What I've been doing (Justin, tell me to stop if you want) is been keeping a closer watch on those who are constantly trying to pick fights. I've been much more lenient to those who aren't traditional problem causers.

For example I am talking about posters like Society, Tiernan, Art/Capone.

When they are the ones making unwarranted personal attacks I am more likely to give them an infraction as to keep the whole situation from escalating.

But when another person in response to one of these guys has a personal attack (as long as it's not too over the top) like calling them an idiot or ass I send a PM or make a post in the thread warning people to lay off the personal attacks.

I am basically looking at the situation and trying to figure out the best way to apply the unwarranted personal attack rule. When people are responding to said troublemakers it is sometimes warranted, but to keep personal attacks on the minimum regardless of whether deserved or not is probably best.

I know it's been mentioned that some I have given out are questionable but I weigh a few things when I do give out more questionable ones... whether they have multiple questionable posts in that thread already, what their history is like and what the overall purpose is (basically how the person generally behaves). For example, earlier I gave out a "weak" one to society, but it was not the first "questionable" personal attack he made towards the ND fan in question.

And from what I can tell it is helping to curtail. A few days ago I gave a few to Tiernan and he has been better behaved as of late (at least towards not insulting other posters)... he's still obnoxious in general though.

Anyways, I just wanted to make a post to discuss what I was doing and why. And I wanted to make sure this is in line with what Justin wants.

Sounds good to me.

It's like the NBA. You give the T to the person who started the shit, not the guy who retaliated (to an extent).

Still, just because someone is trolling doesn't mean the other person had to respond by calling them a cocksucker.

I have no problem with the pissing matches (well I do, but it's not breaking a rule), but in terms of attacks I have a VERY low tolerance on those two forums. Those retards have all been warned, so it's straight to infractions as far as I'm concerned. Every other post this weekend was someone getting called a fag or asshole. If that isn't attacking and name calling, then I don't know what is.

The only thing I'd say I have a problem with is the one you did by Society, since it was in response to a post by Sherm that does contain a personal attack (believe a fag comment, although I don't remember). Regardless of the reputation of a poster, it is a bad precedent if we're modding them for their response to a more over-the-top post.

In my opinion, the best thing to do would be set up some sort of anti-threadshitting rule, as the worst trolls here (Modell, Society, Tiernan, etc.) do a lot of their damage simply derailing threads with stupid bullshit. That Kevin Kolb thread is a prime example of that --- Browns fans arguing (occasionally with great hostility...ie: CoA vs. Durkie) about his merits...Modell blows shit up with trolling...it turns into a bitchfest that won't die. Or Society going onto food-related threads that bigdaddy's been on to make fat slams directed at him. Or Tiernan/sleeper/CCrunner/NCF on anything Notre Dame-related.

Like, let it be known that threadshitting shouldn't be tolerated...and that if a known troll starts a thread about your team, eating habits, etc...don't be a fucking dumbass and don't fucking post on the shit.

Heretic;498732 wrote:The only thing I'd say I have a problem with is the one you did by Society, since it was in response to a post by Sherm that does contain a personal attack (believe a fag comment, although I don't remember). Regardless of the reputation of a poster, it is a bad precedent if we're modding them for their response to a more over-the-top post.

In my opinion, the best thing to do would be set up some sort of anti-threadshitting rule, as the worst trolls here (Modell, Society, Tiernan, etc.) do a lot of their damage simply derailing threads with stupid bullshit. That Kevin Kolb thread is a prime example of that --- Browns fans arguing (occasionally with great hostility...ie: CoA vs. Durkie) about his merits...Modell blows shit up with trolling...it turns into a bitchfest that won't die. Or Society going onto food-related threads that bigdaddy's been on to make fat slams directed at him. Or Tiernan/sleeper/CCrunner/NCF on anything Notre Dame-related.

Like, let it be known that threadshitting shouldn't be tolerated...and that if a known troll starts a thread about your team, eating habits, etc...don't be a fucking dumbass and don't fucking post on the shit.

