Peanut Gallery Commentary on the Staff Log of Bannings and such like.

[SteelCurtain]

Again, not everyone who uses one. It is not against the rules to use a proxy.

New members who are trolling and jumping proxy servers need to cooperate with staff, period. The proxy was part of the decision that helped us decide on whether it was a troll or not---it wasn't the broken rule that got her banned.

[Angrboda]

We're very discriminating in who we let troll here. Only the best proxy excuses allowed!

[Redbeard The Pink]

It disrupts the staff's functionality because we can't properly compare the IP address to other members, when we have a good reason to do so.

Well then... you must use some other means of ascertaining sock-puppetry. Sometimes, it's easy... sometimes, not so... c'est la vie.
I'd rather live with a sock behind a proxy, than impose that everyone who chooses to use one must have a damn good reason to use it.

I get the sense that the proxy was mostly a problem because of other problems. I doubt they would have figured out she was using a proxy at all if she hadn't given them a good reason to wonder if she shouldn't be here.

If your manager is looking for a reason to fire you, that's not the day to start stealing crackers "because we give them away for free." If your manager doesn't have an issue with you, enjoy your fucking crackers.

[SteelCurtain]

It disrupts the staff's functionality because we can't properly compare the IP address to other members, when we have a good reason to do so.

Well then... you must use some other means of ascertaining sock-puppetry. Sometimes, it's easy... sometimes, not so... c'est la vie.
I'd rather live with a sock behind a proxy, than impose that everyone who chooses to use one must have a damn good reason to use it.

We did. And she failed that test.

We've done this a time or two.

[SteelCurtain]

I'd rather live with a sock behind a proxy, than impose that everyone who chooses to use one must have a damn good reason to use it.

Once again, no one is saying or imposing that everyone who uses a proxy had better have a good reason.

Quite the contrary, proxy away. We don't care.

If, however, you are a brand new member here intent on trolling the forums with 4 troll threads within 20 minutes, you had better have a good reason for hiding your IP address.

This person was banned for being a troll. I was concerned that the forum-at-large, as staff did initially, might think this person was genuine and just a fundy from Oklahoma. As we are privy to more information, we found that to be a false flag. I wanted to provide some of the proof that we used to determine that this was a troll.

[pocaracas]

Fine then... "Banned for trolling."

Just don't make it official that the fact that this user was behind a proxy was a major factor in that decision.
That should never be.
That discourages the use of proxies which, we know, can be so very important to some people.

It's all I'm saying - rephrase the reason for the ban.

[Cyberman]

We even have a nice list with examples of how you can disrupt forum functionality:

Yes, and it also says

This includes but is not limited to the following behaviors:

Subtle but important disclaimer there.

[pocaracas]

We even have a nice list with examples of how you can disrupt forum functionality:

Yes, and it also says

This includes but is not limited to the following behaviors:

Subtle but important disclaimer there.

I noticed, Stimbo.
Do you note, too, the theme of what constitutes "disruption of forum functionality"?
The way I see it, it pertains to actual database access (prevent post or thread loss), server-side file access, allowing regular members to access the site and... well.... keeping the site going.
I don't feel like it's in the spirit of this rule to disrupt moderator ability to snoop your details when they think they need to...

But... hey... I'm out here... you guys do your job.
It's my opinion that the reason given for the ban is one that shouldn't be given, ever... it sets a worrying precedent for future users concerned with their privacy.
If, like SC says, the user was trolling, then "banned for trolling" should suffice as a reason.

[abaris]

If, however, you are a brand new member here intent on trolling the forums with 4 troll threads within 20 minutes, you had better have a good reason for hiding your IP address.

That's why I assumed it was a new True Christian persona.

[Losty]

It disrupts the staff's functionality because we can't properly compare the IP address to other members, when we have a good reason to do so.

Well then... you must use some other means of ascertaining sock-puppetry. Sometimes, it's easy... sometimes, not so... c'est la vie.
I'd rather live with a sock behind a proxy, than impose that everyone who chooses to use one must have a damn good reason to use it.

But no one has imposed that everyone who uses a proxy must have a damn good reason to do that.