GoChiefs
[INDENT] A while ago I started a thread about knocking off the personal attacks in an attempt to get the site "under control" and more inviting to potential members and old members that left because they were sick of sifting through the crap. I did a bad job of actually enforcing it and making sure myself and all of the moderators were all on the same page so it just kinda fizzled out and we all went back to the free for all bitch fest we had been accustomed to. I've reached the point where the site needs to be cleaned up so it can grow or it just needs to be shut down. If we continue to let it go as-is it will no doubt fizzle out in a slow, painful death. I really don't want that to happen so we're going to clean the place up.
I know there will be a few people bitching, comparing us to the huddle, and at this point I don't really care. The vocal minority will not be making the decisions around here. If you can't see the differences between what we're doing here and what they've done/are doing over there you aren't worth the time to argue about it. Having rules and sticking to them isn't a concept unique to them and it seems like more often than not they just make up the rules as they go. Since day 1 we've had the rules laid out (they are in red in the secondary navigation menu up top), we've just done a piss poor job of caring enough to enforce them. For the most part people stick to them but there are a small number of members that tend to break them (at least the personal attacks rule) more often than not.
I created The Basement as a forum where people could still be assholes to one another but limit it to one place where people could stay away from and still have an enjoyable forum experience. Starting now we are going back to that plan and actually sticking with it this time. If you want to be a jerk to someone, take it to the basement. We know there are going to be disagreements in threads outside of the basement, and that is fine, but keep it civil. If you don't feel like you can be an adult about it, start a new thread in the basement and continue the "discussion" there.
We've added two new rules (outside of the basement), as well. Do not follow other members around to harass them. A few examples being the "CC is a pedo" and "LJ is the expert in everything." No agressive trolling meant to derail a thread. An example of this being sleeper's obsession with derailing threads with his anti-religion agenda. We get it.
We aren't making these changes to be power hungry assholes. We are making these changes to hopefully keep this place going for years to come. We're never going to grow if we keep the "free for all" culture and if we're never going to grow what's the point of existing? I think these changes will be welcomed by most members, even a lot of you that have been guilty of breaking the "rules" since the beginning. We're all adults here, we just need to start acting like it.
The following will be the protocol for warnings/bans:
1st offense: a warning.
2nd offense: a 1 week basement ban.
3rd offense: a 1 month basement ban.
4th offense: an indefinite basement ban.
Everyone starts over with a clean slate and we will be using the infraction system to keep track of offenses. When a warning or infraction are given you'll receive notice in the form of a private message. I know most members on the site have never had either so this is just a heads up. Please bear with us for the next few days as we get things in order. Remember, the moderators are volunteers doing this "job" when they have free time. [/INDENT]
GoChiefs;1169205 wrote:Just to clarify the new rules, if someone posts a Big Red thread, and you just stop by to mention that Big Red or their fans suck, etc, that will be in violation of the new rules. Same thing goes with bringing parochial/public debate every thread. That's just derailing a thread and will no longer be acceptable. Please try to keep all threads on topic.
THE4RINGZ;1169361 wrote:What is the over/under on how long before some people are gone forever.
tl;dr