This thread is not to cause drama or insult staff, it is simply a suggestion that I feel will help the forums greatly.
I was banned on Pokemon Online for 'advertising' bout cheetahs link..and a friend of mine on Pokemon Online who is a moderator told me to post in the appeals section of the forum. He directed me to it and sure enough.. theres a section for 'Appeals'. This is where people who got in trouble post and say why they think the wrong decision was made and reasons why the decision should be changed. Staff approach this section in a respectful and understanding manner, all voices are heard as equal, and an attempt is made to satisfy all parties involved. Staff will discuss whether or not the person was indeed wrongfully punished or not, and come to a fair conclusion.
We have to face the facts.. anyone who opposes staff or questions one of their decisions gets in trouble for it or attacked by staff and (occasionally) immorally humiliated in front of everyone. This is wrong. We need a place besides the 'feedback and rants' section where people can express their disapproval with decisions staff have made. As it stands now whenever someone makes a topic suggesting they were wrongfully punished or that a wrongful decision was made, the thread is usually followed with a condecending comment by staff telling the person how bad they are for making the topic.. told to not make another topic.. and the thread gets locked. This is not fair.
An Appeals section would reduce the drama on the forums and improve the ever important relationship between players and staff. It will give players a voice and give them the feeling that staff are there to help make the situation right for both sides, not to make a decision and punish anyone who publically disagrees with it or questions it.
My advice for rules of this section would be as follows:
You can only make an appeal thread about a decision or punishment that was made about you, you cannot appeal something that happened to somebody else, thats up to them to do.
No one can post except for staff and the person who started the appeal thread.
The appeal thread is not the place to simply insult staff. If staff feels the user used an appeal thread as a way to insult staff, that user will face a punishment.
What staff decided on the appeal thread is final, and no 2nd or 3rd appeal thread may be created or the user may face a punishment.
Again, this is not to cause drama or insult staff, it is simply a suggestion that I feel will help the forums greatly.