B
bOB
Guest
If you have acted on a guideline violation and have sent a PM to the person violating the guideline, here are some ideas for common responses and how you can approach them if you respond. Not all inclusive but a place to start.
No Response
No worries, be happy. These are just fine, as long as the person has read your PM, that’s what counts, so always keep a copy of your PM so that you will be notified when the person opens it.
Sorry, I didn’t know, it won’t happen again
How lucky can you get, it doesn’t get any better than this. In fact, take a second and reply with a Thank you, we appreciate your understanding.
But, but….. the other guy! You allowed this guy to do this, but you criticize me.
When cited, some people jump at pointing their finger in all directions or to other posts, as if to somehow lessen what they did. Point out to this type of person that if they see a violation of our guidelines, please report it at the time of the violation, otherwise it doesn’t mean a whole lot for it to be pointed out now, several weeks or months later.
Besides, it doesn’t lessen or affect what they did in their violation. Hold each person accountable for their own actions.
Whatever, man
Not the best response you can get, but not mass murder either. The response to this person should be that although they are welcome to disagree with how we enforce our user guidelines, if they wish to participate, they must abide by them. This response borders on being a little condescending and if kept up we may need to deal with it later so it is probably worth a mention in the Problem Users forum.
We’re all adults here
And adults don’t need guidelines, do they? Right. To imply directly or indirectly, that kids need guidelines and adults don’t is not going to get any gold stars. With people like this, simply explain that there are specific goal for the community and that the user guidelines help us accomplish them and that is why they must be respected and followed by everyone, even adults.
Uh……… you’re an idiot (or other expletive word)
People can and do get nasty, violations in PM’s should be treated the same as a violation elsewhere. And. of course violations directed at staff members are more serious because the staff is to be respected at all times, not necessarily agreed with, just treated with respect. So if a user sends a nasty message in response to a guideline violation warning, that person is written up in Problem User and also referred to John to be reminded that they are not to speak to staff members in a condescending manner again. And without elaboration if the situation continues they would be subject to loosing their forum privileges.
Well, I’m out of here then. Bye
As stated the community has goals. What is wanted administratively out of the community and what certain people want out of the community may be two different things. Communities are not everything for everyone, especially when they are run professionally. Even a community for everyone isn’t really a community for everyone. People leave, people go elsewhere. Don’t mis-understand, users matter a great deal and their feedback should be taken into account at every turn. Decisions should be made for the betterment of the community as a whole and in line with the community goals. Some people will not like it but live with it, and some people will leave. Don’t make a fuss over it, don’t try to convince them not to go, but above all dn’t let them advertise it, making the comment to you in a PM is one thing, if you are going to reply, think about a simple sorry to see you go. If they take it to the forums the posts and replies are to be removed, even if they are made by a third party such as “Hey, did you know Ralf is leaving the forumsâ€ÂÂ.
No Response
No worries, be happy. These are just fine, as long as the person has read your PM, that’s what counts, so always keep a copy of your PM so that you will be notified when the person opens it.
Sorry, I didn’t know, it won’t happen again
How lucky can you get, it doesn’t get any better than this. In fact, take a second and reply with a Thank you, we appreciate your understanding.
But, but….. the other guy! You allowed this guy to do this, but you criticize me.
When cited, some people jump at pointing their finger in all directions or to other posts, as if to somehow lessen what they did. Point out to this type of person that if they see a violation of our guidelines, please report it at the time of the violation, otherwise it doesn’t mean a whole lot for it to be pointed out now, several weeks or months later.
Besides, it doesn’t lessen or affect what they did in their violation. Hold each person accountable for their own actions.
Whatever, man
Not the best response you can get, but not mass murder either. The response to this person should be that although they are welcome to disagree with how we enforce our user guidelines, if they wish to participate, they must abide by them. This response borders on being a little condescending and if kept up we may need to deal with it later so it is probably worth a mention in the Problem Users forum.
We’re all adults here
And adults don’t need guidelines, do they? Right. To imply directly or indirectly, that kids need guidelines and adults don’t is not going to get any gold stars. With people like this, simply explain that there are specific goal for the community and that the user guidelines help us accomplish them and that is why they must be respected and followed by everyone, even adults.
Uh……… you’re an idiot (or other expletive word)
People can and do get nasty, violations in PM’s should be treated the same as a violation elsewhere. And. of course violations directed at staff members are more serious because the staff is to be respected at all times, not necessarily agreed with, just treated with respect. So if a user sends a nasty message in response to a guideline violation warning, that person is written up in Problem User and also referred to John to be reminded that they are not to speak to staff members in a condescending manner again. And without elaboration if the situation continues they would be subject to loosing their forum privileges.
Well, I’m out of here then. Bye
As stated the community has goals. What is wanted administratively out of the community and what certain people want out of the community may be two different things. Communities are not everything for everyone, especially when they are run professionally. Even a community for everyone isn’t really a community for everyone. People leave, people go elsewhere. Don’t mis-understand, users matter a great deal and their feedback should be taken into account at every turn. Decisions should be made for the betterment of the community as a whole and in line with the community goals. Some people will not like it but live with it, and some people will leave. Don’t make a fuss over it, don’t try to convince them not to go, but above all dn’t let them advertise it, making the comment to you in a PM is one thing, if you are going to reply, think about a simple sorry to see you go. If they take it to the forums the posts and replies are to be removed, even if they are made by a third party such as “Hey, did you know Ralf is leaving the forumsâ€ÂÂ.
