A proposal to limit the risk of banning—clear and concise Rules of the Forum
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
Given the tragedy that we just experienced with the banning of Coinguy1, I think we should take the opportunity to try to learn something positive from this sad and unfortunate turn of events. I think that forum bannings occur because there are no clear and concise rules about what topics can and cannot be discussed on the boards. Personally, I think with clear rules, and much tighter regulations on what can be posted, the risk of a forum member being banned will drop significantly.
Given the significance of this issue, I propose that we form a Forum Congress, and have a roundtable discussion with PCGS’ management on coming up with clear guidelines. I have taken a crack at listing some of the preliminary rules that I think we should agree to, and we can maybe use these as a starting point in the discussions:
(1) Discussions of AT/NT coins will not be allowed on the boards, especially if the coin in question resides in a PCGS holder. If the coin is clearly in another TPG’s holder, the discussion will be allowed, however the opening post must clearly disclose whether the coin was previously in a PCGS holder. If it was, the post should not be allowed.
(2) Guess the Grade posts will not be allowed on the boards if the coin resides in a PCGS holder. We all know that a grade on the holder is merely an informed opinion, and nothing can be gained by discussing whether a coin is overgraded or undergraded. Non-PCGS coins will be allowed for GTG posts, but, again, only if the originating poster clearly discloses that the coin in question has never been in a PCGS slab (and certainly not disclose any previous grade).
(3) All forum posts will be submitted to the forum moderator for approval, rather than being immediately posted to the boards. This is probably the best safeguard of all. The forum moderator will be able to review all original threads for compliance with the posting guidelines. This will virtually eliminate any threads that might get someone banned. Of course, this process can only be used for originating posts, rather than responses, due to the volume of responses on the boards. However, if the original post meets the guidelines, there is a high likelihood that the responses will also be acceptable under the rules.
(4) Similar to the government’s “Secure Traveler” procedures, forum members, at their choosing, can apply for “Secure Poster” status with PCGS. This will involve a thorough review of all of the applicant’s previous posts, and PCGS will determine whether to grant this forum member special privileges not to have to clear threads through the forum moderator in #3 above. Once Secure Poster status is granted, the forum member’s icon will include a special designation, such as a PCGS logo, indicating that the forum member attained such status.
(5) Members of the Circle of Trust™ should be granted immediate Secure Poster status, without having to go through the approval process.
Does anyone have any further guidelines that we, as forumites, would agree to? I think the list above is a great start, and the boards will be a much better place once we get these clear, concise, and easily understood guidelines in place.
Given the significance of this issue, I propose that we form a Forum Congress, and have a roundtable discussion with PCGS’ management on coming up with clear guidelines. I have taken a crack at listing some of the preliminary rules that I think we should agree to, and we can maybe use these as a starting point in the discussions:
(1) Discussions of AT/NT coins will not be allowed on the boards, especially if the coin in question resides in a PCGS holder. If the coin is clearly in another TPG’s holder, the discussion will be allowed, however the opening post must clearly disclose whether the coin was previously in a PCGS holder. If it was, the post should not be allowed.
(2) Guess the Grade posts will not be allowed on the boards if the coin resides in a PCGS holder. We all know that a grade on the holder is merely an informed opinion, and nothing can be gained by discussing whether a coin is overgraded or undergraded. Non-PCGS coins will be allowed for GTG posts, but, again, only if the originating poster clearly discloses that the coin in question has never been in a PCGS slab (and certainly not disclose any previous grade).
(3) All forum posts will be submitted to the forum moderator for approval, rather than being immediately posted to the boards. This is probably the best safeguard of all. The forum moderator will be able to review all original threads for compliance with the posting guidelines. This will virtually eliminate any threads that might get someone banned. Of course, this process can only be used for originating posts, rather than responses, due to the volume of responses on the boards. However, if the original post meets the guidelines, there is a high likelihood that the responses will also be acceptable under the rules.
