Shoutbox

[2D]

What is it's exact purpose? Is there a specific guideline as to what you can and can't post in there? Also, why is "spamming" the shoutbox bad? Is there a certain number of posts you can make in a row or something? Or do mods and admins just get angry or what?

Thanks, Jeff.

[theOperaGhost]

In general, the shoutbox is NOT to be used for conversations. Spamming in my opinion is when someone repeatedly posts smileys or if someone posts more than 5-10 shouts with no response.

What's its purpose...nothing...

[Cloud]

I think before jessi classed it as when people post so much that its all you can see nless you scroll down

[2D]

I think before jessi classed it as when people post so much that its all you can see nless you scroll down

That would be biased info.

And if it has no reason why keep it? It just begs to be used "wrongly".

[Cloud]

and how would it?
warnings are given when people spam anyway so no excuse for not knowing

[Tiberius]

"In the Shoutbox the main purpose for posting is to shout something out. Conversations are not encouraged. However, a short conversation (ie that doesn't cover the entire shoutbox screen that you can see on the index page) are allowed as long as they occur within the broader site rules to allow for some common sense and general comments to someone's shout."

"[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: Maybe it'll shut your ego up.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: And shove it down your goddamn throat.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: I will take this number. http://media.photobucket.com/image/c...g?t=1192377482"

That falls under the rule of "Do not attack or harass any members. Non-registered members also have the ability to view this site, and seeing attacks will likely give them a negative view of this site. If this guideline is flagrantly ignored, your post(s) will be seen as a violation to our no fighting/flaming/bashing policy."

These are all common rules and this explains what the shoutbox is for. You attacked myself and act like you aren't breaking any rules. Rules which are publically displayed and rules that you are suppose to read when you sign up for an account.

[2D]

Quoted from the FAQ's.

"An excessive use of smilies in the Shoutbox or posts is also not allowed."

I was using neither excessive smileys or posting too much. My posts were even with the other. There were 7 active users, and my posts never outnumbered anyone elses. No rules broken I would say.

[theOperaGhost]

Warnings can't be given if there isn't an explicitly set guideline to go by that the members know. If there isn't a rule laid out in the rules about spamming the shoutbox, it isn't enforceable. Rules can't be enforced if they aren't published for all to see. I hear the guidelines for shoutbox spam are in the mod section, but that doesn't do the members any good whatsoever.

[AllThatIsLeft]

ATM i cant remember the exact rule on this...
but i do think it's at mods discretion...
example. if there are over 10 messages within a minute from whoever i consider that spamming... and such conversation should be taken to pm

if the conversation has to be scrolled down .. that is spamming..

continuous messages from one person = spamming..
and so on.

[The Batman]

The shoutbox is BARELY moderated because people it's just a place to post random things that follow the rules. When we do mod it, then it's because of someone posting a lot of smilies, having convos, or posting over and over again and then it's only a warning.

[2D]

"In the Shoutbox the main purpose for posting is to shout something out. Conversations are not encouraged. However, a short conversation (ie that doesn't cover the entire shoutbox screen that you can see on the index page) are allowed as long as they occur within the broader site rules to allow for some common sense and general comments to someone's shout."

"[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: Maybe it'll shut your ego up.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: And shove it down your goddamn throat.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: I will take this number. http://media.photobucket.com/image/c...g?t=1192377482"

That falls under the rule of "Do not attack or harass any members. Non-registered members also have the ability to view this site, and seeing attacks will likely give them a negative view of this site. If this guideline is flagrantly ignored, your post(s) will be seen as a violation to our no fighting/flaming/bashing policy."

These are all common rules and this explains what the shoutbox is for. You attacked myself and act like you aren't breaking any rules. Rules which are publically displayed and rules that you are suppose to read when you sign up for an account.

Oh cut the narcissistic crap. And don't act all innocent. Please. :)

[Today 09:37 PM] Tiberius: Oh boo hoo, please take a number. The complaint box is over there...
[Today 09:33 PM] Motormouth: It should be a democracy. Or a monarchy/dictatorship. Pick an extreme. No halfway shit.
[Today 09:30 PM] Motormouth: Oligarchy eh? That's like one of the top three worst governments. Yippee.

That provoked me anyway. Along with the thread that got shot down earlier today that set me off. Sooo...


BLAME THE MODS!!!!!!!!!!

