Harassment Policy Change

Woah thanks thats a great idea! <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

Question, though.... how can you tell if a user is continuing to contact you on the forums after blocking them if you can't see their forumposts?

Yay!! Now I can harass everyone!-- Just joking.
Okay it's good to know, thanks for the update

I like this idea, and I agree w/ Keith that it's not up to staff to determine what the "bottom" line for harassment is, that's up to each user, and since the mods do 'mod' they would be able to see and intervene if someone 'clearly' crosses a boundary. Each user has the ability to block when they choose to, and unblock if they so desire.

The only concern that I see needing attention is someone evading a block, which the mods/UA's would be able to see, and if a user repeatedly goes from user to user just to be a bully, their actions will also be noted and if felt severe enough, dealt with by staff. I have confidence in that.

With the forums and an expandable postbox, good idea, but lots for the db to handle, minimizing and maximizing posts depending who has x user blocked. Just block and forget. They may continue but why would you really care 'what' they say ? You have them blocked for a reason, and really, if you're 'that' curious, most subeta users have friends that probably would get them relevant posts, I suppose.

Overall I see this plan working, and most, if not all loopholes taken care of.

I think this is a wonderful idea. I generally prefer sites with 'block user' options because you never know when someone is going to hunt you down and harass you.

I especially think this will work well on Subeta, which (unlike certain other sites) only allow one account per user. So unlike other sites I've been on where the harasser goes on to make multiple accounts, on Subeta they get blocked once and it's over.

Yay. My only concern is...What if a person were to block a UA/MM and post and all. Wouldn't that effect our jobs?

Well, it's a good idea, and will definately help out the UAs, but it seems a little backwards to me. Removing the blocked person's posts from sight, for example, is a good idea... but won't really stop them harassing you. It just renders you oblivious to the fact they are doing it, but all other users can still see it. If by blocking a person, it would block /them/ from seeing /your/ posts, wouldn't it make more sense, as then they don't have any fodder to initiate harassment with?
Just my two cents worth. Either way, it is a move in the right direction! <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

I believe this is a wonderful idea. It will allow the users to decide what "harassment" actually is and will give the admins more time to deal with other areas of the site. Thanks, Keith.

you know-all keith is trying to do is free up his time to do more important things. we should be mature enough to be able to handle blocking people and not be elementry-"but...but they didnt get punished..." if they are truely one of those horrendous people who terrorize every living soul-then they will have no friends on here-satisfied?

The only thing that I wish we had was a notification that they had posted. It could get quite confusing, not know at all that a post was made. I personally, would like the option to expand the post if I wanted to, and see what they said. Not all people were blocked for the same reason,(maybe someone was blocked just because they kept offering junk on your trades, for example), and as much as I hate to admit it, the people I don't get along with have valid points sometimes...

yay for nice policies! I hate it when people randomly say mean stuff to you out of no where....its not very nice. (not that I've had a problem with it yet..)

Kudos to staff. Thank you <3

I am so glad that blocking people finally means I don't have to read their comments in the Sb. Thanks Keith!

I am so happy for this |D
People don't seem to understand that A} This is the internet. Its just text. On a screen. and that B} Harrassment isn't just petty name calling.

If it's serious harassment, the mods will notice.

Subeta is growing up sniffles proudly Its giving us more freedoms than any other site out there. I'm so happy to be a part of this community.

Because not always who says that has been harrassed really was.

But sdoes that mean we can stalk you and send random gifts now, Keith? Because we love you. Really. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_heart.gif" border="0" />

Well, just kidding. Sorta. Erm, I mean, some fans may still be stalkers.

I think this feature has alot of potential <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" /> Bravo

This makes sense- it's to avoid those comments then deal with confrontations. It'll make the staff's life easier too! Never had to use the block feature for any part of the site, but I'm glad to know it's there if I ever should need it.

Sounds awesome, thanks Keith

Now when can all be trolls.
<img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

Keefers thank you <3

Does that mean that if you got warned for 'harassment' that the warning will be taken away? xD

"Why would you need to defend yourself when you can take the higher road and not even bother with it?"

You might want to defend your point of view for the benefit of other users who will also see the Board.

I cannot count the number of times I've seen words twisted out of context for the sake of amusement and mockery.

Awesome, now I don't have to sugarcoat everything to avoid getting in trouble for being mean on the internet.

I love you Subeta- you're growing up. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />

The part about if you are blocked you are not able to see their posts-I think that they shouldn't be able to see your posts as well...it should be a two way street

i think this is a good idea

keith just wondering, if the reputation system kicks in again, can we decrease someone's reputation just for calling us an idiot or something?

And we do look at the legit ones, when they come in. Just the user now has the tools to try and fix it first <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />

Well, yeah. That's what comes with owning a website, I would think. You're going to get reports that are just whining over nothing, and you're going to get reports that are legit. You shouldn't refuse to look at reports just because of the whining ones. The legit ones are still there and need help. Harassers should be punished, and not just because they bypassed the rules to harass, but because they harassing to begin with. =( Nobody should harass people, and they should be punished for it when they're caught.

