A rule system consists of three parts:

• the rules themselves. The TOS describe what's allowed and what's not. The TOS themselves are not being discussed in this thread.
• the process for determination whether a rule as been broken or not. The team decision process indeed is the best process I can think of. No discussion there as far as I'm concerned.
• the process of determining the consequences when a rule is broken. This is the point I'd like to discuss.

Straight from the TOS page:

Members/Users found practicing these behaviors receive;

Deletion of the post/s.

• First event - warning by email and/or IM.
• Second event - Forum Suspension for 1 or 7 days or Temporary Community ban for 3 or 7 days.
• Third event - Membership revoked, and access to the community permanently blocked. This includes any duplicate accounts for the same person. Renderosity considers this information private and confidential. However, there may be certain situations that necessitate otherwise.

This does not reflect actual policy. In fact, as far as I can see actual policy is more considerate and proportionate than the policy stated in the TOS. The educational "first offence" actual policy is a fine example.

An update of the TOS page describing the actual policy might be a good idea.

The pen is mightier than the sword. But if you literally want to have some impact, use a typewriter

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