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#26 2010-05-03 19:17:36

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

hmnwilson wrote:

Thanks for posting this.

What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).

I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.

That's an interesting idea.... It's been really helpful to read some responses to this and similar threads that suggest that Scratchers really don't understand why and in what situations we block accounts. No wonder there is a lot of fear and confusion!

re: 3 month block: I think you mean 1 month block, and in this particular situation, it was not a first offense, or without warning.  hmm

I should say a little more: There are only a few Scratch Team available to moderate the community. If we unblock someone once after they promise to be respectful, and then they break that promise, how can we trust them?  How can you tell if they really do want to change, or if they are just asking to be unblocked so they can say more mean stuff, or troll? It's a tough problem - one that I hope we can find better solutions to someday. But for now, if we don't feel strongly that we can trust someone who has lied to us in the past, we can't afford to keep unblocking them.  sad


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#27 2010-05-03 19:22:55

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

DaGamez wrote:

I think you should unban lonwol.
He promised he wouldn't ever, EVER swear again, and he's like an idol on scratch. Everyone loves lonwol... He's epic xD
Can't you give lonwol a second chance? I mean, the word he said was almost a compliment xD It's just a hello without the o. And in school they teach you about that place xD
Well, I don't believe in god or anything, so I don't really know if that's very offensive to christians who believe.

We certainly don't encourage the use of the word "hell," but no one has been blocked just for using that word.  And we would definitely prefer that people didn't use it because some people do find it offensive.

re: Second chance: Everyone who has been blocked is entitled to request to be unblocked. That's why the page Scratchers see when banned includes a contact us form on it.  If we deny that request (rarely, especially if it's the first time they've been blocked), we will always explain why. But making additional accounts and disrespectful posts is not a good way to ask to get unblocked - it just makes the block last longer.


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#28 2010-05-03 19:23:30

hmnwilson
Scratcher
Registered: 2007-07-04
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Lightnin wrote:

hmnwilson wrote:

Thanks for posting this.

What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).

I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.

That's an interesting idea.... It's been really helpful to read some responses to this and similar threads that suggest that Scratchers really don't understand why and in what situations we block accounts. No wonder there is a lot of fear and confusion!

re: 3 month block: I think you mean 1 month block, and in this particular situation, it was not a first offense, or without warning.  hmm

I should say a little more: There are only a few Scratch Team available to moderate the community. If we unblock someone once after they promise to be respectful, and then they break that promise, how can we trust them?  How can you tell if they really do want to change, or if they are just asking to be unblocked so they can say more mean stuff, or troll? It's a tough problem - one that I hope we can find better solutions to someday. But for now, if we don't feel strongly that we can trust someone who has lied to us in the past, we can't afford to keep unblocking them.  sad

Oops, misread it as three months... and I guess I just assumed everything else. D:

And you're right about that last part. I might have to re-think this...

Last edited by hmnwilson (2010-05-03 19:25:40)


I'm taking a break from Scratch until 2.0 comes out. Any messages sent between then and now probably won't be read - sorry.
(Oct. 20, 2011)

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#29 2010-05-03 19:26:33

DaGamez
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-04-18
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Lightnin wrote:

DaGamez wrote:

I think you should unban lonwol.
He promised he wouldn't ever, EVER swear again, and he's like an idol on scratch. Everyone loves lonwol... He's epic xD
Can't you give lonwol a second chance? I mean, the word he said was almost a compliment xD It's just a hello without the o. And in school they teach you about that place xD
Well, I don't believe in god or anything, so I don't really know if that's very offensive to christians who believe.

We certainly don't encourage the use of the word "hell," but no one has been blocked just for using that word.  And we would definitely prefer that people didn't use it because some people do find it offensive.

re: Second chance: Everyone who has been blocked is entitled to request to be unblocked. That's why the page Scratchers see when banned includes a contact us form on it.  If we deny that request (rarely, especially if it's the first time they've been blocked), we will always explain why. But making additional accounts and disrespectful posts is not a good way to ask to get unblocked - it just makes the block last longer.

