Good questions. Perhaps you will receive some answer. Stay "inside" the T and C and no problems... Banned-Aid? The times they are a changin'
Cheers,
Vic
Levels of Banning, page 1
privacy
Topic started on 14-10-2007 @ 09:54 PM by khunmoon
Reading up on the T&C and Actions for general abuse and Terms and Conditions
violations. I posted a reply but got the message I don't have access to the forum. (Why the 'post reply' button then?)
I therefore have to bring the question here.
The question I asked is as follows:
For clarification:
How do we know if it is a 3) Posting ban or a 4) Site Ban, that has been issued, as I suppose in both cases the status will display as banned in the avatar? If not so for a 3) Posting ban, how is this level of banning then displayed?
If a 3) Posting ban, for how long time will it be enforced?
Thank You.
I therefore have to bring the question here.
The question I asked is as follows:
For clarification:
How do we know if it is a 3) Posting ban or a 4) Site Ban, that has been issued, as I suppose in both cases the status will display as banned in the avatar? If not so for a 3) Posting ban, how is this level of banning then displayed?
If a 3) Posting ban, for how long time will it be enforced?
Thank You.
reply posted on 14-10-2007 @ 10:46 PM by FredT
reply to post by V Kaminski
No I did not say that. The case by case is in regards to the length of time a member stays banned.
The T&C are pretty straight forward and clear cut eh?
[edit on 10/14/07 by FredT]
No I did not say that. The case by case is in regards to the length of time a member stays banned.
The T&C are pretty straight forward and clear cut eh?
[edit on 10/14/07 by FredT]
reply posted on 15-10-2007 @ 03:23 AM by Majic
Battle Of The Bans
Permanent Account Bans
A permanent account ban disables the ability to log in to an account and changes the member title to "Banned".
Permanent account bans are applied by members of the senior staff (super moderators and administrators) in response to gross or repeated violations of the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use, usually after it becomes clear that the member in question has done so intentionally and intends to continue doing so.
Although any senior staff member can "push the button", it is almost never done without discussing the matter with several other staff members.
Exceptions are cases such as brand new accounts obviously created to post spam, ads, porn, trollery (i.e. abusive behavior) or are returning banned members. Those tend to be banned by whoever sees them first.
On the other hand, with the sole exception of something really bad (like posting hard-core porn, death threats or something similarly nasty) I've never seen a well-established account (i.e., someone who's been with us for a while) banned without plenty of fair warning and chances for redemption, which typically involves lots of U2Us, red-flag warnings and a post ban or two. It should never come as a surprise.
As the name suggests, permanent account bans are usually permanent, and are applied with that fact in mind.
"Public" Bans
The expression "public banning" applies to rare cases when a staff member publicly explains why a member was banned.
Normally, we don't comment on permanent account bans, which -- for various reasons -- is usually the right choice.
Post Bans
A post ban temporarily disables the ability to post, but all other features of the account are unaffected.
Post bans can be applied by any moderator for various reasons, the most common being to give the staff a chance to work things out without having to issue multiple red-flag warnings or resort to a permanent account ban.
Members who are post-banned receive an automatic U2U, which is usually accompanied shortly thereafter by a U2U from the moderator who applied the post ban explaining why it was applied and how to get it lifted.
Post bans do not change the public status of an account and are usually not announced. Ideally, the goal is to correct problem behavior, not use a post ban to humiliate or punish a member.
When I apply a post ban, I usually send a U2U which includes a specific explanation of the reason for the post ban, a link to the terms & conditions and links to the following threads:
If You Have Been Post Banned...
Courtesy Is Mandatory (when applicable, which is about 95% of the time)
The majority of post bans are temporary, and are usually applied when a member ignores moderator requests, "goes postal" and tries to drum up off-topic drama, is spamming or otherwise doing something that needs to stop.
A Little More About Post Bans
We're all human (most of us, anyway) and even the most seasoned ATSer can get wrapped around an axle for some reason or another. In such cases, a post ban can serve as a "cool-down" period and a favorable alternative to getting a stack of warnings or being permanently banned.
Although they are not applied without good reason, post bans are a great way to handle certain kinds of problems (usually misunderstandings) without permanent stigma, losing points, unnecessary drama, disrupting discussions or other hassles.
When I lift an account ban, it is because I'm satisfied the member has read, understands and agrees to honor the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use.
Anyone who does is very much welcome to participate as a member in good standing.
[edit on 10/15/2007 by Majic]
Originally posted by khunmoon
How do we know if it is a 3) Posting ban or a 4) Site Ban, that has been issued, as I suppose in both cases the status will display as banned in the avatar? If not so for a 3) Posting ban, how is this level of banning then displayed?
Permanent Account Bans
A permanent account ban disables the ability to log in to an account and changes the member title to "Banned".
Permanent account bans are applied by members of the senior staff (super moderators and administrators) in response to gross or repeated violations of the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use, usually after it becomes clear that the member in question has done so intentionally and intends to continue doing so.
Although any senior staff member can "push the button", it is almost never done without discussing the matter with several other staff members.
Exceptions are cases such as brand new accounts obviously created to post spam, ads, porn, trollery (i.e. abusive behavior) or are returning banned members. Those tend to be banned by whoever sees them first.
On the other hand, with the sole exception of something really bad (like posting hard-core porn, death threats or something similarly nasty) I've never seen a well-established account (i.e., someone who's been with us for a while) banned without plenty of fair warning and chances for redemption, which typically involves lots of U2Us, red-flag warnings and a post ban or two. It should never come as a surprise.
As the name suggests, permanent account bans are usually permanent, and are applied with that fact in mind.
"Public" Bans
The expression "public banning" applies to rare cases when a staff member publicly explains why a member was banned.
