I'm sorry, but this issue is being blown out of proportion - this certainly isn't the way to raise it. We've got to meet each other halfway when it comes to moderating. If we don't enforce every rule for everyone, people will complain we're being biased. If we enforce some of the rules for most people, people will complain that we're not doing our job. It's a case of damned if you damned, damned if you don't.
I know you've been around a long time, and believe me, I appreciate everyone who sticks around and makes a positive contribution. But that still doesn't give you the right to flame mods in the General Talk forum or through private messaging. A simple request to modify a signature to comply with the rules shouldn't cause so much hassle.
It may only seem like a small thing, but there's a reason we go into so much detail with the rules. Even though I may not be offended by certain material, I have to base the rules on what may be offensive (and what may get us into trouble).
I don't want to receive angry emails from parents (yes, I've received them) because the forum has proved to be a source of lewd or otherwise unacceptable images or content. I don't want GameSpy terminating our hosting because we've broken the rules with our content or stance on certain issues (such as pirated games and other illegal downloads).
If we're going to be too casual about enforcing the rules, we might as well not have them. If we don't enforce every rule, then it is an issue when we warn someone for something most people have been getting away with for sometime.
alexboom wrote:But above all, I've got a suggestion : What about removing sigs for everyone ? It's been 18 monhts since the new forum is opened, and I can hardly remember a sig that's worth it. I'm most of the time angry against people that have long signatures and that never post more than a line.
There are limits that are enforced. Some latitude is given, but if signatures are in violation of the rules, the user is messaged and politely requested to modify their signature. I would rather not disable signatures, and most forums do allow them without too many problems.