Banned for being "off topic"

Just My View

The last time I saw this many wagons in a circle John Wayne got shot twice.

amp

stooge wrote:

No matter if I have been here 10 days or 10years my opinion still counts. Quite childish behaviour here for a Mod.

Really? I disagree. I'm saying that a moderator who's been on this site for years and has more experience counts for a lot more than however many days you've been browsing this website. That's just plain common sense.

Let's take a real world example. If you were in hospital who would you preferred operated on you: A doctor with twenty years experience or somebody who walked in from the street?

stooge

hullaballoo wrote:

He's not a mod of this forum though, so what difference does it make?

He's a Mod full stop. As a moderator on a public forum you should be setting an example to the rest of the posters, you should know that.

If you think it's ok to tell someone to 'Shut Up' just because they are new, you have a long way to go.

amp

stooge wrote:

I just said I have an idea, the same common issues occur no matter what the forum.

Horseshít! The moderating style on Something Awful is completely different to the one generally practiced here. I've visited many other bulletin boards and to my eye they are all run completely differently. If I went on to your site I wouldn't prance around claiming to know how to run things just because I have a lot of experience moderating here. I would be a newb and I would have respect for the people who run it. That's again, just plain honest to goodness common sense.

r3nu4l

stooge wrote:

I just said I have an idea, the same common issues occur no matter what the forum.

Well that's true but the culture of moderating is different on each forum. I don't always agree with the way some mods on boards.ie act but overall I've found them to be very fair and reasonable. Especially so, when you use the PM feature to try and resolve an issue before posting a thread giving out about their actions...

On our site users aren't even offered a right of reply for specific complaints. They can make general observations but no specific posts will be discussed!

amp

stooge wrote:

He's a Mod full stop. As a moderator on a public forum you should be setting an example to the rest of the posters, you should know that.

If you think it's ok to tell someone to 'Shut Up' just because they are new, you have a long way to go.

The example I am trying to set is that a newb should at least wait until they understand how a site is run before having the sheer arrogance to question those that volunteer to keep order in this place.

hullaballoo

stooge wrote:

If you think it's ok to tell someone to 'Shut Up' just because they are new, you have a long way to go.

Don't put words in my mouth thanks.

Apart from that, why do you think Beruthiel and Gordo have such high ban rates? Ever hear of a spambot/pornbot? Is this your first day on the internet?

stooge

amp wrote:

The example I am trying to set is that a newb should at least wait until they understand how a site is run before having the sheer arrogance to question those that volunteer to keep order in this place.

As I said earlier I have been reading through boards for over a year, I have an idea of how the site is run although admittedly maybe not as much as someone who has been here much longer. I merely pointed out a few things that I felt werent quite right. One being the fact that the rules could be a bit clearer/

amp wrote:

Really? I disagree. I'm saying that a moderator who's been on this site for years and has more experience counts for a lot more than however many days you've been browsing this website. That's just plain common sense.

Let's take a real world example. If you were in hospital who would you preferred operated on you: A doctor with twenty years experience or somebody who walked in from the street?

If Mods (as you) feel their word is bible and outweighs anything anyone new write, it defeats the pupose of having other people post opinions... thats arrogance on your part

stooge

hullaballoo wrote:

Don't put words in my mouth thanks.

What words?? What are you talking about?

hullaballoo wrote:

Apart from that, why do you think Beruthiel and Gordo have such high ban rates? Ever hear of a spambot/pornbot? Is this your first day on the internet?

Could explain some of their bans but unneccessary banning of users for small misdemeanours (instead of giving them a PM warning) probably explains most..

amp

stooge wrote:

As I said earlier I have been reading through boards for over a year, I have an idea of how the site is run although admittedly maybe not as much as someone who has been here much longer. I merely pointed out a few things that I felt werent quite right. One being the fact that the rules could be a bit clearer.

The rules are plenty clear. There's a charter and the mod additionally posted a warning that further off-topic discussion would earn a ban. But hey don't let the facts get in the way. Please continue to crusade against the power!

amp

hullaballoo wrote:

Don't put words in my mouth thanks.

They were my words you jumped up newb.

