Today I had to take the unfortunate action of banning a MCO user. Due to his continued violations of the site posting guidelines despite multiple warnings I was left no other choice.

To date the site software has been very thin on features which would enforce banning/restriction of users. This morning I implemented several policies (in software) that will enable banned users to continue to use the site but not create further strife amoung the membership. These policies are as follows for members which have banned:

- read-only access to forums
- no private message access or ability to send private messages to others
- no ability to submit comments on articles
- no ability to submit dealer reviews
- no ability to review the list of site members
- no ability to view/submit gallery images (images included in forum posts are still visible)

Now that these policies have been put in place we have the ability to effectively manage posting guideline violations.

In closing I want to mention the following in an effort to explain how we go about dealing with problem posts, threads, and/or users:

- we want members to PM the moderators so we can get it into the review process....please be sure to PM mferguson as well. While we are not always online we will review the issue and address it as quickly as possible.
- we attempt to give people several chances to change their behavior
- we look at posts to establish a pattern and severity
- we will move a problem thread to the Under Review area to see if we can clean it up and what action we may need to take
- we take each incident and evaluate it....unfortunately no two instances are the same and are never black and white
- we may take several forms of action: post editing, post deletion, thread deletion, user banning
- we try to weigh your contributions to the site against whatever problems may have been created and the type of action we take is reflected on that

If you have any questions on the above policies don't hestitate to ask.

Mark

 

thank you mark :smile:

 

Thanks for the update and that was a very smart decision to ban that user.

haf :smile:

 

i agree it was the right thing to do. this forum should not be taken for granted as just some place to dump comments on. especially since it seems he did not respect any of the other users and basically just created chaos.

thanks for keeping this a great forum.

 

I believe we have something good going here at MCO and want to help to develop it to help each other from novice level to beyond.
In order to do so we need to keep to clear rules about how to behave and treat one another. You are entitled to your own opinion but pleae do respect
one another and keep in mind the impersonal nature of electronic information and emails.
Thank you for your efforts Mark.

 

Cheers!
Clover

 

Thanks Mark...it was the only way....I think his screen name said it all.

 

Well done! Keep up the terrific work!

 

Thumbs up from this corner...

 

Thank you Mark!

 

I'm glad you did this Mark.

 

Thanks Mark. I'm sorry that this had to happen.

I think that this would be a great time to stress the importance of "flame-avoidance." If you have a problem with a user, it's probably best just to let the mods know, and avoid the problem thread like the plague.

All together now: "Kum-ba-yaaaaaaa...."

Maxwell

 

That sounds more than fair. It's nice to know we can slip up once in awhile and you'll consider the good posts we've made, not just the inappropriate ones. Like my handle suggests, I may get "catty" during the full moon, but overall I try to be fun and informative. :smile:

One of the most important things a community can do to keep things balanced is get rid of the yahoos. My worst experiences on the job were due to managers being too chicken to fire people. It just spreads and spreads until the good people up and leave.

 

i guess we'll be ok until he register's with another user name?????

 

Thank you, Mark! :smile: Now... can someone pleease bring L.mini back?

 

I could sense his anger and disregard in his very first post, which never disappeared. You all have been incredibly patient and gave him lots of room.

Thanks mods for doing a tough job.

 

Question
Can’t a banned user just sign up on MCO with a different name and email address?
Charles

 

I feel left out that I only read the rants after the guy was banned.

Is it possible that really smart people are beyond the idiot conventions of spelling and grammar, the ones that most of us abide by? I could not believe the mistakes in the guy's posts. And you all held back and didn't embarass him. I'm so proud.

_________________
2002 Indi Blue Cooper w/ Black top & mirrors, sport seats and Prem. Pkg. Christened "Ringo".

 

There are several ways that banning is being enforced. I would rather not go into them as it will undermine our ability to enforce them. Thanks

Mark

>>i guess we'll be ok until he register's with another user name?????

 

>>i guess we'll be ok until he register's with another user name?????

Not necessarily, he probably banned his IP address meaning 2c4s wouldn't be able to create a new username from his computer or home network.

 

Not to turn things negative again, but a lot of people didn't hold back and did stoke the flames a bit...hence my first post in this thread.

 

I can only say that I think the fact that you care enough to address the issue in whatever fashion shows that this is an outstanding source of information, and enjoyment.................Kudos on your fine work, and fine website.

 

Depending on software there are MANY ways that he can be banned. I will not go into any of them for reasons that Mark eluded to.

I run many forums and have been able to avoid banning, though it is not always possible.

For one I will not question the choice and hope if this person does decide to come back with another name they will know better than to bring the attitude that got them banned.

 

>>Not necessarily, he probably banned his IP address meaning 2c4s wouldn't be able to create a new username from his computer or home network.

uuhh... but doesn't almost everyone get a different IP address either through dialup, or through some sort of dhcp process with their ISP??

 

Way to go Mark!

Thanks,
Graham

_________________
'03 MCS, MM CAI, Rear Sway Bar, Control Arms, H-Sports, QS, Alta Pulley, Powerchip ECU remap, & Big Bore Throttle Body.