TOS Violations and Moderator Responses

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

It seems to me the goal posts are getting moved, lots of new arbitrary rules that are unwritten. At least write the bloody things down....

Let's shape the rules a bit better, I agree. We had a more focused effort in the last few months to enforce a more family friendly atmosphere but perhaps putting more details publicly into what that means would help everyone and prevent assumptions or again, the chance of over moderation.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

We are trying to keep content such as the following off the site: attacks on culture, race, pornography or sexual/suggestive posts or photos, etc.. the actual list may be hard to define specifically but the terms of service on the site tries to cover it.

If you think the moderators have been a bit to broad I'm here to ask that we have an open discussion. I'll invite the mods to read what we've covered and perhaps if there has been any 'over' moderation then I will help the mods by providing better guidance in this topic. They work very hard but it is always to our benefit that we self review with your help and feedback.

I agree about the attacks on culture, race, etc. I was referring to the out and out rudeness that is apparent in many posts in the upper forums. Someone asks a legitimate question and is giving rude answer after rude answer. And the same few users are usually guilty of the rudeness. It seems that some here take utter delight in putting people down for no reason at all. People shouldn't need to have thick skin in the upper forums, it's entirely different than Current Events and Off Topic. The regular users get sick of hearing the same questions over and over, so why not refrain from replying and let someone else have a crack at it? Then if you see bad information given, step in and correct it. I'm sorry, but I think several here have a holier than thou attitude in the upper forums. I've shaken my head in disbelief at some of the replies in the waiver and tourist visa forums and the posts aren't removed, yet in current events forum some users appear to be under a magnifying glass.

In all my years here, I have agreed that the nonsense should be kept out of the upper forums, but P&R or Current Events as it is now called is more open as is Off Topic. I don't feel it's fair to the regulars in Current Events to be censored and suspended because someone who never even participates there is trying to police the forum and reporting anything they don't like. I can also understand the concept of family friendly, but this is a site for adults, not children. Adults have sex, talk about sex. Adults argue, get mad, insult each other etc. Pornography has no place here, but I imagine that most people here have some type of sex life with there significant other regardless of genders involved. Somebody is always offended no matter what the rules. Why not make people tow the line in the important forums and cut some slack to the lower forums without turning them into race bashing free for alls?

Edited May 20, 2014 by Kathryn41
to correct inadvertent error changing meaning

[luckytxn 2,264]

How about unbanning some of the recent long term members that are now gone and has caused a stir? Suspensions were possibly called for and now we are in revolt to a point and they are the casualties. Honestly I think some of them are putzs and very seldom agree with them but they deserve to come back and see if they can adapt to the new policies.

Let's shape the rules a bit better, I agree. We had a more focused effort in the last few months to enforce a more family friendly atmosphere but perhaps putting more details publicly into what that means would help everyone and prevent assumptions or again, the chance of over moderation.

+1 as I have to conserve my positives in case needed somewhere else. They allot so few.

I agree about the attacks on culture, race, etc. I was referring to the out and out rudeness that is apparent in my posts in the upper forums. Someone asks a legitimate question and is giving rude answer after rude answer. And the same few users are usually guilty of the rudeness. It seems that some here take utter delight in putting people down for no reason at all. People shouldn't need to have thick skin in the upper forums, it's entirely different than Current Events and Off Topic. The regular users get sick of hearing the same questions over and over, so why not refrain from replying and let someone else have a crack at it? Then if you see bad information given, step in and correct it. I'm sorry, but I think several here have a holier than thou attitude in the upper forums. I've shaken my head in disbelief at some of the replies in the waiver and tourist visa forums and the posts aren't removed, yet in current events forum some users appear to be under a magnifying glass.

In all my years here, I have agreed that the nonsense should be kept out of the upper forums, but P&R or Current Events as it is now called is more open as is Off Topic. I don't feel it's fair to the regulars in Current Events to be censored and suspended because someone who never even participates there is trying to police the forum and reporting anything they don't like. I can also understand the concept of family friendly, but this is a site for adults, not children. Adults have sex, talk about sex. Adults argue, get mad, insult each other etc. Pornography has no place here, but I imagine that most people here have some type of sex life with there significant other regardless of genders involved. Somebody is always offended no matter what the rules. Why not make people tow the line in the important forums and cut some slack to the lower forums without turning them into race bashing free for alls?

[mota bhai 2,675]

... this is a site for adults, not children. Adults have sex ...

not outside of marriage, i would hope

[spookyturtle 9,465]

not outside of marriage, i would hope

Of course not.

[UncleBeer 244]

One idea, there is a moderation example guide on this forum that the mods use as a reference. Perhaps we can discuss amending it in this thread. If you see sections or even examples that we could add then that would be very useful. It would help the mods be given them more details so they can be as consistent as possible.