(4) Similar to the government’s “Secure Traveler” procedures, forum members, at their choosing, can apply for “Secure Poster” status with PCGS. This will involve a thorough review of all of the applicant’s previous posts, and PCGS will determine whether to grant this forum member special privileges not to have to clear threads through the forum moderator in #3 above. Once Secure Poster status is granted, the forum member’s icon will include a special designation, such as a PCGS logo, indicating that the forum member attained such status.
(5) Members of the Circle of Trust™ should be granted immediate Secure Poster status, without having to go through the approval process.
Does anyone have any further guidelines that we, as forumites, would agree to? I think the list above is a great start, and the boards will be a much better place once we get these clear, concise, and easily understood guidelines in place.
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
I think you mis-worded the above.
Joe.
TOU
TOM
Bottom line: CU can do as it pleases insofar as forum privileges are concerned. An excerpt from above: CU reserves the right, at its sole discretion, immediately and without notice to suspend or terminate the TOU, your account (if you have registered) and/or your ability to access the Site, for any reason including any breach by you of the TOU or conduct by you that CU determines to be inappropriate.
Excellent starting point, but you have really only scratched the surface for posting guidelines. The real document will have to be far more descriptive and voluminous.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
maybe "smoe" should be monitored too. it really is annoying.
might as well close the OF.
and might as well add a spell cheker.
hi, i'm tom.
i do not doctor coins like some who post in here.
A surety bond equal to the amount of a PCGS walk through certification.
Criminal records check through NCIC
Credit History Report through Equifax
A written test on early Bust Coinage varieties according to Overton
A questionnaire / examination of all current PCGS certification slabs by unique identification numbers.
<< <i>Written references from 15 certified board members.
A surety bond equal to the amount of a PCGS walk through certification.
Criminal records check through NCIC
Credit History Report through Equifax
A written test on early Bust Coinage varieties according to Overton
A questionnaire / examination of all current PCGS certification slabs by unique identification numbers. >>
Don't forget your banking reference
Is this the PCGS forum or Meet the Fockers? Good movie, though.
Will’sProoflikes
It's very simple: Don't insult your host while in their house.
<< <i>It's very simple: Don't insult your host while in their house. >>
I don't quite think it's that simple, because "the host" has made it clear that some amount of questioning and criticizing the host is acceptable.
The question is, where is that line drawn? For example, "nonsense" is apparently not over the line, and the F-word is. Criticizing things like being too tight, grading mistakes and taking forever to get grades seem to be acceptable. But at what point would they cross the line?
Personally, I tend to stray pretty far away from that line, but when I see something that makes the Kool-Aid taste bad, I will say so.
What if your are the client in the host's house, which is actually a business, and the host is putting out a product they want you to spend money on, but they don't want to provide an accurate description of the brand-new definition they are using to get you to spend money. Can you ask them to clear things up and explain why you should feel that they are trying to trick you? That's been asked, and the host isn't answering the client.
Posting Rules and General Rules of Conduct
You agree that you will not use or allow others to use your membership in these Forums to:
1. Post or transmit any Materials, or links to any Materials, which are knowingly false and/or defamatory, libelous, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented or threatening, which violate the right of privacy or any other right of any person or entity, or which intentionally or unintentionally violate any local, state, federal or international law or regulation.
2. Post or transmit any Materials, or links to any Materials, that infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, right of publicity or other proprietary rights of any party. 3. You may not post or transmit Materials that are not created or owned by you unless you have previously obtained permission from the owner thereof to post and transmit such Materials in the Forums and to license such Materials to us as set forth above.
4. Post or transmit any unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, or any other forms of solicitation in the Forums (except in those Forums that are designated for buying and selling items, provided such advertising or other solicitation directly relates to such items). You will not post or transmit any chain letters, pyramid schemes or similar schemes in any Forums.
5. Impersonate any person, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.
6. Post or transmit any file that contains viruses, corrupted files, "Trojan Horses", or any other contaminating or destructive features that may damage someone else's computer.
