- Joined
- Dec 29, 2002
- Messages
- 8,860
- Reaction score
- 93
- Staff
- #1
Hi guys,
As a means of making things less confusing for users, and easier on mods, we've revamped the infraction system. Below is a summary of a few new caveats to the infraction system, and a list (with descriptions) of the infractions that go along with them. Note, perhaps most importantly, that the ban system has changed (point 3). If you have any questions or comments, feedback is welcome in this thread.
*A user receiving more than one infraction of the same type may have the infraction's point value multiplied by 1.5 for all future infractions.
*Before given any minor infraction (<5 points), a user must receive a warning. At the moderator's discretion, a warning may be given for a major infraction.
*10 points of infractions equals a 2 day ban. 20 points is a 10 day ban, 30 points a 1 month ban, 40 points a 2 month ban, 50 points = infinite.
*The Soap Box receives its own set of modified rules that deal with most major infractions. See the Soap Box for details.
The infractions:
“Minor” infractions – points expire after 1 month. After 2 minor infractions (from the 3rd onward,) a moderator, at his or her discretion, may give a "level II" minor infraction. It expires after 3 months, and has 1.5x the point value, rounding up. Before giving a minor infraction, the user gets a warning.
Double post: 1 point. Posting twice in a row. Exceptions are made for news-based threads where the second post adds significant new content.
Off-topic post: 1 point. Making a post absolutely unrelated to the thread at hand.
Double thread-post: 2 points. Posting a thread twice.
Replied to SPAM – 2 points. This only applies to spambot-created spam. Don't reply to it; just report it.
Minimodding - 2 points. While giving advice to other users is fine, attempting to enforce the rules--for instance, by saying "remember, no double posting!" may confuse new members as to who the moderators are. The example provided here is not considered exhaustive.
Abuse of reporting system – 3 points. For someone abusing the post/PM/VM/thread reporting system by reporting threads that are within the rules. Only to be used for people who are bad repeat offenders (3+ threads reported which are clearly within the rules.)
Thread Necromancy – 3 points. Reviving an old, dead thread. May not be applied to threads posted in within the last month. Threads with a last post older than one month are up to the moderator.
SPAM – 3 points. SPAM is a broad category, but as a rule of thumb constitutes a more severe hijacking of a thread than an off topic post. May also apply to blogs when repeated blog posts are made in a short period of time.
Signature Rule Violation - 3 points. The signature rule thread can be found here.
ROM/illegal download discussion - 3 points. You may not discuss ROMs or illegal downloads.
Forum-specific rule violation - 4 points. Excepting forums with major infractions, listed below. For all forums which have their own specific rules (check for a sticky thread in that forum.)
“Major” infractions – points expire after 3 months. May or may not be given with a warning. "Level II" Major infractions may be given after 1 prior infraction, have 1.5x the point value (round up), and expire after 5 months.
Abusive language/flaming – 5 points. Fairly self-explanatory, insulting another member. If this is directed towards a moderator, the moderator who infracts it may not be the one it is directed towards, to prevent the appearance of impropriety. If there are issues with this, contact an administrator.
Trolling – 5 points. Intentionally posting in a thread to provoke a hostile reaction; causing needless confrontation.
Advertisement – 5 points. Posting an advertisement to another forum. If you want to advertise, use your signature.
Soliciting/Providing a link to illegal downloads – 6 points. Self-explanatory; not allowed here.
Illegal Sockpuppeting - 7 points, socking account gets a ban.
Trade Center violation – Trading rule violation – 10 points. Trading hacks can ruin a cart; we have a special rule for it as a result.
Automatic permanent bans – never expire
Being a spambot (this shouldn't impact anyone)
Ban evasion. If we ban you, wait it out, don't come back in secret.
Other - case-by-case basis
Death threats will lead to an administrative review and an infraction or ban commensurate with the threat leveled. Even comments made in jest are infractable.
As always, moderators can use their discretion in all infractions, and reserve the right to infract users for things not listed above if the violation is sufficiently egregious.
