Why are so many people getting frozen lately?

[Ammer]

Neopets rules are "modified" at times and it is the responsibility of the user to keep up with them. This can be done by reading the terms and conditions on a regular basis, reading the Neopets news as well as the Neopian Times. One should also consult with a knowledgable palyer or mail staff if one is unsure about something.

So, to answer the question, people are being frozen because they have broken a rule whether they know it or not the VAST majority of the time.

That is extremely difficult. Some rules are unwritten but are enforced (Can't remember one off the top of my head but someone is bound to know a few). Neopets should keep users upto date in the 'News' section (They do NOT announce all the rules or updates on rules there). When users are frozen for a rule which is unwritten or not even announced, it's news to them.

Personally, I don't think Neopets would be a game if I had to constantly check the rules day after day or week after week. It would ruin my fun on Neopets. If you want to check the Terms and Conditions everyday than you can do so, however this is a responsibility Neopets should take on themselves. They should announce EVERY update they do to a rule on the 'News' Section. Not simply say "You should've known. It's YOUR responsibility,".

[everconfused]

Neopets rules are "modified" at times and it is the responsibility of the user to keep up with them. This can be done by reading the terms and conditions on a regular basis, reading the Neopets news as well as the Neopian Times. One should also consult with a knowledgable palyer or mail staff if one is unsure about something.

So, to answer the question, people are being frozen because they have broken a rule whether they know it or not the VAST majority of the time.

The thing is, as Ammer said, ther are unwritten rules that people can't know they're breaking - because they're not written! Like getting warned or frozen for typing the word ebay - not the url - just the word. Same for some of the "curse words" that are not stopped by the filters and are actually on the site in a couple of places - people have gotten warned for using those.

Finally on the User Pref page it says next to the Lookup box to not hide/cover/change your user stats. But for a long time people have had trouble - warnings/lookups cleared for using a shield over their normal one, things like that.

As far as asking a "knowledgeable player", well that's not always the best option - they're probably in the same boat, guessing as to what's right or wrong. And they're not staff, so it's not their responsibility to take on to tell someone else what is or isn't against the rules.

Ask staff ... yes, I do, many of us do. Problem? Many times either no answer, an autoform answer that doesn't really address what was asked or, as I've gotten, a real response - but the staff person saying "I think so" and "I guess". So that sounds like Staff doesn't even really know what the rules are. Which speaks to the higher ups not keeping their own staff up to date and informed. It also speaks to just how vague the T&C truly is.

[dogfriend2]

Neopets rules are "modified" at times and it is the responsibility of the user to keep up with them. This can be done by reading the terms and conditions on a regular basis, reading the Neopets news as well as the Neopian Times. One should also consult with a knowledgable palyer or mail staff if one is unsure about something.

So, to answer the question, people are being frozen because they have broken a rule whether they know it or not the VAST majority of the time.

The thing is, as Ammer said, ther are unwritten rules that people can't know they're breaking - because they're not written! Like getting warned or frozen for typing the word ebay - not the url - just the word. Same for some of the "curse words" that are not stopped by the filters and are actually on the site in a couple of places - people have gotten warned for using those.

Finally on the User Pref page it says next to the Lookup box to not hide/cover/change your user stats. But for a long time people have had trouble - warnings/lookups cleared for using a shield over their normal one, things like that.

As far as asking a "knowledgeable player", well that's not always the best option - they're probably in the same boat, guessing as to what's right or wrong. And they're not staff, so it's not their responsibility to take on to tell someone else what is or isn't against the rules.

Ask staff ... yes, I do, many of us do. Problem? Many times either no answer, an autoform answer that doesn't really address what was asked or, as I've gotten, a real response - but the staff person saying "I think so" and "I guess". So that sounds like Staff doesn't even really know what the rules are. Which speaks to the higher ups not keeping their own staff up to date and informed. It also speaks to just how vague the T&C truly is.

I really don't find the rules difficult to understand. The change about the shields WAS in the news or Times. I don't remember which. Why use curse words at all. That solves that problem. As far as typing ebay, just apply a little common sense. Is there ANY reason to type it on Neopets? Why do you think TNT wouldn't want it mentioned? The answer is obvious, I hope.

I can assure you that there are many knowledgable players on Neopets. You are right saying they aren't staff. They also don't have an obligation to inform other users about the rules. However, many will take the time to do so. Unfortunately, many people don't ask before doing something questionable. Many people also don't listen. They are usually the ones posting, "I was unfairly frozen!" in chat.