Where's this guide? Happy to take a look and make constructive suggestions; I'm afraid though that as long as TOS has vague restrictions against anything "offensive", it provides sufficient wiggle-room for mods to do what they please.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Well since you seem so open to hearing problems then maybe I can complain about what I see as inconsistent moderating. I noticed a few times a noob mod you have. This mod has deleted a few times a post of mine and that is all and good if there is a need to but then the same mod will allow the same content from other members. Now I did chat softly to another mod that was more experienced and was assured that the mod was new and learning. Well it has happened again and I get the same talk. Others have complained though about the same mod so I want to chalk it off to he is not a good mod but it feels like I am being singled out and frankly it pisses me off and makes me want to burn the place down. But now I am married for years and have gotten mellowed out and tend to just leave and go somewhere else. It used to be fun to blow a site up now and again but I will always appreciqte the help I received here. Wanted to say many thanks for having the vision to open the site. Take care and I hope the best for you in the future in case we never chat again.

Hey Luckytxn, I want to ensure you we are not trying to force folks away -- especially long standing members. One issue is as the internet evolves there has been a greater awareness by the public and companies on best practices for websites. Companies such as Google and Facebook have been identifying best practices that provide enjoyable online experiences for the the very broad multinational population online. It is very challenging to consider all cultures and their nuances, but given that our audience is quite diverse we try our best.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I'm considering an option for moderation reviews. What if in the suspension notice or the locked thread or other mod post there is a link for the decision to be reviewed by me or the lead mod? Right now there may not be an obvious next step for situations that members disagree.

I think that is an excellent idea. As a prolific poster ,terrible comedian, and sometimes pontificating blow hard, in Social topics, many times stuff is deleted or closed and we have no clue why or if it was even us. Also many times we are banned with no warning, and of course we can't reply and if we do, many times we are ignored.

On several occasions, I have asked what violated the TOS, and was told it was because someone complained with never being told what TOS was violated.

On one occasion I used something in reply, I had been using over a year and had probably used 300 or more times, and was out of the blue issued a suspension, in the middle of typing a reply, with no warning or clear cut explanation of the TOS.

It is my belief that most people are reasonable, and if they are doing something offensive, a gentle tap on the shoulder would go a lot further than a arbitrary suspension with an accompanying message that, sounds like a power drunk superior court judge sentencing a person to death row. Of course then there was the "mutual ignore directive" because myself and another poster, who I am on great terms with, bickered. No violation of TOS, just we bickered, as if every thread in that forum is not bickering.

That forum use to be loads of fun and we would have many pages a day of fun, and to be honest poking fun at one another and sometimes heated discussion. Check that forum today and you will see it is dead. Moderators that don't have the humility or maturity to not go on personal vendettas should not be moderators.

In closing, you have a great site and were a big help during my k-1 process and of course all of this is free and appreciated. I was not even aware this forum was here until today.

Thank You.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Well since you seem so open to hearing problems then maybe I can complain about what I see as inconsistent moderating. I noticed a few times a noob mod you have. This mod has deleted a few times a post of mine and that is all and good if there is a need to but then the same mod will allow the same content from other members. Now I did chat softly to another mod that was more experienced and was assured that the mod was new and learning. Well it has happened again and I get the same talk. Others have complained though about the same mod so I want to chalk it off to he is not a good mod but it feels like I am being singled out and frankly it pisses me off and makes me want to burn the place down. But now I am married for years and have gotten mellowed out and tend to just leave and go somewhere else. It used to be fun to blow a site up now and again but I will always appreciqte the help I received here. Wanted to say many thanks for having the vision to open the site. Take care and I hope the best for you in the future in case we never chat again.

I second what LuckyTxn said.He is 100% on target.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

In all seriousness, there really shouldn't be arguing and bickering in the upper forumses. Those should really be about helping people.

BUT, down in the gutters of VJ is Current Events. Look here and all you will find is arguing and bickering. And stupid humor. And totally random moderation. It's ugly and smelly, but some of us call it home.

Bickering is not allowed.I and another member are on "self ignore for bickering" because it degraded someone else VJ experience, while not violating any TOS

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I agree about the attacks on culture, race, etc. I was referring to the out and out rudeness that is apparent in my posts in the upper forums. Someone asks a legitimate question and is giving rude answer after rude answer. And the same few users are usually guilty of the rudeness. It seems that some here take utter delight in putting people down for no reason at all. People shouldn't need to have thick skin in the upper forums, it's entirely different than Current Events and Off Topic. The regular users get sick of hearing the same questions over and over, so why not refrain from replying and let someone else have a crack at it? Then if you see bad information given, step in and correct it. I'm sorry, but I think several here have a holier than thou attitude in the upper forums. I've shaken my head in disbelief at some of the replies in the waiver and tourist visa forums and the posts aren't removed, yet in current events forum some users appear to be under a magnifying glass.

In all my years here, I have agreed that the nonsense should be kept out of the upper forums, but P&R or Current Events as it is now called is more open as is Off Topic. I don't feel it's fair to the regulars in Current Events to be censored and suspended because someone who never even participates there is trying to police the forum and reporting anything they don't like. I can also understand the concept of family friendly, but this is a site for adults, not children. Adults have sex, talk about sex. Adults argue, get mad, insult each other etc. Pornography has no place here, but I imagine that most people here have some type of sex life with there significant other regardless of genders involved. Somebody is always offended no matter what the rules. Why not make people tow the line in the important forums and cut some slack to the lower forums without turning them into race bashing free for alls?

