What the?

[smurfy]

Why is it so puzzling that when repeated "final" warnings are ignored and lines are crossed again and again that the appropriate action is finally taken?
In all honesty, we probably let things drag on a lot longer than we should have.

A few of us have been forced to make some tough decisions in the last 24 hours.
Some of those responsible won't be back, others have just been given "time out". Some of those that were originally only given temporary bans escalated matters to the extreme and left us no choice but to take permanent action.

I stand behind each decision made by the other members of the moderating team during this period.

You know we would actually really like to be able to sign on here and be able to spend our time helping people with computer problems.

[Nick Grana]

The admin and mods are considered "the powers that be" and any action taken by any of them, I'm sure, are thoroughly reviewed before the hammer drops totally. I have no problems with 1. Fair warning 2. Stern warning
3. Timeout 4. Good thrashing via PM 5.That's all folks. Bye.:sad:
But I also think consideration should be made to the time intervals between these numbers. If a considerate amount of time elapse between the events that upset the apple cart, so to speak, then maybe a little leniency should be considered and restart sentencing at the appropriate number.
Of course I say all this IMHO and am not advocating any of the above taken as a demand but merely food for thought.
You guys and gals do a bang up job. When I get spanked, I know good and well I deserve it.:sarcastic
Sure there are questionable calls but it's only a human thing.
I hope everything works out for all concerned.:cool:

[oracle128]

I totally support what you guys have been doing lately. I was quite pleased at the way "that thread" in C&S was handled - the thread locked to prevent further activity; posts were left long enough so people knew what was going on (and to somewhat preserve a "freedom of speech" ideal); and finally, the unsightly blemishes in the thread were permanently removed (don't want newcomers getting the wrong impression). I'm more than certain the time-factor was mere coincidence as you mods found what was going on, then deliberated on the necessary action to take; but I do believe that order of action is a pretty good way of dealing with some of the stuff that goes on here.

I saw on another forum that warnings given to users were publically displayed in the user info section (attached to the top of each post). What would you think of this as a deterrent for unacceptable behaviour? (I'd post it in C&S, but it's totally on topic here). Eg:
================
|------| oracle128
|avatar| Senior Member
|_____| *2 Warnings*
================

Sorry for the crap ASCII art, but you get the idea. Could such a system be implemented, and do you think public humiliation would act as an effective deterrent?

In the meantime, I have a suggestion for those holding grudges - avoid looking at the usernames. If you see a post, act like it's a totally new user. Most people know I'm not the most patient or clear-minded member here, but for all the disagreements I've had with other users, I've dealt with them either within the original thread, or on few occasions, a private message. I've endeavoured to never carry any opinion of a user from one thread across to another, and you know what, it works. Of course there are drawbacks, once or twice I've been totally oblivious to who I've been replying to and formed a response in a "one-size-fits-all" manner (ie. dumbing it down) when the user clearly doesn't need that, but other than that, it's a great way to keep cool.

Anyway, there's a couple things to think about, I'll leave you guys to it.

[Nick Grana]

Could such a system be implemented, and do you think public humiliation would act as an effective deterrent?
I know you did not ask me but do you mind if I say, "I think that is a terrible idea." Just me now, so no going off. But what next? Public flogging with wet noodles?:sarcastic Should I have pm'd you to say that? If yes, sorry. The ground is a little soft right now, it seems. I meant no disfavor.:hmm:
I did not catch the C&S you referred to. I guess that's a good thing.:happy:

[oracle128]

