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PropertyTalk is a public discussion forum that was created for the benefit of property investors – both experienced and newbies just starting out. It’s a place where people can come for independent advice, and to share ideas. The forum has a set of rules that we all agreed to when we register as a member. The rules are in place to ensure the forum remains a friendly, helpful and informative site.
Every so often, a member oversteps the boundaries of the published rules with an inappropriate post, and spammers come to PropertyTalk and attempt to clog up the forum with unwanted posts. To help us better manage this unwanted activity, the moderators are turning on an Infractions feature built into the forum software.
What are infractions?
An infraction is a ‘red card’ that is issued to a disruptive poster. Each infraction carries a number of points. If a poster accrues enough points, they are automatically placed on the ‘watchlist’. If the behaviour continues, the points will quickly accrue, leading to an automatic banning.
‘Yellow’ card warnings can also be issued. In this case you will receive a warning message, but no infraction points.
How would I get an infraction?
Only a forum moderator can issue an infraction. Any forum member, however, can report an offensive or inappropriate post for moderator review (see post #2 below.)
An infraction could, for example, be issued for any of the following:
Infractions will be issued for inappropriate posts made in the public forum as well ‘visitor messages’ that are made on a member’s profile page.
So what happens if I get an infraction?
When an infraction is issued, a warning message is automatically sent to the offending poster. Each infraction carries a number of infraction points which will be active for a specific period of time (ranging between 3-6 months) at which time, they will drop from the poster’s point tally. Think of it as driving demerit points. Earn enough points over a short period of time, and you lose your right to post.
I've been causing trouble - how many points/infractions do I have?
If you have been given an infraction, you will see a summary on each of your posts, as shown below.
This picture shows that the offending member has received 1 warning, and 2 infractions and has a total of 7 points. This information is visible only to you and the moderators; other members will not see your infractions.
I'm on the ‘watchlist’ - what does that mean?
You can log into PropertyTalk and continue to post, but your posts will not be made public until they have been reviewed and approved by a moderator. You will not be able to make use of the Private Messaging system and you will have limited use of other forum features. When your points expire, you will come off the watchlist.
I'm banned - now what?
Too bad. You will not be able to log in to the PropertyTalk forums, write new posts or use the Private Message system. A ban is usually permanent. Any new, subsequent user profiles created by the user, if discovered, will also be banned.
A final note:
The concept of placing members on the watchlist or banning them is not new to PropertyTalk. The infractions system is simply a system for automating processes already used by the Moderators, and it also offers a more transparent approach to moderation.
Please help us to keep the PropertyTalk forums friendly and informative so we (new and experienced property investors) can meet, learn and share information. Re-read the forum rules if you are unfamiliar with them, and report any posts that you consider to be inappropriate for the forum.
Every so often, a member oversteps the boundaries of the published rules with an inappropriate post, and spammers come to PropertyTalk and attempt to clog up the forum with unwanted posts. To help us better manage this unwanted activity, the moderators are turning on an Infractions feature built into the forum software.
What are infractions?
An infraction is a ‘red card’ that is issued to a disruptive poster. Each infraction carries a number of points. If a poster accrues enough points, they are automatically placed on the ‘watchlist’. If the behaviour continues, the points will quickly accrue, leading to an automatic banning.
‘Yellow’ card warnings can also be issued. In this case you will receive a warning message, but no infraction points.
How would I get an infraction?
Only a forum moderator can issue an infraction. Any forum member, however, can report an offensive or inappropriate post for moderator review (see post #2 below.)
An infraction could, for example, be issued for any of the following:
- Destructive comments targeted at the PT community or its individual members.
- Hateful, threatening, abusive, vulgar and/or discriminatory posts.
- Making statements which could be construed as defamation.
- Posting material that you have no right to post, due to legal or fiduciary obligations.
- Inappropriate use of an alias (user login name) to influence a discussion on PT, or by any commercial entity.
- Invading another person’s privacy (a member or non-member, for example posting personal contact details).
- Making negative comments based on hearsay and/or without signing your post with your real name.
- Abusing the reporting system.
- Repeatedly posting a commercial post outside the Caveat Emptor forums.
Infractions will be issued for inappropriate posts made in the public forum as well ‘visitor messages’ that are made on a member’s profile page.
So what happens if I get an infraction?
When an infraction is issued, a warning message is automatically sent to the offending poster. Each infraction carries a number of infraction points which will be active for a specific period of time (ranging between 3-6 months) at which time, they will drop from the poster’s point tally. Think of it as driving demerit points. Earn enough points over a short period of time, and you lose your right to post.
I've been causing trouble - how many points/infractions do I have?
If you have been given an infraction, you will see a summary on each of your posts, as shown below.
This picture shows that the offending member has received 1 warning, and 2 infractions and has a total of 7 points. This information is visible only to you and the moderators; other members will not see your infractions.
I'm on the ‘watchlist’ - what does that mean?
You can log into PropertyTalk and continue to post, but your posts will not be made public until they have been reviewed and approved by a moderator. You will not be able to make use of the Private Messaging system and you will have limited use of other forum features. When your points expire, you will come off the watchlist.
I'm banned - now what?
Too bad. You will not be able to log in to the PropertyTalk forums, write new posts or use the Private Message system. A ban is usually permanent. Any new, subsequent user profiles created by the user, if discovered, will also be banned.
A final note:
The concept of placing members on the watchlist or banning them is not new to PropertyTalk. The infractions system is simply a system for automating processes already used by the Moderators, and it also offers a more transparent approach to moderation.
Please help us to keep the PropertyTalk forums friendly and informative so we (new and experienced property investors) can meet, learn and share information. Re-read the forum rules if you are unfamiliar with them, and report any posts that you consider to be inappropriate for the forum.
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