- Jun 9, 2001
- 94,209
- 58,794
Hey guys, we're going to be having a few updates here and I wanted you all to be aware of the changes. Most notably are some TOS updates and revisions, but we're also adding another method to contact a moderator should you need one. I will try to be brief, but there is a lot to cover.
TOS Changes
Racism, Sexism and Hate Speech
Recently we have noticed an increase of these issues being posted on the boards, in an effort to curb the violations and be consistent we're amending the TOS to include a dedicated section regarding these issues, that section is as follows:
What does this mean?
Racism, sexism, and hate speech have never been allowed, but through confusion and a lack of definite rules the lines were not always clear. Going forward mods will be more closely monitoring these topics. Things like inflammatory or demeaning language, sexual harassment, and attempts to create a hostile environment for a person or group are strictly against the rules. We can still have mature discussions about these issues but if discussion devolves into beyond a reasonable discussion users are subject to warnings and bans.
What qualifies as sexually demeaning or abusive language? Unlike other areas, a lot of terms used related to gender can have a variety of meanings depending on context. Banning specific words does not adequately address this issue. Instead, the focus has to shift towards removing this type of language dependent on the context it is used in.
Some examples of sexually demeaning and abusive language that violate this rule include:
- Use of terms designed specifically to negatively demean in a sexual manner towards another user ("slut," "whore,"). Referring to another user this way already qualifies as flaming, and is subject to ban along that progression.
- In a more general sense, posts/threads that include language used to generalize and demean an entire gender (referring to women in the general sense as "bitches," "sluts," or "whores,") will be moved or deleted. Again, the user is subject to ban in these cases.
Going forward, we will lock threads whose sole purpose appears to be harassing, trolling, mocking, or stereotyping gender/race/sexual orientation. Threads indicating or implying a race, gender, or sexual orientation is of inferior intelligence, less qualified for leadership roles, or stereotyping behaviors of these groups will be moved, and the users who post this type of content (whether in thread creation or general posting) will be subject to ban.
"Gimmick" accounts that are created as a means of posting or creating a hostile/toxic environment of racism, sexism, or otherwise harassment towards an individual or group of users will be cracked down on. If a new user shows a consistent pattern of aggressive and hostile behavior towards a gender, race, or sexual orientation, they will be subject to a much harsher ban progression, up to and including an immediate permanent ban from the boards.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment has never been allowed on the boards, but based off some of the discussions the mods have had with users on here, it unfortunately appears to remain a consistent issue. In case this somehow is not already clear to anyone, sexual harassment is not even remotely acceptable, and it is absolutely not tolerated on these boards.
It is also important for everyone to understand that harassment is more than simply sending another user unsolicited porn in PMs. Things like following a user around to various threads and making unwanted sexual advances and innuendos, hounding them for pics of genitals/breasts, etc., and tagging them repeatedly in threads linking to sexual content are also forms of sexual harassment. Yes, some users reciprocate the behavior and even condone/welcome it. However, often that's not the case. If a user tells you to stop this behavior, or makes it readily apparent they do not consent and do not want this behavior to continue, it has to stop immediately.
The mods consider this matter extremely serious. We go through a lengthy process to determine when sexual harassment occurs, and a large part of that is based off having tangible evidence of it occurring -- especially after a user has requested specific behaviors stop towards another user. If a user is found to have violated this rule, the ban will be a severe one, the minimum including a Final Warning -- and sometimes even a permanent ban if the behavior is severe enough. A user on Final Warning that violates this rule a second time will not be given another chance. They will be gone from the boards for good, regardless of whatever their board history otherwise is.
Nudity, Pornography, Pedophilia & Sexually Explicit Content
There have been a number of posts which intentionally skirt the line of acceptable and not. To clear this up we are going to more clearly address where the line is. The updated section reads:
What does this mean?
Obviously nudity including but not limited to pornography is not allowed. The old rules allowed for loose interpretation about what was acceptable and what was not with regard what parts were or were not covered by clothing. Going forward any picture posted must not show any genitalia, even if discernible under clothing. Pictures of nude people or seemingly nude are against the rules, this means things like see-through clothing and articles which are too revealing such as g-strings or tiny thongs are off limits. In short, if the person appears nude it will be treated as such.
Spam and Off-Topic Posts
We're trying to more clearly address the line of spam within the TOS and what is expected of you:
What does this mean?
Excessive spam and off-topic posts detract from the overall board experience. We want you to have fun but a few posters hijacking a thread to spam it defeats the purpose of the board and many times the thread itself. Bumping a thread without reason, filling a thread with extraneous replies, and of course advertising will be subject to moderation including content removal and bans.
____________________________________________
Contact Moderators Forum
New user conversation restrictions
____________________________________________
TOS Changes
Racism, Sexism and Hate Speech
Recently we have noticed an increase of these issues being posted on the boards, in an effort to curb the violations and be consistent we're amending the TOS to include a dedicated section regarding these issues, that section is as follows:
What does this mean?
