Violation and Ban Policy
Rule violations are organized into a number of distinct categories and the ban policy applies to each category individually. If a user violates multiple categories simultaneously, he will receive the subsequent stage on all categories.
Consecutive rule violations within each category will be handled as follows:
Warning
Ban #1: 2-5 days
Ban #2: 1 week
Ban #3: 2 weeks
Ban #4: 1 month
Ban #5: permanent
Furthermore:
If the first violation is severe, the moderator may decide to skip the warning and proceed to the first ban stage.
Users will be notified on their fourth ban that the next ban within the same category will result in a permanent ban from the site.
"Unban upon appeal" occurs when the moderator needs to speak with the banned user before allowing him to return to the site and counts for the next ban stage in the progression list.
One violation stage will be removed for each 6 months the user has demonstrated good behavior (no warnings/bans within that specific category).
E.g. If a user who is banned for 1 week (Ban #2) for spam does not violate any rules contained within the spam category for 6 months, a new spam ban from the site will again be 1 week.
If you are banned:
Do not evade your ban. Creating/using alternative accounts is not allowed. If you are found to have evaded your ban, your ban sentence will be lengthened (best-case) or your account will be permanently banned (worst-case).
You may use the web-client link on the ban message to speak with your banning moderator on IRC. Do not discuss your ban in the main channel; please PM a forum moderator directly (keys/&s). The first moderator who answers your message will re-direct you to your banning moderator.
Banned users must always speak with their banning moderator. This moderator fully understands the reason for the ban (and has read any deleted posts/threads), whereas the rest of the team will only know the basics. To avoid the possibility of misunderstandings occurring, you must speak with the moderator in question.
If you choose not to discuss you ban with your banning moderator on IRC, you will receive a PM upon your account being unbanned with details of your offense.
We encourage you to discuss any questions or misgivings you may have regarding your ban (or warning) so that the situation is fully resolved. If communication breaks down between you and the moderator in question (after a legitimate attempt at discussion), you may bring your concerns to another forum moderator or a DB admin.
P.S this is just a "incase anything happens" backup.
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