Suggestion Finalized Banning Procedure

[The Chairman]

On January 15, 2003, 7 users were banned from Scubaboard. Most of the moderators and a few of our users were not satisfied with the process, and so we began discussing the hows and whys in the moderator’s forum. Subsequently we even opened up a new forum for our users to be able to express their thoughts and ideas.

In formulating the new process, we wanted to ensure to resolve a few issues germane to the larger issue. These would be communication, fairness, consistency and moderator responsibility. To this end we have come up with the following process:

Temp bans (5 days) can be called for by any moderator and are automatic. This can be in response to any violation of the TOS (moderator’s discretion), harassment of others, flaming others, or trolling. The moderator must send a notice (even though an administrator has to flip the switch) to the affected user’s e-mail and detail why the suspension was initiated. These should be rare and can be conditional.

Perm Bans are considered when the user exceeds 2 suspensions in less than 6 months, openly challenges authority (not just asking a question), threatens anyone in any way, or has blatantly violated the TOS. A perm ban requires 8 moderator’s approvals or a 2/3s majority of the mods voting, which ever is more. A temp ban should be called for first and then perm banning should be discussed for at least 5 days. The mod who initiated the temp ban is in charge of the process. They will also set the time for a vote (at least 5 days) and send the appropriate message if so needed. These should be very rare and can be conditional.

Under no circumstances will Scubaboard moderators or administrators disclose reasons or rationale for any disciplinary action to a third party. We view this as a privacy issue and are committed to protect the privacy of the board's users at all times. While we do respect a user's desire to request a review of the status of their account, we specifically forbid the use of sock puppets (multiple user accounts) or another user's account to make your case. All such requests must be sent to scubaboard@moderninsider.com for consideration. At this point of the process, we will not feel obliged to correspond any further unless we change your status. All moderators and administrators will forward any and all such requests sent to them personally as well.

Perm bans can be re-visited by any mod at any time and only need a simple majority of the mods voting to be rescinded.

As with any “invention” you are never sure how it works until tested. So it was suggested and then decided by the mods to subject the January 15 bans to the new process. 4 of the original 7 had perm bannings initiated and those are being discussed. While we hoped to have 3 of those 4 finalized today, server issues have made that impossible. However, we can report that Cobaltbabe, Raven C and 00Scuba have been subsequently restored to full user status. We welcome them back into the Scubaboard fold, and extend our sincerest thanks to those users who gave us input into this issue.

 

[JohnF]

No, but I would say the sexual reference violates the family nature of the TOS.

I think it's actually your inference that would violate the TOS so that places the culpability on you. 8)

JohnF

 

[chrpai]

I think it's actually your inference that would violate the TOS so that places the culpability on you. 8)

JohnF

Ah yes, its always the fault of the reader, not the writer.

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

Hmmm... well what about SeaJay? He's done the most of anyone to get people from all over the board out diving, which, after all, is what ScubaBoard is about right? He did alot for ScubaBoard and what did ScubaBoard do for him?

Ben

they kick him to the side !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MechDiver]

I think you'll find that the "bad raps" for rec.scuba tend to be mostly in the minds of those who didn't like the heat there, but I agree, rec.scuba sure isn't for everyone. My point was that despite the occasional battered ego, rec.scuba is still a viable dive forum. On a positive note we seldom have meaningful discussions about propriety there as there's no set of rules to follow. It's a free for all and somehow or other most of us survive it.

JohnF

rec.scuba is a cesspool. And the hooey about "if you can't stand the heat" is horsepucky. I spent a number of years on there and finally got to the point of enough is enough. Yes, although there are a number of very knowledgable people on rec.scuba, their posts are drowned out by the likes of Popeye, the late airpig (or whatever his name was), and many others.

Rec.scuba is a viable nothing.

 

[Steve_S]

Given the "one time only" mission of the Suggestions and Feedback Forum as posted at: http://www.scubaboard.com/t45831.html

It seems to me that it's time to close this Forum and continue to take input via a Feedback Form and only a Form. Or you could set up a special Member account for this purpose so folks could PM their thoughts.

IMHO, these would be the only 2 acceptable and compliant way for folks to send ideas, vents, and thoughts.

The advantages should be self evident: You eliminate off topic stuff, repetitive venting, continue to recieve ideas, insure the civility of the Community, and no longer provide a public place for folks to go over the top. Many great Communities at a similar stage in their growth cycle due this with outstanding results.

Just my thoughts.

 

[wrongkey]

Despite the signal to noise ratio, yes, highly informative. Along with more than I ever wanted to know about American politics, guns and welfare, I learned a lot about dive related stuff, like DIR for instance. For some reason it seems to come as a surprise to many that many rec.scubans are pretty darned knowledgeable about DIR. I learned a bunch from the likes of MHK(Cali), Udo R. & Cliff Beshers (NYC) & Scott Koplin (PNW) about DIR. On the Stroke side guys like Mike Gray (Fla) & bullshark (Fla) et al have been very helpful. Then there are the many who hover in between the two camps but offer up a wealth of useful advice and information. Those are folks like Lee Bell (DIR-L from Fla), Popeye (Team 3 from Tennessee), Randy Millak (Hyperbaric chamber stuff from Canada), Al Wells (Cave country), Geo Morris (ex-Fla tekky), Brian Wagner (Ohio Sonic Cannon Operator), Luann Lee (Ohio Quarry Commando) and so on. I've left too many names out but you get the idea. Seems to me I remember Dave Dalton (Atlantic coast) & Jim Wyatt (Fla Keys) offering up a few things on occasion.

Admittedly the dive-related stuff has been scarce of late but the expertise and knowledge is still there and available for those who take the time to harvest it. Rec.scuba gets a bad rap from those who haven't had the patience to hang in. I've made some great real life friendships there, and always have excellent dive guides ready to show me around and even put me up for a night in almost every diveable part of the USA. Under all the sturm und drang some of these characters are the best damned divers most of us will ever see, DIR or no.

JohnF

John, the last time I checked, most of the folks you mentioned as being helpful, as well as a large number of others unmentioned, had disappeared entirely from rec.scuba. All that was left [with ever increasingly negligible exception] was the chaff.

 

[cyklon_300]

diving as the Yahoo Finance boards are to investing...

Mostly smack-talking and off-topic. I heartily recommend it to the malcontents here.

 

[JohnF]

John, the last time I checked, most of the folks you mentioned as being helpful, as well as a large number of others unmentioned, had disappeared entirely from rec.scuba. All that was left [with ever increasingly negligible exception] was the chaff.

Granted, a couple of them have disappeared, but more have just gone to lurk mode. I know they're still there because we correspond by email regularly and we meet to dive occasionally. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to defend rec.scuba wholesale. It has more than a fair share of shortcomings for a dive forum, although it is pretty unique in the genre. I was merely addressing one point which implied that it has never been a source of information.

JohnF

 

[cornfed]

I heartily recommend it to the malcontents here.

That's actually where a lot of people here came from.

 

[fgray1]

Or do you really care so much that you think what you say matters to anyone but you.
Reality CHECK.
Me personaly , I'm just bored at work.
Fred