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theGinsue
04-06-2011, 08:26
“What did I do wrong?”

I’ve been getting that exact question from a lot of folks lately after I remove their threads in the Trading Post forums.

My response is always the same – you didn’t exactly do anything “wrong”, you just don’t meet site requirements.

When I remove a thread in the Trading Post forums, I always send the OP of the thread a PM indicating why their thread has been removed. Yes, I even use “canned” messages to save me from having to type the same information over and over again. Example:

We have a requirement for people posting in the ANY of the Trading Post forums (including the Wanted forum). You need to read and then post an acknowledgement post to verify that you indeed have read and acknowledge the site rules, this is now required BEFORE you post an item for sale, trade or wanted. Go to this thread to complete this requirement: http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33477 (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33477)

Some of the time I remove a thread it’s because the member doesn’t have their location listed in their profile – as required for ALL members on this site. More often than not though, the thread is removed because the member hasn’t read and acknowledged the first post in the Site Rules Acknowledgement (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33477) thread, simply titled “Please read, and Acknowledge”. Not only is this thread a sticky at the top of the Firearms For Sale forum, but the mods of the site have posted sticky thread with a link for this requirement in the Firearm Accessories For Sale (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33592) forum and the Non-Firearm Items For Sale (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33593) forum. In fact, reading the first post in the “Please read, and Acknowledge” thread is required for starting a thread in any of the Trading Post forums.

So, “Why do I have to read and acknowledge the site rules if I haven’t done anything wrong?” The simple answer is to ensure that you are aware of the rules so you WON’T do anything wrong through ignorance. Violations of the site rules were becoming so rampant that administering/moderating the site was a logistical nightmare. When folks were informed of their infractions many folks said they didn’t know they had violated any rules. By requiring everyone posting in the Trading Post forums read and acknowledge the rules we’ve eliminated the possibility of ignorance. Other than the occasional brain fart, anyone violating the rules must be doing so willfully which is why the post you are acknowledging also spells out the consequences for violations.

So, what did you do wrong? Nothing, and we’d like to help you keep it that way.

I hope this clears things up.

theGinsue

Bailey Guns
04-06-2011, 08:31
Good luck...

theGinsue
04-06-2011, 08:32
Yeah, I know.

StagLefty
04-06-2011, 08:37
Your getting old Ginsue-folks don't read stuff like requirements anymore [Coffee]

Zundfolge
04-06-2011, 08:41
There has to be a vBulletin mod that will automate this for you.

I found this one: Cyb - Advanced Forum Rules (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122998)


Info:
Advanced Forum Rules system for vBulletin.

Main Features:
-Rules shown on separate page (no file uploads required)
-BB codes enabled
-Options to force users to accept Forum Rules before can view forums, post, send PMs,...I'm pretty sure I've posted on other vBulletin based forums that used this. (also note that I linked to the version for vBulletin Version 3.6.8, which is what this forum runs ... not sure if upgrading to a newer vBulletin build would work even better ... they're up to version 4.1.3 now but I'm not sure its worth the expense and hassle to upgrade).

Cman
04-06-2011, 08:41
I thought that because Im a male that I'm not suppose to read the instructions untill all else fails. [ROFL2]

68Charger
04-06-2011, 08:51
I'd say a mod to block posts in certain sub-forums until they're approved by a Moderator would be ideal.

I'm on another forum where you can't even see the trading post until you have like 15 or 25 posts... that's a bit extreme, but blocking posts until they meet requirements seems very reasonable to me.

arguments would be that they can't post to ask questions about an item in trading post- well, then meet the requirements! if you're not willing to agree to those terms, we're probably better off without your BS- any deal is more likely to go bad, because you're a flake.

Mtn.man
04-06-2011, 09:06
we have requirements?

TFOGGER
04-06-2011, 09:12
You'd have better luck getting people to read the requirements sticky if you changed the title to something like "Inappropriate pictures of women with guns"...


[LOL]



[Peep]

Ah Pook
04-06-2011, 09:22
Ya assume they read. [Wink]

Does VBulletin have an option to require the location field be filled out when registering? Mod approval before newbs are allowed in the sandbox?

I guess I'm missing some of the back story about the whole location requirement in the Sales Section. Seems to have made more of a problem for the mods. Or is it just more public now? Not trying to be a smart ass, just curious.

CrufflerSteve
04-06-2011, 09:24
You have challenged my essential manhood by saying I have to read instructions! Next thing you're going to require that we ask directions when traveling.

Steve

spyder
04-06-2011, 10:36
There has to be a vBulletin mod that will automate this for you.

I found this one: Cyb - Advanced Forum Rules (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122998)

I'm pretty sure I've posted on other vBulletin based forums that used this. (also note that I linked to the version for vBulletin Version 3.6.8, which is what this forum runs ... not sure if upgrading to a newer vBulletin build would work even better ... they're up to version 4.1.3 now but I'm not sure its worth the expense and hassle to upgrade).
I would have to agree with Zund on this one. HKpro has the same thing, you have to agree to the terms they give out before you post in their for sale section. I think it is a good idea.

Zundfolge
04-06-2011, 10:44
Its also automated so it doesn't require a mod or admin to spend half their life sifting through posts in the trading post ... these folk don't get paid and frankly having moderated another forum I can tell you its a thankless task that robs you of any sense of fun when foruming.

Byte Stryke
04-06-2011, 10:59
the whole problem is that society is so ingrained to click yes, I agree, Next Next, Next, OK, FINISH!


wait... I didn't see that option...

because we dont read shit.
we are lazy.
period. I Do it, you do it, everyone does it.

Installing software, reading a TOS, forum rule.
"yea yeah whatever lemme get to the good stuff before the wife gets home and makes me fix [whatever]."
seriously, who here has sat and read the a Microsoft software agreement every time they install it?

Unless there is some sort of automated requirement at registration,
"YOU MUST enter location as zip code", cross that with a Zip Database and enter the city as name, people will continue to screw it up.

pickenup
04-06-2011, 18:59
We have a trading post forum???

WillysWagon
04-06-2011, 19:28
I got your back [A9]

roberth
04-06-2011, 19:36
I am writing under the assumption that this forum is privately owned (servers, software, etc.).

I see this privately owned forum as a gift, I don't have to pay for access and I get to meet cool people and read what other people think.

Other folks think they are entitled to this privately owned forum, they think forum rules don't apply to them because of this entitlement mentality (spit) - witness the 'girls with guns' thread.

jerrymrc
04-06-2011, 19:50
I got your back [A9]


Me as well.
I am writing under the assumption that this forum is privately owned (servers, software, etc.).

I see this privately owned forum as a gift, I don't have to pay for access and I get to meet cool people and read what other people think.

Other folks think they are entitled to this privately owned forum, they think forum rules don't apply to them because of this entitlement mentality (spit) - witness the 'girls with guns' thread.

Many here seem to not understand this fact. [Bang]

spyder
04-06-2011, 19:59
Well I figure if you put up the auto agreement and some punk decides to bypass it as byte said some will do (and we all know some will) you simply block them from the for sale section or sideline them for a week for not listening.

cstone
04-06-2011, 20:13
I see this privately owned forum as a gift, I don't have to pay for access and I get to meet cool people and read what other people think.

+1 Roberth
Thank you Roger and all of the moderators. I appreciate this community and the good experiences I've had here.

SU405
04-07-2011, 12:24
[ROFL1]There are requirements here?

I just visit thinking it's always a free for all.