[Ammer]

I really don't find the rules difficult to understand. The change about the shields WAS in the news or Times. I don't remember which. Why use curse words at all. That solves that problem. As far as typing ebay, just apply a little common sense. Is there ANY reason to type it on Neopets? Why do you think TNT wouldn't want it mentioned? The answer is obvious, I hope.

I can assure you that there are many knowledgable players on Neopets. You are right saying they aren't staff. They also don't have an obligation to inform other users about the rules. However, many will take the time to do so. Unfortunately, many people don't ask before doing something questionable. Many people also don't listen. They are usually the ones posting, "I was unfairly frozen!" in chat.

Neopets sells their own merchandise on Ebay, why would they want people not to mention it? I believe one user posted they found something being sold on Neopets by Neopets themselves and I believe they were warned or something of the sort. However, if Neopets is using the site to sell things, why can't we talk about it?

[dogfriend2]

I can only assume that you are basing this on the following excerpt from your post:

I believe one user posted they found something being sold on Neopets by Neopets themselves and I believe they were warned or something of the sort."

It is dangerous to draw conclusions based on "I believe". Think about why Neopets wouldn't want it mentioned. I have confidence you can answer the question.

[ahoteinrun]

You never really know if it was the neopets corporation, or just someone with the username "Neopets" who was selling something on Ebay.
And if it was them, you don't know why they were doing it.
For all we know it could've been for charity or something... along those lines.

[Ammer]

I can only assume that you are basing this on the following excerpt from your post:

I believe one user posted they found something being sold on Neopets by Neopets themselves and I believe they were warned or something of the sort."

It is dangerous to draw conclusions based on "I believe". Think about why Neopets wouldn't want it mentioned. I have confidence you can answer the question.

Please do not talk down to me.

Neopets wouldn't want it mentioned because it would be as if the users are promoting another site making more users visit there. Neopets would be afraid to lose members. If that's wrong, than tell me the reason.

However, Neopets sells item's on there. Also I remember someone found a post on Ebay which was selling a Neopet and they posted it in the Neoboards and the board was deleted and they were warned. Shouldn't Neopets simply delete the board and find out who exactly is selling the Neopet?

[Jasujo]

Actually, Neopets had two complete sets of their McDonald's plushies up to be bid on for charity. The final price ended up as hundreds of dollars each auction. This is a fact and everyone at the time knew about it. It was shortly after this that people started noticing that mentioning the word "eBay" could get you frozen.

[ahoteinrun]

*shrugs*

If they're selling the plushies, thats their business.
They aren't selling neopets.

And I have little doubt at least, that neopets freezes people for using the word Ebay because of people who sell items and neopets over Ebay.

[dogfriend2]

I want to make clear I am not affiliated with Neopets or any Neopets related site. I am going to make a point to avoid topics of this nature in the future. Since I have posted here I will go ahead and answer your question.

It is against Neopets rules to sell items or neopoints. You will be instantly frozen when caught. I am sure TNT doesn't want ANY site mentioned on Neopets where this can take place. It is reasonable to think that the reason for this is because they don't want this to happen. So why allow people to mention a site on Neopets where this could possibly happen and give the idea to people who have never thought of it, thus expanding the problem.

I would be surprised if Neopets hasn't put things for sale there simply to track the IP address of the person who tries to buy things. I would also expect people have been IP frozen for trying to buy or sell items or neopoints.

[everconfused]

I really don't find the rules difficult to understand. The change about the shields WAS in the news or Times. I don't remember which. Why use curse words at all. That solves that problem. As far as typing ebay, just apply a little common sense. Is there ANY reason to type it on Neopets? Why do you think TNT wouldn't want it mentioned? The answer is obvious, I hope.

I can assure you that there are many knowledgable players on Neopets. You are right saying they aren't staff. They also don't have an obligation to inform other users about the rules. However, many will take the time to do so. Unfortunately, many people don't ask before doing something questionable. Many people also don't listen. They are usually the ones posting, "I was unfairly frozen!" in chat.

Neopets sells their own merchandise on Ebay, why would they want people not to mention it? I believe one user posted they found something being sold on Neopets by Neopets themselves and I believe they were warned or something of the sort. However, if Neopets is using the site to sell things, why can't we talk about it?