As a means of making things less confusing for users, and easier on mods, we've revamped the infraction system. Below is a summary of a few new caveats to the infraction system, and a list (with descriptions) of the infractions that go along with them. Note, perhaps most importantly, that the ban system has changed (point 3). If you have any questions or comments, feedback is welcome in this thread.
*A user receiving more than one infraction of the same type may have the infraction's point value multiplied by 1.5 for all future infractions.
*Before given any minor infraction (<5 points), a user must receive a warning. At the moderator's discretion, a warning may be given for a major infraction.
*10 points of infractions equals a 2 day ban. 20 points is a 10 day ban, 30 points a 1 month ban, 40 points a 2 month ban, 50 points = infinite.
*The Soap Box receives its own set of modified rules that deal with most major infractions. See the Soap Box for details.
The infractions:
“Minor” infractions – points expire after 1 month. After 2 minor infractions (from the 3rd onward,) a moderator, at his or her discretion, may give a "level II" minor infraction. It expires after 3 months, and has 1.5x the point value, rounding up. Before giving a minor infraction, the user gets a warning.
Double post: 1 point. Posting twice in a row. Exceptions are made for news-based threads where the second post adds significant new content.
Off-topic post: 1 point. Making a post absolutely unrelated to the thread at hand.
Double thread-post: 2 points. Posting a thread twice.
Replied to SPAM – 2 points. This only applies to spambot-created spam. Don't reply to it; just report it.
Minimodding - 2 points. While giving advice to other users is fine, attempting to enforce the rules--for instance, by saying "remember, no double posting!" may confuse new members as to who the moderators are. The example provided here is not considered exhaustive.
Abuse of reporting system – 3 points. For someone abusing the post/PM/VM/thread reporting system by reporting threads that are within the rules. Only to be used for people who are bad repeat offenders (3+ threads reported which are clearly within the rules.)
Thread Necromancy – 3 points. Reviving an old, dead thread. May not be applied to threads posted in within the last month. Threads with a last post older than one month are up to the moderator.
SPAM – 3 points. SPAM is a broad category, but as a rule of thumb constitutes a more severe hijacking of a thread than an off topic post. May also apply to blogs when repeated blog posts are made in a short period of time.
Signature Rule Violation - 3 points. The signature rule thread can be found here.
ROM/illegal download discussion - 3 points. You may not discuss ROMs or illegal downloads.
Forum-specific rule violation - 4 points. Excepting forums with major infractions, listed below. For all forums which have their own specific rules (check for a sticky thread in that forum.)
“Major” infractions – points expire after 3 months. May or may not be given with a warning. "Level II" Major infractions may be given after 1 prior infraction, have 1.5x the point value (round up), and expire after 5 months.
Abusive language/flaming – 5 points. Fairly self-explanatory, insulting another member. If this is directed towards a moderator, the moderator who infracts it may not be the one it is directed towards, to prevent the appearance of impropriety. If there are issues with this, contact an administrator.
Trolling – 5 points. Intentionally posting in a thread to provoke a hostile reaction; causing needless confrontation.
Advertisement – 5 points. Posting an advertisement to another forum. If you want to advertise, use your signature.
Soliciting/Providing a link to illegal downloads – 6 points. Self-explanatory; not allowed here.
Illegal Sockpuppeting - 7 points, socking account gets a ban.
Trade Center violation – Trading rule violation – 10 points. Trading hacks can ruin a cart; we have a special rule for it as a result.
Automatic permanent bans – never expire
Being a spambot (this shouldn't impact anyone)
Ban evasion. If we ban you, wait it out, don't come back in secret.
Other - case-by-case basis
Death threats will lead to an administrative review and an infraction or ban commensurate with the threat leveled. Even comments made in jest are infractable.
As always, moderators can use their discretion in all infractions, and reserve the right to infract users for things not listed above if the violation is sufficiently egregious.
Last edited:
Shouldn't affect me, unless I somehow end up trading something I procure off the GTS that turns out to be hacked well enough to look legit at first glance, but really isn't due to something I miss. What's the ruling on accidents like that, anyway?
