Rule point system on this forum

Salome

Salome

Administrator
Dear community,

I have an important forum announcement to share with you. Effective today, I am implementing an administrative function, commonly used on other forums, in an effort to better fulfill forum guidelines. Also we admin's/moderators have a new set of guidelines too. We are all starting fresh, with a clean slate! I’ve posted the rules below and also in the rules thread for your reference. If you have ANY questions, concerns or feedback, please let me know.

The rules now correlate to a point system. Each rule has been designated with a certain number of points. Reaching a particular point total will result in restricting user permissions.

Spam
Definition: unsolicited off forum topic threads/posts and/or external links.
Action: Immediate permanent ban

Belly Dance Spam
Definition: forum topic related but a. multi-thread and/or posts made in more than one forum simultaneously or b. post made off topic in an existing thread.
Infraction = 10 points
Reaching 20 points results in a 3 month ban.
Warnings in lieu of infraction at moderator discretion, points never expire.

Nudity, Pornographic & Sexually Explicit Material
Definition: image or video depicting complete nudity, genitalia, actual or simulated sex acts. Sexually salacious text. Nudity in art work, or dance related material allowed within the context of forum topic, such as http://www.bellydanceforums.net/vid...oh-my-shes-topless-but-its-not-stripping.html.
Infraction = 15 points
Reaching 30 points results in a permanent ban
No warnings issued, points never expire.

Off Topic
Definition: Hijacking a thread - posting significantly off topic in a thread
Infraction = 1 point
Reaching 10 points results in a 1 week ban
Warnings in lieu of infraction at moderator discretion. Points acquired expire every 6 months.

Request for Calm & Cool
Definition: attacking personal character of member(s) with negative language. Negative language is defined as disparaging, hurtful, malicious, sneering, or spiteful remarks about the CHARACTER of another.
Infraction = 2 points
Reaching 12 points results in a 2 week ban
No warnings issued. Points acquired expire every 6 months.

Abuse
Definition:
a. Cursing at another member.
b. Calling member(s) a name (dumb, stupid… on up to an expletive).
c. Derogatory slurs, in general or directed to member(s), in regards to sexual orientation.
d. Derogatory slurs, in general or directed to member(s), in regards to ethnicity. If you are unsure what constitutes a racial slur you may refer to wikipedia’s list
List of ethnic slurs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
e. Derogatory slurs, in general or directed to member(s), in regards to religion/spirituality. If you are unsure what constitutes a religious slur you may refer to wikipedia’s list
List of religious slurs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Infraction = 15 point
Reaching 30 points results in permanent ban
No warnings issued. Points acquired expire after 12 months.
 
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Harry

Harry

Member
I support Salome's new system. One of the things I've always liked about this forum is that there is something for everybody. If you want a serious discussion, it's here. If you want to joke and kid around (politely!! ... please!!), it's here. If we all get behind the spirit of what Salome is saying, this forum will be a great experience for everybody, including those just visiting. So, if you see something that is out of line, or perhaps you are not sure, hit the 'report' link. In order to keep a safe and sane environment, it is better to be safe than sorry. Between the volunteer moderators, and anybody else that is concerned, we can keep this forum the greatest one in the world in support of the art that we all support.

I love ya all!
Harry
 
shiradotnet

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Salome said:
Belly Dance Spam
Definition: forum topic related but a. multi-thread and/or posts made in more than one forum simultaneously or b. post made off topic in an existing thread.
Click to expand...

Your rules seem very sensible. It sounds like a nightmare to administer - I hope the forum software has a way to help you automate it!

May I ask a question? Would someone posting an announcement about a new product (such as a book or DVD), or about an event/workshop they're sponsoring be considered belly dance spam if they post ONLY one thread about it and aim to put that one thread in an appropriate topic category? I've noticed that people rarely post event announcements on the bulletin board - is that because there's a rule against it, or just because that's just not part of this particular online community's culture?
 
jenc

jenc

New member
We have a separate board for events which I suggested because the calendar wouldn't show multiple evnts on same day if descriptions took up the space. .we have had people successfully promote their books etc. They could post under marketplace, or also under new thread related to the subject matter. I think what is aimed at here is the NEW HIP SCARVES posted in EVERY thread.
 
Salome

Salome

Administrator
shiradotnet said:
Your rules seem very sensible. It sounds like a nightmare to administer - I hope the forum software has a way to help you automate it!
Click to expand...

The point system was a built in feature and it is actually all automated so I'm in luck there.