I know you did not ask me but do you mind if I sayIt's an open question, for mods and members.But what next? Public flogging with wet noodles?I'll wait until there's more comments before I start countering/agreeing, but I'll just say I don't think it's going to come to any sort of lynch mobbing. That's defintely not what happened on the forum I saw it on, though I'm not a frequent member there so that may or may not have taken place. I just think it may be one way to have members take their warnings more seriously, instead of letting it escalate to a ban. Another thing I didn't mention, warnings would decrease for "good behaviour" (ie. not getting more warnings). In other words, if you got a warning x days ago and haven't received another, the warning would disappear. It basically acts as a '3 strikes you're out' system, which I think is about the same way the mods do it now anyway (only in secret).
Should I have pm'd you to say that?No no, this is the place to put comments on it, that's why I threw it out there, as a possible solution to the concerns raised by smurfy (which I'm sure are shared by others).
I did not catch the C&S you referred to. I guess that's a good thing.Defintely. I'm dead serious when I say it was real ugly. Those who saw it know what I'm talking about, and those didn't, trust me when I say you don't want to know. Things like that are best left in the past where they belong.

[G_Dem]

Personally I don't think its a great idea oracle. I think 99.9% of people are grown up enough not to need something like that. I think as long as the mods get together and agree about a punishment (ie ban, or time out) then its fair to everyone. I've sent a pm to a mod about what I thought about the incident and hopefuly it's all been dealt with fairly. Hopefully Black Mirror will be back coz from what I saw she wasn't in the wrong. But maybe I didnt see something in another thread. Also I think difference in international humour might be a prob. Whats meant as a joke in one country might be seen as rude in another.

[Nick Grana]

oracle: Another thing I didn't mention, warnings would decrease for "good behaviour" (ie. not getting more warnings).
By me: But I also think consideration should be made to the time intervals between these numbers.
I see we agree on this one.;)

[mattpg1]

posts were left long enough so people knew what was going on


Not me! What\who?

Should I ask?

[lufbra]

Hopefully Black Mirror will be back coz from what I saw she wasn't in the wrong.

I agree with this, her "wrong doing" was posting something non related to a post. Funny thing is, there's certain folks done far more wrong doing here, yet they're still posting............The Mods here need to get their standards straightened out before throwing around the bans.

[baboon]

I saw what had taken place in the the threads where the "final straw that broke the camels back" took place. It is better for the integrity of the site that the thread was removed. The banning of the people involved in that dispute was a good call because that was a problem that was escalating pretty rapidly. Personally from I have seen in the short time that I have been on CTH, the bans dont seem to be getting out of control. In the cases that I have seen they were needed.

[DonBB]

well my curiousity has definitely been awakened, I have no clue what is being discussed....

[dohray]

well my curiousity has definitely been awakened, I have no clue what is being discussed....

Exactly why this should be locked and laid to rest?

[oracle128]

There was a thread in Comments & Suggestions, where some members had a "disagreement". It was dealt with. Enough said.

As far as I've seen, anyone who's been banned has definitely earned it, and that's even without taking into consideration that us regular users have no way of knowing about anyone's warning status. However, there definitely has been a rising trend of bans lately. If it's not due to overzealous moderators, it's clearly the fault of members acting up. So, does anyone have a good explanation as to why so many members have recently been acting so inappropriately as to gain a ban? Is the Apocalypse on it's way? Does your Northern Hemispherian Summer have you all agitated? Is the whole 'Brat Pack' thing really to blame?

[Miz]

I ascribe it to the "mob mentality." One pushes the envelope and, of course, doesn't admit to the PM warning he/she got from a mod, another pushes a little more, it keeps snowballing until they finally all go over the edge together.

Reminds me of a herd of little kids. Push and push and push until the line is found. Sadly, they usually have to go over that line to get it positively identified to their satisfaction. :D

[dohray]

We can all put forth opinions on what/why the reasons are in smurfy's original question.
It seems the whole sorry saga is having a negative effect on CTH but I like to think that it's time to put it all behind us and move on to what this board does best...damn good help with some fun thrown in.

I realise by posting this I'm helping to prolong a discussion ( which I didn't really want to do ) but I felt I had to state my current view.

