This should help the Infraction scenario.

Most people complain about infractions saying that since others were doing it they thought it was OK. Another common complain is that why did I get an infraction and not others.

What I am thinking is to put the infraction next to the infracting post itself.
Something like what the signature's look like. This way, people cannot 'assume' something as being OK because others are doing it. Also noone can complain about why only they got an infraction and not others.

Ofcourse, I know nothing about vbulletin and whether something might be feasible, so can anyone with experience tell me whether it can be done?

 

there is a thread on it as well...

Infractions - Please Read

Though, erm, neither really clears up the confusion of the "well everyone else is doing it"

 

Infractions are private and it's no one else's business who has infractions for what.

Doing something because "everyone else is doing it" is pretty stupid. Don't most people learn that's a bad idea around the age of 10?

 

That does not really do all that much in clearing up the confusion though does it?

 

Some people will always be confused.

 

Indeed

Though I'm pretty sure the OP in this thread was trying to decrease the number of people that are/were scratching their heads over various infractions for things they've seen in XX other threads/posts.

And getting back to the original post...

It is possible to show infractions on a post by post basis to all members, though it would require a few code tweaks. Currently only mods & admin (and the person that got it) can see them. They are marked with a huge in the lower right corner of the post.

However, as I'm saying it can be done, I certainly don't want it done. I'd personally rather not have you see where I got an infraction for calling people names...as that looks bad on me.

Then again, public humiliation is a great means of keeping people in line. If my infractions are open for all to see, then you can bet I'll be paying more attention to what I've written before hitting the 'submit reply' button.
Q

 

Because I'm a nice guy and the OP asked

 

I know, I guess I just see it a little differently. Most of the people who get infractions;

1. Know they are breaking a rule and feel it's worth it.
2. Know they are breaking a rule and are playing the odds that it won't get reported.
3. Never bother reading the rules.
4. Assume that the rules don't really apply to them.
5. Don't use common sense.

Never assume that just because someone else is doing something that it's ok. Read the rules, use common sense and check with a mod or respected member if in doubt.

 

Unfortunately, I think common sense is not a virtue possed by all.

However, while I agree that infractions are a private thing and others dont need to know that I was calling some one names , I dont think most people do it on purpose. Anyway, the fact that you called someone names would look bad on you anyway.

And, I dont think people read the FAQ's very carefully, they just assume that their behavior is acceptable just because it was on another forum. for example, most people consider bumping acceptable because it is on other forums.

The way I see it, when the page is full of "PM sent", people tend to forget that that is not allowed. A big red marker might remind them, though most will probably become 'infraction blind'.

 

Getting an infraction will remind them too. That's really what an infraction is, a reminder that you're doing something you're not supposed to be doing.

 

Yes, but a bright red marker will remind others too that this is something you are not supposed to be doing.

 

Others will see a bright red marker, right in their user CP when they get an infraction for breaking the rules

 

^
The problem is others don't get reported, but you were. However you never really know if you were the only one who got that dreaded email regarding infraction, thus, let us all just follow the rules

 

I guess, I'm just you arent going to agree whatever argument I give are you? Oh well, I thought it a was good suggestion.

 

I'm not saying it's a bad suggestion, just that it most likely won't solve any problems and would probably bring a brand new set of problems into the mix.

Think about it this way - there are speed limit signs (aka rules) on pretty much every road in the US. When you take your drivers test you are asked a bunch of questions about what signs mean what and what you can and can't do. You get a rules of the road book too.

Now when you decide to break the speed limit, get caught and get a ticket (aka infraction) the police don't tape it to your window so everyone else can see it as a reminder, that's the what the speed limit signs are for. If you need to see tickets taped to every car that's been speeding as a reminder you shouldn't speed you probably shouldn't be driving the first place.

 

The infraction system, as it is set up now, should work just fine. Case in point: when I was a newer poster, I received a couple of yellow warnings for things I had posted wrongly out of ignorance. That was all I needed. I saw my error and haven't done those things again.

If people receiving infractions would learn the lesson right then and stop posting infractionable stuff, they would stop getting infractions. And we would stop getting these repetitive threads about infractions.

What is hard about this? 1) I make a post that violates the rules; 2) I get an infraction; 3) I learn a lesson from that concerning what not to do; 4) I stop doing it; 5) the infractions stop, and these infractions threads stop.

 

Your driving analogy gave me another interesting idea. How about some kind of questionaire when people sign up? New members can be required to answer questions based on the faq's before they are allowed to post.