He did a second account to ask you mods to unblock him because he thought nobody actually read the contact us messages... xD


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#30 2010-05-03 19:33:31

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

DaGamez wrote:

He did a second account to ask you mods to unblock him because he thought nobody actually read the contact us messages... xD

Wow - everyone seems to think that! I guess it's because it's true of most websites these days. Not ours though - we read every one, and respond to those that are reasonable and respectful. There are situations when we stop responding - but that's only after sending a message to explain why (i.e. if someone has already been blocked several times, and we can no longer trust them we say so and explain that we won't be responding to anymore messages.)

So if we haven't responded to a contact us message: please be patient! There is always lots to do, so sometimes it may take us to a day or two to respond.  smile


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#31 2010-05-03 19:58:19

Musicstar888
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-12-31
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

The Terms of Use are fair... why do people sometimes break them? Is it for popularity or something?  hmm  It seems just weird. People might even KNOW they will get banned for doing or saying something, and yet they do it. People who don't, well, I guess that's a different story.


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You're not alone.

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#32 2010-05-03 20:00:43

DaGamez
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-04-18
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Lightnin wrote:

DaGamez wrote:

He did a second account to ask you mods to unblock him because he thought nobody actually read the contact us messages... xD

Wow - everyone seems to think that! I guess it's because it's true of most websites these days. Not ours though - we read every one, and respond to those that are reasonable and respectful. There are situations when we stop responding - but that's only after sending a message to explain why (i.e. if someone has already been blocked several times, and we can no longer trust them we say so and explain that we won't be responding to anymore messages.)

So if we haven't responded to a contact us message: please be patient! There is always lots to do, so sometimes it may take us to a day or two to respond.  smile

I hope you eventually do unban lonwol!
If you do, tell me and I'll notify him.


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#33 2010-05-03 20:04:09

demosthenes
Retired Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-02-19
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Sounds good  smile

I've never seen anyone banned or any rules about banning that seemed unreasonable.

I think part of the confusion is because people don't realize that anyone who is banned can always discuss the ban with the Scratch Team and reach a consensus. There is always room for a second chance (assuming the offense was not horrible). People seem to think the Scratch Team bans without thought.


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#34 2010-05-03 20:10:23

soupoftomato
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-07-18
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

If you use an IP ban for a first offense (which I know rarely happens) will you be able to access the Scratch Team, assuming the offender doesn't know their e-mail.


I'm glad to think that the community will always be kind and helpful, the language will always be a fun and easy way to be introduced into programming, the motto will always be: Imagine, Program, Share - Nomolos

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#35 2010-05-03 20:27:58

The-return
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-05-03
Posts: 11

Re: Why we ban....

soupoftomato wrote:

If you use an IP ban for a first offense (which I know rarely happens) will you be able to access the Scratch Team, assuming the offender doesn't know their e-mail.

Well lonwol has told me some things to post.
1. His second account was not to ask to be unbanned. It was to say bye.
2. He ussually gets IP ban. Even the first time he was banned.
3. DaGamez he'll know when he gets unbanned.

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#36 2010-05-03 21:31:44

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

soupoftomato wrote:

If you use an IP ban for a first offense (which I know rarely happens) will you be able to access the Scratch Team, assuming the offender doesn't know their e-mail.

Yep, the IP ban page is basically the same - with a contact form built in.


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#37 2010-05-03 21:39:48

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

The-return wrote:

soupoftomato wrote:

If you use an IP ban for a first offense (which I know rarely happens) will you be able to access the Scratch Team, assuming the offender doesn't know their e-mail.

Well lonwol has told me some things to post.
1. His second account was not to ask to be unbanned. It was to say bye.
2. He ussually gets IP ban. Even the first time he was banned.
3. DaGamez he'll know when he gets unbanned.

This is not the way to deal with this issue. Please tell lonwol to use the contact us form, and be patient.  It's interesting that you noted that this was not the first ban....

From where we are standing, these issues comes down to trust: We can't afford to spend all of our time banning and unbanning, and frankly for all of us that's the least interesting or fun part of working with the Scratch Team.  If someone has agreed to follow the Terms of Use, and then been disrespectful or created additional accounts to be disrespectful- how can we take them at their word when they promise to change?


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#38 2010-05-03 21:41:09

mkolpnji
Scratcher
Registered: 2007-07-20
Posts: 100+

Re: Why we ban....

It's sad how so many Scratchers are ignorant of other people's feelings and rights.

I once said in a thread to respect others, and one person (not saying names) basically said  "what" at the be respectful line and continued to be disrespectful.