[renegade600]

However, there definitely has been a rising trend of bans lately. If it's not due to overzealous moderators, it's clearly the fault of members acting up. So, does anyone have a good explanation as to why so many members have recently been acting so inappropriately as to gain a ban? Is the Apocalypse on it's way? Does your Northern Hemispherian Summer have you all agitated? Is the whole 'Brat Pack' thing really to blame?

Theres definitely been a change in this board. IMO, The professional atmosphere went downhill real quick the last few months. Some members reminded me of kids who did things just to be noticed. In some ways I believe they were honestly just trying to liven up the board but they took it too far and just did not know when to quit.

I believe the moderators held back as long as they could with a warning here and a warning there. There must have been quite a discussion about it in the moderators forum before bannation.

Anyway, I am glad the moderators did what they did.

[Nick Grana]

Exactly why this should be locked and laid to rest?
I realise by posting this I'm helping to prolong a discussion ( which I didn't really want to do ) but I felt I had to state my current view.
Exactly what others want to do also. This thread affects everyone and should be read and comment if wanting to do so. No thread should be locked as long as it remains civil and in context. Removing an extreme thread is a good idea. If one does not get the info wanted here, pm's to a pal will help.
Positively not dis'n you, dohray, but it just happened to exemplify my current view also.:happy:

[dudeking]

No taking any part in the comments of member banning I have been away all week and don't have a clue and by the looks of this its trouble to bring it up so a mod might want to close the thread I started a few minutes ago.

But coming onto oracles point I have seen quite commonly on forms and would be easily implemented to this forum by the user titles is something that said trusted source.
So there could be moderators, hijack ‘people’, new members, members, senior members and trusted sources.

E.g. If some one was highly trusted and gave 99.9% useful info like oracle for example they could be called a trusted source.
It’s worked on other forums maybe give it a test?
When people have responsibly they behave better????

What do people think?

[Nick Grana]

What's in a name? Oracle, I guess, is a given.(?? to you)
Are you? Am I? Why? Why not? What's it all about, Alfie?:happy:
Should we be knighted by the queen? That would be the ultimate criteria.:D
No, being gone a week doesn't leave you out of the falling debris.;)

[Pi rules]

It was discussed already (probably while you were gone). Thread here (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114678). In the end, the mods & MishY decided it wasn't in the best interest of the forum.

[dudeking]

No, being gone a week doesn't leave you out of the falling debris.file:///E:/DOCUME%7E1/DudeKing/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif I’m really curious about the whole thing I am guessing it involves Dammit and BM as they are the only two I have noticed that have been banned.
I will miss them but they obviously did wrong and I trust the mods judgement:D

What's in a name? Oracle, I guess, is a given.(?? to you)
Are you? Am I? Why? Why not? What's it all about, Alfie?file:///E:/DOCUME%7E1/DudeKing/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif
Should we be knighted by the queen? That would be the ultimate criteria.file:///E:/DOCUME%7E1/DudeKing/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image003.gif I’m trying to say that if like a mod noticed that you for example posted all the time.
Your posts were helpful and relevant etc.
Then they change your user title to trusted source so people worried about who to trust no.
And also I have seen a post with people talking about how people with more posts don’t necessarily mean they are trusted.
This would solve that as well as people would have to be given this by a mod to say they are trusted.

[oracle128]

[bah -too slow]

[dudeking]

It was discussed already (probably while you were gone). Thread here (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114678). In the end, the mods & MishY decided it wasn't in the best interest of the forum.
Oh sorry missed that.
I do have to say I think it would be a good idea though.

[Nick Grana]

The point isn't to raise certain members on pedestals, for anyone's ego, or so I can put it on some resume. I (and others) post suggestions, not for egos, or to be accused of trying to raise ours by lowering others, but for the overall benefit of the forum whether accepted or not. Please know that people have tried lowering my ego to boost theirs more than enough to teach me to never do it.
That was a good one, Pi. You upped yourself and then downed yourself.
At least you're consistant. Please take this in the teasing manner it is given.:happy:

[Rainbow32]

In the mist of all this turmoil we also lost what I considered a true icon of this board in the sense of helping people cure their sick computers, AnnMarie. Our lost was another boards gain, she is practicing her profession at the Doctor's forum, virtually speaking.

