! > I'm posting this thread as a result of an idea compromise I reached with zeseryu on implementing a system like this, and I'm going to detail out why we should have this and how it should be implemented.
! > Right now, this server has two banning systems: the one built into Minecraft utilized by our custom banning commands, with a list which always gets cleared, as well as our own "permban list" which admins have to post requests in order to have somebody placed on that list.
! > The former system acts as a warning of sorts, "if you come back after a while and keep this up you'll be permbanned" sort of deal. Of course we didn't always have the permban list and back then somebody would just be repeatedly banned by admins, but the permban list is necessary for repeated offenders.
! > In understanding our current permban system, we have to consider why it was created. The idea was that regular bans aren't going to keep certain "unwanted individuals" away as the list is always purged, so we want to add some people to a list where they will never be allowed back again. However, somewhere along the line Mark decided that it was in line with the theme of the server to have "permban list purges", where the entire list would be wiped and we would be off on a clean slate. This was beneficial because you can point to people who were permbanned who came back after list purges as some of our best senior admins. We have additionally also had permban appeals which allows people to get off permban when admins think it's "been long enough" or they seem apologetic. So, after all these years, we have a system in place where you're either getting banned for a day, or you're getting banned "permanently" until you appeal or the list is purged. You can really say that the name "permban" is a total misnomer, because what is permanent? There are instances where we permban people even under the assumption that they're going to come back later.
! > So, my idea is that instead of having this strange misnomer which is a shadow of what system it used to be, why not just set up a system which more accurately represents the modern needs of our server? My suggestion makes things simpler. I propose that we have one ban type: just ban. The ban system would have a definite duration for each ban which is made, one person could be banned for 2 weeks, another could be banned for 2 months, they would be automatically unbanned after that date is reached. The system would have a capped duration, we would never need to purge the list because we can just have a configurable cap such as 1 year which is the maximum duration that somebody could be banned for. Commands used by admins for temporary bans (tempban, gtfo, etc) would use this system but be capped at a max duration of 1 day, anything longer than that would fall under the scope of a forum request. Longer bans would have be requested the same way permbans are, except with some key differences:
! > - Unlike permbans, bans have a definite expiration. The template would be modified to allow the requester to input a range of timeframes which they deem to be valid for when the user is automatically released from their ban. A range could be something like 2 weeks to 1 month, 1 month to 3 months, 1 week to 3 weeks, 11 months to 12 months, etc. Admins would be allowed to suggest a timeframe as well. Ultimately, the perm ban manager will assign the timeframe when processing the ban based upon suggested ranges, if the request goes through.
! > - The ban request template will have a bigger role than it already does. Some admins right now will either not use the template at all, or will abuse it by just stating "Yes" to repeated offenses without detailing them, not actually explain how a user has violated the rules, and not actually provide evidence of violated rules. Using the template would be mandatory (it already should be) and evidence would have to back up claims of repeat offenses or rule violations, admins would be required to make an actual case for a ban.
! > - Vouches and objections would require justification. Why does your vote matter on a ban request if you don't have any opinion to share? If this is how it should work, then there should be a poll at the top of ban requests and the vote determines what happens, but that is not how it should work at all because we have to vote by the rules. If you're going to vouch, at least say how the evidence impacted your opinion. If you're going to object, you should definitely give a good reason for that as well. This isn't the same as an admin application in all honesty, ban requests should be about making a valid case and not just boosting your post count by posting a single word and calling it a day. Of course, if you aren't voting (ex. neutral, or whatever), this does not apply.
! > As for appeals, this system should see less of them, as these bans are definite. For appeals, I'd say that we just combine the process of appealing a permban and appealing a regular ban, as there isn't much of a significant distinction for the appeals. I believe that if a user was banned for a good reason then there would be less ban appeals that go through compared to permban appeals where that's basically what you have to do if you want to ever be on the server again, so the distinction would be even less necessary.
! > Overall, this system would suit our current server's needs a lot more than us working around the system we've already had since 2012.
! > Please share any tweaks or opinions you have regarding this suggestion.
! https://totalfreedom.boards.net/thread/66872/ban-overhaul
