Frequently Asked Questions

Code of Conduct - For Moderators and Administrators

An important part of the success of the scripts are the moderators and the image and attitude they project. This code of conduct describes this attitude so that it may be more uniformly projected by the moderation team.

Be Patient

Try to be patient, yes sometimes it is necessary to step an OP through what an expert would consider a trivial problem. Losing your patience with a member is never constructive and could be very off-putting for other members and guests.

Be Responsible

Always remember you are responsible for how this site is viewed and perceived by other members and guests. Consider how your remarks will be interpreted before you make them. Try to make sure the message you convey is the one you intend.

Be Formal

If one is available use a standardised formal response to any given situation requiring moderation. Several of these available in the Guidelines to Moderators, more can be provided on request. Feel free to make up your own, but keep the code of conduct and posting guidelines in mind when doing so.

This formality standardises the responses of the moderators to similar situations and helps to provide a united front to the members.

Be Courteous/Respectful

Even under time pressure, courtesy costs little and impresses people a lot. It's not about whether working with the person is easy or difficult; it's about setting the right tone. Try not to use an elitist tone.

Set a good example

Behave in the manner you expect other members to behave in. If you want them to be calm, then stay calm yourself. If you want them to be courteous and friendly, be courteous and friendly. Follow the posting guidelines.

The habitual behavior of members on this site is the most powerful influence on newbies arriving on the site. You will soon find that new members will generally follow the tone and behaviour they find in other threads in the forum.

Editing, Deleting, Moving, Merging and Splitting Threads

When you edit or delete a post or thread the poster will receive an automated PM which will include the "reason for edit/deletion" if you give one.

There is to be NO communication with members in threads on issues of moderation. All communication is to be private (by PM).
You can, if you wish, back up the automated PM with one of your own if you feel the poster deserves a more detailed explanation.
You can edit or delete posts or threads according to site guidelines but please don't close threads. This should only be done under extreme circumstances by an admin.

Generally it is appropriate to edit, delete, move, merge or split any thread so that it conforms to the rest of the FAQ, however here are some specifics.

Editing a Thread

It is appropriate to edit a thread to change its title so that it is in line with the FAQ. Please give a reason for this edit in the "Reason for Edit" textbox.

Editing a Post

It is appropriate to edit a post to add formatting tags ([code]) where they could sensibly be used e.g. the user has posted a lot of code without using tags. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this and the user will receive an automated PM.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove formatting tags ([b], [i]) where they have been used inappropriately. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove any bad/foul language; the words should be asterisked out. Depending on the severity and frequency of the bad/foul language you could consider deleting the entire post. Also depending on severity anything from an “edit reason” to a post or PM to a ban may be required. If you are unsure contact an Administrator or fellow moderator for advice.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove a link to a site that is not allowed. It is suggested that you just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this unless there is an excessive number of links in which case stronger action may be needed.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove an email address. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post or alternatively PM the user telling them why posting their email address is a bad idea.

Deleting a Thread

All deletes are soft deletes
Threads should be deleted when the question doesn't comply with site standards
When deleting a thread please fill in the "Reason for Deletion" textbox.

Main reasons for Thread Deletion are:

Send me the full codes questions
Threads, where the question or Insight is unintelligible

Really bad spelling, that a quick edit couldn't fix
Lack of any kind of details
Vague questions, where the expert has to continuously ask for more details
Really bad grammar and punctuation, makes the thread incomprehensible
Profanity, cursing, YELLING
spamming, promoting commercial products
off-topic

Deleting a Post

All posts that are spam should be deleted, the posting user should be banned.

Any post containing an excessive amount of bad/foul language may be deleted. Also depending on severity anything from a PM to the posting user to a ban may be required.

Any post containing a personal attack or personal abuse should be deleted.

Any post that does not comply with site standards should be deleted if an appropriate edit cannot be made

When deleting please fill in the "Reason for Deletion" textbox.

Moving a Thread

Any thread that is off topic in the forum it is posted in but would be on topic in another forum of the site should be moved to that forum.

There is no need to post in the thead as an automated PM is sent to the poster

Merging Two Threads

Any two or more threads may be merged if all the following conditions are true

They are started by the same user
They are posted in the same forum or one or more is posted in an unrelated forum.
They are about the same subject or question

There is no need to post in the resulting thead as an automated PM is issued to the OP.

Splitting A Thread

You may split a thread into 2 or more threads if one or more of the following cases apply

A user has posted a question randomly at the end of someone else’s thread
A user is asking a second unrelated question in the same thread
A second user has posted a related question but the moderator feels it is better handled in it’s own thread

An automated PM is issued to the poster.

When to ban a user, how long to ban them for

This section gives an idea of the appropriate level of action to take against users who have broken the posting rules. When deciding to ban a user it is suggested that you talk the situation over with another moderator or administrator before taking action. Also it is suggested that you take the posting record of the user into consideration. I would also like to remind moderators that in most cases a ban should be considered a last recourse when other methods of communication have failed.

Infraction	Action
Posted Spam	Permanent Ban
Excessive use of bad/foul language	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Personal Attack or Personal Abuse, including 2 users being equally abusive of each other.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Posting someone else’s email address or personal details	Permanent Ban
Repeatedly posting links to sites that contain inappropriate content having been warned not to.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Serious flooding of the forums (note no warning required) or continued minor flooding of the forums having been warned not to.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Repeatedly posting links to a forum that is in competition with The Scripts Developer Network having been warned not to.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Repeatedly putting your entire post in bold or italic having been warned not to.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Repeatedly putting unacceptable material in your signature or attaching your signature to a technical post when it contains a link having been warned not to.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban
Repeatedly doing anything when you have been warned not to by a moderator or administrator.	First Offence – 7 to 30 day ban Further Offence Following a Recent Ban – Permanent Ban