A Brief Explanation of the new Citation/Infraction System
The Infraction System is a new method of rules enforcement that we are starting here at TBCS, effective immediately. Quite simply, it will allow moderators and administrators a method of handing out warnings and punishments in response to inappropriate behavior here on the forum.
The Infraction System is, essentially, a points system. There are three levels of severity in the system, currently. Each point will remain on your record for thirty days, and each concurrent point will reset the timer for previous active strikes.
For example, let’s say NoobUser321 has just joined the forums here at TBCS. He immediately jumps in, tells everyone where they are messing up, points the finger at everyone but themselves, uses harsh and inflammatory language and is basically rude and malicious to everyone. A moderator will contact them and let them know, “Hey, calm down, we’re all friends here.”
Well, NoobUser321 chooses to ignore this advice. He continues his tirade and ends up posting a vicious flame against another user. Inappropriate. ModeratorX sees this, sees that he’s been warned, and gives him an Infraction.
Strike 1.
Well, the first infraction is basically a warning. It puts NoobUser321 on Probation. This will last 30 days, and places a number of restrictions on what he can and can’t do. Specifically:
• Can no longer open or close their own threads.
• Can no longer rate other's threads.
• Cannot post polls.
• Mailbox size becomes 50.
• Cannot post events on the TBCS calendar.
• Cannot set self to invisible.
• Cannot use a custom title.
• User loses all signature privileges.
• User cannot use the reputation system.
Let’s say NoobUser321 learns his lesson and behaves himself for the whole 30 days. If he does, the infraction point will disappear automatically and he’ll be able to do all the things any other user can do – at least until he gets placed on Probation again.
But what if he doesn’t learn his lesson? Well, say 15 days from his original Infraction NoobUser321 decides to lose his temper and posts multiple hateful rants about the moderators, the admins and other users all across the forum. That’s a real big no-no. So what happens?
Strike 2.
If you get a second Infraction while your first is still active, you get an automatic 7-day ban. Go for a walk, take some deep breaths, we’ll see you in a week. This second infraction lasts a full 30 days, after which the user will be dropped to regular Probation status for 30 days. So, NoobUser321 manages to learn his lesson this time, doesn’t get anyone else angry at him, doesn’t go on any more crusades, he’s back in the clear. But what if he doesn’t?
Strike 3. You’re out.
If you get a third infraction while your first and second infractions are active, you’re out. You’ve been warned many times and you have shown that you cannot be a team player. Therefore, you’re banned for good. No coming back, you had your chance. Hopefully nobody will ever get this far, but it is here if we need it.