The Smiley Smile Message Board

Those of you who have browsed the updated rules thread may have already noticed this, but for those who haven't...

on the behalf of my fellow mods, we'd like to welcome Lowbacca to the fold as the newest addition to our team.  He's a great guy and really  knows his stuff...

Now where did I leave my spare red carpet....

I didn't notice. Good on you, Lowbacca.

Link to the updated board rules, for those who haven't seen it

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,122.msg552295/topicseen.html#msg552295

A quick query about the rules.  When a poster quotes another poster, but alters the quote to say something different (whether for malicious or comedic purposes), is that an offence?  I'm sure that at least one of the moderators has said it is in the past*, but it's not in either the old or the new rules as written.  If doing this will lead to sanctions, could this please be written down, and the parameters laid out?

* Found it:

Thank you guys. I love this board and the people. I'll do my best to uphold its awesomeness and civility.

Congratulations, Lowbacca!

(http://s30.postimg.org/5e2y7sl3l/Capture.png)

This remains an integral part of this website.

Ahhh...I forgot to edit that out...thanks!

Congrats to Lowbacca!  Great addition to the Mod Team.

Wait.  What?  This just says you are working on the new rules.

The rules themselves were updated; the notice at the bottom just says we're still doing some tweaks.

Thanks Billy.  I now see you did it as an edit.  -Will

I think this is the final revision.

Congrats Low man!

Man, the things you miss when you don't log on to the board in almost two weeks...

Reading the rules, it sounds to me like one moderator can ban someone. Seems to me it should be a majority, which would mean 3 mods would need to be in agreement. Is there a specific rule in place here? For sure, if a member has suddenly said stuff that was way out of line, it would make sense for one mod to do a temporary ban until all 4 mods can be contacted and discuss the issue and make a majority decision.

I'm glad to see (unless I somehow missed it) that the old rule of a third ban would result in a lifetime ban is gone. It didn't make sense in that it did not take into account how long someone had been a member, how frequently they posted, and the seriousness of the infraction that caused a ban. For sure a case by case basis makes a lot of sense in that regard.

Also, the rules might state that a ban will be for a specified period of time, for example two weeks, a month, six months, or a lifetime ban in the case of a very serious infraction or willfully repeated infractions where a member ignores warnings from the mods.

Since the mods are still working on revisions, I sincerely hope that trolling will be an offense that is defined and addressed in the revised rules.

The current rules state that "Private messages will not be read by a moderator unless warranted by the behavior of a board member.  Anyone who becomes a cause for concern due to rude or abusive behavior may have their accounts temporarily frozen and their private and public messages examined to see what final actions should be taken." But in a previous thread Guitarfool2002 stated that the mods have no ability to read private messages. At this point there is confusion among members as to which statement is correct.

Finally, I know that moderating this board is a responsibility that our mods perform for free, and I truly appreciate their efforts, but it would be good to have a section (either in the board rules or another section entitled "How to Contact the Moderators" where a member could be advised of exactly how to contact the mods. Confusion can exist since Billy C generally posts under a name other than Billy C and Smile Holland has been known to on occasion as well. Also, whereas the rules refer to Craig C. as Guitarfool, using his true screen name Guitarfool2002 in the rules would make it easier for newbies or those who don't frequently post.

Again, thanks mods for your efforts. I'm really glad to see the rules being revised. Things have been very calm and collected on the board for the past few weeks, and I hope they stay that way.

Thanks for the feedback.

To address the first point...we actually do discuss it prior to making any moves, unless it's something extremely urgent (which isn't often). If that happens, we do end up discussing it, and if the initial action is outvoted, it's overturned.

We don't have the ability to read private messages directly. If the situation warrants it,  we may ask for them to be forwarded to us. To use one example...speaking hypothetically... one member accuses another of  threatening them. Well, we'd need proof before any action was taken. I think Chuck can view them directly, so if it came down to it, we'd ask him to check...to ensure the forwarded messages were what was actually sent, and hadn't been adulterated in any way. Cause if it is found to be false, then obviously that's another issue. Thankfully, it hasn't gotten to THAT point before.

I have to watch what I do at certain times, and there's a reason why I don't post under my own name that much. As I'm working more hours at work, I often check the board there. It's ok (now...) as long as I don't 1)do it while on the phone with a customer  and 2)don't make myself identifiable as an employee.

Anywho, thanks again for the feedback. It is much appreciated.

Well...I'm here to threaten you Billy...and I do so publicly and for all to see.  If I ever run into you ANYWHERE on the face of this planet I'm gonna give you a great big HUG and maybe even a slap on the back for the various and sundry efforts made here.

Best to Lowbacca and all of the mods.  Seems things around here are visibly 'cooler' these days.  'BOUT time.

Oh...and I'm still not a Rocky fan [AT ALL] although Mr. Stalone is, no doubt, a fine fella. ;)

Happy New Year one and all. :hat

Thanks Lee...greatly appreciate it.

Things do seem chill here lately...I'm digging it.

Happy New Years, all!