Suggestion Finalized Banning Procedure

The Chairman · Jan 26, 2004

On January 15, 2003, 7 users were banned from Scubaboard. Most of the moderators and a few of our users were not satisfied with the process, and so we began discussing the hows and whys in the moderators forum. Subsequently we even opened up a new forum for our users to be able to express their thoughts and ideas.

In formulating the new process, we wanted to ensure to resolve a few issues germane to the larger issue. These would be communication, fairness, consistency and moderator responsibility. To this end we have come up with the following process:

Temp bans (5 days) can be called for by any moderator and are automatic. This can be in response to any violation of the TOS (moderators discretion), harassment of others, flaming others, or trolling. The moderator must send a notice (even though an administrator has to flip the switch) to the affected users e-mail and detail why the suspension was initiated. These should be rare and can be conditional.

Perm Bans are considered when the user exceeds 2 suspensions in less than 6 months, openly challenges authority (not just asking a question), threatens anyone in any way, or has blatantly violated the TOS. A perm ban requires 8 moderators approvals or a 2/3s majority of the mods voting, which ever is more. A temp ban should be called for first and then perm banning should be discussed for at least 5 days. The mod who initiated the temp ban is in charge of the process. They will also set the time for a vote (at least 5 days) and send the appropriate message if so needed. These should be very rare and can be conditional.

Under no circumstances will Scubaboard moderators or administrators disclose reasons or rationale for any disciplinary action to a third party. We view this as a privacy issue and are committed to protect the privacy of the board's users at all times. While we do respect a user's desire to request a review of the status of their account, we specifically forbid the use of sock puppets (multiple user accounts) or another user's account to make your case. All such requests must be sent to scubaboard@moderninsider.com for consideration. At this point of the process, we will not feel obliged to correspond any further unless we change your status. All moderators and administrators will forward any and all such requests sent to them personally as well.

Perm bans can be re-visited by any mod at any time and only need a simple majority of the mods voting to be rescinded.

As with any invention you are never sure how it works until tested. So it was suggested and then decided by the mods to subject the January 15 bans to the new process. 4 of the original 7 had perm bannings initiated and those are being discussed. While we hoped to have 3 of those 4 finalized today, server issues have made that impossible. However, we can report that Cobaltbabe, Raven C and 00Scuba have been subsequently restored to full user status. We welcome them back into the Scubaboard fold, and extend our sincerest thanks to those users who gave us input into this issue.

wrongkey · Jan 27, 2004

cornfed:
That's actually where a lot of people here came from.

And you aren't sharing your information over on rec.scuba any more, are you? My bet is "no."

It's a good thing that folks once over there who have knowledge and experience worth sharing have found other venues to do so.

Now if the malcontents could only return and continue to foul their own nest......

chrpai · Jan 27, 2004

wrongkey:
And you aren't sharing your information over on rec.scuba any more, are you? My bet is "no."

It's a good thing that folks once over there who have knowledge and experience worth sharing have found other venues to do so.

Now if the malcontents could only return and continue to foul their own nest......

I'd hardly say we don't have anything to contribute. If you were to do a search on my name for example, you would find many useful posts. The problems come when 2 people with opposite diving styles meet and then the chaff begins and the signal to noise drops.

jonnythan · Jan 27, 2004

chrpai:
I'd hardly say we don't have anything to contribute. If you were to do a search on my name for example, you would find many useful posts. The problems come when 2 people with opposite diving styles meet and then the chaff begins and the signal to noise drops.

I'm not trolling, really... but I'd like to see a few of those.

chrpai · Jan 27, 2004

jonnythan:
I'm not trolling, really... but I'd like to see a few of those.

Boogie711 · Jan 27, 2004

And your other 539 posts would be noise then?

chrpai · Jan 27, 2004

Boogie711:
And your other 539 posts would be noise then?

I said, those are the ones from THIS month. But somehow I know that you'll stick with your preconcieved notion and not read the posts.

Boogie711 · Jan 27, 2004

Chris - where do you think non DIR divers like myself GET the preconceived notions? It certainly can't be from the evil GUE empire or the Halcyon Gods - I don't have a Halcyon anything on my gear (not true - I just realized I bought a used Halcyon lighthead.) So where do these "preconceived" notions come from.

Or maybe, they're not pre-conceived - they're learned.

jonnythan · Jan 27, 2004

chrpai:
I think thats a fair question. Admittedly the signal to noise ration has been pretty low lately, but here are some posts from this month that I think fall in the catagory of signal and not noise.

I sincerly hope that you'll take the time to read them all since I took the time to find them all.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=493187&postcount=3
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=484804&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=491624&postcount=5
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=491128&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=491028&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=487205&postcount=15
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=487421&postcount=17
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=490596&postcount=19
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=490630&postcount=21
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=491617&postcount=24
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=489124&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=486448&postcount=17
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=487928&postcount=5
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=488352&postcount=49
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=484023&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=481656&postcount=5
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=463961&postcount=7
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=478436&postcount=1
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=475822&postcount=2
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=473386&postcount=2

Fair enough, but a large number of those posts take pot shots at people and call them names unnecessarily. Most of the rest have little to nothing to do with diving.

Do you consider a post calling people idiots or know-it-alls is a useful post? Even from all the ones you pasted, I don't think I saw a single message that even indicates you've ever been scuba diving.

chrpai · Jan 27, 2004

jonnythan:
Fair enough, but a large number of those posts take pot shots at people and call them names unnecessarily. Most of the rest have little to nothing to do with diving.

Do you consider a post calling people idiots or know-it-alls is a useful post? Even from all the ones you pasted, I don't think I saw a single message that even indicates you've ever been scuba diving.

You obviously didn't read ANY of the quoted posts. Here is a synopsis:

1) Medical Advice on LASIK
2) Importance of Mask Fit
3) Opinion on lack of value of Nitrox in the 0-60 range
4) Congratulations to Diver and offering to answer questions
5) Discussion of END
6) Answer BlackBeards Question
7) Telling diver he'll enjoy trip
8) Answering BlackBeard Question
9) Discussing possibility of a joint dive trip
10) More answering of BB Questions
11) Answering question about scuba chat rooms
12) Discussion of PPO2
13) Suggestion for economical trip to person who asked
14) Answering question of "most embarrasing dive moment"
15) Answering question of MD dive club
16) Answering Nitrox questions
17) Defining ANDI O2 compatible air
18) Asking people what they do to practice rescue rediness
19) Answering question about HDTV
20) Answering questions about Air Jamaica

jonnythan · Jan 27, 2004

jonnythan:
Fair enough, but a large number of those posts take pot shots at people and call them names unnecessarily. Most of the rest have little to nothing to do with diving.

Do you consider a post calling people idiots or know-it-alls is a useful post? Even from all the ones you pasted, I don't think I saw a single message that even indicates you've ever been scuba diving.

Oh I'm sorry.. there is one post there that makes it sound like you've been diving before.

And it's the same one where you take a jab at the "know-it-alls" surrounding you for no reason whatsoever.

Hmm.

Suggestion Finalized Banning Procedure

Please register or login

The Chairman

Chairman of the Board

wrongkey

Contributor

chrpai

Contributor

jonnythan

Knight Scublar

chrpai

Contributor

Boogie711

Guest

chrpai

Contributor

Boogie711

Guest

jonnythan

Knight Scublar

chrpai

Contributor

jonnythan

Knight Scublar

Similar threads