Rogue Archetype
Moderator <br> Contest Host
______________________________
Make GOOD Posts: (from our FAQs)
Good posts are contributions to the Pokémon TCG community consisting of: information, perspective, experiences, resources, alternative or successful approaches related to the Pokémon TCG and other Pokémon games.
_______________
WHY THIS POST?
I've read a few rants (mostly by young adults and teens) who have voiced a concern with the moderators being too strict. They claim that they are "piling up infractions" for "every little" reason.
I totally understand your reactions.
I, too, know what it's like to open up your PM Box and see a
"YOU HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING/INFRACTION" message.
It really grabs your attention in a not-so-good way. Doesn't it?
Well, rest assured, nobody hates you; it's much bigger than you.
That's what I'm going to try to help you understand in this thread.
I understand how someone could feel that a big deal has been made out of nothing and I know how it's easy to subscribe to a "THEM against ME" type of attitude. Hey... it's NOT like that.
Believe it or not...
The MODs have NOT gone Mad! :smile:
The FIRST thing that I have to make abundantly clear is a couple of key goals of the moderators.
These are things that we are working VERY HARD to achieve.
SITE SAFETY = We have to make this a place where small children and their parents feel safe visiting free of inappropriate topics, language, and visual content.
reflect -- how many of YOUR posts would've elicited that reaction from a parent?
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT = People have to feel that it's OK to ask questions WITHOUT being ridiculed or otherwise made to feel stupid for asking.
reflect -- how many times have you used sarcasm instead of a providing a useful answer to a question? How do you think that person felt after reading your remark? Did it do any good for either of you?
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
ANY POKEGYM MEMBER can report a bad post. There's a "Report this post" icon to the left of EVERY post. If someone is posting inappropriate language, topics, or other material, you simply click that button and the mods will receive a message that a post has been reported. YOU NAME DOES NOT show up anywhere publically. In fact, noone knows that the post has been reported unless he/she receives a warning or infraction by a moderator.
This means, that all of us can have a shared interest in keeping the threads clear of profanity (direct, quoted, or indirect), topics that could be considered beyond a "G rating," and comments that are insulting or insignificant to discussion.
OK... Now that you understand what we're trying to do here... let's return to your warnings/infractions...
_______ CROSSING THE LINE ______________
WARNINGS ...
A warning is a verbal "heads-up" that you've done something that we don't allow on the message boards.
It's just an official way of documenting that you've been told "hey, you're not supposed to do that."
A warning does not lead to a ban from the site. It's just a verbal "Please don't do that" and you're done.
Alot of times the person being warned wasn't aware that they did anything wrong, so warnings are a harmless way of letting them know.
INFRACTIONS...
An infraction is more serious than a warning.
They can lead to temporary or PERMENANT bans from this site.
Infractions are given for repeat offenders and people who blatently abuse their freedom (foul language, offensive content, threatening/personal attacks on others).
The infraction system gives offenders an opportunity to get their act together before receiving a permenant ban. Multiple infractions add up 'points' that culminate toward a permenant ban from the site.
__________________
So... a good way to summarize the INTENT of this system:
Here are some examples of posts that may bet you a warning:
(note = they are, usually, unhelpful OR they quote things that we can't allow)
How does something like that help ANYONE with ANYTHING? Please refrain rendering a useless opinion. This would get you a warning for "posting offtopic/unhelpful remarks."
Use euphamisms like "a big jerk" or "rude beyond belief" That language COULD be worse, but that's not the point. The point is you need to use language that won't be SHOCKING if it came out of a six year old's mouth! If a six year old says "big jerk," it would not elicit the same reaction as "butt hole." (I'm at risk for catching a warning for even posting the example!!)
Polls are not allowed. I know that seems like a silly rule, but NOT allowing them avoids many problems that deal with personal information being rendered publically. (again, gotta create that kid-safe environment).
If we allow ONE poll, we have to allow them all (even the obviously fishy ones), so, we don't allow ANY.
START A NEW THREAD if you want to talk about a topic that was posted a LONG time ago. Do NOT post a reply in a very old thread! That's called "BUMPING OLD THREADS." Bumping old threads create alot of confusion because of dated information. New visitors/players can be frustrated by the information if they are not aware that the information is very dated. Some cards in the discussion, for example, may no longer be tournament legal.
In this example, I've put a FAKE acronym "GMADOGXB!!" Alot of CURSING is referenced in those Acromyms. We DO NOT EVER want a child walking away from a computer and asking his/her mom "What does OM_G! mean?" (<== you know there's a letter missing there right?)
Also, the system will catch many curse words and convert the text to stars (****). Some people try to get around the stars by SP LIT TING UP their WO R DS. That will get you an infraction without warning!
DOn't do it!
