How the Warning/Infraction System Works - Page 2 - Overclock.net

gonX · 06-20-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpookedJunglist

As for the list of all infractions. We have listed the important ones above. We have several others as well. We also have a custom infractions that is why don't create a list of all of the infractions.

If you are talking about asking about why you received an infraction it is not against the rules to ask us about it. However it has to stay private. Please PM a director and they will look into your infraction. If you ask why you got an infraction in the open forum you will get another infraction.

You don't have any infractions

I'm just asking again, but we once had a list you could check by clicking (only when you had an infraction) a box near your post number (not post count... I'm talking about the one you see in the upper right of this post, yep, the one that says #11

), which would have brung you to the infraction list page.

**BFRD** · 06-20-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonX

I'm just asking again, but we once had a list you could check by clicking (only when you had an infraction) a box near your post number (not post count... I'm talking about the one you see in the upper right of this post, yep, the one that says #11

), which would have brung you to the infraction list page.

I believe that went away when the infraction system got changed a few months ago. The Infraction list isn't that long, but as Spooky said there are also customized infractions that can be used. So instead of trying to list all of the infractions that you could get, it is easier to just think about the published site rules. In almost all cases they are the directly related.

For Example:

Quote:

||General Guidelines||

Usage of Overclock.net is contingent on the following:

You positively contribute to the forum and its membership
You aid in maintaining a friendly and professional atmosphere
You live within the rules and regulations set out by Overclock.net
You respect the site, its management and its members
You do not troll or attempt to stir up trouble within the community

If you break that rule you will get a Trolling infraction.

So in a round-about way the infractions are listed- in the TOS.

Highly-Annoyed · 06-22-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFRD

The Infraction list isn't that long, but as Spooky said there are also customized infractions that can be used.

Personally, I'd still like to see a comprehensive list of infractions published on the forum. If the list of infractions isn't that long (as said) I should think it'd be a pretty easy thing to do, no?

As I said previously, it is hard to follow the rules, or to avoid infractions, if you don't know what they are. The TOS is clear enough, but I'd imagine it would be a lot easier to avoid getting any infractions, if people knew what they all actually were.

I know that some infractions have been pointed out already in this thread and we can, to an extent, deduce what other's might be from the TOS, but I think it would really help all the members (especially new members) if they could read a full list of (non-"custom") infractions, so they know, for sure, what they must not do if they want to avoid getting them.

It's just a matter of compiling a list and putting it in a thread in an appropriate place, so that folks can see what they should avoid doing when participating in the forum.

Btw, what exactly is a "custom" infraction? Without knowing more about it, I have to say it sounds a bit arbitrary to me? Is a "custom" infraction an infraction mods can give for any reason they choose, or is there more to it?

Not trying to cause any hassles here btw. Just trying to understand exactly how the system now works and also forwarding my view on how it might be improved upon

.

I've been "out of the loop" for a little while, so just point me to the right thread/s if the issues I've raised have already been dealt with. Thanks!

Highly-Annoyed

gonX · 06-22-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFRD

I believe that went away when the infraction system got changed a few months ago. The Infraction list isn't that long, but as Spooky said there are also customized infractions that can be used. So instead of trying to list all of the infractions that you could get, it is easier to just think about the published site rules. In almost all cases they are the directly related.

For Example:
[/list]If you break that rule you will get a Trolling infraction.

So in a round-about way the infractions are listed- in the TOS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highly-Annoyed

Personally, I'd still like to see a comprehensive list of infractions published on the forum. If the list of infractions isn't that long (as said) I should think it'd be a pretty easy thing to do, no?

As I said previously, it is hard to follow the rules, or to avoid infractions, if you don't know what they are. The TOS is clear enough, but I'd imagine it would be a lot easier to avoid getting any infractions, if people knew what they all actually were.

I know that some infractions have been pointed out already in this thread and we can, to an extent, deduce what other's might be from the TOS, but I think it would really help all the members (especially new members) if they could read a full list of (non-"custom") infractions, so they know, for sure, what they must not do if they want to avoid getting them.

It's just a matter of compiling a list and putting it in a thread in an appropriate place, so that folks can see what they should avoid doing when participating in the forum.

Btw, what exactly is a "custom" infraction? Without knowing more about it, I have to say it sounds a bit arbitrary to me? Is a "custom" infraction an infraction mods can give for any reason they choose, or is there more to it?

Not trying to cause any hassles here btw. Just trying to understand exactly how the system now works and also forwarding my view on how it might be improved upon

.

I've been "out of the loop" for a little while, so just point me to the right thread/s if the issues I've raised have already been dealt with. Thanks!

Highly-Annoyed

How wasn't that properly mentioned enough?

Highly-Annoyed · 06-22-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonX

How wasn't that properly mentioned enough?

Sorry gonX, not following you? Are you saying that my questions (can we have a list of non-"custom" infractions & what is a "custom"-infraction) have been answered somewhere already? If so, please provide a link as I'd be interested to read-up on this.

Thanks

.

Highly-Annoyed

Highly-Annoyed · 06-24-07

24 hr Bump.

Sooo.... Any word on the possibility of adding some extra transparency to the system, by creating and publishing a list of non-"custom" infractions for people to read and use to avoid making the mistakes that lead to infractions? It doesn't seem like a task beyond our excellent mod team and I do genuinely believe it will result in fewer infractions being necessary, as members will undoubtedly avoid infractions if they know exactly what they are? I still think it's a good (and relatively easy to implement) idea. Anybody else think it has potential?

Oh, also, I'm still really interested in learning what a "custom" infraction is, if somebody would be as kind as to explain the concept to me. It sounds like an interesting idea and I'd appreciate it if somebody (preferably a mod I guess) would help me to understand exactly what it means?

Thanks guys!

Keep up the good work!

Highly-Annoyed

**BFRD** · 06-24-07

Like I said earlier the Terms of Service is that list of mistakes to avoid. Any rule that is listed there if broken can lead to an infraction. A custom infraction helps out by being able to modify the severity of an infraction. If a member breaks a certain rule multiple times it is obvious that the point level isn't high enough to deter the member from breaking said rule. So by being able to modify the severity hopefully we can stop that member from breaking a rule. Another usage of a custom infraction are cases where there isn't a standard infraction that fits. A director can issue a custom infraction for anything they feel deserves it. While it is at the sole discretion of each director to issue a custom infraction we are still accountable for our actions. So if I were to issue a custom infraction for someone just because I didn't like them, rest assured that a) it wouldn't be reversed by someone else, and b) I would be around very long to do it again.

Highly-Annoyed · 06-24-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFRD

Like I said earlier the Terms of Service is that list of mistakes to avoid. Any rule that is listed there if broken can lead to an infraction. A custom infraction helps out by being able to modify the severity of an infraction. If a member breaks a certain rule multiple times it is obvious that the point level isn't high enough to deter the member from breaking said rule. So by being able to modify the severity hopefully we can stop that member from breaking a rule. Another usage of a custom infraction are cases where there isn't a standard infraction that fits. A director can issue a custom infraction for anything they feel deserves it. While it is at the sole discretion of each director to issue a custom infraction we are still accountable for our actions. So if I were to issue a custom infraction for someone just because I didn't like them, rest assured that a) it would be reversed by someone else, and b) I would be around very long to do it again.

I see. OK. Well, thanks for that explanation, I appreciate you took the time to clear things up for me

.

I now understand more about the custom infractions and how mods might use them. It is a good idea to be able to alter the point level of an infraction to reflect individual circumstances, I agree.

In the event that a custom infraction (that is, one that is created by a mod due to a lack of standard infraction) is created to give to a member, are there some kind of guidelines the govern the type of infractions that can be created. For example, (and yes, this is a little flippant) if I say I don't like cheese and a mod give's me an infraction for not liking cheese, is there some kind of system in place that looks automatically at the cheese infraction and decides it is ludicrous, automatically reversing it, or would I have to contact a community director (maybe?) to appeal the infraction? Essentially, are there automatic controls in place to ensure that the fair use of the system that has taken place up until now, remains as such, or is it down to the member being given the custom infraction to bring it's validity to the attention of other mods?