I just saw that I made an error in the second sentence of this post. I meant to say the rudeness in many posts, not my posts! Could someone with the proper credentials fix that and in the posts quoting it? I'm making myself look bad this way.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I think that is an excellent idea. As a prolific poster ,terrible comedian, and sometimes pontificating blow hard, in Social topics, many times stuff is deleted or closed and we have no clue why or if it was even us. Also many times we are banned with no warning, and of course we can't reply and if we do, many times we are ignored.

On several occasions, I have asked what violated the TOS, and was told it was because someone complained with never being told what TOS was violated.

On one occasion I used something in reply, I had been using over a year and had probably used 300 or more times, and was out of the blue issued a suspension, in the middle of typing a reply, with no warning or clear cut explanation of the TOS.

It is my belief that most people are reasonable, and if they are doing something offensive, a gentle tap on the shoulder would go a lot further than a arbitrary suspension with an accompanying message that, sounds like a power drunk superior court judge sentencing a person to death row. Of course then there was the "mutual ignore directive" because myself and another poster, who I am on great terms with, bickered. No violation of TOS, just we bickered, as if every thread in that forum is not bickering.

That forum use to be loads of fun and we would have many pages a day of fun, and to be honest poking fun at one another and sometimes heated discussion. Check that forum today and you will see it is dead. Moderators that don't have the humility or maturity to not go on personal vendettas should not be moderators.

In closing, you have a great site and were a big help during my k-1 process and of course all of this is free and appreciated. I was not even aware this forum was here until today.

Thank You.

I am the maven, and I endorse this message.

Great points, all of them, NB.

[Darnell 8,478]

I agree about the attacks on culture, race, etc. I was referring to the out and out rudeness that is apparent in many posts in the upper forums. Someone asks a legitimate question and is giving rude answer after rude answer. And the same few users are usually guilty of the rudeness. It seems that some here take utter delight in putting people down for no reason at all. People shouldn't need to have thick skin in the upper forums, it's entirely different than Current Events and Off Topic. The regular users get sick of hearing the same questions over and over, so why not refrain from replying and let someone else have a crack at it? Then if you see bad information given, step in and correct it. I'm sorry, but I think several here have a holier than thou attitude in the upper forums. I've shaken my head in disbelief at some of the replies in the waiver and tourist visa forums and the posts aren't removed, yet in current events forum some users appear to be under a magnifying glass.

In all my years here, I have agreed that the nonsense should be kept out of the upper forums, but P&R or Current Events as it is now called is more open as is Off Topic. I don't feel it's fair to the regulars in Current Events to be censored and suspended because someone who never even participates there is trying to police the forum and reporting anything they don't like. I can also understand the concept of family friendly, but this is a site for adults, not children. Adults have sex, talk about sex. Adults argue, get mad, insult each other etc. Pornography has no place here, but I imagine that most people here have some type of sex life with there significant other regardless of genders involved. Somebody is always offended no matter what the rules. Why not make people tow the line in the important forums and cut some slack to the lower forums without turning them into race bashing free for alls?

ya know, one of the features of this portal software

is to have a restricted area...

set up a restricted area with a password? relax the rules a bit? make it invitation only by a mod?

that silliness disappears.

[Pooky 3,782]

I think that is an excellent idea. As a prolific poster, terrible comedian, and sometimes pontificating blow hard, in Social topics, many times stuff is deleted or closed and we have no clue why or if it was even us. Also many times we are banned with no warning, and of course we can't reply and if we do, many times we are ignored.

On several occasions, I have asked what violated the TOS, and was told it was because someone complained with never being told what TOS was violated.

On one occasion I used something in reply, I had been using over a year and had probably used 300 or more times, and was out of the blue issued a suspension, in the middle of typing a reply, with no warning or clear cut explanation of the TOS.

It is my belief that most people are reasonable, and if they are doing something offensive, a gentle tap on the shoulder would go a lot further than a arbitrary suspension with an accompanying message that, sounds like a power drunk superior court judge sentencing a person to death row. Of course then there was the "mutual ignore directive" because myself and another poster, who I am on great terms with, bickered. No violation of TOS, just we bickered, as if every thread in that forum is not bickering.

That forum use to be loads of fun and we would have many pages a day of fun, and to be honest poking fun at one another and sometimes heated discussion. Check that forum today and you will see it is dead. Moderators that don't have the humility or maturity to not go on personal vendettas should not be moderators.

In closing, you have a great site and were a big help during my k-1 process and of course all of this is free and appreciated. I was not even aware this forum was here until today.

Thank You.

For the most part, I agree. One thing I have noticed recently, is the trend for certain posters to intentionally misrepresent what others have said, within a certain thread and through their post history. There is certainly bickering in almost every thread, but the very personal edge creeping in is definitely unwelcome.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

ya know, one of the features of this portal software

is to have a restricted area...

set up a restricted area with a password? relax the rules a bit? make it invitation only by a mod?

that silliness disappears.

exactly