The following rules of conduct are intended to make the experience of using our Forums more informative and enjoyable for all of our users:
1. As a general rule of conduct on the Forums, before posting a message on the Forums, you should ask yourself if the message is something that you would say to someone if you were speaking to them in person. In other words, you should be polite, treat others with respect, and avoid taking a confrontational or belligerent tone.
2. You may disagree with an opinion expressed in a Forum, but refrain from attacking or disparaging (i.e. "flaming") the person who posted it.
3. As well as you can, please format your posts in standard English, using capital and lowercase letters in the traditional manner.
4. All posted Materials must directly relate to the topic of the Forum in which such Materials are posted.
5. You may not "spam" a Forum by posting the same message or other Materials on multiple occasions on the same day
Posting Rules and General Rules of Conduct
Please review these rules before you post any messages, information, data, text, files, links, artwork, photographs, software, or other materials ("Materials") on our message boards ("Forums"). For more information regarding the use of our Forums, please re-read our Terms of Membership, which you agreed to abide by when you registered for membership to our Forums.
You agree that you will not use or allow others to use your membership in these Forums to:
1. Post or transmit any Materials, or links to any Materials, which are knowingly false and/or defamatory, libelous, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented or threatening, which violate the right of privacy or any other right of any person or entity, or which intentionally or unintentionally violate any local, state, federal or international law or regulation.
2. Post or transmit any Materials, or links to any Materials, that infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights of any party. You may not post or transmit Materials that are not created or owned by you unless you have previously obtained permission from the owner thereof to post and transmit such Materials in the Forums and to license such Materials to us as set forth in our Terms of Membership.
3. Post or transmit any unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, or any other forms of solicitation in the Forums (except in those Forums that are designated for buying and selling items, provided such advertising or other solicitation directly relates to such items). You will not post or transmit any chain letters, pyramid schemes or similar schemes in any Forums.
4. Impersonate any person, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.
5. Post or transmit any file that contains viruses, corrupted files, "Trojan Horses", or any other contaminating or destructive features that may damage someone else's computer.
The following rules of conduct are intended to make the experience of using our Forums more informative and enjoyable for all of our users:
1. As a general rule of conduct on the Forums, before posting a message on the Forums, you should ask yourself if the message is something that you would say to someone if you were speaking to them in person. In other words, you should be polite, treat others with respect, and avoid taking a confrontational or belligerent tone.
2. You may disagree with an opinion expressed in a Forum, but refrain from attacking or disparaging (i.e. "flaming") the person who posted it.
3. As well as you can, please format your posts in standard English, using capital and lowercase letters in the traditional manner.
4. All posted Materials must directly relate to the topic of the Forum in which such Materials are posted.
5. You may not "spam" a Forum by posting the same message or other Materials on multiple occasions on the same day.
Remember, we have the right, but not the obligation, as we determine in our sole discretion, to edit and/or remove messages or other Materials that violate these rules or that we otherwise consider objectionable or a breach of posting protocol, at any time.
Coinguy is BANNED ...
Coinguy is not banned ...
Yes ... Coinguy is banned ...
No ... Coinguy is not and has not been banned ...
One thing is for sure "The Man" has a lot of scared Lemmings running around ...
Jump .... Higher ... Jump higher ....
he's gaining ground on "Gold Buffalo threads" but i see him in no way ever catching Legend in the Crapola Derby.
<< <i>A rare tongue-in-cheek post from Longacre!
Thank goodness. I thought he'd gone right over the edge.
My OmniCoin Collection
My BankNoteBank Collection
Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
<< <i>Coinguy1 is not banned. >>
I posted that 3 times yesterday, along with reasoning (his profile showed that he visited at 1 pm yesterday)
Some would rather engage in wild speculation.
Don
<< <i>
+1
but you forgot the html for it
[sarcasm]
[/sarcasm]
People take this waaaaaayyyyyy too seriously. If the forums closed down tomorrow, oh well, I still have a great collection and I wouldn't waste as much time as I do reading some of this stuff.