May I ask a question? Would someone posting an announcement about a new product (such as a book or DVD), or about an event/workshop they're sponsoring be considered belly dance spam if they post ONLY one thread about it and aim to put that one thread in an appropriate topic category? I've noticed that people rarely post event announcements on the bulletin board - is that because there's a rule against it, or just because that's just not part of this particular online community's culture?
Click to expand...

No it definitely would not be considered spam. What Jenc said :) It's fine/encouraged to post an ad in market place for product sales, or events in the Events forum etc. Even a post is fine in an already existing thread as long as it is truly on topic.
 
Aniseteph

Aniseteph

New member
:clap: :clap: :clap: I think this is an excellent idea, though I might be sitting on the naughty step with Reen for drifting off topic from time to time.
 
Harry

Harry

Member
Aniseteph said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: I think this is an excellent idea, though I might be sitting on the naughty step with Reen for drifting off topic from time to time.
Click to expand...
I think we all get into an "oh, by the way" off topic mode once in awhile. So, that's probably the reasoning behind giving the moderators some discretion. Otherwise, I think we would all be on that naughty step (moderators included).:naghty:
 
Nalini Akal

Nalini Akal

New member
What will happen to malicious things that were implied/posted in the past? There has been a lot of very good information written here- sections that were very helpful- unfortunately in some of these helpful threads contamination occurred! I applaud your efforts though and maybe what I am speaking about doing will take time to sift through to get to the accurate information .

Salome you're OKAY by me!:clap::clap::clap:

Maybe we need an evaluation at the end of the thread that lists the points of the topic and give time limits on threads so the thread expires (no more posts made) while it is still healthy? just a suggestion- trying to help find solutions!
 
K

kayshier

New member
shiradotnet said:
Your rules seem very sensible. It sounds like a nightmare to administer - I hope the forum software has a way to help you automate it!

May I ask a question? Would someone posting an announcement about a new product (such as a book or DVD), or about an event/workshop they're sponsoring be considered belly dance spam if they post ONLY one thread about it and aim to put that one thread in an appropriate topic category? I've noticed that people rarely post event announcements on the bulletin board - is that because there's a rule against it, or just because that's just not part of this particular online community's culture?
Click to expand...


This is exactly what I thought when I read all the rules, but it is a good thing that it happening i think in order to control the herd as it were..

I sincerely hope that this is kept up. Not meaning to sound like the wet blanket in here, but often times there is a tendency to start things very enthusiastically only to have it descend into chaos

as for the comment that suggests that malicious things being posted in the past should be dealt with under this new system, i think that's a moot point, and does no good really. What does it achieve?...We must all learn to let go, even when opinions vary widely and things get heated and we may not agree.
Its a sign of maturity when we can accept criticisms or differing views without wanting to create more strife, or 'strike back'

and i think that is what this system is about. starting on a fresh slate
I hope that all forum members begin afresh with open minds.
 
Nalini Akal

Nalini Akal

New member
Anyway it is a start! Salome!- Spam needs to be defined as someone mentioned but I don't see that as being difficult- we can all identify spam when we meet it. Perhaps reporting a spammer? that's how google and yahoo do it- can we block persons that seem like spammers from our mail and visitor pages?

This is very hopeful for the forum:dance:

Thanks!
 
khanjar

khanjar

New member
Aniseteph said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: I think this is an excellent idea, though I might be sitting on the naughty step with Reen for drifting off topic from time to time.
Click to expand...

Sometimes though when drifting off topic occurs, there is some really good information written and the topic can become more like a friendly conversation, which personally I like, as it is good communication. But the thread invariably gets pulled back on topic most of the time by others, new people responding to the original post.
 
Mosaic

Mosaic

Super Moderator
Nalini Akal said:
Anyway it is a start! Salome!- Spam needs to be defined as someone mentioned but I don't see that as being difficult- we can all identify spam when we meet it. Perhaps reporting a spammer? that's how google and yahoo do it- can we block persons that seem like spammers from our mail and visitor pages?

This is very hopeful for the forum:dance:

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Anyone can report a spammer, the mods get the report and can deal with it as is warranted.

You can ignore those you don't want to have anything to do with:
From the FAQ notes
Belly Dance Forums - FAQ
See below
~Mosaic


Dealing with Troublesome Users Can I block posts, emails and messages from specific users?
If there are particular members that bother you and you do not want to see their posts or receive Private Messages and Emails from them, then you can add these members to your 'Ignore List'. There are several ways to do this:
Through your User Control Panel: User CP, Settings & Options, Edit Ignore List. Then, click on their name and choose: User List, Add to Ignore List
What if I see something offensive?
You will find 'Report' links in many places throughout the board. These links allow you to alert the board staff to anything which you find to be offensive, objectionable or illegal.
 
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