There are some changes to the Forum section.
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The Objection feature is now completely GONE. We now only have a "Report Abuse" button. When the Report button is used, an alert is sent to the "Forum Monitor" group. ALL FMs will see an "FM Alert" notification at the top. Thereafter, they will look into the complaint. There are 3 clearly defined Complaints - Offensive, Controversial & Non-Topic. If the complaint does not fall within the definition, then it will be ignored.
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If the complaint is valid, FMs may Delete ANY blog, Archive ANY blog or BAN ANY MEMBER indefinitely - no exemptions. All of the above actions are IMMEDIATELY effective, the moment the FM takes action. When a member is banned, he is forcefully logged out of the site IMMEDIATELY and will no longer be able to login. Thereafter, the matter will be reviewed and investigated. We shall try to trace other IDs of the banned members. Those IDs will also be banned permanently. This is for the attention of those long-time members who feel that if they make a Duplicate temporary ID and post offensive blogs, their "main Member ID will be safe". No, this is not so. If it is discovered that a banned member is ACTUALLY a long-time member/Monitor/Admin using a duplicate ID to insult others and post offensive content, then the main Member ID will ALSO be banned - no exemptions.
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Needless to say, the above privileges will be exercised very rarely and in extreme situations only - maybe once a month. Most other complaints like "this member is annoying me", etc. and petty day-to-day quarrels, zone wars, etc. will be ignored.
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IRI is a recreational, non-mission-critical site. FMs have many other higher priorities in their lives, and cannot be attending to site matters 24 hrs. a day. During various phases of our lives, we may be absent from the site for months due to marriage, new job, exams, etc., and during other phases when we have more free time, we may be spending more time in IRI. Accordingly, FMs will be appointed on Rotational Basis based on their interest in moderating the Forum and also their willingness and availability to do the same, vis-a-vis their real life priorities. Most of the past FMs have at this point been retired due to their unavailability.
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Generally speaking, if a member is currently seen to be active in the site, i.e. logging in everyday, reading blogs, is generally not affiliated with any groups and keeps away from controversies, his/her request will be considered for being appointed FM. If that FM later has moved on to other things in life like new job, studies, marriage, etc. and has less time for IRI, he/she will be retired (and may be reappointed later at his/her request).
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The above rules apply to ALL members EQUALLY - new members/long-time Members/Admins/Monitors. No one is exempt. Pl. note that the above steps are to ensure a safe and family-friendly Forum for all. Thanks for everyone's cooperation.