NEED YOUR FEEDBACK. about SITE RULES

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I have no problems with the rules at all. As long as the moderators don't take them to excess and power trip (I don't think they have), then all is well.

If I were going to change anything, I'd probably get rid of the censorship stars, but it's not like that's a big deal, either.

"2. A single moderator on the spot can impose a 24-hour ban cooling off period though collaboration with another moderator is preferred."

i completely agree with that one, cause some people just dont know when to be quite!

I think personal attacks should be restricted, and highly disagreeable and hostile posts should be disallowed after asking the offending poster politely not to behave in that fashion.

First! I want to say, this is a good point right here --> Making our decisions public and debatable will only encourage us to make more sound and objective choices.

I suggest that there be a more clearly defined warning system, that should be applied to ALL discrepancies/issues. So that the parties have a fair and clear warning - before being "banned on the spot".

I don't think anyone should be banned "on the spot" unless it is very clear that they are causing a great amount of disruption (ie. multiple spam threads, multiple posts in a short period that go against policy rules)

All moderators decisions are final, argueing with them will get you into further trouble, this is for the benefit of all users.
I think people should be able to plead their case and try to make amends. Depending on the judgment of saaaaay 3 or all moderators (after viewing the case) can decide whether or not the person should be unbanned. If they are unbanned and begin their antics again perhaps an on the spot ban would be warranted... Likkkkkke maybe their 2nd or 3rd warning they get to plead their case - before being banned??

I think what we also need on this site is a bit more attention in regards to redundant threads. If people feel the need to discuss these redundant topics.. Should they not just be stickied?

Could there be an FAQ to help inform people how to search for similar posts? like a "read this first"?? I think that would reduce the number of redundant threads.

I'm done thinking right now. Hope that helps.

P.S. We should keep the chatbox.

RedRibbons said:

I think what we also need on this site is a bit more attention in regards to redundant threads. If people feel the need to discuss these redundant topics.. Should they not just be stickied?

Could there be an FAQ to help inform people how to search for similar posts? like a "read this first"?? I think that would reduce the number of redundant threads.

I'm done thinking right now. Hope that helps.

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I know on another forum that I used to frequent, the moderators were able to merge threads that were about the same topic, and did it quite frequently (it was a very active board). It could cause some confusion if there was a back and forth/conversation happening in one of them, and merging made it seem to not make sense anymore, but if the mods here are able or were given the ability to do that, it would cut down on the amount of threads in total.

Also I think there just needs to be better forum cleanliness in general.. moving stuff to its proper location. And making "off topic" posts available to be seen on the "new posts" board so that people aren't so inclined to post random stuff in the wrong forums.

I get bothered(I don't think it's ONLY me) by all the sex/stripper/prostitute threads and idk if they have a better place.. Like maybe a whole section dedicated to sexual issues.. I've seen that on another forum?? Or just an area for "sensitive" topics.. that might offend people.. so they don't HAVE to see it if they don't want to.

I agree Red, I think all new posts should show up on the front page... in addition to off-topic, posts in the SA medication and the SA treatment and therapies forums don't show up either... there might be others, but that's all I've been able to notice.

The rules are good as they are. I dont like the censorship of the word **** but thats really my only complaint. I suppose it must be there cause there might be some people that are really offended by curse words.

I got two words for those people....**** em'.....lol

zeroday said:

what word is that? i just want to be 100% sure its the F word.

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Yeah, its the F word. One possibility would be to censor only 1 letter of the curse word so that the original meaning is not lost.

This way it wouldnt be any more offensive than anything you would see on tv.

zeroday said:

we can merge threads. the problem with that is, like lurk mentioned, it gets confusing. and imo, each thread has a different dynamic, they take separate routes based on who posted and what is posted and the order that it was posted.

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I agree with you on this, each thread can take on a "personality" of it's own. Occasionally though, the same member will post multiple threads on the same topic, and this may warrant merging, especially if the different threads are posted fairly close together time-wise.

RedRibbons said:

I suggest that there be a more clearly defined warning system, that should be applied to ALL discrepancies/issues. So that the parties have a fair and clear warning - before being "banned on the spot".

