Borderline Forum Rule Violations

[Shawn Gossman]

Most of us have rules on our forums, right?

If someone breaks a rule, we [admins or mods] take the appropriate action necessary to resolve the violation. Sometimes it's just a warning, sometimes it's a suspension or a ban.

But how about borderline forum rule violations?

This is when a member bends the rule slightly but doesn't break it. They get very close to violating the rules, but they don't violate them. Some may even do this and then argue that no rules were broken if you try to say anything about it.

How do you respond to this sort of thing? Have you dealt with this in the past?

 

[Tracy]

If it does not break the rules... like in real life... no violation occurs so no penalty should be applied.
If the admin does not appreciate the closeness that the bending was done, they can easily modify the rules to encompass that aspect.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

If it does not break the rules... like in real life... no violation occurs so no penalty should be applied.
If the admin does not appreciate the closeness that the bending was done, they can easily modify the rules to encompass that aspect.

But do you jump in there and at least say that the rules are being bent and to watch out?

I'm sure you've had that sort of experience in LE.

 

[Tracy]

But do you jump in there and at least say that the rules are being bent and to watch out?

If I did, it would be in a DM/PM type environment. But honestly... give someone enough rope they usually will hang themselves.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

If I did, it would be in a DM/PM type environment. But honestly... give someone enough rope they usually will hang themselves.

Right,

I totally agree with doing it in DM/PM. I disagree with telling people off in public unless they're being such jerks that they need to be put in their place.

Most things can be handled in private.