Infractions (A guide by Greebo)

[Greebo]

So you have received a warning

A warning is not the same as an infraction. A warning will be issued when a rule breach is only minor or if a person is new to the site and is unsure of the rules. It is important that new members read the rules BEFORE they start posting. A warning will have no effect on a persons use of the site.

So you've received an infraction

Infractions are issued to members that breach the site rules.

• An infraction is worth 1 point and expires in 3 months.
• If a member accumulates 2 points in a 3 month period their account will automatically be suspended for 1 week.
• If a member accumulates a 3rd point in 3 months their account is automatically suspended for 2 weeks
• An account is suspended indefinitely when 4 points are accumulated in a 3 month period.
• In extreme cases, a major infraction may be issued. This infraction is worth 4 points and the account suspended immediately.

Infraction points are displayed on the right hand side of a members post. (eg Infractions 2/1). Only the member and moderators can see the total. (It is not displayed to other members)

What now?

You have 2 choices.

1. Accept the decision.
   
   Realise that you probably deserved the infraction and move on. The infraction will expire in 3 months and have no effect on your use of the site.
   .
2. Appeal the decision
   
   If you feel you have been given an infraction unfairly you can appeal. This is best done by sending a pm to the moderator who issued the infraction or you can PM any of the other mods if you prefer. (Note- When an infraction is issued, a message is automatically posted in the moderators forum so that all mods are aware of the infraction).
   
   Mods are only human and occassionally make a mistake. Infractions have been reversed in the past when a member has appealed in a calm and resonable manner.
   
   There is no point appealing an infraction if it involves swearing at or abusing another member. This behaviour is not tolerated.

What NOT to do if you receive an infraction.

• DO NOT- Start a thread about how you received an infraction and how unfair it is.
• DO NOT- Send an abusive PM to the moderator that issued the infraction. This will not help get the infraction reversed and extreme cases may lead to another infraction or to your account being suspended immediately
• DO NOT- Try to open another account if you get suspended. This may increase the period of your suspension. Repeated attempts will just get you completely banned from the site.

Finally

Believe it or not, moderators do not enjoy handing out infractions. Our job is much more enjoyable when members get along and the site is running smoothly. Most people manage to follow our simple rules and there are often long periods when no one receives an infraction. These are the times when it is good to be a moderator.

Dave