Warning Levels

[bendix]

I understand that it's 10 warnings and you're out.

If that's the case, wouldnt it make sense to make your number of warnings visible? Maybe not to the entire board, but at least to yourself?

I'm reliably informed I have 4-5 warnings to my name and only the mods can see that. I'm pretty sure I've only been PM-d and told my warning level has increased twice (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!).

Shouldnt this be more transparent?

[bendix]

I suppose I should have known . . . . expecting a reply to a perfectly valid question was a bit much.

*sigh*

[Tywais]

Possibly because no one has an answer for you Bendix.

I'll give it a shot but admin will be the definitive answer.

1. Possibly the forum software does not accommodate this feature as an option.

2. Possible that some members would take advantage of it and decide their warning level is low enough that they can afford to post crap (not referring to you of course).

However, it is a reasonable and interesting question but will have to see what other mods/admin have to say.

[taxexile]

i thought that warnings were removed after a suitable period of non - offensive behaviour

[Crow Boy]

I understand that it's 10 warnings and you're out.

The actual system is a little more complicated. Your are correct that the software has hard coding for 10 warnings at which time admin would automatically ban the member. However depending on the member's past performance over the given period of time the have been a member are contributory factors. For example a member who has scored several warnings over a relatively short period of time may be banned with the view the are a troll or simply not worth the effort/hassle to keep. Similarly a member who is otherwise erudite and interesting but rises to the bait regularly may be given additional chances.

If that's the case, wouldnt it make sense to make your number of warnings visible? Maybe not to the entire board, but at least to yourself?

The warning level is configured by access level ie visible to moderators and admin only not to individuals, it is hard coded and not really possible to modify. The warning levels are of use to mods as a record of what the person has done. When we see a post that breaches the rules the mod will check the log and past warning before making a decision on whether to issue a "non official warning" or "official warning" Non official warnings are not added to the log but actual one are. They usually are accompanied with a suspension of access or ability to post.

I'm reliably informed I have 4-5 warnings to my name and only the mods can see that. I'm pretty sure I've only been PM-d and told my warning level has increased twice (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!).

Any member can send a PM to admin or a moderator and ask how many warnings they currently have. Most mods will reply with the number and a copy of the history.

Shouldnt this be more transparent?

It is transparent now - members don't need to see their warning logs to keep within the rules, they should be sufficiently mature to know what is and isn't acceptable on the forum and abide accordingly. Presumably you don't need a copy of your traffic record emblazoned on your car to be aware of the road rules.

As a final note - in the future questions about moderators and moderation should be directed by PM to admin or a mod not put on the open forum.

regards

CB

[Crow Boy]

i thought that warnings were removed after a suitable period of non - offensive behaviour

Not correct. Was done on occasion in the past when some members crept up to the final warning but the decision now is to manage the top scorers according to their merits.

CB

[tuky]

I'm reliably informed I have 4-5 warnings to my name and only the mods can see that. I'm pretty sure I've only been PM-d and told my warning level has increased twice (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!).

Just out of interest, the warning system opens a pop up form that we fill in. The form consists of moderator action (ie suspend account, suspend posting ability etc etc), reason for warning (this is visible to mods only as it is private correspondence for mods info only), and finally we have to choose between PM or Email with reason for warning that goes to the member.

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Anyway, just thought you might like to know that one

[Mossfinn]

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Are you sure Tuky? That a MOD cannot issue a warning/suspension without informing said poster.

Moss

[Pink Mist]

Tuky is correct

[Tywais]

Are you sure Tuky? That a MOD cannot issue a warning/suspension without informing said poster.

Moss

The software requires a reason for warning or it won't accept it. However, if the PM/e-mail box is left blank it will accept it. There are rare exceptions to not informing the poster such as blatant spammers.

[Ijustwannateach]

Yes- it's possible that if the mod doesn't choose to fill in the blank message space the user will not be informed- also, if the message the mod writes in that blank is not explicit the user may not realise it is a warning (because it comes in the form of a normal PM). It is helpful for Bendix to remind us mods that we should always try to make it very clear (i.e., something in the text or subject header directly saying "This is a warning," which I have always tried to remember to do. It's also helpful to mention the reason. There have been a few instances in which a user hasn't realised he'd received the number of warnings that he had for these kinds of reasons.

"S"

[tuky]

Well, you never used be able to. It seems it must be something that has changed in recent software updates, shame.

Well, now everyone knows we are in for a few fights. Cheers.

(goes to show ho long it has been since I warned someone).

[Mossfinn]

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Anyway, just thought you might like to know that one

Tuky is correct

The software requires a reason for warning or it won't accept it. However, if the PM/e-mail box is left blank it will accept it. There are rare exceptions to not informing the poster such as blatant spammers.

