The vbulletin forum software we're using has a new feature since the 3.6.0 update, which we will start to use as of now. Rather than just posting a warning, if some member violates our rules for any reason, we will now hand out these "infractions".
A vbulletin infraction consists of a certain point level and a certain duration. If you pass a certain threshold, some or all forum privileges will be revoked for the specified infraction duration.
We have defined the following infraction levels:
- Old thread bump - 3 points, 10 days
- Thread hijacking - 5 points, 10 days
- Inappropriate language - 10 points, 10 days
- Trolling (=intentionally starting an argument with another member) - 10 points, 15 days
- Insulting other members, 15 points, 30 days
- Inappropriate content (bootlegs, warez, ... etc.) - 15 points, 30 days
- Insulting or threatening a staff member - 20 points, 60 days
- Advertisments (Spam) - 100 points, permanent
Thresholds:
- 30 points - new thread privilege removed
- 60 points - new thread and PM privilege removed
- 70 points - 7 days ban
- 80 points - 2 week ban
- 90 points - 1 month ban
- 100 points - permanent ban
- 3 infractions - 1 day ban
As an example, if you post a link where you can download the new Vista operating system including keys (=warez), you'll get an infraction of 15 points that lasts for 30 days. If 20 days later you post another warez link you get another 15 point/30 day infraction giving you 30 points and the new thread privilege removed for 10 days (60 days for the second infraction, minus 20 days expired on the first). After another 10 days the privilege is restored, because the 15 points from the 1st infraction will have expired, leaving you with 30 points for the following 20 days.
A spam infraction worth 100 points will result in an instant permanent ban.
We're still tweaking the points and expiry times, but for now this is how it is setup.