I was going to wait a while and post this, but now seems as good a time as any I suppose.

I'm going to touch on some things that have been mentioned at different places and different times around the site, and add a few updates here and there.  It's always good to consolidate ideas and procedures into one place when possible.

First, some Moderation business.

Generally speaking, as it is laid out in our Community Guidelines, we operate on a "3 strikes" procedure.  In other words, we will first contact a member via email if need be.  If email is not successful, an official warning will be sent via the system.  And finally, if need be after that, we look at bans.  Btw, the Guidelines have been slightly modified, so make sure you check them out and re-familiarize yourself with them.

It is never the intent of anyone here to stifle opinions or regulate discussions.  But, as we all know, we have to post responsibly.  That being said, if there is ever anything posted that could be interpreted as insulting, inflammatory, or offensive to another, we will not allow it to remain on the website.  Examples include homophobic comments, ethnic slurs, political agendas, etc.

As we will try and operate within the 3-strikes system, we do reserve the right to skip straight to step 2 or step 3, depending on the violation.  If there is trolling in a Game Thread, chances are you will be banned on the spot, and dealt with later.  Same goes for spamming, as well as gross misconduct.  We want to make sure that the members of this blog are able to enjoy it without boneheads popping in to ruin it for everyone.

As previously announced, I will be overseeing the Moderation of this blog.  Adam T is still available if he needs to be involved, and members can always contact him directly, but I will be the first line of contact when it comes to moderation of the site.  More on chain-of-command shortly.

While Moderating this site is not an easy task, we do try to make sure that everything gets covered, and that this community is as productive and entertaining for everyone as possible.  Some things are likely to slip through the cracks, but that's where you come in.

Any comment, FanPost, or FanShot can be recommended or flagged.  Just click the "actions" button, then decide where to go from there.  If you really like the comment or post, "rec" it.  If it is a comment that you find offensive, flag it.

All flagged comments are made available to the Moderators, and are reviewed.  We look at them and will determine if any action is necessary.

One other thing on Moderation... feel like going on a cursing tirade?  Do it in the Game Threads.  We can't (unfortunately) use our sports bar language around the rest of the site, but feel free to let it all hang out in the Game Threads. Just be mindful not to let it spill over into the rest of the blog.  Milder, more PG-13 language is fine, but the hard stuff needs to be in the Game Threads.

Next up: Chain of Command

As this site continues to grow, we will continue to have a wider range of diversity and opinions.  We welcome that, and realize that is one of the things that makes a website like WCG great.  Nonetheless, there will always be situations that arise where someone gets upset with a staff member here.  Don't worry... just like most organizations, we have a process for that, so that you don't feel like you don't have an outlet.

First of all, never feel like you cannot complain about us.  We never want you to think that you have to keep something to yourself.  Feel free to disagree with us, debate with us, or send us emails telling us how much you hate our guts.  Just know that you can always contact us.

If you have any problems with any member of this blog, email me.  If you have any problems with any writer of this blog, email me.  I will not show favoritism towards anyone, nor will anyone have a bias placed upon them.

If anyone has a problem with me, email Adam T.

And if you have a problem with Adam, you may be in trouble :)  You can email me in that case, but I suggest you go straight to him first, as this is ultimately his blog.  Plus, he's a hell of a nice guy.

[Note by Adam T, 11/10/09 5:26 PM EST ]  Just for sake of getting it out there...  If you do have a problem with the site that Dane or I cannot resolve, there is a path you can take.  If it gets to that point, I can work on putting you in contact with the person you need to see, depending on what the topic is.  Just know the content and the rules of moderation are left to the individual blogs, so unless we are using a guideline that is unreasonable, they will side with the blog.

Since this is starting to get too long, I'll just touch on a couple other things...

FanPosts/ FanShots:

If you write a post that is in all capital letters, it will be deleted.  If you write a post that says "The Bears Suck" 25 times to get to the 75 word limit, it will be erased. If you write a post announcing something that someone else has already posted, the duplicate will be deleted.  If you are a troll and write a post about how we suck, it will be erased.  If you write a FanPost that is not the minimum 75 words, and try to copy/ paste the little warning that comes with it (you know, the "Your post must be at least 75 words to publish" comment), it is likely to be deleted.  The exception to that would be if there is breaking news that you want to get posted really fast. Otherwise, if you can't come up with the 75 words, use the FanShot.  

I've moved the FanShot section up on the right-hand sidebar, so now it is directly underneath the FanPosts. Hopefully, they will have more visibility now.

General Tone:

WCG discourages, and will not tolerate, personal attacks.  We encourage debate, but also realize that it can be done in a respectful manner.  If you don't agree with someone, please go after the comment and not the commenter.  

Example: FanPost titled "Why the Bears Should Run the Wildcat 100% of the time with Hester"

As absurd of an idea as that may be, there have been FanPosts just like that.  But, please do not go after the poster... don't call him a moron, don't insult him... you can get your point across in a less-offensive way.  "This is the worst idea I have ever heard" or "Are you serious?  This would never work"  would be a good way to go about it.

On the flip-side of that coin, if you are going to stick your neck out and post something, be prepared to back it up. That is something told to each writer when they come on board with the site, and it is something that we all have to do.  If people don't agree with you (and there will always be someone who doesn't), you have to be able to roll with it.

I'm sure that there are other things that will be touched on, but for now, that's all.  If there are things you have questions about, leave it in the comments section or email me or Adam.  Both of our emails are listed on the page.

Thanks,

Dane N.