I've been on Scratch since 2007, and the amount of disunity in the community just sort of surprises me.

Like I said before, anybody can do what they want to with scratch, it is their own right.

Last edited by mkolpnji (2010-05-03 21:47:35)


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#39 2010-05-03 22:35:23

somelia
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-09-13
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Survivorduck wrote:

hmnwilson wrote:

Thanks for posting this.

What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).

I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.

I like that idea!  smile

Ditto

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#40 2010-05-03 22:36:44

somelia
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-09-13
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

mkolpnji wrote:

It's sad how so many Scratchers are ignorant of other people's feelings and rights.

I once said in a thread to respect others, and one person (not saying names) basically said  "what" at the be respectful line and continued to be disrespectful.

I've been on Scratch since 2007, and the amount of disunity in the community just sort of surprises me.

Like I said before, anybody can do what they want to with scratch, it is their own right.

Sing with me!

We shall overcome! We shall overcome! We shall overcome someday! Ohh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome, someday.

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#41 2010-05-03 22:54:28

iCode-747
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-11-21
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

somelia wrote:

We shall overcome! We shall overcome! We shall overcome someday! Ohh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome, someday.

Or we can copy TI:

'Hey, never mind what haters say, ignore 'em 'till they fade away. Amazing they ungrateful after all the game I gave away'


-End Transmission-

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#42 2010-05-04 02:42:04

Chrischb
Scratcher
Registered: 2008-07-24
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

This is scary...  hmm

I'm glad to still be here.


I fall: It's a tragedy. You fall: It's comedy.
Hmph enjoy your fall - I get a lovely spring... without pans of new leaves.

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#43 2010-05-04 06:11:57

TheSaint
Scratcher
Registered: 2008-11-04
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Cool, I am not banned.  tongue

I am glad though that the Scratch Team is making an effort to stop the Programming-Art war, as it was getting very annoying. It live and let live on Scratch, and they were trying to control it. Besides, it was cloggin up Miscellanoius with useless thread.  tongue

I personally like the idea of votes, and a karma point system. Its beeen discussed before...

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#44 2010-05-04 07:06:41

Chrischb
Scratcher
Registered: 2008-07-24
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

TheSaint wrote:

Besides, it was cloggin up Miscellanoius with useless thread.  tongue

Enough that I could have made a sweater from it.  hmm

Once there were eight or so on the first page...  yikes
And half were closed.


I fall: It's a tragedy. You fall: It's comedy.
Hmph enjoy your fall - I get a lovely spring... without pans of new leaves.

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#45 2010-05-04 07:26:14

Jonathanpb
Scratcher
Registered: 2008-07-25
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

Your topic post is brilliant, Lightnin!  smile  I think this should be stickied so it won't be bumped down.


"Human beings... must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.
-Charlotte Brontë

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#46 2010-05-04 07:39:01

rocket101
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-08-21
Posts: 500+

Re: Why we ban....

Why has the scratch team been mean and banned tons of my favorite scratchers?

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#47 2010-05-04 07:46:47

what-the
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-10-04
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

rocket101 wrote:

Why has the scratch team been mean and banned tons of my favorite scratchers?

There not mean. They are protecting the Scratch community.


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#48 2010-05-04 07:58:23

soupoftomato
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-07-18
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

rocket101 wrote:

Why has the scratch team been mean and banned tons of my favorite scratchers?

Whether you realize it or not, that person has given the Scratch Team a reason to ban them. The Scratch Team isn't mean, more-so the person they ban was at one point.


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#49 2010-05-04 08:54:59

coolstuff
Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

I feel that a way to halt the confusion, at least for a little bit, would be to tell them up-front why they were banned.

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#50 2010-05-04 10:57:39

Lightnin
Scratch Team
Registered: 2008-11-03
Posts: 1000+

Re: Why we ban....

coolstuff wrote:

I feel that a way to halt the confusion, at least for a little bit, would be to tell them up-front why they were banned.

In most cases, that's simple to do - so we do it. In some, as in the recent situation, it's a bit trickier. It's not quite as easy as "You are banned for saying bad words!" or something like that. It's more like you have been blocked for slowly getting more disrespectful of certain groups of Scratchers over time, and fanning flames. So there are some cases when we block Scratchers with a simple message in order to have a longer conversation with them in which we explain why they were blocked.


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