Announcement Changes for Political & Religious Topics - "The Basement"

[Tex]

Dear Orbinauts,

We have made a change to the forum concerning political and religious topics. First, we have created a new forum specifically for these topics called 'The Basement'. By default, you will not be able to see the new forum until you opt-in. In order to do that, you must join 'The Basement' usergroup through your Group Memberships page, which can also be found in your UserCP menu. After you choose to join The Basement, you will now see the new forum towards the very bottom of the forum list on the home page, just above the 'International Forum'. You can always opt-out again by leaving The Basement usergroup, should you not wish to see the political forum or its threads in the new posts list.

Inside of The Basement forum, there will be virtually no moderation. Members are free to post at will about politics and religion, however we will not allow direct attacks against another person or group. If you have been attacked or believe someone else has been, then you must report the post so we can take necessary action. Attacks will lead to a swift infraction the first time followed by lost access to The Basement there after. Use common sense! We're not looking for trolling, flame wars, or off-topic - only attacks. Keep it civil, but feel free to discuss and debate to your hearts content. To be more clear, please see the rules for the Basement below...

We came to this decision after evaluating just how much time we have to spend moderating such topics. We completely realize many of you enjoy the freedom of being able to discuss political topics and debate religion where most forums simply ban those discussions all together. Instead of banning the topics, we felt a separate forum setup as an opt-in system, and with little moderation, was the best choice.

Finally, in addition to The Basement, we have renamed the Off-Topic category to 'Far Side of the Moon' and the Off-Topic forum to 'Brighton Lounge' moving it just above the International Forum and The Basement.


The Basement Rules:

1. The Basement is for political and religious topics in which members are free to post with virtually no moderation. We are not concerned about trolling, flame wars, off-topic posts, or indescriptive thread titles. However, direct attacks against a person, group, or country will not be allowed. For example, ("you're a retard," etc.) or ("Americans are retards," etc.) is considered an attack. If you've been attacked or believe someone else has been, then you must report the post so the staff can review it and take any necessary action. Attack posts will be removed and an infraction will be issued the first time, followed by lost access to the Basement there after.

2. Discussing Orbiter-Forum staff action in the Basement is absolutely not allowed, the same as any other forum! If you have a question about a post removed from anywhere on the bulletin board or about an infraction or ban issued, then you must contact an admin or moderator, in private, by sending them a PM!

3. What is posted in the Basement, STAYS IN THE BASEMENT!! That means, talking about a thread or posts from the Basement in the chat box or any other thread on the bulletin board is NOT allowed! We're trying to avoid any of the nastiness bound to be posted in the Basement from spilling into other forums or chat areas. Any spillage from the Basement to any other part of the bulletin board will lead to a swift kick to the knee and lost access to the Basement! We are not kidding here either. If you like posting in the Basement, then it better stay in there or you will lose access to it.

Update for XenForo, 2022:

The place you need to go to make this change is different in XenForo; please see the handy image guide below:

 

[mojoey]

Thanks!

 

[SiberianTiger]

At NK forum, such section is called "The Black Hole". Whatever goes there, can never come up again. :lol:

 

[Izack]

Glad to see this implemented. Now the mod team will have more time to do bugger all pay attention to other matters.

Thanks!

At NK forum, such section is called "The Black Hole". Whatever goes there, can never come up again. :lol:

That name was actually considered! :lol:

 

[RisingFury]

UnrealAddicts had a "Flame war" thread with a similar opt-in system. We never deleted any posts except for spam bots. We just dumped everything in there and let members resolve their hostilities.

 

[Tex]

Although spam wasn't mentioned, it should be obvious that won't be allowed. Otherwise, the only thing we'll step in over is attacks. For example, replying to someone with something like, "You're a ing idiot [or some other expletive]" would be removed.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Where is that forum, anyway? I've subscribed to the group and can only see:

• Spaceflight News
• Math & Physics
• Astronomy & the Night Sky
• Backyard Rocketry
• Brighton Lounge
• International Forum

in the "Far Side of The Moon" section.

 

[Spacethingy]

Hmmm. Shame we need a non-moderation area. But thanks for the organisation anyway! I'm loving the new names!

 

[Tex]

Where is that forum, anyway? I've subscribed to the group and can only see:

• Spaceflight News
• Math & Physics
• Astronomy & the Night Sky
• Backyard Rocketry
• Brighton Lounge
• International Forum

in the "Far Side of The Moon" section.

Thanks for pointing this out. It's a slight permissions problem I over looked. For some reason, your primary group being anything except Verified Member causes the Basement to remain hidden, even after you joined the group. I fixed your account now, so you should see the forum.

Allow me to see if there is a quicker way to fix this for everyone else who has a different primary group as well, otherwise I'll have to change all of them one by one.

 

[Mojave]

Thanks. Does this mean I am not permitted to post news articles about news stories? Just so I don't get into any trouble

 

[Tex]

If it's political or religious news, it goes in the Basement. If you're not sure, post it in the Basement or post it in Brighton Lounge and we will move it later if its better off in the Basement.

 

[Mojave]

If it's political or religious news, it goes in the Basement. If you're not sure, post it in the Basement or post it in Brighton Lounge and we will move it later if its better off in the Basement.

So if the newstory talks about say a political candidate, or someone in the US senate etc., I should post it into the basement?

 

[Tex]

Allow me to see if there is a quicker way to fix this for everyone else who has a different primary group as well, {...}

Fixed for all, thankfully didn't have to change anything for each individual account.

 

[Tex]

So if the newstory talks about say a political candidate, or someone in the US senate etc., I should post it into the basement?

:yes:

 

[Mojave]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up.



SE

 

[Ghostrider]

Why "The Basement"? Because it rhymes with "debasement"? Why not "the Cellar" or "the Dungeon"?

 

[Izack]

So if the newstory talks about say a political candidate, or someone in the US senate etc., I should post it into the basement?

Yep! :thumbup:

Think about it - this is a spaceflight simulator's forum. News of any kind is off-topic enough, debates/discussion is definitely not the main focus, so to the basement it goes! Quite a party brewing down there.

Edit: Missed a bit of posting there. :ninja:

Why "The Basement"? Because it rhymes with "debasement"? Why not "the Cellar" or "the Dungeon"?

Can't call it the cellar because that name's too aesthetically pleasing, can't call it the Dungeon because alas! we do not own a castle. We'll rename it if you get us one.

 

[Ghostrider]

can't call it the Dungeon because alas! we do not own a castle. We'll rename it if you get us one.

I'll work on it. Do you want moats with it or not?

 

[Izack]

I'll work on it. Do you want moats with it or not?

Eh, sure, why not splurge today. Do you offer magma?

 

[Codz]

Eh, sure, why not splurge today. Do you offer magma?

I believe the term is lava if above ground.:lol: