenders in the topic via PM. step 2, select those individual posts in the topic, split them to a new topic, call it something like "silvertaoist and ravencrowface pointless bickering". then step 3, MOVE that topic to "the pit" if you want. then step 4, post in the original topic, "i've moved silvertaoist and ravencrowface's pointless arguing to the pit and they have both been suspended for 7 days".

 

Suspension / Banning Notice

 

If a moderator detects what they believe is a clear, unquestionable, blatant violation of the above guidelines they have autonomous rule to effect an immediate short-term suspension (i.e. 3-7 days). If the violation is extreme or the member has been previously suspended then long-term suspension can be considered following the 3-vote consensus process.

 

1st Suspension: 3-7 days depending on how offensive they are being.

2nd Suspension: 7-30 days depending on how offensive they are being.

3rd Suspension: 30-90 days again depending on how offensive they are being.

 

A further violation after this and the member will be permanently banned.

 

5. We let the other mods know about it

 

When we have taken some sort of action then let others know about it by posting it in the Member Logs. Ensure that the members name is clearly highlighted in the Topic Title for the benefit of the other moderators. Included in the report will be:

 

* evidence (links to offending posts),

* how the member screwed up

* exactly what you did about it

[Apech]

 

1. Identifying causes for moderation action

 

These violations will not be tolerated:

 

* Insulting other members

* Negatively charged and personally attacking terms (ie: fool, idiot, stupid, ass-hole, etc.)

* Excessive use of profanity and vulgar language

* Threatening other members

* Posting images that would be deemed offensive to the general public

* Links to adult websites

* Links to malicious websites

* Unwarranted spam

 

 

 

Number one - there's quite a lot of this ... sometimes people don't like what the other person is saying more than they don't like the other person ... after all most of us don't know each other apart from on here ... so mayeb you should say 'persistent'.

 

On number two - are you sure? I can't call someone stupid? I don't think I ever have - but if I really thought they were ... well I would want to say so! And what's wrong with 'I think you are a fool' ... maybe they are Ass-hole and the like would come under number three. Anyway isn't number two just a repeat of number one.

 

On number three - by excessive do you also mean persistent? I think a single outburst might just indicate someone expressing frustration - which is ok - but someone who just repeatedly uses bad language for the hell of it should be told off.

 

What about racism? Its probably the one thing that would cause me to leave the site ... if there was use of certain terms, names for minorities - I don't want political correctness but I still think this should be a complete no-no.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

A.

[Mal]

Thanks for comments

 

The guidelines are our moderator notes on how we will try to act and work out what we are doing.

 

The Insult police is pretty much all anyone will need to worry about.

[Stigweard]

Number one - there's quite a lot of this ... sometimes people don't like what the other person is saying more than they don't like the other person ... after all most of us don't know each other apart from on here ... so mayeb you should say 'persistent'.

Sean's main stickler was a no insult policy, and I, for one, agree. I think the key here is 'excessiveness.'

On number two - are you sure? I can't call someone stupid? I don't think I ever have - but if I really thought they were ... well I would want to say so! And what's wrong with 'I think you are a fool' ... maybe they are Ass-hole and the like would come under number three. Anyway isn't number two just a repeat of number one.

 

On number three - by excessive do you also mean persistent? I think a single outburst might just indicate someone expressing frustration - which is ok - but someone who just repeatedly uses bad language for the hell of it should be told off.

I hear you. What do you think of this statement:

 

In order to maintain, as much as possible, a "hands-off" policy, only in cases of persistent violation of these guidelines will moderation be justified. However, moderation action will be justified if an isolated case arises that is deemed to be overly excessive.

 

What about racism? Its probably the one thing that would cause me to leave the site ... if there was use of certain terms, names for minorities - I don't want political correctness but I still think this should be a complete no-no.

You are right. Racism has been henceforth added.

 

Thank you for engaging in this development in such a constructive manner Apech7. I am sure if we all continue to work together like this we will find the happy balance

[Pax]

"Whoa there [members name]!!! A bit excessive on the cursing ... Your making the girls blush"

 

Perhaps you could skip this particular warning, instead of using another group on the forum (the females) to enforce the rules, you could simply note the ToS?

[Mal]

Keep the suggestions comming

 

Also try your hand at the bits we are have not fleshed out very well yet. Specifically what would you do here.

 

4. a. Executing the moderation action

Assume First violation : Let the post stand, except in extreme violations, and issue 1st warning publicly or privately

 

What would you write in your warning?

Would you post it to the board, or PM the poster, or both?

 

Assume it's decided there is an extreme violation and you need to take more action than just a PM or message.

Would you move posts into another forum like the pit, set the entire post as invisible, edit out bits, never under any circumstances make a change to anything?

 

How would that change when they are repeat offences.

 

Thanks

[Apech]

Keep the suggestions comming

 

Also try your hand at the bits we are have not fleshed out very well yet. Specifically what would you do here.

