Community Rules & Warnings - Vanilla Success
<main> <article class="userContent"> <p>In any online community, civil and courteous behavior is necessary in order to foster an environment in which all users are comfortable participating. The reality, however, is that some users exhibit behaviors that are less than desirable.</p><p>To help foster such an environment, Admins and Moderators in your <strong>Higher Logic Vanilla</strong> (<strong>Vanilla</strong>) community can use a two-part feature (<em>warnings</em> and <em>notes</em>) to "referee" undesirable behavior and to privately communicate with one another about their actions.</p><ul><li><strong>Warnings</strong> - three levels of warnings based on "infractions" of your community rules, culminating in a "repeat offender" possibly being banned from your community.</li><li><strong>Notes</strong> - a way for Admins and Moderators to privately share information about why a warning was issued.</li></ul><h2 data-id="required-permissions">Required permissions</h2><p>Users must belong to at least one Role that has the <code class="code codeInline" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">Garden</code> > <code class="code codeInline" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">Moderation</code> > <code class="code codeInline" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">Manage</code> permission in order to perform actions related to managing warnings and notes.</p><ul><li><strong>Warn user</strong></li><li><strong>View warning</strong></li><li><strong>Add note</strong></li><li><strong>View note</strong></li><li><strong>Edit/Delete note</strong></li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MQ0SAXC1F1HB/moderation-manage-permission.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MQ0SAXC1F1HB/moderation-manage-permission.png" alt="Moderation-Manage permission.png" height="273" width="698" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="warning-levels-and-expiry">Warning Levels and Expiry</h2><p>When an Admin or Moderator warns a user, the severity of the warning determines how many points are added to the user’s <em>warning level </em>and when the warning expires. Admins can see a user’s warning level from the user profile via a banner at the top; Moderators can see the details of warning and expiry from the Notes tab.</p><p>Each warning has an associated expiration, such as 5 days or 2 weeks. As these expirations are reached, the points associated to the warning are removed from the user's warning level. If a user reaches certain warning level thresholds, they will be punished.</p><h3 data-id="warning-level-3%3A-jailed">Warning Level 3: Jailed</h3><p>Users that reach Warning Level 3 are considered jailed. Being jailed means:</p><ul><li>A jail icon is overlaid over the user’s avatar.</li><li>The user can’t start new discussions.</li><li>The user is flood-controlled so they can only post once every 150 seconds.</li><li>The user’s signature is hidden.</li></ul><p>The idea behind being jailed is to slap the user on the wrist so they understand there are consequences to inappropriate behavior, but to let them continue to be a part of the community and give them an opportunity to correct their behavior.</p><h3 data-id="warning-level-5%3A-banned">Warning Level 5: Banned</h3><p>Users that reach Warning Level 5 are banned from the community.</p><h2 data-id="warnings-notes-feature-overview">Warnings & Notes feature overview</h2><p>This feature can be enabled via the <strong>Warnings & Notes</strong> addon, which provides the following functionality:</p><ul><li>The <strong>Rules </strong>page is added to your <strong>Dashboard > Settings</strong>. Here, you can create Rules that define how you expect community users to behave.</li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/03IR38NO07OM/rules-section-dashboard.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/03IR38NO07OM/rules-section-dashboard.png" alt="rules_section-dashboard.png" height="445" width="905" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <ul><li>You can create <strong>Warning Types</strong> (e.g., Minor, Major, etc.) and assign a point value to each. When your rules are broken, you can then use the <strong>Warn </strong>feature to give an offending user one of these warning types and its associated point value. If a user reaches the five-point threshold, they'll be banned from the community</li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/G811DIUYVNKL/warning-types-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/G811DIUYVNKL/warning-types-example.png" alt="warning_types_example.png" height="444" width="876" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <ul><li>Admins and moderators can also add private notes to user records. These notes are only visible to admins and moderators, and are for internal record-keeping purposes.</li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/3GZSNDT2YLIG/note-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/3GZSNDT2YLIG/note-example.png" alt="note_example.png" height="562" width="735" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>Each of these features is discussed in more detail in their associated sections below.</p><h2 data-id="enable-the-warnings-notes-addon">Enable the Warnings & Notes addon</h2><ol><li>Access the Dashboard.</li><li>Navigate to <strong>Settings > Addons > Addons</strong>.</li><li>Click to slide the <strong>Warnings & Notes </strong>toggle to the right.</li></ol><p>When enabled, all of the features highlighted in the <strong>Warnings & Notes feature overview</strong> section above are available.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/9I4QK4V561A2/enable-w-26n-addon.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/9I4QK4V561A2/enable-w-26n-addon.png" alt="enable_w&n_addon.png" height="664" width="1385" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="create-warnings-types">Create Warnings Types</h2><p>When warning a user, you'll be able to select a Warning Type that best matches the offense.</p><p><strong>✔️ TIP</strong>: In addition to Warning Types that are punitive (i.e., they assign points), consider creating a "Notice" type that doesn't assign points but rather serves as a first-offense warning. Remember, some users may break a rule out of ignorance, not malice.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/OWOY3Z3JYI34/warn-user-warningtypes-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/OWOY3Z3JYI34/warn-user-warningtypes-example.png" alt="warn_user_warningtypes_example.png" height="329" width="613" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>To create a Warning Type:</p><p>1. Navigate to <strong>Dashboard > Settings > Addons > Addons</strong>.</p><p>2. Click the Warnings & Notes <strong>settings</strong> icon.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/S6Y0K7Y9ER79/create-warning-types-1.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/S6Y0K7Y9ER79/create-warning-types-1.png" alt="create_warning_types-1.png" height="304" width="1104" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>3. In the settings dialog, any existing Warning Types are listed, which can be edited or deleted. To create one, click <strong>Add warning type</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/PO1Y3Q5MVY09/warning-types-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/PO1Y3Q5MVY09/warning-types-example.png" alt="warning_types_example.png" height="444" width="876" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>4. Configure the Warning Type by giving it a <strong>name </strong>and <strong>description</strong>, followed by the number of <strong>points </strong>and their <strong>expiration </strong>(how long those points will remain attached to a user's record).</p><p>5. Click <strong>Save </strong>to create the Warning Type. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/D9EHW6XJAO1K/create-warning-types-2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/D9EHW6XJAO1K/create-warning-types-2.png" alt="create_warning_types-2.png" height="550" width="735" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="create-rules">Create Rules</h2><p>When warning a user, you'll be able to select a Rule that clearly outlines the offense.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/Y777DCBAFFYK/warn-user-rule-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/Y777DCBAFFYK/warn-user-rule-example.png" alt="warn_user_rule_example.png" height="291" width="454" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>To create Rules:</p><p>1. Navigate to the <strong>Dashboard > Settings > Discussions > Rules </strong>page.</p><p>2. On the resulting page, any existing Rules are listed, which can be edited or deleted. To create one, click the <strong>Add rule </strong>button.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/VSLP3PT57G80/create-rule-1.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/VSLP3PT57G80/create-rule-1.png" alt="create_rule-1.png" height="494" width="1065" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>3. Configure the Rule by giving it a <strong>name </strong>and <strong>description</strong>.</p><p>4. Click <strong>Save </strong>to create the Rule.</p><p>When an offending user receives a warning message, a section called <strong>Infringed rule </strong>indicates what rule was broken, and even displays the description text you provided. This helps the user understand what exactly they did wrong.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991119-150ea800-1515-11ea-92a5-94619bda156e.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991119-150ea800-1515-11ea-92a5-94619bda156e.png" alt="Screen Shot 2019-12-02 at 3 04 09 PM" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="warn-users-add-notes">Warn users / add notes</h2><p>As long as the Warnings & Notes addon is enabled, you can <strong>warn </strong>users and add <strong>notes</strong> to their profile.</p><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: Create your <em>Rules</em> and <em>Warning Types</em> before issuing a warning. Refer to the associated sections above for help.</p><p>To issue a warning or note:</p><ol><li>Navigate to the user's profile.</li><li>Click the "actions" dropdown and select <strong>Warn </strong>or <strong>Add Note</strong>.</li></ol><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/O7OR3BVMT3VA/user-profile-warnandnote.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/O7OR3BVMT3VA/user-profile-warnandnote.png" alt="user_profile_warnAndnote.png" height="458" width="1017" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h3 data-id="warn-a-user">Warn a user</h3><p>Select <strong>Warn</strong> to display a dialog where you can select the <strong>Severity </strong>(these are your <em>Warning Types</em>), the <strong>Infringed Rule</strong> (these are your <em>Rules</em>), write a message to the user explaining what they did wrong, and an optional private note only visible to admins and moderators.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/NA230ZBUM1SJ/create-warning.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/NA230ZBUM1SJ/create-warning.png" alt="create_warning.png" height="752" width="735" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>Here's an example warning message from the viewpoint of a user:</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991119-150ea800-1515-11ea-92a5-94619bda156e.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991119-150ea800-1515-11ea-92a5-94619bda156e.png" alt="User: "Screen Shot 2019-12-02 at 3 04 09 PM"" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h3 data-id="add-a-note">Add a note</h3><p>Select <strong>Add Note</strong> to display a dialog where you can type a private note that is added to the user's profile. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/BYVX2B4WDAZ5/note-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/BYVX2B4WDAZ5/note-example.png" alt="note_example.png" height="562" width="735" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="warnings-and-notes-on-user-profiles">Warnings and notes on user profiles</h2><p>All warnings and notes issued to a user are stored on their profile, in the <strong>Notes </strong>section. To access them, navigate to the user's profile and click <strong>Moderation</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/08GLA8GLID72/user-profile-access-notes.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/08GLA8GLID72/user-profile-access-notes.png" alt="user_profile_access_notes.png" height="588" width="550" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>Here, you can also manage these warnings and notes via the options shown below.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/EP1PNPLUN3C1/user-profile-warning-note-example.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/EP1PNPLUN3C1/user-profile-warning-note-example.png" alt="user_profile_warning_note_example.png" height="626" width="990" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>Reversing a warning removes its points from the user’s warning level, but doesn’t remove the warnings from the user’s profile. Reversed warnings are noted with a "reversed" tag.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MVS1KSOCRNIN/reverse-a-warning.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MVS1KSOCRNIN/reverse-a-warning.png" alt="reverse_a_warning.png" height="716" width="1919" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="apiv2-endpoints-for-rules">APIv2 endpoints for rules</h2><p>You can use the following APIv2 endpoints to manage rules.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991201-425b5600-1515-11ea-8aea-b4d076832b79.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/5429361/69991201-425b5600-1515-11ea-8aea-b4d076832b79.png" alt="Screen Shot 2019-12-02 at 3 05 56 PM" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p> </article> </main>