NationStates Jolt Archive

Folks, please remember that the Moderation forum itself was a compromise. Players wanted Mod elections and so forth. [violet] said no, but created the Moderation forum as to give players a forum to raise objections and ask questions about how things were done. Granted, this was over a year ago, but the fact still remains that this forum is the compromise.

The Moderation forum was created a while back for us players, who had questions about moderation actions. It was given to us out of respect, so we should treat it with respect as well. A lot of other forums that I've been to do not have such a section.
Nationstates Gameplay Rules (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=387128)

Recent Moderator Actions/Decisions

Links to albinoblacksheep are not permitted on NationStates. It falls under the same category as Ebaumsworld and Plasticnipple; often offensive or spam (or people use in a spam-like manner), and when posted directly to the forums it takes up bandwidth.


Feeder regions:
["The Pacific", "The North Pacific", "The East Pacific", "The South Pacific", "The West Pacific"]
Civil Headquarters ads permitted once per day.
Recruitment telegrams permitted; one per nation.

"The Rejected Realms":
Civil Headquarters ads permitted once per day.
I have to double-check the recruitment telegrams bit.

"Lazarus":
No Civil Headquarters ads permitted, ever.
No telegramming residents with recruitment ads, ever.

Regions designated by NationStates Admins and Mods as "Warzones":
Spamming the Civil Headquarters is allowed, so recruitment ads are also allowed.
No telegramming residents with recruitment ads, ever.

Player-created regions without a Founder:
No Civil Headquarters ads permitted, ever.
No telegramming residents with recruitment ads, ever.

Player-created regions with a Founder:
Civil Headquarters ads are permitted only with the expressed permission of the Founder.
No telegramming residents with recruitment ads, ever.

--The Modified Democratic States of Cogitation

Guidelines for Graphic Content
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=395843

Suggested Guidelines for Soft/Hard Ignores
Sarzonia has created a good list of suggestions of what to do when faced with a possible 'ignore' situation, and the definitions of soft/hard ignore.
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=407062

Ruling on Signature Length
A couple of links in small text is acceptable, but enormous sigs are visually disruptive to threads they are posted in. A mod decision some time ago recommended sigs be no bigger than eight lines and noted that those larger than that may be edited, though it'd take some digging to find that.

Revealing Other Players' IP Addresses
IP swapping among admins of offsite boards is outside our jurisdiction, and as such, we can take no action. IP swapping in public on our boards is not premitted.

Moderators do not solve personal problems with other players. The RP aspect of the game is left to you. If there are constant confrontations, and there is no resolution, put the other nation on ignore.
Player Confrontation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=395462)


Table of Contents
What to Put in Moderation
A. UN Proposal Deletion (and why it was deleted) and UN Endorsements
B. Archive Questions
C. Region Questions
D. Spam
E. Thread Changes: Lock/Delete/New Title
F. Nation Deletion Questions
G. Forum Banning
H. Nationstates not Loading

What not to put in Moderation, but in the Getting Help Page
I. Getting Help (Everything that should be filed here, rather than in the Moderation Forum)

Extras
J. Making an Appeal
K. Moderator Olympics!
L. Miscellaneous Threads of Importance!

What to Put in Moderation

A. Proposal Deletion and UN Endorsements
1. If your proposal was deleted, then either it was given the wrong category for the specific proposal that was written, or the moderators didn’t feel it was necessary to be written and put up for proposal, or it just didn’t make sense.
Wrong Category for Proposal (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388762)
Another Wrong Category (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=378490)
Real Life situations shouldn't be included in NS Proposals (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=384205)
Contains Real Life Wording in Proposal (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=358761)

You can also request that Proposal can be deleted by a mod.
Mod Request (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=355184)


2. Each nation in the UN can endorse multiple UN nations within its region. It’s like saying that any nation you endorse can have the potential of being a good UN Delegate. You can only endorse nations within your region as well.
Endorsing more than 1 nation (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389097)

B. Archive Question
Why the Archive Request sticky was removed (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389139)

C. Regional Question
Kicking everyone out of a region, and changing the password to keep region closed (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388634)
Region-crashing (password protecting a region after crashing it) (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388347)
Ad Questions (recruitment telegrams/ads in Feeder Regions) (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389458)
Flag Question (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=373615)

D. Spam
Spam/SPAM: Off-topic, irrelevant and multi-posts that clog the server. This includes posting lots of smilies which is known as Smilie Spam. Also akin to spamming is Post-whoring which is when a player posts anything just to increase the postcount. Going in and out of a region and hence filling up the regional events board with departing and arriving messages is known as Events Log Spamming and is not allowed. Spamming to the point where you get deleted is known as Klamathing. Spamming in the forums should be reported through the Moderation forum, and In-game, through the Getting Help Page. (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=help/pin=-1/target=help/)

Spam Telegrams (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=386059)
More About Spam T-grams (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385635)
Posting “In Before the Lock” (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389119)
Spamming in Regions (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=378013)
Spam in Forums (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=381334)
Advertising another Forum (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=397090)

E. Thread Changes: Lock/Delete/New Title/Move
If you ever need to change the name of your thread, feel free to post in Moderation to have a mod change it for you. Also, if at any time, there is a post within your thread, that seems to bring down the whole gist of the idea of the thread, such as spam/flame/hijacking, you can ask the moderators to delete those posts, as long as you are the creator of the thread. If the original purpose of the thread is completely ignored, or the thread is finished, then you may ask a moderator to lock it.

Title Change (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=387575)
Lock/Delete Request (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389308)
Lock Request (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=390068)
Thread Move ( http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=390085)
Request for Thread Split (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=396326)
Delete Thread Request by Creator (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=396408)

Note: In regards to thread changes, there has to be a distinction between NS/II and General. In General you can't get people's posts deleted just because you don't want them there, whereas when RPing you can.

Another note: If there is a thread within General that exceeds 1300 posts, and contains a relevant debate, there is no limit for posts, however, for threads similar to Paradise Club, they will be locked within an approximate number of posts (1300).

F. Nation Deletion Questions
If you have a question as to why your nation was deleted, post a thread in moderation to ask a mod on exactly why it was deleted. In rare instances, nations have been revived(Like here: Here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=386274) and Here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=381701)), so make sure you know exactly what happened. If you want to make a appeal about your deletion, then you need to go to the Getting Help Page, in the next section.

If your nation has been banned from nationstates, and you cannot access the forums, the only way you can ask about the ban is on the Getting Help Page.

Deletion for UN Multi’s (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389803)
Nations Deleted by the Moderators cannot be revived (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=386452)
Bad motto/T-gram Spam (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=363500)


There are only two ways for a nation to be deleted: rulebreaking and inactivity. There is no other game mechanics aspect to it.


G. Forum Banning
Nations can become forum banned for repeatedly committing offenses. There are many types of forum bans, such as one day, three days, and even a week ban from going into the forums. It is also illegal to post in the place of someone else, if their nation is forum banned. Doing so will put your own nation at risk of a similar or worse punishment.
Evading a Forum Ban (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=397717)


A moderator is allowed to delete people for any infractions they deem fit the punishment. However, all the other mods can see a log of any moderators actions and we constantly review each other's decisions. If we as a group feel a misjudgment may have been made, the decision can be reversed.


H. Nationstates Not Loading
Yes, nationstates is occasionally down. That goes with 99% of all forums. There’s always a point where the site is just getting overwhelmed by the amount of users on. If your page says “Connection Refused” then that means its down. No, your nation/region wasn’t deleted. Many people have been posting that they can’t login into Nation States. Well…read This… ( http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388834)

What not to put in Moderation, but in the Getting Help Page

I. Getting Help
Getting Help Page (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=help/pin=-1/target=help/)
The Getting Help Page is where you need to go for parts of the game that don’t involved the forums such as reviving a nation, checking a region for UN multi’s, bad nation names, and any sort of abusive or spam telegrams that you have received. Remember, if you received a telegram like that, DO NOT DELETE IT. The moderators will need it for evidence.

Getting Help from the Mods (Thread in Moderation) (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=354790)


Bad Nation Names (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388081)
UN Multi’s (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388304)
Abusive Messages (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=387125)
Nation Revival (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=387503)
Nation Hacking (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=378495)
Forum Ban Not Expired When It Should Have (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=398515)


J. Making an Appeal
If you are unsatisfied with the Getting Help page, and wish to have a direct appeal to someone: salusa@nationstates.net or admin@nationstates.net

K. Moderator Olympics!
2nd Moderator Olympics! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=315780)
3rd Moderator Olympics! (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=328216)
4th Moderator Olympics! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=365316)
5th Moderator Olympics! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=394875)

L. Miscellaneous Threads of Importance!
The Honest-To-God Truth About Moderation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=297944) by The SLAGlands
NS Command Structure (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=278705)
Moderator Profile Database (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=307199)

*starts a slow clap*

:D Nice thread, I must say. Quite a good read, and it's pretty short also. But in a good way...easy to read and understand. I vote for sticky! (even though my vote doesnt matter...)

I say, sticky it up!
Also, it could use some examples of things like spam and the like.
But it's great!

Couple of things...

One distinction to make would be time sensitive information vs. something that will be there 2 or 3 days later. The reason in game spam for feeders should go here or via modcave is because it will get bumped off before a Mod sees it on the tasklist.

Second, if someone is going to ask questions about why they were deleted, shouldn't they just ask through the Getting Help page? In order to post on the forums they would have to create a puppet, whereas they can file a Getting Help report without a nation. (as long as they remember an email).

Third, in regards to thread changes, there has to be a distinction between NS/II and General. In General you can't get people's posts deleted just because you don't want them there, whereas when RPing you can.

Looking forward to more. :)

Wait until it's finished to sticky...but it has great potential.