6th

stooge wrote:

instead of giving them a PM warning

Ok so pm every knob-end who cant follow a charter? Do you have any housework you'd like done while they're at it?

stooge

6th wrote:

Ok so pm every knob-end who cant follow a charter? Do you have any housework you'd like done while they're at it?

The PM warning suggestion was for this instance in particualr due to the time that had elapsed between the post and the ban, not for all off-topic posts in general.

stooge

amp wrote:

The rules are plenty clear. There's a charter and the mod additionally posted a warning that further off-topic discussion would earn a ban. But hey don't let the facts get in the way. Please continue to crusade against the power!

From your newbie charter:

DEATHGIVER2003: Ah c'mon, surely going off-topic shouldn't be that big a deal.

amp: Well it's not that big a deal, you're right. And the occasional drift is usually ok.


IMHO the couple of off-topic posts in the concerned thread was as you put it 'not a big deal'. Considering the post was more or less dead anyway.

Faith

The league of bastards is for site-bans, not specific forum bans. Gordon and Bru have such high numbers because they work very hard at getting rid of all the spambots/pornbots/shills/other crap that boards gets hit with on a daily basis.

PI is a very busy forum, and it deals with a lot of sensitive issues. Therefore, it is one forum where any form of off-topic posts are not tolerated at all, and will result in a ban. On nearly every forum, they're allowed to a certain extent, but not PI. End of story.

amp

stooge wrote:

From your newbie charter:

DEATHGIVER2003: Ah c'mon, surely going off-topic shouldn't be that big a deal.

amp: Well it's not that big a deal, you're right. And the occasional drift is usually ok.


IMHO the couple of off-topic posts in the concerned thread was as you put it 'not a big deal'. Considering the post was more or less dead anyway.

ROFL! No seriously, you're quoting my over three year old Guide as a law! Brilliant! You're hilarious!

It's not a charter but hey I'll entertain your madness:

REVISED!
----
DEATHGIVER2003: Ah c'mon, surely going off-topic shouldn't be that big a deal.

amp: Well it's not that big a deal, you're right. And the occasional drift is usually ok. But if a moderator tells you to get back on topic THEN GET THE FÚCK back on topic already!
----

I'd edit that into the Guide but as it's over three years old, I can't.

This bit is still relevant though:
----
After all the moderator will more than likely have been reading that board longer than you and therefore should have a better idea than you about what's acceptable behaviour. This isn't elitism, this isn't the "in-crowd" enforcing their will, this is the way boards is run.
----

Please quote the Bible in your retort!

sprinkles

I can't believe this is still going....... My God it's so simple it's not even funny.

Mod gives warning.
Warning not adhered to.
Ban issued (no matter how late).

Build a bridge Stooge

r3nu4l

Faith wrote:

The league of bastards is for site-bans, not specific forum bans. Gordon and Bru have such high numbers because they work very hard at getting rid of all the spambots/pornbots/shills/other crap that boards gets hit with on a daily basis.

PI is a very busy forum, and it deals with a lot of sensitive issues. Therefore, it is one forum where any form of off-topic posts are not tolerated at all, and will result in a ban. On nearly every forum, they're allowed to a certain extent, but not PI. End of story.

This is what most of us are trying to say and Faith has it spot on but because she is now a mod she will no doubt be categorised as simply another wagon in the circle being defensive and a law unto herself etc. etc. ad nauseum ipsum loreum.

tba

Off topic, is subjective, as is the reasons for banning, I post off topic all the time, but I don't push the limits, ignore warnings, or slag users. I don't think that its fair to ramble on about rights, you are lucky that you are at least being replied to.

6th

stooge wrote:

The PM warning suggestion was for this instance in particualr due to the time that had elapsed between the post and the ban, not for all off-topic posts in general.

Ok so you want them to take more time to consider each case?

How about you just lay out some rules for us all.

Hobart

6th wrote:

Ok so you want them to take more time to consider each case?

How about you just lay out some rules for us all.

You're not even close to being good at trolling 6th. Why don't you just stfu?

seamus

stooge wrote:

Could explain some of their bans but unneccessary banning of users for small misdemeanours (instead of giving them a PM warning) probably explains most..