Normally, we don't comment on permanent account bans, which -- for various reasons -- is usually the right choice.
Post Bans
A post ban temporarily disables the ability to post, but all other features of the account are unaffected.
Post bans can be applied by any moderator for various reasons, the most common being to give the staff a chance to work things out without having to issue multiple red-flag warnings or resort to a permanent account ban.
Members who are post-banned receive an automatic U2U, which is usually accompanied shortly thereafter by a U2U from the moderator who applied the post ban explaining why it was applied and how to get it lifted.
Post bans do not change the public status of an account and are usually not announced. Ideally, the goal is to correct problem behavior, not use a post ban to humiliate or punish a member.
When I apply a post ban, I usually send a U2U which includes a specific explanation of the reason for the post ban, a link to the terms & conditions and links to the following threads:
If You Have Been Post Banned...
Courtesy Is Mandatory (when applicable, which is about 95% of the time)
The majority of post bans are temporary, and are usually applied when a member ignores moderator requests, "goes postal" and tries to drum up off-topic drama, is spamming or otherwise doing something that needs to stop.
A Little More About Post Bans
We're all human (most of us, anyway) and even the most seasoned ATSer can get wrapped around an axle for some reason or another. In such cases, a post ban can serve as a "cool-down" period and a favorable alternative to getting a stack of warnings or being permanently banned.
Although they are not applied without good reason, post bans are a great way to handle certain kinds of problems (usually misunderstandings) without permanent stigma, losing points, unnecessary drama, disrupting discussions or other hassles.
When I lift an account ban, it is because I'm satisfied the member has read, understands and agrees to honor the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use.
Anyone who does is very much welcome to participate as a member in good standing.
[edit on 10/15/2007 by Majic]
reply posted on 15-10-2007 @ 05:54 AM by chissler
Originally posted by Beachcoma
I got fooled by that custom title thing once. Beware the custom title!
We're trying to cut back on those, as they do create confusion among the members. If you see someone with this, please let a Moderator know, or submit a complaint.
reply posted on 15-10-2007 @ 11:21 AM by khunmoon
Thanks for clearing up things, I now know what I wanted to know.
I'm well aware not to question any banning, but the reason I wanted clarification is a member got banned last night and I'll presume it was not only for what went on in that thread last night that he got banned. I had just hoped it was a temporary ban. Well, it is not.
I'm with Majic in this very old post www.abovetopsecret.com...
I have confidence in the staff of ATS too, and this ends my inquiry.
I'm well aware not to question any banning, but the reason I wanted clarification is a member got banned last night and I'll presume it was not only for what went on in that thread last night that he got banned. I had just hoped it was a temporary ban. Well, it is not.
I'm with Majic in this very old post www.abovetopsecret.com...
Originally posted by Majic
At The Cafe...
Citizen One: Where's Joe? I haven't seen him around lately.
Citizen Two: I hear he got arrested.
Citizen One: What for?
Citizen Two: I don't know.
Citizen One: When? Why? Who arrested him?
Citizen Two:I don't know. I guess he did something wrong.
Citizen One: I see. Thanks. [Looks over shoulder.]
I have tremendous confidence in the staff of ATS. To date, I have yet to see the proverbial "bad call" by any staff member, and assume that there must be at least one as more a matter of principle than observation.
I have confidence in the staff of ATS too, and this ends my inquiry.
reply posted on 15-10-2007 @ 11:41 AM by Springer
reply to post by Beachcoma
Yes and they have been several times. We are a bunch of softies it seems, I just let a guy who has been "perma banned" TWICE back in last week!
It's all about "getting it". If someone who started out rude, hateful, etc... realizes that people don't want to waste their time digging through insults while trying to read a thread or have a discusison about a hot topic and convinces us that they will abide the TAC we are happy to give them another shot.
Springer...
Yes and they have been several times. We are a bunch of softies it seems, I just let a guy who has been "perma banned" TWICE back in last week!
It's all about "getting it". If someone who started out rude, hateful, etc... realizes that people don't want to waste their time digging through insults while trying to read a thread or have a discusison about a hot topic and convinces us that they will abide the TAC we are happy to give them another shot.
Springer...
reply posted on 15-10-2007 @ 11:42 AM by Djarums
reply to post by Beachcoma
Beachcoma,
It's VERY unusual. The reason is because so much thought and discussion goes into permanent bans. We really don't run to swing the ban hammer unless there is absolutely no other alternative. The people who get permanently banned have generally proved that they are not interested in following the T&C, have generally refused to deal with staff members trying to help, and have shown disregard for their fellow members.
In such cases, appeals are usually out of the question.
Banned members are always able to use the "Contact Us" form one sees when not logged in, but barring some completely unusual circumstances, (sorry for my behavior, I was possessed by a demon) it's probably not going to happen...
That said, we hate closing the door on people and if someone shows a true change of heart... well... to quote my friends at the lottery: "Hey, you never know."
[edit on 10/15/2007 by Djarums]
Beachcoma,
It's VERY unusual. The reason is because so much thought and discussion goes into permanent bans. We really don't run to swing the ban hammer unless there is absolutely no other alternative. The people who get permanently banned have generally proved that they are not interested in following the T&C, have generally refused to deal with staff members trying to help, and have shown disregard for their fellow members.
In such cases, appeals are usually out of the question.
Banned members are always able to use the "Contact Us" form one sees when not logged in, but barring some completely unusual circumstances, (sorry for my behavior, I was possessed by a demon) it's probably not going to happen...
That said, we hate closing the door on people and if someone shows a true change of heart... well... to quote my friends at the lottery: "Hey, you never know."
[edit on 10/15/2007 by Djarums]