Yes- it's possible that if the mod doesn't choose to fill in the blank message space the user will not be informed-

Thanks for the clarifications

Moss

[tuky]

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Are you sure Tuky? That a MOD cannot issue a warning/suspension without informing said poster.

Moss

You never used to be able to mate. I found out many times via the good old prompt box telling not all fields were filled in. ANy warning I have made after learning I never forget to do it so I never realised thiungs have changed.

Apologies for trying to reassure you all.

[tuky]

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Anyway, just thought you might like to know that one

Tuky is correct

The software requires a reason for warning or it won't accept it. However, if the PM/e-mail box is left blank it will accept it. There are rare exceptions to not informing the poster such as blatant spammers.

Yes- it's possible that if the mod doesn't choose to fill in the blank message space the user will not be informed-

Thanks for the clarifications

Moss

Tywais and IJWT are correct. I just tested it on myself and the warning went through without sending a PM.

[Tywais]

I just tested it on myself

[LaoPo]

Interesting thread.

I wasn't aware of the system.

Curious though:

1. how does a warning look like ?

2. Is a warning sent mostly via PM or via email to the member ?

3. Is there indeed a time period that a certain warning is deleted ? Meaning if someone has 6 warnings, are the first 1 or 2 deleted after, let's say, 6 months or so ?

4. Is there a kind of system that Admin. or Mods control/check upon warnings by other Mods; meaning if a certain Mod gives warnings exclusively to a certain member (no other Mod(s) give warnings to that particular member) ?

LaoPo

[Mossfinn]

So it would be impossible for a mod to warn a member without the member being aware of it.

Are you sure Tuky? That a MOD cannot issue a warning/suspension without informing said poster.

Moss

You never used to be able to mate. I found out many times via the good old prompt box telling not all fields were filled in. ANy warning I have made after learning I never forget to do it so I never realised thiungs have changed.

Apologies for trying to reassure you all.

No worries, I wasn't looking for a beef as you probably know.

Moss

Edited May 17, 2008 by Mossfinn

[Mossfinn]

I just tested it on myself and the warning went through without sending a PM.

I remember when you actually banned yourself, to allow you to get on with some work , you had to PM Jaidee to unblock you, rumour has it, he refused

Moss

[PeaceBlondie]

Interesting thread.

1. how does a warning look like ?

2. Is a warning sent mostly via PM or via email to the member ?

3. Is there indeed a time period that a certain warning is deleted ? Meaning if someone has 6 warnings, are the first 1 or 2 deleted after, let's say, 6 months or so ?

4. Is there a kind of system that Admin. or Mods control/check upon warnings by other Mods; meaning if a certain Mod gives warnings exclusively to a certain member (no other Mod(s) give warnings to that particular member) ?

LaoPo

It comes as a PM (if you receive notice of it, which you should and almost always will). There is no set time period or formal procedure for warnings to be deleted. The moderating team coordinates the warnings, and they can see who gave out each warning, when, and why.

[Kerryd]

I just tested it on myself and the warning went through without sending a PM.

I remember when you actually banned yourself, to allow you to get on with some work , you had to PM Jaidee to unblock you, rumour has it, he refused

Moss

Hmmm, I think Tuky should test it on himself 3-4 more times (or more if needed), just to make sure that the "hard cored" 10 limit actually works as well !

He could then have the distinction of being the only member to be banned and brought back twice !

[Mossfinn]

TV's own Lazarus

Moss

[Totster]

The warning system is for internal use only which keeps a record of warnings and actions moderators and admins have made against a member.

This record is used as a reference by admins and moderators during disputes and deciding a course of action when necessary.

It is not intended to be viewed by the individual member, and it would serve no purpose.

Any member that is warned should get notification by PM or Email, except in the some circumstances such as spammers.

Totster

[LaoPo]

Interesting thread.

1. how does a warning look like ?

2. Is a warning sent mostly via PM or via email to the member ?

3. Is there indeed a time period that a certain warning is deleted ? Meaning if someone has 6 warnings, are the first 1 or 2 deleted after, let's say, 6 months or so ?

4. Is there a kind of system that Admin. or Mods control/check upon warnings by other Mods; meaning if a certain Mod gives warnings exclusively to a certain member (no other Mod(s) give warnings to that particular member) ?

LaoPo

It comes as a PM (if you receive notice of it, which you should and almost always will). There is no set time period or formal procedure for warnings to be deleted. The moderating team coordinates the warnings, and they can see who gave out each warning, when, and why.

Thank you PB !

LaoPo

[bendix]

Could you moderators please stop discussing moderation issues on the public forum. It's against forum rules.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED