Perhaps this isn't a topic that is allowed as a thread, I'm unsure. But I do hope that it can be discussed. While I don't want to discuss lifting any infractions in this thread nor will I try to appeal either or any of them in this thread, I do wish to discuss the way they were handled and dealt or atleast express my dismay at how it was done.
If you think this should be adressed in a PM discussion, I'll do so. Though I think that this should be shown openly, as it doesn't just concern one person.
I'm slightly worried by the fact that a guy like this, that is provoked by a trolling post is punished for reacting.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...1#post20786801
I know people should know better than to fall for such provocation, but punishing people who don't remember that it ain't worth getting riled up by such things is absurd.
The original poster, the thread started, had clearly and quite obviously written a post to provoke/troll. The poster has since been BANNED for this but the original post remains UNEDITED and the thread OPEN. This reminds me of how there are laws against police provoking crime. You are allowing people to be provoked, then punishing them for being provoked.
Even I got an infraction for pointing out that the thread creator DID troll. I was punished for pointing out a BANNED TROLL was banned for being a troll.
The rule is that you are not allowed to call other posters trolls. This would or should apply to a normal discussion in which posters cannot agree and are simply resulting to calling one another trolls, in which case it would be reasonable to infract those involved.
This is all about the word used, I wrote the word "troll". Had I written something like "It was good this guy was banned, it's obvious he only tried to provoke and incite flames." I would not have been punished.
It is absurd and illogical to a point at which at first I sat with my mouth wide open and wondering if this was for real.
Please, moderators, don't act without considering a context. A context which the moderators themselves have allowed.
The punishing and hunting wrong-doers is starting to go too far, and some times infractions seem much less like a reasonable punishment and more like the actions of someone bored or vindictive.
This way of infracting people ensures that some will over a longer period of time make mistakes every now and then, eventually building up to a ban. I've been there, and it's not fun.
Don't see people as numbers and infractions, see people for people and recognize that mistakes are made. I know you have a lot to do as mods, but you can't forget context and reason when it comes to handling infractions.