Warning Points

[Glenn]

Hey I've been getting a lot of questions about this from folks wondering what it is, so let me explain

Before the update a few days ago, you had a "warning status". This kept track of any infractions you logged against the forum policies. Tickets, if you will. There was a 3 strikes rule - 3 infractions lead to being banned.

The new system is much more flexible in that it allows "points" to be assigned based upon the severity of the infraction. In addition, the points given can be "temporary", meaning they will remain on your record for a set period of time and then they are removed, or they can be permanent.

At this time, the mods and I are still working through this system ourselves, so the point system isn't fully baked just yet. So I cannot tell you what the max points you can get before getting the boot. But the good news is that "0" points is a very good thing, and what you want.

Since most of you have zero points, you have nothing to be concerned about.

Hope that helps!

Glenn

[00 mod]

So LongMike already has almost the max amount of points and is one foot out the door?

Jeff

[Tony Monticelli]

is there anyway to see what post or topic etc they are for, kinda pointless if it doesn't say.

i personally find it a little Corney.. what are we in the 3rd grade here LOL. do we get stars for being good, can we give warning points to mods also if we find them being badge happy? lot's of trigger happy mods out there on the net protecting there little clicks of friends.

[Glenn]

You may view your own warning points by clicking the "warning points" link in your profile information under your avatar. This will open up a page that shows you your warnings and reasons why they were given. Since this is a new system, all previous warnings will have a reason of "other". If you click on the more details button, you may or may not see any additional information. Moving forward, more details and information will be given.

In addition, if you receive a warning, you must acknowledge reading the warning before you may post again. So there's no way you won't know if you've been warned.

As for protecting clicks - that doesn't happen here, so that comment is unwarranted here.

This is a good time to remind everyone to click the "Forum Rules and FAQ's" link on the upper right, just to refresh yourself on the codes of conduct, and to see if there are any changes since you last reviewed them.

Again, the vast majority of you are safe and have nothing to worry about.

[whitwolf]

Where to start. Firstly, thanks Glenn. This forum Is without a doubt one of the finest run sites on the 'net.

In most other sites I go to there's a ton of infighting and drama and It makes it difficult to wade through all that garbage to actually read the content you were/are Interested In. As for the protection of friends I can quite confidently say that this site Is heads and tails above most others with regards to fairness.

Lastly, there are certain rules everyone has to go by on most every site I have ever been to and quite frankly If I ever go to a site that I believe the rules are ridiculous I would simply leave.

[Tony Monticelli]

not saying that you guys are bad just saying all in all i think we the people should have to right to equally mod the mods etc... just saying if you getting more boos over yays from us memeber maybe the badge should be removed just the same as the degenerate members.

ive seen and been on a few forums that id love to click a little bad mod button, over here, no that's not the case but that doesn't mean it will always not be the case a year or two later etc... who knows, don't say your perfect without putting you badge out there for the loosing for abuse..

and no my warning has no reference to which one of the rules it was for so it says under reason is "other" so i broke the other rule i guess LOL... if you don't want pms asking why then leave a comment as to why..

[Glenn]

if you don't want to pms asking why then leave a comment as to why..

As I said, the previous warning system made it difficult for us to leave comments, so most of the previous warnings issued prior to the upgrade don't have comments. The new system not only allows us to provide the details you're asking for, but also introduces a more fair way of providing warnings of minor infractions without a strict "3 strikes" rule like we had with the previous system.

And as always, the mods and admins here don't like to issue warnings. We're members first, "spam cops" second, and "rule enforcers" a distant 3rd.

[Tony Monticelli]

ok understand that now, i though it was left with no reason as to why and why like what the point in that..

i though i just recently got it and was like where this come from with no reason i havent even been here causing trouble for a couple weeks and now i get a warning lol

[K_Mac]

Glenn thanks for the explanation. I didn't know we had such a system, but I do like the fact that you and the mods are working to make this site as user friendly as possible, while also maintaining some control of the content and tone of discussion. I have seen on other forums how without some moderation, it doesn't take long until any sort of meaningful discussion is impossible. I also know that when communicating in this format, meaning and intent can be difficult to convey and misunderstandings do happen. I appreciate the efforts to keep this site a comfortable place to visit. Keep up the good work.

Now about those stars...

[Bluebasser86]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I really enjoy this site and try to know and understand all the rules but I'd really hate to get booted because I misunderstood a rule. It's nice to know that there would be somewhat of a safety net in a senerio like that.

[Traveler2586]

Thanks to meeting some of the Mods on the Road Trip I can tell you all that they are not trigger happy people.

I'm sure there will be PM's first, and an opportunity to discuss the problem off line through the PM's. So far, I can say this is a very friendly place and I'll support the Mods in their efforts to keep it that way. I've been known to push the envelope, and a few things I expected to get a retort on but heard nothing. So that tells me they do exercises tolerance along with the adjudication.

If we had this feature on the dash of our cars maybe we would think more about what we're doing behind the wheel.

[Bassn Blvd]

Since this tracking system is relatively new, can EVERYONE start with a clean slate?

Can those who receive warnings/strikes have their screen name and amount of warnings made public to the rest of the forum? I suppose a locked sticky thread that can only be updated by the mod's would sufice.

[Bassn Blvd]

not saying that you guys are bad just saying all in all i think we the people should have to right to equally mod the mods etc... just saying if you getting more boos over yays from us memeber maybe the badge should be removed just the same as the degenerate members.

Both of my warnings have come from the same mod. I wonder why the other mods aren't doing as good as a job.

[Long Mike]

Bassn, I busted you earlier this week for trying to post that gross video, but I didn't give you a "warning." Would you have preferred that I did, based on the old "three strikes" system?

[tomustang]

I heard from a unofficial moderator that the warning system is actually a bonus point system where you get enough points you receive one free item from every vender

[Glenn]

The majority of warnings are done through a group decision of all the mods and admins. We all review the issue and discuss next steps. One mod ends up sending the actual warning, but it's a message from the group. The fact that you have 2 from the same mod is mere coincidence.

And no, warnings do get erased with this new system. Banishment will end up somewhere around 20-30 points. Just be thankful you only have 1 point per warning so far.

We will be assigning higher point values for more egregious infractions. So rest assured there will be a tiered system based on the severity of the issue.

[Glenn]

Also, we won't be making the warnings public. We never have, never will. But you will know your own warnings.

[Tony Monticelli]

so your saying you want to hand out more warnings to members for the in between gray rule breaks etc and give more chances till someones banned.. where the old system you would ignore more the little stuff and hand a warning here and there till it reaches 2 and then wait for a big problem and ban em..

for some reason the new system sounds more annoying than good, people like to break small rules, getting warning more often for them, well sounds like if your planning to get your badges on for this new system it to me sounds like your going for a forum suicide depending on how many and what rules your looking to hand your warnings out for.

not saying you have a bad idea and this forum is going down hill, just saying don't go getting trigger happy for some of those rules you have because it will probably be a moderator that stabs you in the back and makes a new forum and takes everyone with him with the promise of less rules more fun and the same great info..

[Glenn]

It's quite the opposite. People will get banned less because they won't be getting banned for having 3 minor infractions.

Wow man, you're really trying hard to find negative things about this. It's time for you to fishing or something.

[Tony Monticelli]

naw really didn't try hard, but good luck with it.. you wanna hand out more warnings to people be my guest, good luck with it man.

i think you better off letting it go and ignoore as much as you can till you have to ban someone for good reason other than handing out 30 LOL good luck..

i mean 20 - 30 warning LOL thats saying your going to target the grey, don't have to look hard to see that.. i mean good luck with it.. hey if it goes south this will be one of the funnest places on the net till it crashes.

i jump on board for this new system your putting in affect.... this sounds like allot of fun.

[GLADES]

Man, get a grip Tony. Just use common sense and decency and you will not have any problems here.

The system is fine if you stay within the rules.

[Tony Monticelli]

how much wood can a wood chuck chuck before he gets chucked LOL

man i feel like a saint over here with just 1 now, what the you know what.. i think im going to need a couple more over here.

can i get dozen of those in advance, im kinda feeling like a nerd over here with 1 warning.

[Stasher1]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is the most over-moderated forum I've frequented in the 15 or so years I've been online.

[Traveler2586]

Man, get a grip PEOPLE.

Just use common sense and decency and you will not have any problems here.

X2²

Looks like someone is fishing already........

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Don't like it? Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Seems like a good enough system to me. You get far more chances before you get banned now. I could see that as both a good and bad thing, though I'm sure the tiered warning points will certainy make up for the more egregious infractions. Honestly though, who cares? Chances are you know what you're doing when you hit the post button and whatever happens is going to be deserved.