Regarding Rules (and Banning)

I can understand your confusion. I haven't banned anyone yet. First I'd like to say that most people's post counts are really low at the moment because of the updates, so there may have been other issues in his posting. I would only ban someone after they have broken the rules, been made aware of the fact that they had broken the rules, and continues to disregard them. Also be aware that that person may have sent a PM that caused the mod/admin to ban them. However, the decision on whether or not to ban someone is different for every mod/admin, but we don't ban people based upon one post, especially their first. As to the length, again, it depends upon the mod/admin as well as what the person has done. Like I said, I've never banned anyone, so I'm not clear on the details.

Now, as to posting what you have. In general, you have very good posts. As to posting before you do serious research, well, you should at least have some background info. I doubt that your teacher would assign you an essay about say the gilded age due the next day before going over anything about the gilded age. Now if you weren't paying attention you may have a problem. I try not to answer questions that don't have any info, but apparently I haven't been paying enough attention to it this past week. Usually I will close the thread. You do need to do some work before you ask for help. It may turn out that you could answer the question on your own and didn't need the help (which is really what everyone should be aiming for...May will be here before you know it). As to where to draw the line, I'll try to talk with shirtninja and see if he can clarify.

As to the whole "I need help", it's not the fact that they're saying that that we disagree with, although I think it's kinda pointless. Why would you post a question if you didn't need help getting a good grade? But anyways, the main problem is that lately people have been posting the question word for word with no input of their own on the matter. I would still answer the question if someone posted "help me!!!!!!!" for over half the post, but quite honestly it doesn't get you help any faster and people who are annoyed by such things would most likely just skip over it. The important thing is that they have shown that they put some effort into answering the quesion on their own before posting. Whether you post your information or your sources, it doesn't matter, but something has to be there.

And NO, saying "I've done research" but not actually showing it does not count. I personally will close the thread, and I know others will too! So SHOW YOUR WORK.

As to you're specific posts, I think that you've been doing a good job so far. Just keep putting down the info that you have, maybe not a page worth's...a summary should suffice, and you should be fine. And it is much appreciated that you put the specific area where you need help. It makes anyone who helps you much more efficient and effective since they know exactly what your problem is.

Okay, I think I've answered all of your questions. If you still have some, or if I left out something, you can always ask for more clarification. I hope that this clears some things up for you. And btw, as a side note, you are the first person from the site that I've heard from that has actually read the rules, so I appreciate that too.

Well, it really depends on what you've done. Let's say you continuously ask for help without proving you've done anything even after a mod/admin has told you not to, you're ban will most likely be temporary the first time and just your account. If again you have a string of these threads then it may be permanent. If a new account springs from the same IP address with the same problem, then the IP address will most likely be banned. But if you, say, flame other members and use curse words in every post (and those are your only posts), then the ban may be permanent from the start.

Chris requires us to give warnings except in extreme cases like where you send lots of threatening, vulgar, or flaming PM's and post the same things. It also depends upon the person doing the banning.

what is bad language. I got a warning before from sarcastically saying "oh thats genius"

Hmmm, definitely not from me. That might be considered flaming not bad language. I'm pretty sure bad language are just curse words. At least, that's what I'd consider bad language.

If there is a problem with a ban or an indvidual, we ussualy try to handle them privately through pm or email with a small public warning. It is also important to keep in mind that, while we are part of a whole and have the same basic moderating styles and guidelines, our specifics vary slightly.

For example, if a member is going complete bonkers on another, even without cursing but to where he is in the gray area, I will give him a stern warning and then on the next disruption, even the slightest bit, they're outta here permanetly. I don't like doing it, but I don't like seeing others being constantly flamed either.

Personally I consider "bad langauge" vulgar and/or racist/sexist slurs. Those things are just not needed. Obviously each case is considered on a post by post basis but as a guideline if I see a few words here or there in a post that I deem inappropiate, I'll just change them and give them indvidual a warning. However, if the post is flaming somebody (indvidual, race, sex, or otherwise) to a heavy extent, tearing them up one side and down the other, thats atleast a temp. ban and possibly perm. depnding on the servity.

And in some cases stuff is just not needed. For example, your case chessmaster, calling somebody stupid is just not needed. A warning in that case isnt something you should lose any sleep over, just be a little more careful next time. We try to keep constructive critsism around here as much as much as possible.

Basically, if your not a jerk or gluteus maximus (sound so smart, don't it lol) you dont have anything to worry about. Were all pretty nice people, expect for shirtninja, he's scary :| lol

Lol, shirtninja's not THAT scary. Unless, of course, you double post in his thread using vulgar language while simultaneously going off topic. Then, you should be scared. I would purposefully leave that there for him too...

But yeah, the rest of us tend to be nice. I can be mean, but those are rare days.