[Gumleaf]

the purpose of the shoutbox is to shout out ones feeling or opinion in a brief way. there are rules regarding the shoutbox, and they come under the same rules regarding posting in threads in general. spamming is considered as posting many times in a row in text, or a ridiculous number of smilies in a row. this is the main rule that is broken in the shoutbox. also, the shoutbox is for shouts and not conversations. conversations are encouraged to take place either in the flashchat or private messages or an instant messenger service. however, i do think the rules regarding the usage of the shoutbox need to be clearer and i'll try and have that taken care of. hope that has answered your questions?

[2D]

the purpose of the shoutbox is to shout out ones feeling or opinion in a brief way. there are rules regarding the shoutbox, and they come under the same rules regarding posting in threads in general. spamming is considered as posting many times in a row in text, or a ridiculous number of smilies in a row. this is the main rule that is broken in the shoutbox. also, the shoutbox is for shouts and not conversations. conversations are encouraged to take place either in the flashchat or private messages or an instant messenger service. however, i do think the rules regarding the usage of the shoutbox need to be clearer and i'll try and have that taken care of. hope that has answered your questions?

Whoa. Thank you. A kind answer. Thank you very much.

[theOperaGhost]

Since your thread in ROTW was locked..here is my post to you...

The first one was closed because it turned into insults and bashing. It was rightfully closed and I would have done the same thing if I were still a mod. The second one was closed because I reported it. It was in my opinion trolling and trying to start an argument. I know you're trying to make a point, and although I agree with your point, you weren't going about it the way it should have been done.

The first one was DEFINITELY locked for an appropriate reason and the second one was also, just not so definite. Procedure for questioning a mods decision is to PM that mod or a senior staff member, NOT making a thread about it...those thread can expect to be locked and will most of the time be locked.

[Sage]

There wouldn't be a rule against being a prick if nobody took insults seriously. I'll leave you all to interpret that as you may. :rolleyes:

[The Batman]

There also wouldn't be a rule if people didn't childishly insult each other over the internet.

[Eagle1]

I forgot we had one lol

[Giles]

There also wouldn't be a rule if people didn't childishly insult each other over the internet.

yeah! lol

[Sage]

There also wouldn't be a rule if people didn't childishly insult each other over the internet.

There's a little problem with that called human nature.

[Maverick]

Warnings can't be given if there isn't an explicitly set guideline to go by that the members know. If there isn't a rule laid out in the rules about spamming the shoutbox, it isn't enforceable. Rules can't be enforced if they aren't published for all to see. I hear the guidelines for shoutbox spam are in the mod section, but that doesn't do the members any good whatsoever.
The rules state quite clearly that spamming isn't allowed. That's all that needs to be said. Why would it be necessary to list every medium on this site (i.e. forum, PM system, blogs, social groups)?

Also warnings can be given even if it isn't explicitly defined. As its always said in our rules:

Unwritten (implied) rules still apply, as they are common sense.

[ShatteredWings]

Non-registered members also have the ability to view this site, and seeing attacks will likely give them a negative view of this site. If this guideline is flagrantly ignored, your post(s) will be seen as a violation to our no fighting/flaming/bashing policy.

Non-members can't see the shoutbox



The rules state quite clearly that spamming isn't allowed. That's all that needs to be said. Why would it be necessary to list every medium on this site (i.e. forum, PM system, blogs, social groups)?

Does that apply to the p101-type survesys in the blogs?

[theOperaGhost]

The rules state quite clearly that spamming isn't allowed. That's all that needs to be said. Why would it be necessary to list every medium on this site (i.e. forum, PM system, blogs, social groups)?

Also warnings can be given even if it isn't explicitly defined. As its always said in our rules:

Some people lack common sense. Implied rules aren't always obvious to people. I know the mods need to have some discretion when dealing with situations and not everything can be written out, but in this specific case, motormouth was NOT spamming. He had three messages (or something like that) in a row at most. Christopher then provoked him (although that wasn't his intention...his intention was sarcasm) and motormouth then continued to react to being provoked. Although motormouth (Jeff I believe?) overreacted a little bit, the situation was not properly handled until Stephen stepped in. The mods handling the situation simply responded with threats and warnings in a "you're wrong, I'm right" tone. Even going as far as to take what Jeff said out of context by posting only what he said after he was provoked in a post (this was done by Christopher).

"In the Shoutbox the main purpose for posting is to shout something out. Conversations are not encouraged. However, a short conversation (ie that doesn't cover the entire shoutbox screen that you can see on the index page) are allowed as long as they occur within the broader site rules to allow for some common sense and general comments to someone's shout."

