New Infraction / Warning System - Points for rule violations

[Nifty-Chicken]

Simple answer: Trolling is whatever a combination of our members and moderators feel is trolling.

Complicated answer: 82.165% of the time when someone gets a warning for trolling, the response is "Well, I was only telling them the truth! If you're community can't deal with people telling the truth, then you must be Nazis!"

95% of the trolling problems on forums is not WHAT is said, but HOW it is said. (see more under "Trolling & Forum Etiquette:" here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2185470#p2185470)

Trolling isn't always on purpose. Sometimes people feel they are just being "honest and direct" but they come across as jerks and trolls. That's why we try to work with people on how they express their opinions. Hopefully our new warning system will help people to know when they are being reported and their posts are coming cross as trolling. Fortunately most of the time people can learn how to share ideas over textual communication without coming cross as a troll.

We have over 8,000 posts made on BYC per day. The vast majority of people know how to post their opinions, even when they are different, without causing a problem. It really comes down to the style of writing.

We recognize that it isn't always easy to know how your tone might be interpreted. Sometimes the way it is interpreted has nothing to do with you (someone reading may already be in a bad mood and report the friendliest post because they projected their bad mood onto it). Fortunately we have a very diverse group of moderators that usually discuss reports, especially those that are interpretable, before giving warnings. Chances are good that if a member (who reported) and 3+ moderators all think something is trolling, so will almost all of our members and site visitors.

So, I wish I could tell you where that magic line is, but I can't. All I can say for sure:

1) Thousands of members are able to post without even getting close to the line.
2) It's a good idea to stay away from the line, even if you know or don't know where it is.

I'm not sure how much that helps, but I know it is possible in most cases to post differences of opinion without trolling.

Thanks for asking the question.

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:

Yes, we only use our super powers for good.

Great, I will be waiting for my good super power to happen.

 

[redhen]

So... i guess i'm still confused about that line, because we still dont know where it is, ....

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to answer me, Rob..
You've always been a fair/kind person in dealing with me.
That much i CAN say..

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Believe me, all of us moderators wish we could make the line SUPER clear and easy to identify and demarcate... it sure would make our jobs infinitely easier.

Unfortunately there are too many variables in various situations and context that make it completely impossible to define a specific line for all situations and all people all the time.

It is kinda like me asking you, "What is the best way to raise and discipline a child?" Sure you can give me some very good specific examples of procedures that will always work for every child all the time (e.g., don't stab them with a fork), but I can also guarantee that each child and case for care / discipline is different and will require child/situation specific care and attention.

The same applies here. It is impossible for us to say "Here are all the millions of situations of trolling and here is the line for each one of them."

Fortunately, the fact that thousands of members are posting without getting reported shows that it is possible, if not easy, to learn and determine what is and isn't appropriate to post on our community.

 

[BYC Project Manager]

As one of the Project Managers for the BYC Recognition Awards, please know that receiving an Educator, Friend or Spirit Award does NOT EXEMPT ANYONE from receiving Infraction points if the Mods warrant them necessary.

I was very disappointed to see some Friends involved in getting a thread shut down this weekend - a thread started by one of our Educators barely lasted 24 hours before it was turned into a joke and had to be shut down.

I hope those involved received the appropriate infraction points, and I hope those involved all sent PM's to the Educator and apologized for getting his thread shut down.

 

[ozark hen]

Quote:
Not that you asked mea but......I can only give you advice on what I do ...at the same time as I bite my tongue....if I have a different point of view..then I keep my mouth shut and move out of that thread gritting my teeth. It isn't my thread so I feel the best way to handle it...for me...is to get out. Trust me..I am one of those people who has to have the last word but I am learning. LOL

 

[BrattishTaz]

Quote:
I believe I know which thread you are referring to. I guess I would be one of the "Friends" you mentioned. I, along with many others believed the thread to be a hoax. A photoshopped joke on BYC members. I am not familiar with that particular OP and apologize for the silliness if it was in fact genuine.

 

[awesomefowl]

I think this is a great idea!

 

[EmtheFishLady]

Quote:
I believe I know which thread you are referring to. I guess I would be one of the "Friends" you mentioned. I, along with many others believed the thread to be a hoax. A photoshopped joke on BYC members. I am not familiar with that particular OP and apologize for the silliness if it was in fact genuine.

X 2.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
I think the points idea is a great thing to bring everything to more fair and level playing field. But I am confused a bit, and sure hope I'm not breaking any rules by asking this, but I really wanted to know... Please understand, I am in no way questioning any admins or Mods, I just am not sure I'm understanding it all right. I'm the first to admit I'm a bit slow...

So I'll just ask?

Only a very tiny percentage of people thus far have recieved an award. In an earlier statement by Nifty.. not sure if I can do this quote thing right because I'm computer illiterate, but I'll try;

Quote:
Isn't this contradicting Nifty's statement on not to"parade someone's mistakes (Intentional or not)" ?

I was rewarded with a "friend" badge, and although I'm not sure if this was a thread I was involved in, it still sorta made me feel singled out and yes, I'm a bit embarrassed.


So for whatever wrong I did, I do apoligize to the OP and if someone will be so kind as to point me to the OP in a PM, I'll be happy to apoligize directly to them.

Again, please understand I am in NO way trying to argue or start anything, just trying to understand.