I don't think anyone should be banned "on the spot" unless it is very clear that they are causing a great amount of disruption (ie. multiple spam threads, multiple posts in a short period that go against policy rules)

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I think that's extremely important for a site like this. We have a wide range of problems and we are certainly not perfect in how we communicate or express ourselves and obviously there are times when we might cross proper limits. There should ALWAYS be a warning unless its so incredibly obvious as stated above. It can be beyond distressing to be banned on a site that is suppose to be supportive of psychological problems.

Also sometimes when people on this site say they want their account banned or deleted, many times its just a cry for help or sympathy and they don't really want to be banned. I would ask them to send a PM to a moderator to make it final - so that the moderator knows if its sincere or not.

The only thing that annoys me is those who denounce the entire psychiatry science single handedly with their bs propangda that leads to sufferers not seeking the help they need.

**poke poke poke**

OK my personal opinion

zeroday said:

criticizing our decisions in public shouldnt be prohibited as our decisions affect all users on this forum and everyone who wants to know about these decisions should have the right to know about them. Making our decisions public and debatable will only encourage us to make more sound and objective choices.

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I disagree entirely with this.

Often people causes of being banned can be rage/antagonism/venting etc. We give them a cooling off period, as anyone who has been banned or "told off" knows that we are never insensitive and often supportive after the return of the banned person, we do not intimidate or make threat in an aggresive way, we deal with people in a respectful manner. One moderator never decides this, it is always three and we discuss this in the mod forum. We also often discuss how we can cool situations down, I've even personally got people to kiss and make up via PM

This leads to my second point, people being banned often come back and behave, why would they want thier name spread over the forum in debate about action taken against them, when they would just want to put it behind them and carry on as normal. It would be borderline witchunting.

We have only had two members we have had to ban permanent since 2004 (barring spammers), I'd say that's pretty leanient, it's not like we are control freaks like the other place

If there is a complaint against a mod we also discuss this on the mod forum too, we keep the person reporting the mod private, we look into validaty of the complaint and evidence.

I think the present system works well, I do think we should actually be stricter as we let alot of things go, for example the swearing and adult content that gets posted.

p.s. sorry bout the typos but I'm tired today

Oh and as a footnote I am aware of the clique that exists and comes down like a ton of bricks on members who do not fit in with what they deem appropriate material on the forum

I think this forum needs to operate not as moderators and users.. but all users.. There is no superior in terms of "what I say goes".. and just as you would ask your friend "why did you do that to me?" or "why did you do that to my friend?" you should be able to ask a moderator the same thing without being reprimanded for it and get a clear and honest answer.. And I don't think that answer should be based on a moderators personal bias.. It should be based on a good, clear set of rules/warning system.

People deserve to ask. And people deserve chances.

RedRibbons said:

I think this forum needs to operate not as moderators and users.. but all users.. There is no superior in terms of "what I say goes".. and just as you would ask your friend "why did you do that to me?" or "why did you do that to my friend?" you should be able to ask a moderator the same thing without being reprimanded for it and get a clear and honest answer.. And I don't think that answer should be based on a moderators personal bias.. It should be based on a good, clear set of rules/warning system.

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Look at this way though, someone is popular they cause trouble, should we as moderators have to explain our actions to every freind of thiers? They should do that themselves

In the pre-moderator days this place was chaos, there unfortunatly has to be a dividing line between mods and users.Those from SAUK who know me on here,know I'm totally different as a poster there to the role I have here.

It is all based on a clear set of rules, democratically agreed on by forum members

If you were to have OPEN discussions on the forum.. Where people could ask a question about their friend.. You would effectively answer ALL that persons friends.. With a few posts (considering additional questions that might be asked).

NO moderators, I agree is not good.. BUT.. Moderators are not just here to strike down on members and not LISTEN to them. To be a moderator means to consider other people's feelings. You can't shove someone and expect them to not ask why... I think to moderate you need a certain level of empathy and consideration for the people you are affecting. I guess everyone leads differently though.

Not to mention, if you were to put this sort of method in effect.. You could lay some ground rules.. For questioning. Like people need to be civil, respectful of responses, etc.

Not sure what example you have at this, usually any complaints about moderating are given a good hearing and we then get back to you