"[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: Maybe it'll shut your ego up.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: And shove it down your goddamn throat.
[Yesterday 11:40 PM] Motormouth: I will take this number. http://media.photobucket.com/image/c...g?t=1192377482"

That falls under the rule of "Do not attack or harass any members. Non-registered members also have the ability to view this site, and seeing attacks will likely give them a negative view of this site. If this guideline is flagrantly ignored, your post(s) will be seen as a violation to our no fighting/flaming/bashing policy."

These are all common rules and this explains what the shoutbox is for. You attacked myself and act like you aren't breaking any rules. Rules which are publically displayed and rules that you are suppose to read when you sign up for an account.

This post does not include Christopher's shout which was brought up later by Jeff.

Oh cut the narcissistic crap. And don't act all innocent. Please. :)

[Today 09:37 PM] Tiberius: Oh boo hoo, please take a number. The complaint box is over there...
[Today 09:33 PM] Motormouth: It should be a democracy. Or a monarchy/dictatorship. Pick an extreme. No halfway shit.
[Today 09:30 PM] Motormouth: Oligarchy eh? That's like one of the top three worst governments. Yippee.

That provoked me anyway. Along with the thread that got shot down earlier today that set me off. Sooo...


BLAME THE MODS!!!!!!!!!!

The differences in times are due to the two parties being in different time zones.

Anywho...Jeff did absolutely nothing wrong on this night, yet the mods handling the situation were bound and determined to lay down an infraction on him for something (I know this because I was talking to all three of them at the time). Jeff maybe said some things he shouldn't have, but if we gave out infractions for that, every person on this site would have one, because everyone says things they shouldn't. I know the statement "Oh boo hoo, please take a number. The complaint box is over there..." would have provoked me (and many people) to say things they shouldn't have.

There is no possible infraction for this situation without abuse of power taking place.

[The Batman]

I'm not suppose to be here right now but since I was linked...

Some people lack common sense. Implied rules aren't always obvious to people. I know the mods need to have some discretion when dealing with situations and not everything can be written out, but in this specific case, motormouth was NOT spamming. He had three messages (or something like that) in a row at most. Christopher then provoked him (although that wasn't his intention...his intention was sarcasm) and motormouth then continued to react to being provoked. Although motormouth (Jeff I believe?) overreacted a little bit, the situation was not properly handled until Stephen stepped in. The mods handling the situation simply responded with threats and warnings in a "you're wrong, I'm right" tone. Even going as far as to take what Jeff said out of context by posting only what he said after he was provoked in a post (this was done by Christopher).
I can't speak for them(eventhough they probably have the same reasons) I responded to prevent an incident from happening anyone could have seen that it was not leading to a good spot and I took the steps that was needed to try and prevent him from getting infracted. If he continued on(which he did in some instances) then he could have been infracted for disobeying staff.



Anywho...Jeff did absolutely nothing wrong on this night, yet the mods handling the situation were bound and determined to lay down an infraction on him for something (I know this because I was talking to all three of them at the time). Jeff maybe said some things he shouldn't have, but if we gave out infractions for that, every person on this site would have one, because everyone says things they shouldn't. I know the statement "Oh boo hoo, please take a number. The complaint box is over there..." would have provoked me (and many people) to say things they shouldn't have.

There is no possible infraction for this situation without abuse of power taking place.
You might not feel as if he did something wrong because from what I've gathered you're mainly here to start problems and you love the drama(which is probably why you even posted here and in the shoutbox) but really though when someone asks you to stop then you should either take it with them through a private message or just end it there, you weren't talking to me during it because i left as soon as it happened. And if you're going to start bitching from being provoked then that show's your maturity level and patience the correct course of action is to report that person(moderator or not) and let them be dealt with accordingly not respond to escalate it and get yourself introuble.

[theOperaGhost]

Thomas, I'm not causing trouble here, nor did I post in here or in the shoutbox because I like drama. I was responding to Ant's response to me. My initial post was an answer to Jeff's question. Also, it is true that you left right away...sorry for including you in that.

I still feel that Jeff did nothing wrong.

And, you are one of the few people I never want to hear this statement from: "And if you're going to start bitching from being provoked then that show's your maturity level and patience." You are one of the most easily provoked people I know.

[The Batman]

Thomas, I'm not causing trouble here, nor did I post in here or in the shoutbox because I like drama. I was responding to Ant's response to me. My initial post was an answer to Jeff's question. Also, it is true that you left right away...sorry for including you in that.

I still feel that Jeff did nothing wrong.

And, you are one of the few people I never want to hear this statement from: "And if you're going to start bitching from being provoked then that show's your maturity level and patience." You are one of the most easily provoked people I know.