You can't even QUOTE someone who is referring to foul language. Please help us keep it AWAY from these boards. We know foul language and content exists in the world. We're just NOT going to have it on Pokegym... that's all. :wink:
No strategy. Ok. This happens ALOT! When you put a decklist in the DECK HELP SECTION (and NOT in the Card Strategy section please), you HAVE TO put the basic strategy of the deck or people can't really help you tighten it up. (example: Infernape can be built for discard X or it can be built for energy on the field using Typhosion and Heatran. We can't just tell you 'run Infernape' without knowing HOW you want to run Infernape!)
BAD SIGNATURES
Those are read whereever you post. SO, if you have an offensive or inappropriate signature, we HAVE TO say something to you about it. You bad sig will be seen in MULTIPLE threads. Please stop putting violent, blatently rude, or other inapproriate things in your sigs. It's REALLY NOT FUN to police up your sigs.
CONCLUSION
If you are warned or infracted for something and you do not understand the rationale behind the action: ask.
I guarantee you that after reading 100s of posts per day the LAST thing a mod wants to do is CREATE an issue with a member "for the fun of it." We have WAY too many posts to try to keep up with and scan for badnessness ( :tongue: ).
Noone is picking on you. There's no time for that.
Noone is singling you out. There's no time for that.
If we've misread or made a mistake, you action CAN be reversed! I've reversed two actions just last week where I misread "foul language" that was merely ***** ... stars. I apologized for thinking it was masking and reversed everything.
We're human too!
So...
FROM NOW ON, let's SHARE INFORMATION and HELP ONE ANOTHER in the Cards Strategy section (and every other section) of this website. Make your comments count; make them constructive. If you know nothing about the topic, move on to the next rather than spamming with useless comments. If you don't like the topic, move on to the next.
Avoid being mean; focus on helping people feel better about themselves.
STAY ON TOPIC | BE KIND TO OTHERS | USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE/BEHAVIOR
God Bless.
Rogue Archetype.
P.S.
Pretty much, the point is, if you don't have anything nice or helpful to say; say nothing and move on.
Make GOOD Posts: (from our FAQs)
Good posts are contributions to the Pokémon TCG community consisting of: information, perspective, experiences, resources, alternative or successful approaches related to the Pokémon TCG and other Pokémon games.
_______________
WHY THIS POST?
I've read a few rants (mostly by young adults and teens) who have voiced a concern with the moderators being too strict. They claim that they are "piling up infractions" for "every little" reason.
I totally understand your reactions.
I, too, know what it's like to open up your PM Box and see a
"YOU HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING/INFRACTION" message.
It really grabs your attention in a not-so-good way. Doesn't it?
Well, rest assured, nobody hates you; it's much bigger than you.
That's what I'm going to try to help you understand in this thread.
I understand how someone could feel that a big deal has been made out of nothing and I know how it's easy to subscribe to a "THEM against ME" type of attitude. Hey... it's NOT like that.
Believe it or not...
The MODs have NOT gone Mad! :smile:
The FIRST thing that I have to make abundantly clear is a couple of key goals of the moderators.
These are things that we are working VERY HARD to achieve.
SITE SAFETY = We have to make this a place where small children and their parents feel safe visiting free of inappropriate topics, language, and visual content.
- This means that a parent should look over his/her 9 year old's shoulder and feel compelled to shout "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU READING!!???"
reflect -- how many of YOUR posts would've elicited that reaction from a parent?
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT = People have to feel that it's OK to ask questions WITHOUT being ridiculed or otherwise made to feel stupid for asking.
- I came onto this site brand new to the game and had to endure some pretty bad/condescending answers to my own questions. You HAVE to remember, alot of people don't know the answers to their question; that's why they ask! If you don't want to take the time to answer an "obvious" question, skip the thread and move on to the next. PLEASE don't post a snide remark and belittle/insult the person who comes to you for counsel. Ok? :thumb:
reflect -- how many times have you used sarcasm instead of a providing a useful answer to a question? How do you think that person felt after reading your remark? Did it do any good for either of you?
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
ANY POKEGYM MEMBER can report a bad post. There's a "Report this post" icon to the left of EVERY post. If someone is posting inappropriate language, topics, or other material, you simply click that button and the mods will receive a message that a post has been reported. YOU NAME DOES NOT show up anywhere publically. In fact, noone knows that the post has been reported unless he/she receives a warning or infraction by a moderator.
This means, that all of us can have a shared interest in keeping the threads clear of profanity (direct, quoted, or indirect), topics that could be considered beyond a "G rating," and comments that are insulting or insignificant to discussion.
OK... Now that you understand what we're trying to do here... let's return to your warnings/infractions...
_______ CROSSING THE LINE ______________
WARNINGS ...
A warning is a verbal "heads-up" that you've done something that we don't allow on the message boards.