Nice way to make up some complete bull**** there. You've just proven amp's point.

Look at my "score" on that list. I can tell you that I've only banned (at most) 20 people who hadn't been banned before or who weren't spammers.

Gordon and Beruthial generally get to spammers well before the rest of us because we're here more often. For God's sake that page tells you why people were banned. I'll do a quick breakdown for you:

Yesterday:
Total Bans: 10
No of Spammers: 4
No. of returning Tards: 5

Sunday:
Total Bans: 10
No of Spammers: 8
No. of returning Tards: 0

Saturday:
Total Bans: 8
No of Spammers: 7
No. of returning Tards: 1

Friday
Total Bans: 12
No of Spammers: 11
No. of returning Tards: 0

Thursday:
Total Bans: 4 (recorded)
No of Spammers: 4
No. of returning Tards: 0

Now, if we average these figures out, we figure that roughly 75% of bans are handed out to spammers, and 13% of bans are handed out to reincarnated muppets. That's a whopping 88% of bans are handed out purely to keep boards clean and useable.

If we take Beruthial's figure of 580 bans, that means that just 70 of those bans were handed out for rule breaking. Over two years, that's not a whole lot. Especially when you consider that bpards gets 550 new accounts every week.

Rb

On topic:The bans an absolute joke as far as I'm concerned. I'm not really bothered explaining though, those who I agree with in this thread have already done so and I'm not arsed repeating or pulling out quotes.

seamus wrote:

Nice way to make up some complete bull**** there

I think Stooge is under the impression that the banlist and its numbers include single forum bans. Still though, he should really just stfu.

Nevyn

stooge wrote:

He's a Mod full stop. As a moderator on a public forum you should be setting an example to the rest of the posters, you should know that.

I am a mod but I am not a number or an automoton I am a free person with free will and I can choose not to obey the rules in any form that I do not mod and risk getting banned like any other poster if i do so and i have done on occasion.

There are over 300 mods and you expect us all to think and act the same ?

We are not civil servants, we are gifted the mod powers over the forums we mod by the grace of the owner of this site the admin who don't expect us to conform or set a good example all the time.

Mods are posters and people first and foremost.

If you think it's ok to tell someone to 'Shut Up' just because they are new, you have a long way to go.

I think it is if some one has lot the plot if they even knew what it looked like in the first place and is talking out thier arse.

Motley Crue

Personally I think its right that you were banned, but thats just my opinion, because (as someone before mentioned) their words would have been meaningless had they not acted on it and you broke the rules. These bans usually only last about a month anyway, so I wouldnt worry too much

DublinWriter

Thaedydal wrote:

There are over 300 mods

And how many fora do boards host?

The phrase about chiefs and indians springs to mind.

amp

DublinWriter wrote:

And how many fora do boards host?

The phrase about chiefs and indians springs to mind.

Eh? If you had even the slightest clue you'd understand that it's nothing to do with the amount of fora, it's to do with the amount of users. 75000 registered users.

But hey, that doesn't fit in with your entirely warped view of this website which you can't seem to leave despite your obvious hatred of it. :rolleyes:

DublinWriter

amp wrote:

it's to do with the amount of users. 75000 registered users.

How many of which have posted more than five times in the past 12 months? Surely as an undergrad you must have been introduced to the legendary tome known as "How to Lie with Graphs and Statistics" ?

amp wrote:

But hey, that doesn't fit in with your entirely warped view of this website which you can't seem to leave despite your obvious hatred of it. :rolleyes:

Ohhh don't, you'll be calling me a 'n00be' next. Amp, most of us mere users aren't up to your rapier wit, you should know that by now. I feel cut down to size allready.

seamus

DublinWriter wrote:

And how many fora do boards host?

Close to 300.

amp

DublinWriter wrote:

How many of which have posted more than five times in the past 12 months? Surely as an undergrad you must have been introduced to the legendary tome known as "How to Lie with Graphs and Statistics" ?

Even if there were 10,000 active users it still blows your argument out of the water.

Ohhh don't, you'll be calling me a 'n00be' next. Amp, most of us mere users aren't up to your rapier wit, you should know that by now. I feel cut down to size allready.

I just want to know what your problem is.