More BanLink updates are in the works.  This time ban aging.  It wasn't exactly a needed feature two years ago when all of this started, but we've got some really old bans out there and they don't do much more than clutter our lives.  So we're implementing some ban aging.  It can be set per group so not everyone has to let a ban age away, but the idea is to allow groups to set how long they wish for a ban to remain active.   After that period of time, the ban will no longer be in effect.  For 90% of the cases out there, this should be great.  We realize the vast majority of bans from griefing come from accounts that are either now canceled, deleted, or just plain unused.  And for those that may have acted up in the past, this gives them the ability to return after having "grown up" a little or simply no longer feel punished due to a misunderstanding.  Yeah, it happens.

On a similar note, it irks me to no end when I see an account holder on BanLink abuse the system.  I realize this sort of this happens.  But it still is very bothersome.  This system has been made to contain griefing as best as possible.  It's also to be used to keep various troublemakers from causing trouble around various places on the grid that have a like-minded way of operating.

Every so often, however, I'm informed of a group that's using the shared ban list for personal grudges.  That is wrong and I wish I had a way to make that stop.  We've tried to put in checks and balances to inform other groups as to who is submitting "valid" bans versus those submitting…well, we'll just call them "childish" bans by providing numbers on bans and disputes.  It's not the best system, but it's something.

What's the problem, you ask?  Well, if a group has a personal grudge against someone, then they can easily create a private ban.  That keeps the individual off of their land, but doesn't notify anyone trusting them that the person has been banned.  And that's how things should be.  You're allowed to keep anyone off of your land that you wish.  But barring someone from entering the land of others when they've really done nothing wrong in a broad sense is abuse to the system, and one of the few complaints I still hear.  It's a valid complaint.

Travis and I have a policy of non-involvement.  It's precisely how BanLink should be.  This is not a singular and global ban list.  There are not two people (us) arbitrating disputes and allowing or overturning bans.  The system is distributed and each group has full control of who is banned from their land.  No one group has more "power" or standing than another.  We're all equals and we're going to keep it that way.  This means that we can't go in and overturn a ban that's been issued, even if it's an abusive kind.  We can simply encourage the banned individual to file a dispute and hope that the other groups that trust the group creating bad bans realize the pattern and distrust them.  It's an effective solution, but not a quick or perfect one.

So here I am with a plea.  We've kept the system free.  We've kept the power to the people.  We even try to keep things running as smoothly as possible at all times.  So *PLEASE* don't abuse the system.  You signed up with BanLink, hopefully, to join in and help each other keep abuse from those that are trying to disrupt SL down to a minimum.  Don't be an abuser yourself.  Ok?

Thank you!