You might feel that way but really you don't know me and if I do get provoked I don't start bitching at everyone(which was the main part of the statement) on here if anything I go and rant to a few friends and leave it at that or I take it up with that person privately even though there was one time where I did do it publicly it still wasn't on this site. This thread isn't about me though so I'm getting off of that and if you want to finish it you know how to contact me.

And I don't care if you feel as if Jeff did nothing wrong because you aren't really in a position to do anything about another member being disciplined in any way only he and the staff members are.

[Tiberius]

Some people lack common sense. Implied rules aren't always obvious to people. I know the mods need to have some discretion when dealing with situations and not everything can be written out, but in this specific case, motormouth was NOT spamming. He had three messages (or something like that) in a row at most. Christopher then provoked him (although that wasn't his intention...his intention was sarcasm) and motormouth then continued to react to being provoked. Although motormouth (Jeff I believe?) overreacted a little bit, the situation was not properly handled until Stephen stepped in. The mods handling the situation simply responded with threats and warnings in a "you're wrong, I'm right" tone. Even going as far as to take what Jeff said out of context by posting only what he said after he was provoked in a post (this was done by Christopher).



This post does not include Christopher's shout which was brought up later by Jeff.



The differences in times are due to the two parties being in different time zones.

Anywho...Jeff did absolutely nothing wrong on this night, yet the mods handling the situation were bound and determined to lay down an infraction on him for something (I know this because I was talking to all three of them at the time). Jeff maybe said some things he shouldn't have, but if we gave out infractions for that, every person on this site would have one, because everyone says things they shouldn't. I know the statement "Oh boo hoo, please take a number. The complaint box is over there..." would have provoked me (and many people) to say things they shouldn't have.

There is no possible infraction for this situation without abuse of power taking place.
Jared, I left my post out for a reason. That reason being that it wasn't something that should have sparked anyone off and it also wasn't relevent to the point that I was trying to convay. I'm not sorry if I use sarcsm towards someone who is bitching about something and he ends up being wrong in the process. You ask a stupid question and you get a stupid answer. VT is a business, not a politcal system. Also, an infraction or a warning could have been given to him since he told me, and I quote," Motormouth:
Maybe it'll shut your ego up.
November 2nd, 2009 11:40 PMMotormouth:
And shove it down your goddamn throat.
November 2nd, 2009 11:40 PMMotormouth:
I will take this number. http://media.photobucket.com/image/c...g?t=1192377482"
I'm not sure about you, but saying that he's going to shove a granade with a pulled pin down my throat constitues a death threat which just so happens to be something that he CAN be infracted for or even banned. Hell, he can get arrested for it if I really felt like being an asshole.

Also, not to mention the fact that you are certainly implying that I am a bad moderator and let my personal opinions get in the way by saying: Christopher then provoked him (although that wasn't his intention...his intention was sarcasm) and motormouth then continued to react to being provoked. Although motormouth (Jeff I believe?) overreacted a little bit, the situation was not properly handled until Stephen stepped in. The mods handling the situation simply responded with threats and warnings in a "you're wrong, I'm right" tone. Even going as far as to take what Jeff said out of context by posting only what he said after he was provoked in a post (this was done by Christopher). I kinda don't like that when I never said or implied that I was right and that he was wrong.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

This thread started with a valid purpose, asking for clarification about what constitutes spamming in the shoutbox, but now we're on to discussing how Jeff was dealt with and whether or not it was deserved and yatta yatta. If Jeff was infracted or warned, and he feels it was wrongly given, he can appeal by PMing Ant about it. The discussion on this has gone on too long, though, I think. Jared, you don't need to be going on about how wrong or right the mods were when they responded to it. Having not been here for the incident, I can't say, but I can say that it's not your place to be complaining about this. If Jeff appeals and your opinion is wanted, someone will ask for it.

Oh, and before anyone goes off on me for trying to "silence the voice of the people," or something, and for just being a bitch because I don't like my friends being talked about in a bad light: don't bother. I'm sick of this talk about how we always back each other up and we're out to get you guys. Having not seen all of what happened in the shoutbox, I don't know what the "right" action would have been, so please note that I'm not defending anyone. What I'm doing is asking Jeff to take this elsewhere if he wants it to be discussed, and for Jared to stop his discussion of it because it doesn't really concern him.

[theOperaGhost]

disregard.

[AllThatIsLeft]

this is losing point.

[Gumleaf]

this is being locked by request of the op (via pm to a mod).