Clarification of XLF administration, moderation, and member guidelines

[bplinson]

Over the last day or so there have been few people who seem to be upset about the moderation of XLF. Maybe it is because the have forgotten, or have never read the XLF guidelines here: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=13 and here: http://www.xlforum.net/xlpages/xldisclaimer.htm

XLF members are very good at self-moderation but from time to time things seem to get a bit out of control.

The moderators here are all volunteers and it is expected that members adhere to their decisions when it comes to post content. I am not perfect and neither are they. We all make mistakes.

One of the most important things I learned during my Army career is that a leader ALWAYS backs up his assistant leaders in public. If an assistance leader needs a bit of guidance in regards to their leadership style, the leader will provide the guidance privately. I live by this idea and will back up the XLF mods and admins decisions if they believe a post or thread need modification. Don't expect to see any post from me rebuking an admin or moderator.

No one here is more important than anyone else, including me. This means that no one is given preferential treatment or are allowed to go outside the guidelines regardless of how long they have been here, their motorcycle knowledge, post count, admin, moderator, paid or non-paid member. Threats to admins or mods that you are leaving XLF and not coming back because you do not like the way XLF is administrated or moderated don't hold any weight here. All admins and mods perform their duties without bias toward others. I

It is important to know is that XLF admins and mods do not ban anyone . Only XLF members can ban themselves by receiving infractions. If you do not know what an infraction is that is good because it means that you have not received one. . Infractions are given by admins and mods to members when they believe members posts are outside the XLF guidelines. Depending on the seriousness of the incident the admin or mod may give a warning or and infraction. Infractions are worth a certain number of points and after a member accumulates a certain number of "Infraction Points" they could ban themselves for as short as one day to as long as permanently. Infraction points expire after a certain amount of time. Most of the time a member will reciieve a warning before receiving an infraction.

So now that this has been said here is some clarification of some XLF guidelines and some additions.

"Calling out" an admin or moderator publicly (ex. posting a thread titled "Mod X, you deleted my post, explain yourself!") is not allowed. This includes posts or threads complaining about the forum rules and/or methods of moderating. If you have a problem with a moderator action take it up with them first and if you still feel you have been wronged take it up with an admin or assistant admin. The admins or asst. admin decision will be final.

Discussion in the main forums regarding a member who has been banned is not permitted. Please do not create threads asking why this one or that one got banned. If you have questions or are unclear about something in the rules, please pm a Mod or Admin.

We take the Be Polite rule very seriously! We do not tolerate any rudeness. In other words we expect people to treat each other the same way as they would in the "Real World".

Any member who is intentionally unpleasant to others or disruptive may be banned without warning.

Don't create threads or posts with the sole purpose of starting a dispute. This includes messages in profiles and signatures.

Lastly, a few people seem to believe that "Freedom of Speech" applies to XLF. The 1st Amendment of US Constitution has no bearing on XLF and we reserve the right to remove any comments, posts, or threads that we deem are inappropriate or outside the XLF guidelines.

Now I know that the vast majority of XLF members have no problem understanding why guidelines are required and no problem following them. Once in a while even the best of us make a mistake and we understand that. Don't be worried about being instantly banned unless your comment is a very serious offense such as overtly racist remarks, remarks derogatory towards another persons religious beliefs, sexual preference, nationality, or gender.

Also threats of any kind or any other criminal speech are not acceptable. XLF members are responsible for their own posts and I will cooperate fully with any law enforcement agency investigating a criminal complaint in regards to a post or comment on XLF.

Again...this post is meant to clarify the XLF guidelines of what is acceptable conduct. We want everyone to enjoy XLF and hope that no one bans themselves in the future.

[Rascal]

Read lately about "infractions" on the forum, never knew what it was, did a search and found this so bumping it for others. Guess I've been good since haven't heard anything.

Originally Posted by bplinson

Over the last day or so there have been few people who seem to be upset about the moderation of XLF. Maybe it is because the have forgotten, or have never read the XLF guidelines here: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=13 and here: http://www.xlforum.net/xlpages/xldisclaimer.htm

XLF members are very good at self-moderation but from time to time things seem to get a bit out of control.

