Poll: New forum rules - Yay or Nay?

[Owlslayer]

What new rules? Haven't gotten any notices...
So I'll make this post, hopefully see the new rules, and most likely edit this one to say my opinion. Success!
EDIT: okay, saw the new rules.
The forum health bar, you say? I currently have no opinion on that, i suppose.
I don't think anything else was changed...

 

[Atlas13]

Honestly, it looks like the only thing this will do is kill posts of emotional, honest content, and keep posters from posting content, because they're afraid that they don't share the same opinions as the moderators/the rest of the forum members.

Also, I have never understood the deal with advocating/debating illegal or "icky" things. Why can't the forum just have an 18+ section where people can feel free to post what they want?

 

[Quassimodo]

hm? i must make a post just to see them new rules

 

[6037084]

Wait there are NEW rules? I didn't even bother to read the old ones

 

[Mercsenary]

hmm have to look into this.

I think the thing with ad blocker is that you are advocating ad blockers. Maybe. I dont know. It is a bit vague about it.

The thing with the different levels of infraction and consequences: I dont see it. If you are an ahole up until the point of full on ban, I dont see how 9 months of you NOT being an ahole will redeem you. Granted maybe you did change and that's what the appeal system is for.

 

[michiehoward]

I just want to know, how successful are people who appeal, percentage wise. LOL

I personally like to see the post peeps get put on probation for.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

This makes me feel alot better about the permanent marks. I was worried that people would be pushed over the limit by posts they made years ago before they started acting civil. Knowing that you guys will take into account how long ago previous marks were made is a good sign.

 

[Xanthious]

Well I see absolutely no reason to participate in anything that might resemble a serious debate any longer. As long as penalties are permanent with no option of removal EVER it's simply not worth the risk you might hurt someones feelings and get a permanent strike against you. There should be a way to get strikes removed. RIP meaningful and spirited debate on the Escapist.

Honestly, I will probably still visit to watch the couple of videos I enjoy on this site but the reality is the forum rules actually discourage participation out of fear of being permanently marked for what could be a simple misstep. I now look forward to visiting this site once a week to check the videos and going elsewhere for discussion and news. Eh it's been a good ride I guess. . .

 

[JochemDude]

The moderation on this site is for the benefit of the users, site statistics show almost 90% of you have never gotten more than a few warnings, as a result you shouldn't have any trouble.

The 8 strike system is to make it easier for trolls to be banned, however the system won't be used against normal users in the same way. If you're on level 5 because you were a naughty child two years ago, we'll take the 2 years of quality posting into account.

Ultimately this system is new and we'll tweak it as necessary, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying everything this site has to offer, so don't worry about it.

Thanks, I was worried there for a moment. Tweaking is a never ending story.
Edit I do have a question about the not mentioning Illegal acts in the USA thing. How does that work with state laws and such, 'Cause how would that work with topics about drugs, I see trouble in some states considering medicinal purposes in that which pop up in the forum like every week. I am not from the USA myself and I really wouldn't have a clue in how far laws are different into extent to laws in my country, but I can see how that kinda limits the extent of expression towards topics which question morality in those grey areas, which are most of the time the best places for a solid and 'real' discussion.

 

[cjbos81]

The rules do seem arbitrary sometimes.

If 100 people post something inappropriate then I post something equally inappropriate, why should I be punished for being the 101st? Is it simply that someone complained about my post?

If so, are there penalties for reporting vexatiously?

In my opinion, the only reasons someone should be banned are continual use of slurs, threats, vulgar sexual language or spamming.

 

[Canid117]

Correct me if I am wrong but the definition of the word probation implies that it is temporary observation for previous poor behavior.

 

[RikSharp]

Hilariously ironic as i just read an article on this very site explaining why EULA's are unfair and one sided, before being forced to read and agree to one before being able to comment about it.
well, i guess my forum contributions will go from sparse to none after this one.

for the poll, i vote Nay!
and despite having to type i agree, i do not agree, but could not complain without agreeing.

 

[Thundero13]

Well I actually didn't notice any changes until I saw this:
Piracy
Ad Blockers
Illegal Drugs in the United States
Illegal Acts in the United States
Pedophilia
Pornography
Sexist, Racist or Perverted Remarks
and that kind of suprised me, not bad rules just didn't expect it, and I don't think i've done any of these, not that clear on US law, and sorry if I ever made racist remarks, that was just me joking, so anyway, Yay!

Oh and you spelled p --->A<--- edophilia wrong.

 

[MinimanZombie]

Well I guess I can see what the new rules are

EDIT: Well the health bar thingiemabob does seem kinda harsh but I guess it enforces good behaviour.

 

[nukethetuna]

While I don't think the health meter system is going to be a problem for the majority of the users... I still feel like it could benefit from some sort of decay.

Maybe after being active for a certain number of months or making a certain number of posts, you gain back a tick?

Honestly I think a lot of people don't like having a blemish on their record! I've had a flawless behavioral record in school and in life, but my one warning on these forums is making me feel like a villain!!!

And I totally thought just posting a stream of Medusa Heads in the "What is the most evil enemy of all time" thread was a fitting description. They don't really need words.

Admittedly, I didn't read the rules before, but was:

Regardless of what some of our content creators may say, do or provoke within their videos or articles, this does not give members the ability to act in the same way. They are entertainers and if they brought their language or flaming into the forums, they would be held accountable, just as any other forum member of The Escapist would be.

in there before? Or was it added solely because of all the Jimquisition backlash.

 

[RedDeadFred]

To be honest I think it could help cut down on idiots. When they realize they'll be banned with they're next offence they will hopefully think before they post jerkish things.

Although the amount of people who actually read it is probably pretty low and the only people who actually read it (like myself) are people who actually take the rules seriously. Not saying that everyone who doesn't read them breaks them. I'm just saying the jerks the rules refer to probably don't read them.

Maybe this topic will raise awareness of it and make the jerks realize their situation.

 

[cthulhumythos]

i like it. mostly because i like to think i'm a nice person most of the time, and the lack probations reinforce this. now all i need to do is focus on not being an ass.

 

[Vrach]

Personally, i think the rules are just as good as usual, but the whole forum health meter thing sounds a little unfair. I mean, you can NEVER get strikes back? That sounds kinda impractical.

Let´s be hypothetical here: Let´s say a poster reaches the last zone before a ban, but decides he/she doesn´t like to be banned and stops acting like a twat. 9 months pass with plenty of posts and not a single infraction, but then, this poster makes one post that could be classified as offensive/jerkish etc. And they´re banned. I dunno. Just doesn´t sound fair to me.

Gotta agree, prizing new posters over long time ones seems a little stupid. If you had spent years here obviously you would have a greater chance of ruffling some feathers than someone who's new to the site. Not having any method for lowering those strikes seems like a really bad idea.

Especially considering how heavy handed mods tend to be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a jerk-free environment as much as the next guy, but when you see warnings and suspensions going out for the tiniest offenses, you gotta ask yourself if those are really worth eventually permabanning someone for.

 

[Bobic]

does it really matter? just dont post anything negative regardless of the rule system. you should be a good person with or without being told to

You say that but a quick glance at your profile shows me that you've gotten two warnings within 2 months. It's not really about being a good person, it's quite easy to get a warning on this site. I've seen many people get put on probation for what I would consider to be nothing more than a joke, a funny one too. And if you're on this site for a few years they could really add up with their whole permanent nature.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Seems a bit harsh. I would think a way for penalties to gradually be removed over time would make the system a little less strict and a little more flexible, but I'm not in charge.