Racism, sexism, and hate speech have never been allowed, but through confusion and a lack of definite rules the lines were not always clear. Going forward mods will be more closely monitoring these topics. Things like inflammatory or demeaning language, sexual harassment, and attempts to create a hostile environment for a person or group are strictly against the rules. We can still have mature discussions about these issues but if discussion devolves into beyond a reasonable discussion users are subject to warnings and bans.
What qualifies as sexually demeaning or abusive language? Unlike other areas, a lot of terms used related to gender can have a variety of meanings depending on context. Banning specific words does not adequately address this issue. Instead, the focus has to shift towards removing this type of language dependent on the context it is used in.
Some examples of sexually demeaning and abusive language that violate this rule include:
- Use of terms designed specifically to negatively demean in a sexual manner towards another user ("slut," "whore,"). Referring to another user this way already qualifies as flaming, and is subject to ban along that progression.
- In a more general sense, posts/threads that include language used to generalize and demean an entire gender (referring to women in the general sense as "bitches," "sluts," or "whores,") will be moved or deleted. Again, the user is subject to ban in these cases.
Going forward, we will lock threads whose sole purpose appears to be harassing, trolling, mocking, or stereotyping gender/race/sexual orientation. Threads indicating or implying a race, gender, or sexual orientation is of inferior intelligence, less qualified for leadership roles, or stereotyping behaviors of these groups will be moved, and the users who post this type of content (whether in thread creation or general posting) will be subject to ban.
"Gimmick" accounts that are created as a means of posting or creating a hostile/toxic environment of racism, sexism, or otherwise harassment towards an individual or group of users will be cracked down on. If a new user shows a consistent pattern of aggressive and hostile behavior towards a gender, race, or sexual orientation, they will be subject to a much harsher ban progression, up to and including an immediate permanent ban from the boards.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment has never been allowed on the boards, but based off some of the discussions the mods have had with users on here, it unfortunately appears to remain a consistent issue. In case this somehow is not already clear to anyone, sexual harassment is not even remotely acceptable, and it is absolutely not tolerated on these boards.
It is also important for everyone to understand that harassment is more than simply sending another user unsolicited porn in PMs. Things like following a user around to various threads and making unwanted sexual advances and innuendos, hounding them for pics of genitals/breasts, etc., and tagging them repeatedly in threads linking to sexual content are also forms of sexual harassment. Yes, some users reciprocate the behavior and even condone/welcome it. However, often that's not the case. If a user tells you to stop this behavior, or makes it readily apparent they do not consent and do not want this behavior to continue, it has to stop immediately.
The mods consider this matter extremely serious. We go through a lengthy process to determine when sexual harassment occurs, and a large part of that is based off having tangible evidence of it occurring -- especially after a user has requested specific behaviors stop towards another user. If a user is found to have violated this rule, the ban will be a severe one, the minimum including a Final Warning -- and sometimes even a permanent ban if the behavior is severe enough. A user on Final Warning that violates this rule a second time will not be given another chance. They will be gone from the boards for good, regardless of whatever their board history otherwise is.
Nudity, Pornography, Pedophilia & Sexually Explicit Content
There have been a number of posts which intentionally skirt the line of acceptable and not. To clear this up we are going to more clearly address where the line is. The updated section reads:
What does this mean?
Obviously nudity including but not limited to pornography is not allowed. The old rules allowed for loose interpretation about what was acceptable and what was not with regard what parts were or were not covered by clothing. Going forward any picture posted must not show any genitalia, even if discernible under clothing. Pictures of nude people or seemingly nude are against the rules, this means things like see-through clothing and articles which are too revealing such as g-strings or tiny thongs are off limits. In short, if the person appears nude it will be treated as such.
Spam and Off-Topic Posts
We're trying to more clearly address the line of spam within the TOS and what is expected of you:
What does this mean?
Excessive spam and off-topic posts detract from the overall board experience. We want you to have fun but a few posters hijacking a thread to spam it defeats the purpose of the board and many times the thread itself. Bumping a thread without reason, filling a thread with extraneous replies, and of course advertising will be subject to moderation including content removal and bans.
Contact Moderators Forum
A new forum is being created to discuss issues with a mod. While reports are still the preferred method of reporting TOS violations sometimes their one dimensional nature is a barrier. Posting on the forum allows for direct communication between mods and members without having to individually add mods to a PM. Threads posted on the forum will only be viewable by its creator and mods; this allows the same confidentiality afforded within a private message so more private matters including ban disputes can be discussed here in lieu of a PM. Misuse of the board will not be tolerated, spam or inflammatory posts which fall outside the board's intention will be removed. This forum is not meant to be a replacement for the report button or PMs, just an additional line of communication.
____________________________________________New user conversation restrictions
Due to multiple cases of individuals sending Private Messages which violate the terms of service, new accounts will be briefly unable to create new conversations/PM. The Contact Moderators board will be available for users who need to discuss a matter with a board moderator.
New Senior Mod[B]GTPorsche[/B] from the console lobbies has joined the senior mods. For the most up-to-date list of mods check this thread.
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