...since me and Marco have banned Dan aka dantheman40k.
I wonder is it worth unbanning him back or not.
Pros: he was creating nice topics, and sometimes he was sane enough to deal with. The forum also looked more active to me these days, though it can be a coincidence.
Cons: he easily gets "mad" and makes mess in the topics by posting senseless arguments.

I believe this is the case we'd better listen to the voice of the community before committing any actions. So... I ask you to vote. It's not necessary to explain your opinion (especially considering it can be a harsh thing to read), but if you want something to say, feel free to.

I say, yeah. Unban him if you must.

Can always ban him again. Doesnt mean any serious extra effort.

Obviously, I'm not in the position to decide about the forum members here, but speaking as a moderator in other forums, my policy has always been to warn people if the broke the rules, and if repeated warnings didn't help, they were banned forever. Short-time bans are good for situations where a debate went hot, and somebody needs a short time to cool off. A few days will usually do the trick. If you think that the issue was worth a longer ban, but not forever, maybe a month or two are appropriate, but a week is most likely not enough to change anything.

Regarding the activity of the forum, I don't think that a ban (or unban) are responsible for the changes. There might have been more discussion before, but what's that discussion worth if it was only about controversial stuff, and not productive in the end? And even without that particular discussion, I think there were quite a few very interesting postings, and even if I tend to lurk a lot (too much) these days, I always enjoyed them.

I wouldn't bother, he's an obvious troll.

I Think it might be best to simply give his current ban a bit more time. Though he does make up some very interesting topics,(Even though I dont usually engage in many of them if at all due to my mindset during my online time) he does have a tendency towards flying off the handle for no reason at all and outright bashing on members at a moments notice (or lack thereof). It is a bother to me when I see him jump right out and ask questions about people that have no relevance (I.E. "Do you hate the Simpsons?" The question he posed to me when I opened my new thread about my story.)

Though it did not bother me that he asked that, he asks similar things and says inappropriate things about the other members in various and has a bad tendency towards swearing a lot and making this forum seem trashy. In conclusion, I thing his present ban should be extended a bit, then lets see how he does.

After all the agro he's caused on the likes of NHC and CFTH, I dont think he's gonna change his attitude. Ban him, and leave him banned forever I say.

Fulbert
I think Serge's main intent is to get the opinion of the public. Unfortunately, though, this is a bit embarassing for dan. I'm not sure that he really cares, though, with all the material that he's posted, any public attention, even negative, is "good" for him.

Fulbert
It has nothing to do with those "courts", it's not an act where the outcome is planned beforehand! I just want to know people's honest opinion about my idea, that's all. Discussing that only with Marco (i.e. between admins) would be the easiest way, but we'd probably make a wrong decision, discussing that with the others, but in private place sounds even more disgusting to me - I don't want to separate this forum's members into the "dedicated" ones and not. Just to forget about Dan and simply leave things as they are? Isn't this even worse than a try to solve the problem? Yes, this topic might sound unpleasant to Dan (and I'm sorry about that, it was my step), but I don't know a better way to resolve such situations. If you know, share it with us.

The Cheshire Cat from American McGee's Alice had a nice saying: "There's a terrible word that's used to call those who don't look for an easier way";-) Just kidding:-)

And yes, I know a better way - to discuss this with Dan himself. If he wants to come back, I'm sure you'll find a way to consensus. If not (which is more likely, as SimpReal says) - well, there's nothing to discuss, then. Either way, I believe forum members respect you guys enough to agree with whatever descision you make. And you can always ban him again, too:-)

Oh my... 0.o
Alright, I give up. I guess you're right and everyone's concerned, and such discussion is necessary. There's only one thing I'd really like to ask. If something terrible happens and you have to ban me, please spare me the humiliation of public discussing my behaviour. I'd rather stay away from the forum voluntary not to bother you guys any more:-)

Dagdamor
Not on this forum, I won't:-)