No Trolling Rule

Just informing everyone that there is a new rule which can be found here.

No trolling You may not post derogatory messages about sensitive subjects and controversial topics to bait someone into an emotional response, or to disrupt on-topic discussion.

The wording might be changed around a little, but basically, learn it and live by it. Trolling isn't a big issue around here for the most part, but some members have been guilty of it, to the point of it causing unnecessary drama and making this place suck.

Examples of trolling:

Way back when Titus' grandmother died, Mantra felt the need to bring it up at every turn with the sole intent of upsetting Titus and getting a rise out of him. This ended with Titus eventually resigning as administrator. This is a clear example of trolling.

For further examples of trolling go to D3v's profile and "Find All Posts by User."

Of course, we'll give appropriate warning before taking any action against any members guilty of trolling. We might even be a bit more lenient in the beginning since it's a new rule and everyone will have to get used to it. However, this rule will be enforced, strictly. Trolling is a big problem, not only on forums, but on the internet in general. There have been MANY times where one member decides to troll another and it completely derails a thread and turns into flames and bickering.

Let me, or any of the other staff members know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this new rule.

Also, before it even starts, yes I'm aware I've been guilty of trolling in the past, and so has probably every member here with the exception of a few. As the rule is not retroactive, this is not relevant to this thread, so don't bother mentioning it, as it will just be removed.

Out of sheer curiosity, is there something specific that prompted this new rule, or is this just something that was years in the making?

Trolling is allowed in the Chatbox?

Nope.

People have been banned for trolling in the Chatbox before now (one guess as to who and by whom), and a new Banned group has been set up for people who were banned because of things in the Chatbox.

The wording is still being debated, but the rule will eventually encompass all forms of trolling.

To put it bluntly: no trolling at all. Whilst posts and Chatbox will be the main things we're looking out for, if we happen to come across trolling in user tags, signatures or profiles etc, a warning will be issued, with bans for repeat offences.

To take Titusfied's grandmother as an example again, if Mantra had put a derogatory comment about the subject in his user tag, signature or on his profile, he'd have been warned, and banned should he have done it again.

Personally, I think enforcement should be very lenient in the chatbox, as it's supposed to be very casual. Also, the chatbox ban is just that: a ban from the chatbox; normal forum usage is still allowed.

Out of sheer curiosity, is there something specific that prompted this new rule, or is this just something that was years in the making?

A bit of both.

I've cleaned up this thread. No more spamming or flaming. If anyone has an legitimate questions, suggestions, criticism, or concerns, please feel free to post them here, constructively.

If you want to bitch and moan, flame, nitpick, nonconstructively suggest changes (i.e. "Go jump in a lake!"), or anything of the sort, either do it in the Talk To The Staff forum, or don't do it at all.