Speaking as a fairly new member, I personally will sum this up in one word..excellent! :)

Its a very, very good idea to have all this information in one thread, and will make it much easier for noobs, like me, to learn the rules of the game and forums.

I have lost count of the times I've had a question, and have waded through all the stickies, and what seems like hundrends of threads on this forum to find the answers. The answers are here, but this will save a lot of time and hassle searching them out.

Well done!

Added more links.
It's finished for now. :)

yes, quite a nice thread. I agree, this should be permanently pinned, and never taken down.

Well written. Congrats on the sticky.

What to Put in Moderation

A. Proposal Deletion and UN Endorsements
1. If your proposal was deleted, then either it was given the wrong category for the specific proposal that was written, or the moderators didn’t feel it was necessary to be written and put up for proposal, or it just didn’t make sense.
Wrong Category for Proposal (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388762)
Another Wrong Category (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=378490)
Real Life situations shouldn't be included in NS Proposals (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=384205)
Contains Real Life Wording in Proposal (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=358761)

You can also request that Proposal can be deleted by a mod.
Mod Request (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=355184)

*confused*

I've always understood that bad UN proposals should be dealt with via the Getting Help page. Occasionally I or somebody else reports one in this forum, but that's only when it's at quorum and only a few hours away from getting at vote (see Erastide's comment).

Goober: I'm not entirely sure on that one. I was told, on IRC, that a few of these things would be ok either way.

Earlier today a co-worker (United Socialist States of Casey Rose) showed me he had a telegram noting he was in breach of having more than one nation.
When I went to my nation once I got home, I had the same telegram.
In this case, I wish to speak for the both of us, as he tends to get lost in his own nation, much less going through forums. Obviously, we want to appeal this decision. I'm not sure how the mods came to the decision we have more than one nation. But, should I venture a guess, I would suppose it is because he and I share his PC at work and perhaps the IP's (or whatever-have-you) are the same. (I'm assuming this is based on IP logs. I can think of no other logical reason other than your system is simply malfunctioning.)
We have 2 PC's in office. Sometimes (naturally when nothing is goin on) I check on my nation stats on his PC, other times I use the other. I also check my nation from home or my g/f's. Therefore; there's at least 4 PC's I've checked my nation from (may have at my parents, but don't think so.)
I dunno if he's ever used the other PC for said purpose. And I doubt (considering how little time he spends on his nation) that he's checked it from his home PC.
Obviously, if this is the case, I ask you to reconsider and send us a message of your reconsideration to put our minds at ease. Our patterns won't change. It's just how we function.
But on the subject, I've wondered, if my g/f decided to build her own nation, how would you tell the difference if we share the PC (assuming that you log IP's to help make such a determination.)
Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
-Prez Jes-

You cannot have more than 1 UN nation per computer. There is no way around that, since the mods can't physically come to see that you are 2 different people. If you have 2 computers at your office, you have to keep to your own computer, no overlap. If you overlap, you will show up as a UN multi, and your nations will be banned from the UN.

You can have as many non-UN nations as you like. Therefore, if you and your coworker or girlfriend share a computer, 1 of you can be in the UN while the other is not.

You can register new nations and join the UN, but the ones that got kicked out won't be allowed back in.

You cannot have more than 1 UN nation per computer. There is no way around that, since the mods can't physically come to see that you are 2 different people.

So, this is to say that since we have a warning, if I stop checkin my nation on his PC we'll be in good shape?

yes, you may not share a computer. as he said, the mods can't see that you are 2 people sharing the computer

what about asking about other nations being deleted? Isnt that a good question, when nations get deleted is can affect other nations in the region.

what about asking about other nations being deleted? Isnt that a good question, when nations get deleted is can affect other nations in the region.
Are you referring to asking why a nation that is not yours has been deleted? You can ask that question, and I believe that the mods will answer you, I'm not sure I've seen a request to know why denied, no matter who asked why.

Inquiries as to why a nation not belonging to you has been deleted are a tricky thing.

Moderators accept that the deletion of a nation can affect regional politics, RPs, etc. At the same time, there is an understandable reluctance to publish the details of every single case on demand (check out the regular Mod Olympics to see how hundreds of nations are deleted over periods of a few months). It is a lot of work.

The usual policy is to reply in this forum to queries where the individual making the query has made clear some obvious connection between them and the deleted nation. For example, being members of the same region, being in the middle of an RP or debate prior to the deletion, etc. Nobody wants to have their UN Delegate or RP buddy disappear without some kind of explanation.

On the other hand, if the purpose of the query is simple curiousity, a response may not necessarily be detailed or indeed forthcoming at all. Moderators are not under any obligation to give details of a case where the person asking has nothing to do with it.

I hope this is a helpful clarification.

And it is unofficial because I am a retired Mod, but what I describe is generally what I lived by.

clarification...

You're clarification is very much appreciated. ^.^

Added a few links and quotes from the moderators, and the 3 last moderator Olympics.