Forum rules

markwbird · Jul 30, 2016

OK, now I'm curious. What'd you do? I have engaged in a few lively debates myself. I can't seem to help it.

SFS · Jul 30, 2016

According to Phil, a first warning is just a warning:

"Each warning is worth 1 point. 2 points = 1 week ban. 3 points = 1 month ban. 4 points = permanent ban."

Though that is not specified in the forum rules:

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/about.php?task=tou

Scott T-Bird · Jul 30, 2016

I've been banned for a snide remark in the AAS forum. It was shorter than 30 days and I was rude, so probably deserved. If you own up or acknowledge Phil's point of view, I would bet that you will be forgiven. Rules? I'm not really aware what they are except that common decency is expected. I find that self-deprecation usually smooths out the rough edges at times when I'm too acerbic. I have no problem laughing at myself.

Brian D · Jul 30, 2016

Capta, you were given two warning points in the same thread for the same reason.

As mentioned by others here, this forum is for helping those who do not have the experiences that other have. We are here to encourage others to take up the challenge of sailing in conditions and events not normally done. There will always be inexperienced seeking advice from experience. With that in mind, we have to keep an open mind that not everyone has a degree in English literature and cannot express themselves coherently. We have to try and not be too harsh on the poster(s). This is why you received two warning points in the same thread.

All we ask of the members here is to be flexible. Yes, there will be some off the wall questions that to many of us seem like basic knowledge, but to the poster is very legitimate. So when that happens, be the teacher, not the criticizer.

Remember, each one of us was a beginner, and if our teacher beat us every time we did the smallest error, do you really think we would still be sailing?

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 30, 2016

SF & the Guys,

I also found that I broke(?) the rules. It was not my fault but, the poster & I were both charged.
I felt humiliated & insulted. But, current rules are rules. I was not aware.

I have always made it a point not to belittle, castigate, or ridicule a member based on their post or opinions.
Keep in mind that a forum such as this is like Evolution & thus will improve over time hopefully without sanctions.

Rules are important. Do they cover every situation, NO but, they are fluid for improvement.
I sent a suggestion I had to possibly save face & advance the rules.

Here is what I suggested"
SBO,
Instead of just blocking someone from what they had posted in a thread,
why not just ban them from reading or posting in said thread & not ban
them for five days or more as a first warning? Maybe, these members also offer good advice in
other threads but, let themselves go off tangent in a particular thread or, just worded it wrong.
People are not perfect, especially us sailors.

If singled out, this can remain private between SBO & the causer for rule breaking. And, it is not as restrictive as a ban but maybe, a rule setting fix that saves face & avoids such issues in the future.

Gee, I hope I am not banned for this, as I feel I stayed in the spirit of the thread..........

CR

Brian D · Jul 30, 2016

For the most part, the rules here are pretty simple and mostly tolerable. However, every once in a blue moon, something triggers the animal instinct in some members and they go off the deep end. So we issue warning shots across the bows by editing post or even deleting post. If that is not warning enough then I really don't know what else we can do. (this is referencing going off the deep end, not minor infractions)

Remember that the Moderators here that have the sole purpose of trying to keep the peace. That peace is really self policing and we are GREATLY appreciative of that. Then there are the ADMINS who if they feel if the forums are threatened by anarchy they will shut someone down quickly. And finally, you have met SBO POLICEBOT. He/she is the person that will step in very quickly and issue vacations to those that he/she feels they really need one. Heck, I wish he/she would give me a vacation.

Anyway, the forum runs smoothly in part by the quality of the membership we have. The forum is really self governing. If one of the above mentioned ADMINS feels the need to step in, they will.

At this point, if you feel that your were wronged, please send a PM to @Phil Herring. Phil is the ADMIN who is in control of us MODERATORS. I am sure he will be happy to answer any additional questions.

As always, my thanks to the many forum members that will bite their lip before typing in a reply.

Head Sail · Jul 30, 2016

Brian D said:
For the most part, the rules here are pretty simple and mostly tolerable. However, every once in a blue moon, something triggers the animal instinct in some members and they go off the deep end. So we issue warning shots across the bows by editing post or even deleting post. If that is not warning enough then I really don't know what else we can do.

People don't necessarily go back and re-read their posts to see if they have been edited or deleted. I would think they should actually receive the warning before being cast off.

Phil Herring · Jul 30, 2016

Sorry I am arriving late.

Due to the make-up of our forums, we feel a strong responsibility to make them safe for beginners. No one who is unsure of their knowledge is going to post in a forum where other contributors are being lambasted for seemingly knowledgeable opinions.

In practice, this means you are free to disagree with people all day long -- disagreement is heart of discovery -- but you need to do in a civil, respectful manner. If you feel that is unfair, this is not the forum for you.

capta: In the thread in question, you told a long-time, respected member of this forum, a liveaboard cruiser, "if you don't know _____, get off the water." I paraphrase a bit, but not much. To me, that is an especially egregious attack and completely in conflict with our goals as a forum. And yes, you received an unusually strong response. Consider the response a reflection of how much we don't want that kind of post here.

The rules are not difficult, and they are nothing to fear. Your opinions are always welcome, your temper is not.

Davidasailor26 · Jul 30, 2016

Capta,

Respectfully - Airing your complaints on the Ask All Sailors forum seems like poor form. Couldn't you have brought this up in PM to Phil or the Mods, or at worst in the Site Talk forum? I generally appreciate your input here, but I saw one of the posts that got you banned and it was not cool. Please just take your medicine and go back to helping the other users, not shouting about how you think you were wronged almost 2 months ago.

Maine Sail · Jul 30, 2016

capta said:
I have no questions. I've got it now. Either I tip toe around on here or I get thrown off, without warning. Got it.

Actually you had two written warnings in that thread. Any and all warnings should be heeded and not simply ignored...

SBO is simple all you need to do is act like a human being, be polite, be courteous, don't be rude, don't be a troll, and simply follow the forum rules. If you demean, belittle, insult others, act rude or attack another poster you will get warnings. If you get warnings, and don't modify your behavior, you may get a vacation.

This is very simple BE NICE!

For anyone who's missed it please take the time to read the Forum Rules/Guidelines

You will find a direct link to the Forum Rules when ever you hit "REPLY" and the link will be right above your avatar. As they say in Maine "Ya cahn't miss it"...

JohnVTX · Jul 30, 2016

capta said:
2 warnings in one thread? How is one supposed to know that there are two? It's not like they were labeled #1 & #2. Anyway, I was banned BEFORE I even got the warnings. Yep, that'll teach me. Darn tootin!

Ban him again. I don't think he has learned.

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