Assume First violation : Let the post stand, except in extreme violations, and issue 1st warning publicly or privately

 

What would you write in your warning?

Would you post it to the board, or PM the poster, or both?

 

Assume it's decided there is an extreme violation and you need to take more action than just a PM or message.

Would you move posts into another forum like the pit, set the entire post as invisible, edit out bits, never under any circumstances make a change to anything?

 

How would that change when they are repeat offences.

 

Thanks

 

I think in the first instance you should PM the poster. You should quote the offending post and explain why it has breached the rules. You should say something along the lines that you do not want to censor their views and give them a chance to edit the post themselves or at least self-moderate future posts. Also say that this is in no way an attempt to discourage them from posting. Invite them if they want to explain why they think the post was ok. by PMing back to the mods. so you can reconsider if necessary.

 

I think PM is better because sometimes threads get quite heated and it could be that if one poster is publicly pulled up by the mods it would be a kind of victory for the other - and some might maliciously try to troll others into breaking rules.

 

In extreme case the offending text should just be removed with a note saying 'text deleted by moderators'. I don't think you should edit because then you would be open to accusations of twisting what people are saying etc.

 

2nd and 3rd stage ticking offs could be public I guess as this could induce shame. You have to remember that some people like the limelight and then cry victimization if anyone attempts to quieten them.

 

A.

[Mal]

I think PM is better because sometimes threads get quite heated and it could be that if one poster is publicly pulled up by the mods it would be a kind of victory for the other - and some might maliciously try to troll others into breaking rules.

 

Yes.

 

But the other quandary we face is while we are pm'ing one poster everyone else is reading that post and perhaps thinking, well they got away with it I can post like that too or even up the ante. Or worse that's not a friendly place I don't think I'll join or post here. New members and new views add spice and life.

 

It gets worse when it's not black and while because then you are not sure if it needs any action and things snowball while action is being debated.

 

Still it's not like it's going to be a frequent or even occasional occurrence. There are so few problems here and everyone is usually well behaved. I find it all rather interesting to consider and am glad we have a team to do moderation and a site where it's really not required and the active community usually looks after itself.

 

But if you wanted to push it and test people you could have quite the field day trolling. If we don't have at least one huge argument over moderation I'm going to be surprised

[Apech]

Yes.

 

But the other quandary we face is while we are pm'ing one poster everyone else is reading that post and perhaps thinking, well they got away with it I can post like that too or even up the ante. Or worse that's not a friendly place I don't think I'll join or post here. New members and new views add spice and life.

 

It gets worse when it's not black and while because then you are not sure if it needs any action and things snowball while action is being debated.

 

Still it's not like it's going to be a frequent or even occasional occurrence. There are so few problems here and everyone is usually well behaved. I find it all rather interesting to consider and am glad we have a team to do moderation and a site where it's really not required and the active community usually looks after itself.

 

But if you wanted to push it and test people you could have quite the field day trolling. If we don't have at least one huge argument over moderation I'm going to be surprised

 

 

Nothings perfect and its better to let people get away with it a bit than be seen to be heavy handed.

 

I think you are right that there will be some kind of argument but I have found this place to be good at self regulating and finds its own solution - like all the Fu's and so on.

[Mal]

Yes the Fu's were a good example. Board consensus was reached over time. OP did not agree. Eventually enforcement was needed. Patric Brown was another similar case of boundaries increasingly pushed over time until enough was enough....... and nobody else springs to mind.

[Marblehead]

Yes the Fu's were a good example. Board consensus was reached over time. OP did not agree. Eventually enforcement was needed. Patric Brown was another similar case of boundaries increasingly pushed over time until enough was enough....... and nobody else springs to mind.

 

It is my personal opinion that the use of "F... Y.." is a personal attack and prevents open and honest discussion so, because of this, I think that this, or any other form of personal attack, should not be acceptable behavior. This, of course, is only my personal opinion.

 

Happy Trails!

[11:33]

No personal attacks. That is the core, main rule in my mind.

 

If people cannot come to discuss and know they will be treated with respect (the respect EVERYONE deserves), then you can be sure that no one worthy of respect will want to talk with you.

 

Just my two cents :-)

[Stigweard]

Have updated the guidelines:

 

4. Executing moderation action

 

NOTE: Under no circumstance will a moderator completely delete a post. Members have the primary ability and right "to post." If the full contents of a post requires editing then full explanation why will be noted in the relevant post, but the post will remain.

[Stigweard]

One of the new features is a more sophisticated reporting system which now allows moderators immediate access to any reports made by members.

 

If you have an issue with another member's posts then the BEST way to do something about it is to use the "Report" button at the bottom-left (i.e. under the member's profile picture) of the member's post. Moderators do see these reports and do take action on them. If an no action seems to be take it is because either a. we have decided action is not warranted, or b. we have chosen to handle the issue privately by Personal Message which is the preferred method.

 

Cheers