Question about rules.

[nmeseth]

Does this forum promote the same fascist atmosphere as civfanatics?

Spent about 1-2 weeks there, and shortly realized that the moderators lock every thread that comes close to a disagreement, and any discussion of moderator action is removed and the user is given an infraction. Seriously reminds me of the third reich.

Anyhow...

Is this site any better? Do you guys actually allow discussion?

[Elok]

Well, if you're seriously reminded of the Third Reich by a bunch of overbearing internet weenies, you don't know what the Third Reich was like. But no, moderation is basically comatose here, which generally works out fine. The rules, in practice:

1. Thou shalt NOT post porn.
2. Thou shalt NOT repeatedly threaten to physically attack another poster.
3. Thou shalt NOT advertise your site where we can get crappy little consumer goods no self-respecting nerd is interested in. Probably not other stuff either, but for some reason we always get bots advertising handbags or shoes or something.
4. Thou shalt NOT offer stolen software or other illegal stuff.
5. Thou shalt NOT insult family members of other posters.
6. Thou shalt NOT be horrifically, brazenly, persistently, deliberately offensive.
7. Thou SHALT stay somewhere sort of close to on topic for the individual board, except for the Off-Topic board where, of course, there is no topic to stay on.

Other than that it's all good. By #6, I mean stuff like responding to a post by a gay guy with "why don't you ask your boyfriend you disgusting butt-ramming poofter." That (or similarly primitive racist/other bigoted behavior) will get you a warning, and eventually get you banned if you don't knock it off. Other than that...well, if you post something really pointlessly stupid and offensive, but not racist (a really one-dimensional religious troll that doesn't metamorphose into a real discussion, say), it may be quietly disappeared on you. But that's rare. Generally even egregious trolls go unmolested, while bad troll attempts are allowed to sink. If you want a clearer picture, check out the Off-Topic forum, known as the OT.

[Elok]

Also, I see from your name that you're one of Anne McCaffrey's dragons. What color are you?

[Felch]

any discussion of moderator action is removed and the user is given an infraction.

What's "moderator action," and what are infractions?

[nmeseth]

So the typical forum rules. Alright ^_^

Moderator action..anything related to moderators doing action. You cannot discuss it. If you say that you don't understand why your thread got locked, you get an infraction. Try discussing the infraction? Another infraction.

[SlowwHand]

Typical CivFan crap.

[Elok]

So the typical forum rules. Alright ^_^

Moderator action..anything related to moderators doing action. You cannot discuss it. If you say that you don't understand why your thread got locked, you get an infraction. Try discussing the infraction? Another infraction.

Ah. Here we have "moderator infractions" in the form of our "Limey moderator," "MikeH," calling you a "bell end" and advising you to "stop whining" because he doesn't "give a damn."

[Elok]

Also, you still haven't told me what color you are. Inquiring minds want to know--don't be ashamed if you're not a bronze.

[DaShi]

Is this site any better? Do you guys actually allow discussion?

No, we only troll and insult each other. We're all too busy for discussions.

[Martin Gühmann]

Elok summed it up pretty, well.

7. Thou SHALT stay somewhere sort of close to on topic for the individual board, except for the Off-Topic board where, of course, there is no topic to stay on.

I think this is what the fanatics have problems with. Threads may go off-topic, even in the on-topic forums, but that is how human communication works. We accept this. Besides this, you just need the skills to cope with human beings in real life, including common sense, and good will.

-Martin