[dudeking]

In the mist of all this turmoil we also lost what I considered a true icon of this board in the sense of helping people cure their sick computers, AnnMarie. Our lost was another boards gain, she is practicing her profession at the Doctor's forum, virtually speaking. It’s a great loss.
I believe she was the top posting member.
There are members on this forum (including me) who need to start putting helping people before the joke and open discussion.
She is gone now we just have to make sure that other members are not driven away by the minority.

[Vercades]

In the mist of all this turmoil we also lost what I considered a true icon of this board in the sense of helping people cure their sick computers, AnnMarie. Our lost was another boards gain, she is practicing her profession at the Doctor's forum, virtually speaking.

Oh she's still around, just not gonna be hardcore posting anymore. She'll probably pop up here and there but, not as frequently as before.

[PurestLight]

In some ways I believe they were honestly just trying to liven up the board but they took it too far and just did not know when to quit.

As far as I'm concerned, nobody was 'trying' to deliberately liven up the board. Maybe they were but I didnt see it. I loved the 'who is its' and 'what is its' even though I often joined in too late. They were just teaser time and a lot of members/non-members even some moderators contributed to them and even won at times. Just fun.

Most of the banter I saw was given and received in the good humoured way it was, for the most part, intended. If I saw tension, I might think eeek and step back. I think for me its the best way.

Ive seen many threads on here get out of hand but the Brat Pack seems to have caused consternation. Maybe its people giving themselves titles, things get remembered more. I know what Miz means by 'mob mentality' but I dont subscribe to it and I think the description is a bit harsh in this instance. I dont think everyone should be tarred with the same brush either; everyone is individual, I suppose its a case of it you dont want to be put into a 'box', dont jump into it. No offence intended to anybody at all in regard to anything I have said.

I think the moderators on here do a sterling job, this site is great and its a shame that what has happened (whatever it was in particular) happened.

From a personal point of view, I miss reading AnnMaries posts, I really hope she hasnt gone. I learned such a lot reading her stuff. She struck me as one of the most intelligent and fair minded people I have ever come across. I also miss chatting with other ban-ees, but thats just selfish I guess. I hope I havent said anything wrong here, if I have its unintentional and I dont mean to offend or upset anybody. Its difficult to say exactly what you mean and come across well in a typing environment. At least it is for me.

:happy:

[The Dude]

I was very sad when Annmarie told me she was leaving,she was a good friend........

Why do people have to act like this???? The staff @ this site are some of the nicest mates i know!!!!!!

LETS TRY TO GET ALONG!!!!!

Im glad i can help as many ppl as i do here,thats what CTH is all about (In my opinion)

[Snurfen]

We all loose the plot occasionally, and thats what happened here.
Somebody had enough of something that was irritating them and let their feelings out.
Normally, in the real world and online, you get a disagreement and often a big flare up of a confrontation. Next comes the authorities having to step in, sometimes they overreact, sometimes they don't. Sentences are dished out and all involved (if they've got any sense) either retreat to a corner to lick their wounds (real or imaginary) or just duck below the parapets and keep their cake-holes shut.
After a short period, most will start to come out to play again whilst others may take the hump and go elsewhere to play. It is sad to see friends leave (voluntarily or forced) and you can always keep in touch. soon enough new friends will come along.
Thats life and nature. Don't forget, Nature abhorrs a vacuum, so the void will soon get filled.
On average, you'll end up with the approximate amount of each type of member that you had before it all went "pop".

[degsy]

Dammit and BM were temporarily banned because of ignoring previous warnings and bannings because they continued to post off topic and hijack threads in the help forums. We are not overly concerned with this behaviour or style of posting in the OD and Jokes forum, but when it slips into the serious forums then people become annoyed.