The moderators here are all volunteers and it is expected that members adhere to their decisions when it comes to post content. I am not perfect and neither are they. We all make mistakes.

One of the most important things I learned during my Army career is that a leader ALWAYS backs up his assistant leaders in public. If an assistance leader needs a bit of guidance in regards to their leadership style, the leader will provide the guidance privately. I live by this idea and will back up the XLF mods and admins decisions if they believe a post or thread need modification. Don't expect to see any post from me rebuking an admin or moderator.

No one here is more important than anyone else, including me. This means that no one is given preferential treatment or are allowed to go outside the guidelines regardless of how long they have been here, their motorcycle knowledge, post count, admin, moderator, paid or non-paid member. Threats to admins or mods that you are leaving XLF and not coming back because you do not like the way XLF is administrated or moderated don't hold any weight here. All admins and mods perform their duties without bias toward others. I

It is important to know is that XLF admins and mods do not ban anyone . Only XLF members can ban themselves by receiving infractions. If you do not know what an infraction is that is good because it means that you have not received one. . Infractions are given by admins and mods to members when they believe members posts are outside the XLF guidelines. Depending on the seriousness of the incident the admin or mod may give a warning or and infraction. Infractions are worth a certain number of points and after a member accumulates a certain number of "Infraction Points" they could ban themselves for as short as one day to as long as permanently. Infraction points expire after a certain amount of time. Most of the time a member will reciieve a warning before receiving an infraction.

So now that this has been said here is some clarification of some XLF guidelines and some additions.

"Calling out" an admin or moderator publicly (ex. posting a thread titled "Mod X, you deleted my post, explain yourself!") is not allowed. If you have a problem with a moderator action take it up with them first and if you still feel you have been wronged take it up with an admin or assistant admin. The admins or asst. admin decision will be final.

We take the Be Polite rule very seriously! We do not tolerate any rudeness. In other words we expect people to treat each other the same way as they would in the "Real World".

Any member who is intentionally unpleasant to others or disruptive may be banned without warning.

Don't create threads or posts with the sole purpose of starting a dispute. This includes messages in profiles and signatures.

Lastly, a few people seem to believe that "Freedom of Speech" applies to XLF. The 1st Amendment of US Constitution has no bearing on XLF and we reserve the right to remove any comments, posts, or threads that we deem are inappropriate or outside the XLF guidelines.

Now I know that the vast majority of XLF members have no problem understanding why guidelines are required and no problem following them. Once in a while even the best of us make a mistake and we understand that. Don't be worried about being instantly banned unless your comment is a very serious offense such as overtly racist remarks, remarks derogatory towards another persons religious beliefs, sexual preference, nationality, or gender.

Also threats of any kind or any other criminal speech are not acceptable. XLF members are responsible for their own posts and I will cooperate fully with any law enforcement agency investigating a criminal complaint in regards to a post or comment on XLF.

Again...this post is meant to clarify the XLF guidelines of what is acceptable conduct. We want everyone to enjoy XLF and hope that no one bans themselves in the future.

[thatbikerguy]

Another bump!!!

[racerwill]

this is a bump for later........

Ww

[BWP 5p]

I'll see your bump.....and raise you TWO Bumps!

[cantolina]

"for later" sounds VERY ominous!

[joesporty]

mmm a bump...dont mind if i do....

[racerwill]

it's later.......

Ww

[Paulie420]

Thanks XLF - I got no problems with any of the mods or the rules and regs we are asked to follow.

It's a community - every community has rules...

Anyway, thanks for supplying us with the best sporty site anywhere on the web...

I'll see ya here - with rules and all...

Also, I've BROKEN the rules in the past... and when I was really unruly, I got warned and infractioned... like everyone else.

Live with it... there is no other sporty spot as good as XLF.

[khaskins]

I'm a law and order, rules kind of guy. I believe that rules exist for a reason, sometimes they need to be broken, sometimes they need to be followed. Rules even the playing field. Punishment needs to be dealt out = to the infraction. The punishment should fit the crime. No more no less. That's all. Thanks for doing a great job of running the xlforum smoothly.