Hi

The shield thing was an example of an unwritten rule that was "unwritten" for quite awhile, and people still do question whether or not they're allowed to have a custom shield and if so, what are the rules regarding it. It may have been in the News, but I don't remember it to be honest. THe NT? Half the time I can't get that to load - it just locks my browser.

If there's a rule change, great! But I think what alot of us would like to see is that change incorporated into the written T&C - not have to try to remember or guess where we may have seen something mentioned. I think that's fair to expect - that things be kept updated for everyone's benefit.

People are still hazy on certain aspects of multiple accounts ... again including staff. At least according to the responses I was lucky enough to get to my questions.

The "curse words" are in the Gallery of Evil and NQII (don't know about I) ... I do not use profanity, that's just not my way. And what's profane to one person could be normal to another. However, some people have used the words from those 2 places on the site and have gotten warnings. And are confused by the warning. It has a very "Do as I say, Not as I do" flavor to it.

The ebay thing. I agree with Jasujo - this all started up during the U.S. McDonald's promotion. Neopets had 2 charity auctions on ebay for complete plushie sets - one was Neopets charity, the other was Ronald McDonald House. eBay also appears as one of the stocks on the Portal ... so it sure sounds like they're partners of some sort.

The same day the above auctions were announced on the site, I was the person who got a warning for just typing the word ebay ... I was looking for a specific Micky D plushie, a guild member suggested ebay, I replied that I should look there and bam ... warning and all my messages cleared.

Another of our members here got a warning then frozen for typing ebay. Yes there are people who will try to sell things they know (or should know) they shouldn't, but if the site itself is pushing a site for auctions, don't they think that people will be talking about it? Which means typing the word ebay!

I ask alot of questions here on the forum, but that's because I'm a need to know kind of person. I do have some knowledge of the game (don't ask me anything about the BD or stock market though!) and I'm an adult with some common sense. I will ask if I don't know something and I will wait for an answer. Unfortunately, writing to staff can sometimes be a very very very long wait for that answer.

[Qanda]

I want to make clear I am not affiliated with Neopets or any Neopets related site. I am going to make a point to avoid topics of this nature in the future. Since I have posted here I will go ahead and answer your question.

It is against Neopets rules to sell items or neopoints. You will be instantly frozen when caught. I am sure TNT doesn't want ANY site mentioned on Neopets where this can take place. It is reasonable to think that the reason for this is because they don't want this to happen. So why allow people to mention a site on Neopets where this could possibly happen and give the idea to people who have never thought of it, thus expanding the problem.

I would be surprised if Neopets hasn't put things for sale there simply to track the IP address of the person who tries to buy things. I would also expect people have been IP frozen for trying to buy or sell items or neopoints.

One question though, why doesn't TNT filter the word "ebay", just like they have filtered other vulgarities and blocked off-site links? This would clear up much doubt among players.

[dogfriend2]

Ammer, I apologize if you thought I was talking down to you. I certainly didn't mean it to sound that way. I actually thought you already knew why TNT didn't want it mentioned.

I could only make assumptions about wht it isn't filtered. I really have no idea. At any rate, just don't mention it on Neopets.

everconfused, there are a lot of people around who know Neopets rules very well. If you or anyone else has a specific question, post it here at PPT forums and hopefully you will get an answer.

[Ammer]

Ammer, I apologize if you thought I was talking down to you. I certainly didn't mean it to sound that way. I actually thought you already knew why TNT didn't want it mentioned.

It's alright. No harm done.

everconfused, there are a lot of people around who know Neopets rules very well. If you or anyone else has a specific question, post it here at PPT forums and hopefully you will get an answer.

That's the problem. Many people do know the rules very well but rarely any of them visit the PPT Forums. Whenever someone is frozen there is simply speculation on why the person was frozen and sometimes there is an answer.

I feel very uneasy to keep asking questions on the PPT Forum to see if I would get warned or not. It would clutter up the Forums.

[br00ster]

Yes it is. Evil things and monster sightings. It now should be called "smutty talking teens and stupid arguments about goths".

Acctually it could be called, "A few regs/almost regs talking about random stuff".

Ha. I used to be a reg at the I/S Neoboard (Ideas/Suggestions) until I actually smartened up and left. I occasionally had frozen accounts and I was always getting warning after warning for fighting. Honestly, you should leave while you have the chance. I'm not saying your stupid for staying because the above applies only to I/S, however it would be wise to leave.

I'm really low profile even though I do post alot. I just have fun on the boards, and plus I have 2/3 accounts.