Clarification of ratings and reactions

Firstly, we the STAFF apologise for any problems that may have occurred due to these new rules, but unfortunately we all agree that these things are something we need to keep on top of at MFGG. The rules on trolling and such are never going to change to suit what you like, we cater for a wide audience here and we need to keep it a clean and civil place for EVERYONE.

Still, there has been confusion on BOTH sides of the newest lot of rules concerning trolling in the form of reaction images or ratings, and this post is here to put any and all of that confusion to rest.

Please KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS OFF THE BOARD and post about them in this topic if you have a question, and as for bans, if you feel you've been banned for something that was a mistake, the rules clearly say keep it off the board and PM or IM a mod or admin to get it sorted out.

On a personal note, stop blaming me for all the mistakes concerning these rules =P I'm just the messenger for the most part, all the staff agrees generally on rule changes and such, i'm just posting it here.

ON REACTION IMAGES

-If someone posts a topic about how their life sux for example, meant to be serious, regardless of the forum it is posted in...
-Then someone posts a reaction image of a crying baby for example...
=That's a troll and a WARNABLE offense (and warrants deletion of the post so the topic can continue unscathed). Note that whether it's a troll or not is up to individual discretion, so if there's issues, PM's can be made to clear up the issue.

We're currently developing a new warn system that'll come into effect soon enough, I can't talk about it yet because it's not all finalised, so don't ask.

Now on the flipside

-If someone posts a topic in the CCC...
-And someone then posts a reaction image randomly that isn't a troll or intended as a troll...
=If the topic continues without anyone complaining much, it should be OK
=If someone complains, it warrants only a VERBAL WARNING to the person stating that someone has taken issue with their post and it may be deleted if they continue or something like that

Another view

-If someone posts a topic in the GENERAL CHAT...
-And someone posts a reaction image randomly...
=That warrants a WARNING and a post deletion as it is spam and the General Chat does not allow single-word spam posts that have no substance whatsoever. Even if it had substance, I don't think they should be allowed in the General Chat so perhaps the image can just be edited out upon asking a user.

ON "TROLL RATINGS"

-If someone posts a topic about any subject, regardless of the forum it is posted in...
-Then someone posts a rating on their post for no good reason...
=That's a troll and a WARNABLE offense (and warrants deletion of the post so the topic can continue unscathed). Note that whether it's a troll or not is up to individual discretion, so if there's issues, PM's can be made to clear up the issue.

Now on the flipside

-If someone posts a topic in any forum...
-And someone then posts a rating but it's not meant as a troll and there's more substance than JUST the rating...
=If the topic continues without anyone complaining much, it should be OK

---

The line between what's a troll rating and what's just a rating on a movie or a piece of art for example should be clear enough for anyone to understand.

On troll ratings; I think that if there is going to be such strictness about troll ratings and trolls, it should be fully stated what a "troll" is, as there is some confusion about it among MANY members.

My 2¢.

I hope this clears up a lot of stuff for the people who keep going around asking what the deal with the bans are.

So what's this about a new warn system?

kritter, this is the issue with the topic. the mods dont seem to be speaking for themselves as a whole anymore. you won't ban for reaction images, but black squirrel might. (not singling him out, example)

Well yeah though honestly what's a troll and what isn't should be pretty clear. I gave 2 examples up there for both ratings and reactions.

I guess a troll is anything that could be deemed offensive or hurtful or something that's meant to be offensive etc. Regardless of whether it's a joke or not, and something that isn't as harsh as a flame but still an unnecessary post.

To use the old rules terms "don't be an ass"

Whoops, that's just something I left in from the Forum 12 post. Most admins and mods posted in the topic agreeing to the clarification though in general so technically it's "in our view it should be warnable first". It might not appeal to some but honestly we can't please everyone.

Couldn't say even if I wanted to, it's not ironed out yet so there's not enough details to bother saying other than "it'll help define the punishments necessary for lesser offenses like trolling much better while still keeping everyone in line" as well as keeping track of things better like repeat offenses.

Makes sense. Don't forget to include that it is done "for the lulz".

it's good that you guys are finally clearing this up for yourselves and the members

I have a question

When are you going to stop being the poster boy for these new rules? Are the mods using you as some sort of meat shield or something? Or perhaps you're the one who called these new rules into action yourself? MFGGers kinda want more of the story than you're simply letting on or holding back.

Second, do you care more about your ban-count? Or if less MFGGers get banned? Because this whole thing sort of sparked a huge storm here and you're just pissing gasoline every new thread and every new oh so witty and edgy reply you make (while you, yourself, troll). Perhaps the fact that "NO TROLL RATINGS" is being pushed so harshly is the reason why everyone's reacting so badly and doing things out of spite.

Third, unrelated to troll ratings, why were you made mod in the first place? Did we ever really go over that?

That's not how reaction images work, they're supposed to be what emotion YOU'RE conveying. It's the same as simply posting "lol" to something funny or outlandish except with a little flavor added I don't see what the big deal is.

i'd like to take the time to mention i was banned over this (as well as zash and crashman)

This post has been edited by MegaMan on Jul 28 2009, 01:27 AM

Apparently you have 3 but that's beside the point

Does it really matter much who posts it? You've seen Forum 12, we have a discussion and then we post about it here after we've deliberated. Since other mods and admins are busy or attending to other things I post them here, that's really all the story there is. It'd be the same post whether Tri or Guinea or BS posted it, i'm just the guy who decided to do it.

New rules were called into action by all of us to be honest and we spent a long while working out specifics and typing it out etc, we all chipped in and there might be issues but we'll work 'em out.

Not an exciting story and honestly not worth telling =P There's no big conspiracies at MFGG

Ultimately it'd be awesome if people accepted the rules and all the bans stopped, who doesn't want that? As for pissing gasoline, well mods are human too and everyone makes mistakes and i've made and apologised for plenty in my time but i'm working hard to fix things where I can and learning when I make them and that's the more mature thing to do I think so i'm gonna keep doing that.

Some people brought my name up in Forum 12, I got asked and I replied with "sure, i'd love to help". Ooooo riveting.

Well saying "lol" isn't any better is it? Moot point.

However if you posted one that was shocked looking and actually followed it with a supporting paragraph then exceptions could probably be made. Though in the General Chat you'd honestly be safer just posting the paragraph without any reaction image just to be safe.

Cliffhanger!

I just find it strange how one can leave for such a long time then become mod. I even found some old thing on DA when Cutman posted what happened a while back. You posted about how you left MFGG.

But hey, you haven't set anything on fire, so I can roooollll with it.

This topic DOES clear up a few things.

I have a legitimate question

Why not just lift the ban, since it obviously isn't helping mfgg in any way?

assuming this is the troll rating ban, mfgg has obviously gotten better since the ban.

reaction images? eh that just stirred up more trouble than it was worth esp considering there was no clarification but hopefully this sorts things out

It isn't? I think it's great.

call me a libertarian but I just think the whole thing is dumb and frivolous and just creates more problems

the fact that you even needed to make a clarification thread like this in the first place should be a red flag

Clarifying the rules a red flag does not warrant.