Moderator and Banning guidelines

Here are some of the Guidelines that moderators have to follow. This is so you know that the mods also have rules they have to follow and don't just do things on impulse or because they are on a 'power trip' :)

It is for reference only and Some parts of the guidelines have been removed which outline HOW moderators do their moderating (ie the process).

Here it is.......





This thread is to be as a summary of the terms and conditions, and a guideline for moderators.

In summary the following needs to be taken into account:

A. No racist, sexist or any 'ist' comments will be accepted.
B. Don't let people make personal insults at each other.
C. No threats.
D. Try and keep topics on track (esp. if its in the technical section).
E. No posting of links/URLs to illegal websites/files (including torrent files/sits and mp3 sites/files).

In addition to that please be aware of the following:

1. Make sure that posts which are made under the wrong forum heading are moved to their correct location.
2. If you come across a thread which you think shouldn't be posted, but are not sure, then move it to the Moderators Corner (DO NOT leave a redirect of the thread) so we can discuss it. Once we give it the tick of approval, then we can move it back.
3. If/when you edit a user's post, make sure you state your username so we know who has edited that post, and put your text in either bold or italics (pref italics).
4. OzHonda Terms and Conditions
5. Initial registration terms and conditions here (need to be logged out to see this).
6. Terms and conditions for the For Sale forum here.
7. Terms and conditions for The Lounge here (Remember no advertising or spamming in the lounge).
8. Under no circumstances is a member's account to be deleted. Even if he/she requests it. The account maybe disabled, however NEVER deleted as we require records of IP, posting time etc.

The idea is to have a respectable and friendly environment (I can't stress how important this is).

Moderating the Marketplace

1. No off topic replies unless they are relating to the item(s) for sale and help the buyer learn more about the product.
2. Nothing is perfect so a few (say 2-3) or so off topic will be allowed before intervetion.
3. If more off topic posts start accumulating, then reply back and inform others that OT posts are not allowed.
4. If the case arises where there are an extensive amount of off topic posts (ie a few pages, and the content is clearly getting sidetracked) then deliver an ultimatum such as:

Quote:

---

The next off topic reply (ie one that is not related to the sale) will result in a 1 week disabling of that users account.

---

5. Under no circumstances should a user be banned without a prior warning.
6. Marketplace bans should be 1 week and no longer.
7. The user being banned MUST be notified via email and be informed that he/she needs to email the moderator back if his/her account has not been re-activated once the ban period has expired.

I realise some of these conditions are a bit 'iffy' but use your common sense. Lets not get too strict and only ban someone if their post is intentinally off topic after a warning.

Warnings / Infractions / Banning users


1. The infractions sysstem and Banning users

• When a user does/says something that is wrong you can no longer ban him/her straight away unless it is a special case. You MUST instead use the infractions system which is outlined in this site discussion thread.
• If there is a need to ban a user instantly (ie a special/extreme circumstance) use the infractions system but this time enter a "Custom Infraction" with a value required for a permanent ban. Note that this is ONLY to be used in EXTREME circumstances.
• If the issue of infraction points will result in an automatic ban then you will be prompted to enter a Ban Reason. Ensure you enter a concise reason in here as this is the only notification a member gets when he/she tries to login after a ban.
• Don't trail back into peoples post history for the reason of infracting. Prevention, not punishment.

Moving threads (to their correct forum)
This is more related to moving threads in / out of the Model specific and Technical sections.

• If a thread is made that applies to only one particular Honda model, then it belongs in the Model Specific section. Otherwise it may remain in the Technical section
• Exceptions are those threads that are made in the "Suspension/Handling" forum and the "Forced Induction" forum.
• Use your discretion and if in doubt make a new thread in the moderators corner with a link to the thread in question.

Locking/Closing thread

A thread may only be locked if:

• The original question has been directly answered with no further avenues for discussion. If in doubt, keep the thread open and lock it only once there are off topic replies.
• All locked/closed threads must have a reply by a moderator indicating the reason the thread was locked/closed

Deleting threads/posts

• Where a thread is deleted the user doesn't have to be informed via a PM as to why his/her thread was deleted.
• Posts may be deleted provided a reason is given (in the soft delete 'reason' box) as users can now see deletion notices. A PM is not requird for deleting a post.
  
  
  
• Posts may be deleted when:
  (a) A DIRECT threat is made to another user.
  (b) a non Ozhonda Trader posts up a price for his/her item.
  (c) A unrelated reply is made to a thread in the Marketplace.

Editing a post

• If you have to edit a post for whatever reason, please include your username and why you edited the post. (Eg wynode edit: Removed sale item)

Moderating The Lounge

In addition to the first post in this thread:

• When moderating the lounge (and the SPAM thread in particular), remember to moderate according to the demographics of the spammers - in saying that, don't expect the spammers to be UN diplomats, but rather younger, fun loving individuals.
• When there is a thread or a post that contains adult content, the thread post icon MUST be the '18+' icon. To do this just edit the thread and choose the icon as in the image below

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/../data/18_plus.jpg

Updated "Deleting a thread":

• Where a thread is deleted the user doesn't have to be informed via a PM as to why his/her thread was deleted.