Also, you say that "the Terms of Service is [the] list of mistakes to avoid. Any rule that is listed there if broken can lead to an infraction.". Does this mean therefore that there will be no publication of any list of "standard" infractions, separate to the TOS, because the list of standard infractions and the TOS are in fact one and the same? I'm still a little confused over this point to be honest. Are you saying that there is a list of standard (non-custom) infractions that mods are aware of that are based on the TOS, but that hasn't been published on the forum in full, for members to see, or that there is no such list and the only infractions that exist (extraneous to the custom ones which may or may not exist yet) are the rules laid out in the TOS?

One last question to ask, if I may. When custom infractions are created for the first time and no appeal is lodged by the member/s that receive/s them, are those newly created infractions then added to the TOS rules, or are they kept in a separate litany elsewhere and if so will that list be published for forum members to see, in order to help them avoid these newly created infractions in future?

Sorry if all this seems a bit convoluted, but this is the thread that explains how the infractions system works, so I thought it was pertinent to ask my questions here

.

Thanks for your time in clarifying these points for me

.

Highly-Annoyed

**BFRD** · 06-24-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highly-Annoyed

In the event that a custom infraction (that is, one that is created by a mod due to a lack of standard infraction) is created to give to a member, are there some kind of guidelines the govern the type of infractions that can be created. For example, (and yes, this is a little flippant) if I say I don't like cheese and a mod give's me an infraction for not liking cheese, is there some kind of system in place that looks automatically at the cheese infraction and decides it is ludicrous, automatically reversing it, or would I have to contact a community director (maybe?) to appeal the infraction? Essentially, are there automatic controls in place to ensure that the fair use of the system that has taken place up until now, remains as such, or is it down to the member being given the custom infraction to bring it's validity to the attention of other mods?

Anytime a director gives a member an infraction or warning, a post is automatically made in one of the director forums. Any director can look at this forum and comment about any infraction or warning that has been posted. All aspects of the warning/infraction are clearly visible, so we can decide if anything further needs to happen. There is no automated system for moderating custom infractions. Usually when a member complains about an infraction the director may then post the PM content.

**Just a helpful hint here, if you want to complain do so politely. If you are rude to us when airing your complaint, it is unlikely we will give you much consideration. However, if you write a well worded professional response we are much more likely to consider a reversal. Common sense should say that being rude while asking for a favor wouldn't get you very far, but to each his own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highly-Annoyed

Also, you say that "the Terms of Service is [the] list of mistakes to avoid. Any rule that is listed there if broken can lead to an infraction.". Does this mean therefore that there will be no publication of any list of "standard" infractions, separate to the TOS, because the list of standard infractions and the TOS are in fact one and the same? I'm still a little confused over this point to be honest. Are you saying that there is a list of standard (non-custom) infractions that mods are aware of that are based on the TOS, but that hasn't been published on the forum in full, for members to see, or that there is no such list and the only infractions that exist (extraneous to the custom ones which may or may not exist yet) are the rules laid out in the TOS?

Yes, there is a list. No, I will not post it here. I think that it brings across the wrong message. The message should be "obey the rules of the site". This is not exactly the same as "avoid these specific things". I believe that in the end asking our members to simply abide by the TOS is a much safer modis operandi. Especially since that list isn't comprehensive because of the custom infractions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highly-Annoyed

One last question to ask, if I may. When custom infractions are created for the first time and no appeal is lodged by the member/s that receive/s them, are those newly created infractions then added to the TOS rules, or are they kept in a separate litany elsewhere and if so will that list be published for forum members to see, in order to help them avoid these newly created infractions in future?

In some cases we will add specifics to the TOS where it was not clear. Piracy was added to the TOS when we started cracking down on that specific item. It was previously covered by the "must be legal" rule, but a specific line was added when a large number of Piracy infractions where given out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highly-Annoyed

Sorry if all this seems a bit convoluted, but this is the thread that explains how the infractions system works, so I thought it was pertinent to ask my questions here

.

Thanks for you time in clarifying these points for me

.

Highly-Annoyed

Thank you for asking questions. This thread was created to help everyone understand the system. In part to avoid infractions, and in part to not overreact if they get one. In many cases a poor reaction to an infraction will generate a new infraction. If that cycle goes unchecked a member may find themself being banned for the simplest of violations because they dug a hole to deep to get out.

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How the Warning/Infraction System Works