Ben brought Fonzy's odd behavior to my attention and I suggested that he also consult Andrew as to what to do. Andrew and I both have agreed that we have Ben in the position that he is in because he does a good, reliable job, and we both trust his judgement. He is the lead forum moderator and as such part of his job is to keep our forum clean and prevent people from breaking the rules. When people do break the rules they are warned, and not just once. In Fonzy's case, there was a lot of warning and a lot of "putting up with" the treatment of not just Ben, but other forum members and customers. We are trying to grow the community, not scare away people because we don't enforce the rules. That is not just bad for business, it's bad for the forum community as well.
It surprised me and saddened me that this situation has arisen and resulted in the outcome that it did, but I cannot say that it was not without plenty of fair warning for Fonzy. We do not ban people lightly, and we do not ban people frequently. We are not at all "sensitive" here. I believe Fonzy is just the second or third person banned from this forum ever for reasons other than being a spammer. That means we ban someone here on average significantly less than once per year. See if you can find another forum that can say the same without being a complete free-for-all. We try hard NOT to ban people, and in fact have avoided banning people in multiple cases that I might have done so otherwise, were it not for Andrew's input. But rules are rules, and we cannot have people breaking rules if they are going to be followed, we cannot have people being harassed. When rules and authority to enforce the rules are ignored and even mocked, we respond according to the rules. We trust Ben's judgement. In spite of the sadness it causes me to see this happen, it will stand according to Ben's judgement so long as he has our trust in doing his job correctly. It is my rule that we will not tolerate any of our staff abusing or harassing our customers, and we will not tolerate any of our customers abusing or harassing our staff. Period.
As for his posts and threads, they are left in place not because they were good for advertising, which they were (and we thank him for his kindness in that direction). They are left in place for the value they contribute to the community, as he was a knowledgeable member. Usually, we avoid removing posts and/or threads that are not in violation of the rules, even if the person creating them is banned. I will say it again, it makes me sad to see him shoot himself in the foot like he did, but if we do not enforce the rules when they are broken, why do we have them at all? Fonzy made his choices and actions, and he is accountable for those choices and actions, just as all of the rest of us are. If you break the rules, then the rules will be enforced. It's true for all of you just as it is for me, which is why I no longer discuss certain topics, even though I may disagree as to whether or not they fall under the jurisdiction of the rules. I follow the rules as understood by the enforcers of those rules, of which I am one of three such persons. We keep things fair from top to bottom here. It's not always pleasant, but it is necessary to preserve the order, integrity and spirit of the community, and the community and business itself.
It surprised me and saddened me that this situation has arisen and resulted in the outcome that it did, but I cannot say that it was not without plenty of fair warning for Fonzy. We do not ban people lightly, and we do not ban people frequently. We are not at all "sensitive" here. I believe Fonzy is just the second or third person banned from this forum ever for reasons other than being a spammer. That means we ban someone here on average significantly less than once per year. See if you can find another forum that can say the same without being a complete free-for-all. We try hard NOT to ban people, and in fact have avoided banning people in multiple cases that I might have done so otherwise, were it not for Andrew's input. But rules are rules, and we cannot have people breaking rules if they are going to be followed, we cannot have people being harassed. When rules and authority to enforce the rules are ignored and even mocked, we respond according to the rules. We trust Ben's judgement. In spite of the sadness it causes me to see this happen, it will stand according to Ben's judgement so long as he has our trust in doing his job correctly. It is my rule that we will not tolerate any of our staff abusing or harassing our customers, and we will not tolerate any of our customers abusing or harassing our staff. Period.
As for his posts and threads, they are left in place not because they were good for advertising, which they were (and we thank him for his kindness in that direction). They are left in place for the value they contribute to the community, as he was a knowledgeable member. Usually, we avoid removing posts and/or threads that are not in violation of the rules, even if the person creating them is banned. I will say it again, it makes me sad to see him shoot himself in the foot like he did, but if we do not enforce the rules when they are broken, why do we have them at all? Fonzy made his choices and actions, and he is accountable for those choices and actions, just as all of the rest of us are. If you break the rules, then the rules will be enforced. It's true for all of you just as it is for me, which is why I no longer discuss certain topics, even though I may disagree as to whether or not they fall under the jurisdiction of the rules. I follow the rules as understood by the enforcers of those rules, of which I am one of three such persons. We keep things fair from top to bottom here. It's not always pleasant, but it is necessary to preserve the order, integrity and spirit of the community, and the community and business itself.
Subliminal Audio Specialist & Administrator
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
