Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 20, 2021 20:23:04 GMT -5
How to get banned from Sphinxes.
Getting banned from Sphinxes is really really hard to do. As I'm writing this we've been active for nearly 15 years and have attracted a wonderful community of people, most of who are blessed with kind traits and common sense... just plain good people, (-8. I'm also a very big proponent second chances and mediation when appropriate. Anyone can have a bad day or type something that comes off as wrong or make a mistake, myself included. I believe in showing people kindness, dealing with private matters privately or in the appropriate places and treating everyone the way I'd like to be treated.
So, in all our years, with hundreds of Sphinx collectors we've only banned 4 or 5 people (and only 2 in recent years) and I'll explain why below so it's clear and transparent.
I won't be naming names but most of these will be obvious anyways.
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Back in the early days of Sphinxes, there was a new user who really wanted a Sphinx. She was friendly in the thread and asked for a roleplay Sphinx because she really wanted to play along. Pooka made her a lovely Sphinx and a few hours later the user had this Sphinx listed on a sale thread for a very large amount of money... her only goal being to get it and sell it. ... a bit disheartening.
In more recent years, we had one user who did have some politeness issues already, go on an offensive rant on Pony Island (where we were hosting a Sphinx event at the time). The user was clearly breaking both PI rules and our rules and was reported and warned by myself. What followed was a series of private messages to myself that were... vile. Offensive, profane and grossly misogynistic. Again the user was reported (in order to follow PI rules, though Idk if they did anything about it) and they were banned by me.
In one more example we had a user attack another player, clearly breaking our rules. They exhibited the kind of behaviour that would not have been acceptable in a kindergarten let alone a friendly free giveaway among friends and adults. There would have been a stern warning about this and perhaps other actions depending on the response, but before I could send something, I received a long ranting offensive message attacking other players and our team, it went on and on filled with negging comments and narcissism. ...and before I could even get to that message I got an "apology" where the user expected to get banned (and dictated their terms!). I'll simply paraphrase the apology as "I'm sorry... but I was right, you were wrong, also you cheat, and you don't know how to run an adoptable. I could do this better. Don't forget you do a bad job giving away your hard work for free. also, again, I'm right and your wrong, but sorry."
I should also note that this user was also already on our watch list for a few reasons, including negative and passive/aggressive comments that attacked other players and our team, so this wasn't really a first offense.
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That explains the kind of stuff that can get you banned. It's extremely rare to see this kind of behaviour around here! If there is something that makes people feel uncomfortable or breaks our rules usually I'll message you personally to talk about it and I doubt anyone reading this has ever needed that sort of warning.
The results of being banned... we don't really have a whole system for this because it is so rare and generally unnecessary. Usually it means you are blocked from our forums here and not allowed to participated in any events anywhere. Appropriate site rules for other websites will also be followed (as most things that can get you banned will also be breaking other sites rules, so obviously you will be reported). We will also not host any of your images and your owner folder will be moved or removed. Iconic and important Sphinxes that were gifts or free will be reclaimed and probably rehomed. (like say the Pharaoh or Santa Claus or a Gemstone Sphinx. Pooka asked me to mention specifically that I've never reclaimed a Pharaoh or Santa Claus! I just used them as important examples!) Other Sphinx designs (excluding specific custom OCs) may be reused... it's just to sad to see some wonderful art just erased from history.
Getting banned from Sphinxes is really really hard to do. As I'm writing this we've been active for nearly 15 years and have attracted a wonderful community of people, most of who are blessed with kind traits and common sense... just plain good people, (-8. I'm also a very big proponent second chances and mediation when appropriate. Anyone can have a bad day or type something that comes off as wrong or make a mistake, myself included. I believe in showing people kindness, dealing with private matters privately or in the appropriate places and treating everyone the way I'd like to be treated.
So, in all our years, with hundreds of Sphinx collectors we've only banned 4 or 5 people (and only 2 in recent years) and I'll explain why below so it's clear and transparent.
I won't be naming names but most of these will be obvious anyways.
-----------------
Back in the early days of Sphinxes, there was a new user who really wanted a Sphinx. She was friendly in the thread and asked for a roleplay Sphinx because she really wanted to play along. Pooka made her a lovely Sphinx and a few hours later the user had this Sphinx listed on a sale thread for a very large amount of money... her only goal being to get it and sell it. ... a bit disheartening.
In more recent years, we had one user who did have some politeness issues already, go on an offensive rant on Pony Island (where we were hosting a Sphinx event at the time). The user was clearly breaking both PI rules and our rules and was reported and warned by myself. What followed was a series of private messages to myself that were... vile. Offensive, profane and grossly misogynistic. Again the user was reported (in order to follow PI rules, though Idk if they did anything about it) and they were banned by me.
In one more example we had a user attack another player, clearly breaking our rules. They exhibited the kind of behaviour that would not have been acceptable in a kindergarten let alone a friendly free giveaway among friends and adults. There would have been a stern warning about this and perhaps other actions depending on the response, but before I could send something, I received a long ranting offensive message attacking other players and our team, it went on and on filled with negging comments and narcissism. ...and before I could even get to that message I got an "apology" where the user expected to get banned (and dictated their terms!). I'll simply paraphrase the apology as "I'm sorry... but I was right, you were wrong, also you cheat, and you don't know how to run an adoptable. I could do this better. Don't forget you do a bad job giving away your hard work for free. also, again, I'm right and your wrong, but sorry."
I should also note that this user was also already on our watch list for a few reasons, including negative and passive/aggressive comments that attacked other players and our team, so this wasn't really a first offense.
--------------
That explains the kind of stuff that can get you banned. It's extremely rare to see this kind of behaviour around here! If there is something that makes people feel uncomfortable or breaks our rules usually I'll message you personally to talk about it and I doubt anyone reading this has ever needed that sort of warning.
The results of being banned... we don't really have a whole system for this because it is so rare and generally unnecessary. Usually it means you are blocked from our forums here and not allowed to participated in any events anywhere. Appropriate site rules for other websites will also be followed (as most things that can get you banned will also be breaking other sites rules, so obviously you will be reported). We will also not host any of your images and your owner folder will be moved or removed. Iconic and important Sphinxes that were gifts or free will be reclaimed and probably rehomed. (like say the Pharaoh or Santa Claus or a Gemstone Sphinx. Pooka asked me to mention specifically that I've never reclaimed a Pharaoh or Santa Claus! I just used them as important examples!) Other Sphinx designs (excluding specific custom OCs) may be reused... it's just to sad to see some wonderful art just erased from history.
