Originally Posted by myxomatosis

My vote goes for leaving it the same, more or less.

The problem with FFA arises generally from two types of people on the opposite end of the spectrum. Those who cannot handle everyday, unmoderated interaction with the general public for whatever reason and those who cannot play nice, be civil or even really contribute anything of use along with their barbs and name calling. Couple these people with heavy handed moderation (I'm sure at least partially as a result of the interaction of these two groups) and you have the situation we're currently in.

The easy solution instead of a giant upheaval, renovation and otherwise needless change is to remove the offenders. The problem with doing so is that you've got a thin line to walk in regards to the length of removal lest all of their buddies and/or people with nothing better to do are angered into replacing them.

In a nutshell what needs to be done is a lot of people need to grow the fuck up. It's the goddamned internet for fucks sake and as much as we all enjoy this forum and it's community it needs to be remembered at the end of the day that it's simply that. If you can't handle someone poking fun at you through text that you subject yourself to reading, and it bothers you so deeply that you need to complain to a board equivalent of a parent to fix it for you, then the internet and possibly life just isn't for you.

By the same token if all you have to contribute is a bunch of mean spirited attacks on others with no real constructive criticism, humor, or other contributions thrown in, the same probably applies.

I believe most of the banned (save Roach and a couple others for obvious reasons) should be allowed to return having hopefully learned their lesson, it should be explained to everyone that while it is FFA there are certain lines you do not cross or there will be consequences. However there also needs to be a little leeway with the consequences, permabans being handed out without regard for intent, contribution or reason are also just as much to blame for the current upheaval.

Since I'm just rambling my basic point is just keep your fucking self in check, handle your own goddamned business, stop being petty and only appeal to the mods for help as an absolute last resort.

Mods the same goes for you only rely on bans of a significant length if at all as a last resort.