If they CONTINUE to harrass you after you've blocked them, then yes - they will be punished if you report it.

This isn't laziness on the part of the UAs, it's just not knowing how to handle a lot of situations where the user feels hurt, but it's not against the rules.

Being called an idiot isn't against the rules, for example.

I love this <3

=/ I don't think this is a good idea. Basically harassers get off scott free. They don't get shown that they'll be punished for harassing someone. Blocking doesn't mean jack. It doesn't punish them for doing something wrong, it just says, "Go start harassing someone else". I don't think that's right. I'm all for not being lazy, but (and no offense to anyone by saying this) aren't the mods being lazy by refusing to do anything about it? Maybe instead of this, report forms could be detailed. Where you would HAVE to provide at least one line that proves it's harassment. If it's truely harassment, there will be some comment that proves it as such. That way, mods wouldn't have to pointlessly investigate non-serious cases, and yet true harassers will still be punished. as someone who has been harassed before, I'm glad the report button was on my side. It's like a slap of the wrist to do this to harassers. I dunno, I just don't like it.

cool, XD thats smart!

Why would you need to defend yourself when you can take the higher road and not even bother with it?

I like all of that except I worry that if you can't see their posts, how are you to know what other people are talking about? Or, if they post something in one of your topics, or any topic for that matter, you can't defend yourself because you won't even know that they said anything.

I'm happy to block anyone who's acting like an ass towards me. I'm glad the forum posts and everything will be out of sight, out of mind. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

I think this is actually a very good idea. It gives the user the ability to decide if someone's crossed the line and do something about it. Admins have more to do than look into every case of whining of "Someone said something mean!"

Stop being lazy and block someone if they're bothering you. Really guys, this isn't a hard concept to grasp.

"Horrible idea, only going to let idiots who enjoy annoying people and ruining the site keep going when they should be IP banned. Harassing people is in my opinion on of the worst rules to break."

And you calling them idiots makes you an angel and wonderful person, eh? Pot, this is the kettle calling to let you know you're as black as I am <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_wink.gif" border="0" />

Guys, if some people bother you, block them.

<img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />

If people weren't so uptight and took things with a grain of salt instead of getting all upset about what some stranger said online, we wouldnt need blocking or warnings. Too bad even the older players cant act like adults here. Its like a bad TV show, if you dont like it, change the channel or just shut if off!

(If you are worried that you block someone and cant see what they are saying about you, really, its time to get out more, no offense, but seriously!)

<a href="/users/Windsong" id="userinfo_Windsong_1"><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/user.gif" border="0">Windsong</a><script type="text/javascript">toolTip('userinfo_Windsong_1', '<center><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/avatars/wit/bocricriwi.png"><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/user.gif"><strong>Windsong</strong><br />Member<br /><strong>Name</strong>: Christine<br /><strong>Posts:</strong>: 454<br /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_restock.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/sandcastle.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/goldaccount.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_potslottery.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_tile_coll1.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/aboxalypse.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_cards_gold.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_bubble_consecutive.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_polar.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/medal_trapped_bronze.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/plushie_rainbow.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/rswar_phoenix.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/medal_trapped_silver.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/beanbag_rainbow.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/krypts.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br />', 'User Information');</script> - I don't think it's our place to determine what you find harassment. If you don't mind a user calling you stupid in news comments, that's your personal preference. If you do - you can block them and not have to deal with it.

I don't think that I, or the UA department should have to determine what is "over the line".

It would help if the blocking system was actually WORKING. Just this afternoon I had a user who I blocked contact me after the fact.<p />Don't like this new rule at all.

"Horrible idea, only going to let idiots who enjoy annoying people and ruining the site keep going when they should be IP banned. Harassing people is in my opinion on of the worst rules to break."

QFT

While a wonderful function in many cases, I am dismayed that harassment needs to be blocked and is no longer warnable unless it's continued. People should be held responsible for their conduct online and have to be accountable for it. ~.~

People have already been unfrozen for it. Coughdablucough.

So I wonder does this mean that people who were frozen for Harassment will be able to dispute their freezings?

And kudos to staff for putting this in place.

Excellent, thank you so much ^^

Good idea. Give those admins a break. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_wink.gif" border="0" />

This'll be interesting, although I wonder, on the rare times that we might have to see their posts and we only reply to the others in the forums and not them, won't it seem like we're ignoring them.? <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_raspberry.gif" border="0" /> Heh, heh. Oh well.