It's just an official way of documenting that you've been told "hey, you're not supposed to do that."
A warning does not lead to a ban from the site. It's just a verbal "Please don't do that" and you're done.
Alot of times the person being warned wasn't aware that they did anything wrong, so warnings are a harmless way of letting them know.
INFRACTIONS...
An infraction is more serious than a warning.
They can lead to temporary or PERMENANT bans from this site.
Infractions are given for repeat offenders and people who blatently abuse their freedom (foul language, offensive content, threatening/personal attacks on others).
The infraction system gives offenders an opportunity to get their act together before receiving a permenant ban. Multiple infractions add up 'points' that culminate toward a permenant ban from the site.
PokePop said:
__________________
So... a good way to summarize the INTENT of this system:
- Warnings keep you informed about potentially bad things.
- Infractions keep habitual offenders in check.
- Multiple Infractions clense the site of bad people who do bad things.
Here are some examples of posts that may bet you a warning:
(note = they are, usually, unhelpful OR they quote things that we can't allow)
BlippidyBlooo said:
How does something like that help ANYONE with ANYTHING? Please refrain rendering a useless opinion. This would get you a warning for "posting offtopic/unhelpful remarks."
SillyWookie said:
Use euphamisms like "a big jerk" or "rude beyond belief" That language COULD be worse, but that's not the point. The point is you need to use language that won't be SHOCKING if it came out of a six year old's mouth! If a six year old says "big jerk," it would not elicit the same reaction as "butt hole." (I'm at risk for catching a warning for even posting the example!!)
MrSurvey said:
Polls are not allowed. I know that seems like a silly rule, but NOT allowing them avoids many problems that deal with personal information being rendered publically. (again, gotta create that kid-safe environment).
If we allow ONE poll, we have to allow them all (even the obviously fishy ones), so, we don't allow ANY.
BumpidyBumpBumper said:
START A NEW THREAD if you want to talk about a topic that was posted a LONG time ago. Do NOT post a reply in a very old thread! That's called "BUMPING OLD THREADS." Bumping old threads create alot of confusion because of dated information. New visitors/players can be frustrated by the information if they are not aware that the information is very dated. Some cards in the discussion, for example, may no longer be tournament legal.
WannaHockaLoogie said:
In this example, I've put a FAKE acronym "GMADOGXB!!" Alot of CURSING is referenced in those Acromyms. We DO NOT EVER want a child walking away from a computer and asking his/her mom "What does OM_G! mean?" (<== you know there's a letter missing there right?)
Also, the system will catch many curse words and convert the text to stars (****). Some people try to get around the stars by SP LIT TING UP their WO R DS. That will get you an infraction without warning!
DOn't do it!
You can't even QUOTE someone who is referring to foul language. Please help us keep it AWAY from these boards. We know foul language and content exists in the world. We're just NOT going to have it on Pokegym... that's all. :wink:
NewDeckListGuy said:
No strategy. Ok. This happens ALOT! When you put a decklist in the DECK HELP SECTION (and NOT in the Card Strategy section please), you HAVE TO put the basic strategy of the deck or people can't really help you tighten it up. (example: Infernape can be built for discard X or it can be built for energy on the field using Typhosion and Heatran. We can't just tell you 'run Infernape' without knowing HOW you want to run Infernape!)
BAD SIGNATURES
Those are read whereever you post. SO, if you have an offensive or inappropriate signature, we HAVE TO say something to you about it. You bad sig will be seen in MULTIPLE threads. Please stop putting violent, blatently rude, or other inapproriate things in your sigs. It's REALLY NOT FUN to police up your sigs.
CONCLUSION
If you are warned or infracted for something and you do not understand the rationale behind the action: ask.
I guarantee you that after reading 100s of posts per day the LAST thing a mod wants to do is CREATE an issue with a member "for the fun of it." We have WAY too many posts to try to keep up with and scan for badnessness ( :tongue: ).
Noone is picking on you. There's no time for that.
Noone is singling you out. There's no time for that.
If we've misread or made a mistake, you action CAN be reversed! I've reversed two actions just last week where I misread "foul language" that was merely ***** ... stars. I apologized for thinking it was masking and reversed everything.
We're human too!
So...
FROM NOW ON, let's SHARE INFORMATION and HELP ONE ANOTHER in the Cards Strategy section (and every other section) of this website. Make your comments count; make them constructive. If you know nothing about the topic, move on to the next rather than spamming with useless comments. If you don't like the topic, move on to the next.
Avoid being mean; focus on helping people feel better about themselves.
STAY ON TOPIC | BE KIND TO OTHERS | USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE/BEHAVIOR
God Bless.
Rogue Archetype.
P.S.
Pretty much, the point is, if you don't have anything nice or helpful to say; say nothing and move on.
Last edited:
