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I would like to make a suggestion that when a city-data user receives an infraction or number of infractions that results in their access to post / DM being suspended that they are notified of exactly how long that suspension will last.
Recently, after almost 4 years of regularly contributing to city-data I experienced an unpleasant situation on a local forum that resulted in my account being "suspended". While I don't agree with how I was treated I am not here to make a complaint about that action. I understand the moderators are allowed a certain level of discretion on how they handle their forums so I'm happy to chalk it up to a learning experience and put it behind me.
However, when I received notice that I had received an infraction the DM simply stated that "This infraction is worth 1 point(s) and may result in restricted access until it expires". I suddenly found myself unable to post and unable to send DM's to request clarification on just how long my suspension would last. Would it be 24 hours .... 3 days ... 10 days .... a month? I didn't have a clue. I searched the city-data TOS and didn't find my answer there either.
I was in city-data jail limbo. Left without information I felt I needed or a way to obtain it. In the end my suspension was apparently 3 days. However, not knowing how long it would last at the time made an already unpleasant experience that much more frustrating.
While I don't intend to get another infraction and experience first hand if the policy will be revised, I think it would be very useful and appreciated if the length of suspension was communicated to the city-data member at the time the infraction is recorded.
I truly enjoy contributing to the forums here and value the city-data community and the relationship between the end-users and the moderating team and I appreciate your time and consideration of this issue.
However, when I received notice that I had received an infraction the DM simply stated that "This infraction is worth 1 point(s) and may result in restricted access until it expires". I suddenly found myself unable to post and unable to send DM's to request clarification on just how long my suspension would last. Would it be 24 hours .... 3 days ... 10 days .... a month? I didn't have a clue. I searched the city-data TOS and didn't find my answer there either.
I was in city-data jail limbo. Left without information I felt I needed or a way to obtain it. In the end my suspension was apparently 3 days.
"0-1 point infraction serves as a warning and the rules remainder - it does nothing to the posting priviledges. 2-9 points restrict a poster - meaning they can still read the forums, use private messages (though limited) but they can not post. 10 points is a ban - the poster can't access the forums All infractions may be temporary (usually 3 days) or permanent."
Thank you for the responses. I don't want to get into the details but lets just say I had three points. For some reason I could not DM to get clarification and I couldn't find the information I was looking for concerning how long my suspension would last.
Eventhough I have been posting on city-data for several years I was unaware of the info in the FAQ or that I could view the infractions / expiration date in my profile. Perhaps it would be helpful if a brief explanation of where this information can be located was included in the DM sent to the user receiving the infraction? I know it certainly would have helped me at the time.
We will look into including the general information into the automated message. It will still, however, be up to a moderator to inform users of any additional changes to the timing. I will point it out to the staff that they should notify the members if the infractions are longer. Thanks for the suggestion.
"0-1 point infraction serves as a warning and the rules remainder - it does nothing to the posting priviledges. 2-9 points restrict a poster - meaning they can still read the forums, use private messages (though limited) but they can not post. 10 points is a ban - the poster can't access the forums All infractions may be temporary (usually 3 days) or permanent."
Do infractions that are "expired" still add up or do they reset to zero once they expire?
The only points that restrict a member's access are active points. Points are active for a specific period of time, usually 3 days, after which time the active point total resets to zero. But the period that points are active will often be made longer than 3 days if the violation has been committed more than twice. That's why the system keeps track of inactive points, so the moderators can know the member's history and discourage repeat violations of the same rule.
Inactive points are recorded in the member profile. Members can see their inactive points, if they have them. The moderator team and administrators can see members' inactive points. But members can't see anyone else's points.
I'm curious. I have no infraction points. I'm under the impression that they do add up and after awhile the axe can fall and a ban can take place. Just wondering.
The only points that restrict a member's access are active points. Points are active for a specific period of time, usually 3 days, after which time the active point total resets to zero. But the period that points are active will often be made longer than 3 days if the violation has been committed more than twice. That's why the system keeps track of inactive points, so the moderators can know the member's history and discourage repeat violations of the same rule.
Inactive points are recorded in the member profile. Members can see their inactive points, if they have them. The moderator team and administrators can see members' inactive points. But members can't see anyone else's points.
OH, OK!
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