Thank you for clarifying that Keith. Much appreciated. I started to go into 20/20 internet safety dialogue in my brain and worried about the younger kids that play and what they could still do..I was concerned that with this new rule bullys would just keep spreading their poison, ruining the game for many and go unchecked (basically they get blocked and pick a new victim..get blocked by the new one and pick another..and so on and so on)

Read about this yesterday

I'm... actually excited about this.
Now I don't have to worry about getting a harassment change when we call out idiocy on the forums. :<

<a href="/users/Dragon" id="userinfo_Dragon_1"><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/gold.gif" border="0">Dragon</a><script type="text/javascript">toolTip('userinfo_Dragon_1', '<center><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/avatars/pra/spivonodre.png"><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/gold.gif"><strong>Dragon</strong><br />Member<br /><strong>Name</strong>: white caiman<br /><strong>Posts:</strong>: 544<br /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_restock.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/goldaccount.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/plushie_platinum.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/beanbag_crystal.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_cards_copper.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_tile_coll1.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_polar.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_bubble_consecutive.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br />', 'User Information');</script>, I'm going to assume that you didn't read the news post.

#1 - If you feel like you're being harassed, you can <strong>block</strong> that user. And not see anything they're saying. IE: Not be harassed.

Then if they continue to skirt the blocking and find ways to harass them, you report it to a User Admin, who will investigate, and hand out warnings/freezings.

Horrible idea, only going to let idiots who enjoy annoying people and ruining the site keep going when they should be IP banned. Harassing people is in my opinion on of the worst rules to break. Other then hacking maybe, at least other forms of breaking the rules don't make subeta feel like a horrible place and never come back for the victims of the loser. Not that I've had problems, but some can't defend themselves, particularly younger players.

<a href="/users/WinterFae" id="userinfo_WinterFae_1"><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/gold.gif" border="0">WinterFae</a><script type="text/javascript">toolTip('userinfo_WinterFae_1', '<center><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/avatars/wet/frifropifr.png"><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/icons/gold.gif"><strong>WinterFae</strong><br />Member<br /><strong>Name</strong>: Your Resident Sea Beastie<br /><strong>Posts:</strong>: 741<br /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_restock.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_cards_copper.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/beanbag_crystal.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/plushie_platinum.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/goldaccount.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/rswar_phoenix.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/medals/trophy_bubble_consecutive.gif" border="0" style="width: 25px; height: 25px" /><br />', 'User Information');</script> - No, we're saying that it's not our place to determine what "harassment" is. If someone is harassing you, you report it to a User Admin, and THEN we will look into it.

Cannae see their posts?
I love you guys for that<img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_heart.gif" border="0" />

So doesnt this basically say to bullys its okay to get your fun harassing people online, because we arent going to warn or freeze you for it..

Out of sight, out of mind. If blocking is the option you suggest, it works for me. I have only ever had to block one person here, and it worked like a charm!

I don't like the idea of not being able to see their posts. Granted it will be awesome 90% of the time, what if they're the ones posting actual decent content, like previews fof example?

I tihnk it would be nice if a blocked users post just showed up as minimized. So we can just skim over if we so desire, but can open it up and see what it is if we want.

Thanks Keith....Working Hard to keep us happy...

Wow, this is nice. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

...alright. Thanks for the update. ^^; And thanks for extending it to the Forums...

haha that's brilliant. :^D

<b>Quote:</b><blockquote style="padding:5px; line-height:15px; background-color: #FAFFFF; border: 1px solid #000000; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10;">Also, when you block a user you will no longer be able to read their forum posts, see their posts on the shoutbox, or see them in other various parts of the site.</blockquote>

that is awesome.
thankyou (:

Erm.... okay then... can't wait to see what happens! <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />

I had a run in with this once and I still felt it wasn't my fault. Anyway, thanks. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_raspberry.gif" border="0" />

If you block a user, that means that you don't want to see their content.

The other user, should still be able to see what you're posting, just not reply directly to it.

Not being able to see their forum posts anymore = awesome.

thanks keith...this should save a lot of people much hassle... <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />

I think this is a good idea. c:

haven't had this problem, but it's good to know i have options for handling it.

i like it-the admins. should be working on bigger things than immature people throwing fits. i love the new system! <3

One more step towards independence for users and less work for UAs. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" /> Thanks for keeping us posted. <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_heart.gif" border="0" />

Shouldn't you make it so the person couldn't see what you were doing instead of the other way around?

Then don't block them.

Hm, I don't know how I would feel if somebody was saying lies and nasty things about me on the forums/shoutbox, but I couldn't see it <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_happy_sweatdrop.gif" border="0" />

Err.. Yay? I've never had to block anyone.

I haven't had this problem except once after I first started, but the information is good to know. Thanks.

Awesome. Glad this finally extended to include the forums.

Ooh, thank you for that. I haven't had a problem with it yet, but I am glad that if I ever do, it'll already have a solution.

Well, this could free up alot of admins time atleast for more important tasks, thanks for the update <img src="http://www.subeta.ws:8080/images/smilies/6398_emoticon_heart.gif" border="0" />