The "I didn't break a rule" members

Triumvirate · Posted: 9/14/2005, 2:36 pm Post subject: The "I didn't break a rule" members

Not sure if I'm the only one who has seen these types of members but basically what they do is push to see exactly how far/how much they can get away with. Recently I had trouble with a person who was doing this who then told me that he hadn't "technically" broken any rules. What I told him was that he broke the principle behind the rules, which in my opinion is almost worse than outright breaking the rules. A user who knows the rules/understands the rules and the spirit in which they were written but then attempts to hide behind technicalities is to me a worse offender than most others who just break the rules out of ignorance.

After some further conversation with the person he ended up being removed from the community. I should also mention this wasn't his first offense and he had been warned earlier for it (by other mods).

Anyone else have/had members like that? If so how do you handle it?

Siberian Fox · Posted: 9/14/2005, 3:10 pm Post subject:

Write your forum rules to be deliberately vauge.

One of the rules on my board reads in part "Remain courteous and respectful to other users of the forums at all times". That is pretty all encompassing.

I also have a disclaimer "In addition your account may be deleted or edited by the forum staff at any time without prior notification for whatever reason".

Alternatively make them a moderator. Wink

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Thoul · Posted: 9/14/2005, 3:21 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I've seen those from time to time. If it's a minor or first time offense (say, bumping once) I let it slide without a comment. If they constantly press it, I think it will almost always end with removing them. I view "I didn't break a rule" as something of an effort to really say "I make the rules here, not you." It's like they just shot themselves in the metaphorical foot.
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Patrick · Administrator

Yeah, I agree with Siberian and I do the same. Regardless of what they may think of your guidelines... I am warning you now and you cannot do it again and that's it, really.
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harishankar · Posted: 9/14/2005, 8:25 pm Post subject:

This is an essential aspect: respecting the spirit of the community as well as the rules. I think users who try and bend the rules to their advantage should be warned at least... I haven't really had a problem on my board yet, but if I see any member trying to push my limits I should at least warn him.
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dojo · Posted: 9/15/2005, 12:36 am Post subject:

Agree with the fact this is more serious than just breaking a rule since they failed to read the guidelines. I do think the last option mentioned by me is also serious (since they HAVE to read the guidelines), but hey, I'm not as mean as my avatar makes me look Laughing

I just point them to the rules and then let them be. If they deliberatelly break them and push too far I ban. I had a webmaster community owner (who'll remain nameless) who placed incentives in the sig (join my forum now) and I warned her. Afterwards she placed an image (warned again, pointed her to the rules). Then she made some promotional posts without meeting the rule (20 messages before advertising - now the category for that is hidden until the get 20 messages, thank God). Again, told her it's not OK and deleted the post. When she asked for a Forum review (that's done only in my hidden forum development area, not the main forums) I just banned her. It was too mcuh for me.
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marc · Posted: 9/15/2005, 10:24 am Post subject:

We have no guidelines, so they can't break them.

But what I say goes, if I don't like him/her, nothing they can do about it.

Very Happy

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Siberian Fox · Posted: 9/15/2005, 12:59 pm Post subject:

In my limited experience marc, that approach doesn't work too well on serious debating forums. Even on a relative spamfest of a discussion board it can cause problems if otherwise popular board members are banned without any 'proper' explination. It can lead to users viewing the admin as unfair, and mass defections to other boards. Then the admins hands get tied behind their backs by board user 'politics' (user W has allies X, Y & Z etc). The hassle is not worth it. A solid set of rules to be abided by is far better in creating a feeling of staff that are 'firm but fair'. Plus, users know where they stand and so feel more secure to post, knowing that if they behave in a certain way their position on the board is safe. Nobody wants to be a sycophant.
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