This. It's the root of the problem. Everyone has been givin' a chance to make this into a site that's not heavily moderated. Unfortunately, the actions of a few affect the masses. It's not like there's some occasional cursing or a personal attack here and there, every thread turns into a name-calling, pissing match. I guarantee the BS on the CFB and Pro Football forums are keeping alot of good posters from getting involved.

se-alum;498804 wrote:This. It's the root of the problem. Everyone has been givin' a chance to make this into a site that's not heavily moderated. Unfortunately, the actions of a few affect the masses. It's not like there's some occasional cursing or a personal attack here and there, every thread turns into a name-calling, pissing match. I guarantee the BS on the CFB and Pro Football forums are keeping alot of good posters from getting involved.

Exactly. (At least with these posters/forums) we're beyond the "If we moderate it too much we're just like JJ" point, and have advanced into the "This is why we can't have nice things" territory. They aren't just toeing the line with little zingers that need to be let go, they're like 5 miles over it by calling each other cum guzzling shitbag morons every 3 posts. It HAS to be keeping people away, there's no way it's drawing people in.

These regular suspects have had ample chances to make it work and keep it as loosely moderated as possible. In my opinion, they blew it miserably.

se-alum;498804 wrote:This. It's the root of the problem. Everyone has been givin' a chance to make this into a site that's not heavily moderated. Unfortunately, the actions of a few affect the masses. It's not like there's some occasional cursing or a personal attack here and there, every thread turns into a name-calling, pissing match. I guarantee the BS on the CFB and Pro Football forums are keeping alot of good posters from getting involved.

ts1227;499125 wrote:Exactly. (At least with these posters/forums) we're beyond the "If we moderate it too much we're just like JJ" point, and have advanced into the "This is why we can't have nice things" territory. They aren't just toeing the line with little zingers that need to be let go, they're like 5 miles over it by calling each other cum guzzling shitbag morons every 3 posts. It HAS to be keeping people away, there's no way it's drawing people in.

These regular suspects have had ample chances to make it work and keep it as loosely moderated as possible. In my opinion, they blew it miserably.

This is why I am taking the approach that I am. I am using a different standard on the known problem children just because they are the ones that are "5 miles" past the line. And I am generally just giving out warnings in a PM or on the thread itself to the other posters who toe the line. Is it necessarily fair? I think it is. It's not like we are banning or suspending after one infraction. They are receiving points that accumulate for repeated bad behavior. These points expire after time. They have plenty of opportunity to modify their behavior to be in line with a more friendly environment.

Fly4Fun;499198 wrote:This is why I am taking the approach that I am. I am using a different standard on the known problem children just because they are the ones that are "5 miles" past the line. And I am generally just giving out warnings in a PM or on the thread itself to the other posters who toe the line. Is it necessarily fair? I think it is. It's not like we are banning or suspending after one infraction. They are receiving points that accumulate for repeated bad behavior. These points expire after time. They have plenty of opportunity to modify their behavior to be in line with a more friendly environment.

I think that's fair. Even rational people can only take so much. It sucks that you can't go on a thread, make a point, and debate it logically like adults without having someone calling you an idiot or a "fucking moron". It gets old, real quick, and it's the same people every time. At some point you have to ask, "What is this poster adding to the site?" The HS forum is a good example of what the other forums could be, sure there are a few ppl that get in trouble, but the majority of threads are good discussion! Hell, even the Big Red threads are civil!

se-alum;499213 wrote:! Hell, even the Big Red threads are civil!

THIS. Even people from Steubenville (not named Capone) can talk shit without calling names and character attacks, and they are very "special" people down there. And though they irritate the shit out of some of the other posters, they don't snap back at the Big Red fans by calling them a dumbass bag of cocks either... the discussion just continues.

I'm supposed to focus on that forum, but I've only had to send 1 PM and unpaarove 1 post all season thus far.

whoa...this is serious business in here....i better get the hell out!

se-alum;499213 wrote:Hell, even the Big Red threads are civil!

It was hell at first..they definitely were not civil from the start. Lol

GoChiefs;499565 wrote:It was hell at first..they definitely were not civil from the start. Lol

Must've been before my time....I'm a rookie ya know....

Heretic;498732 wrote:In my opinion, the best thing to do would be set up some sort of anti-threadshitting rule, as the worst trolls here (Modell, Society, Tiernan, etc.) do a lot of their damage simply derailing threads with stupid bullshit.

Tiernan attempted to threadshit in a thread about HIS OWN TEAM today. The OSU thread is pretty dead and is pretty much idle game chatter because they are just demolishing Indiana, and he still had to come in with "herp derp scUM and retard robinson etc etc" because of their result last week. What a jackass.