So, what happens when a poster is banned? I presume that their IP address is blocked, but is it at the Message Board level or the main site level?
Or maybe I’m wrong and they can still browse the site but can’t use any of it’s features.
What message do they get when they try to use the site?
They can read, they can’t post.
I don’t know exactly what the error message reads – does it really matter?
Does anything really matter when you get right down to it? Jeez, the guy was just curious.
I just did a little research and found out what it says when one is banned from the Dope.
*A = The reason you were banned which is entered in a form by the staffer who banned you. Alternatively it could say “no reason specified”.
*B = The period of time if you were only Suspended or “Never” if it’s a full on Ban.
We don’t automatically ban an IP address. If we have reason to believe it’s a professional spammer(usually from another country) we ban the four number address. If it’s a repeat, we might even try to ban the first three. We’re rather reticent to ban an entire range. Depending on the provider, of course. I"m not really sure whether they can read the main site. I’ve never thought about that. I think Jenny or Skip would have that info.
If it’s an obvious troll, who’s been here before, and just fuckin’ with the Board, we try to ban the IP as best we can, just out of spite. Some times there are other posters using the IP, and it’s tough.
Hopefully this isn’t too much of a hijack, but are there still general notices of bannings posted in ATMB?
When we ban a typical commercial spammer, they disappear and you never know about it, unless you’re one of those who are nice enough to report them.
When we ban a long-time poster, we post an ATMB thread. When we ban someone who is currently an item on the Boards, we try to post something in ATMB, just to head off repeated msgs to us. Someone who doesn’t fit into those categories and is just a one-off nutcase, we might not.
Why not just have a (locked) sticky called “The Noose” or “The Gallows” or something that you simply write “samclem was banned for posting one to many explanations” or whatever when a non-one-off-spammer is banned/suspended? For big “household names” (so to speak) on the board you can still open a thread with the usual link trail and discussion invitation, but it seems like that would be cleaner and leave less confusion when people who aren’t really known, but aren’t really new either get taken out for something. I know I’ve seen a couple people with BANNED under their name with relatively recent posts and idly wondered why with no ATMB thread to explain it in the past.
I agree; this is a good idea. It helps with transparency- not that I think the mods don’t do a pretty good job, but it gives a preemptive argument if someone were to have a beef. It also satisfies curiosity, like Jragon mentions. I’m not nosy, but knowing the why is nice.
When I was suspended (which is effectively a temporary banning), I was able to read the site — which I did for a couple of days before moving on.
But when I tried to post (which I tried before I had knowledge of my suspension) I received a message something along these lines:
“You do not have permission to access this forum.” Or something to that effect.
'Course, doing this would seem like an invitation to some who would try to get on the list as many times as they can.
We prefer to keep this low key and do not wish to overly publicize or even romanticize the idea of going out in a blaze of glory – inciting “suicide by mod” is counterproductive to the goal of building a community.
If you have a question about someone or wish to report you can always use the “report this post” function and/or send us email on the subject.
Our policy on trolls is basically to ban them and remove their posts. We do the same with banned persons who try to sneak back in. These folks are just out for attention, and we don’t want to give them any.
Seems unlikely. They are probably posting like everyone else. Which is to say, many reasons. I’ve seen a lot of Banned posts lately that looked absoblooming normal. You can ban them if it makes you feel better, but it doesn’t make sense to ascribe “just out for attention” to normal posts. I can think of several posters on this thread who fit that rubric.
Look up King Nifty and his socks. Some certainly do make accounts just to game the system.
We usually remove the very worst posts from public view, so what you see is not always representative of what got the bannee banned.
I guess I could ask, but won’t you guys do the hard work for us? 
Seriously, though, with this and Dex’s explanation, I’m content. I wasn’t aware that we’re allowed to ask for the true head scratchers.
Send us an email – we’ll tell you what there is. In some cases it’s truly better to keep minimum publicity and not give trolls the attention they crave.
