What are the ban criteria?

I'd just like to check in and ask if anyone knows what exactly the ban criteria are?

I was hanging out in a sandbox and goofing off and dropped some of my little music-playing, flashing, particle-making in-sync boxes (which I admit was probably not a good idea) and was INSTANTLY smacked with a ban. No, "please pick those up," no "don't do that." I've been a member almost two years and have never had any sort of disciplinary action taken against me before. Is this sort of action really approved of by LL? I didn't even know who banned me until I was told by my friend.

Just to put it in perspective (either against me or in my defense), it was five boxes, one master, four slaves. They played a looped sound in sync, changed color on a timer and made particles. As for me, I'm verified, payment-info-used and on a premium account.

I'm simply asking if this is LL-approved activity or if I should lodge some sort of formal complaint against the linden.

Hmmm...

Thanks! I'm glad I can count on community members to make constructive comments instead of nasty remarks on the forums when I need help.

There are many nicer ways you could have said that, y'know. :p I'm sorry you feel the need to be rude to validate your own existence.

First, understand that it's basically impossible, and probably not wise, to give an opinion about a specific situation, involving more parties, based on the statement of one party without witnessing the thing, or having heard the story from the other side.

Taking that into account, and generally being not very wise and assuming your story is the full truth. (No prior warnings or offenses, no hash conversations, no purposefully caused extreme lag, not griefing a specific resident with the item. No series of complaints from other residents involved etc. without a response from your side to remove the item etc.)
The 'crime' you committed basically amounted to rezzing an object which could have been considered slightly annoying. I think an official warning should have been sufficient in a case like this.

Also take into account though, that using heavily scripted items, or heavy particles is essentially forbidden in sandboxes. So I don't think an official complaint, or fighting this decision will be very effective.

(I'm worried about what the 'goofing off' entailed, though)

this is outrageous it is a game and we should never make anyone feel like this for trying to play it , you are only making everyone hate each other and so many people frustrated , lighten up .. IT IS A GAME I DON'T CARE HOW MANY PEOPLE TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY .. please no bans in public place without any warning that's the least u can do if you wish to retain some credibility of your visitor base , no bans without specific reasons either especially if no one complains
I know the person in question and she would never do anything on purpose to annoy anyone.

Considering the thing you did that you got banned for, this statement is heavily ironic.

Also, I think you are leaving out a lot.

The Lindens don't ban people for a single slightly offensive thing like that. I abuse report the kind of thing you did *all* the time and I know for a fact that the first *several* times you just get a little warning. In fact people do a whole lot worse than that and the Lindens just give them a little finger wagging warning.

There are only two possibilities here:

a) you were banned from a private sandbox, in which case it's completely the perogative of the owner. (I would have banned you too)

b) you are just not telling the whole story as to what you did at the time or may have done previously or may hae said to the linden after the fact etc.

If in fact all you say is true, i see an over reaction by a Linden, but good luck on lodging that complaint. I think all of the Lindens are on a witch hunt rite now in all sims, so before you try anything involving scripts or anything questionable think twice.

The are looking for grid griefers of any kind, your not the first person today that was banned from a sim on the advice of a Linden.

Oh yes this will maybe cut down on grid attacks, but it will definately cut down on any creativity and fun in the game...sad its come to this, but i think they are pointing the finger at us, and not looking within to see how better forthought of new versions could have prevented alot of these problems in the first place.

Oh well if you've been banned from SL, just get one of them unvarified free accounts and get back in! Everyone else does

I am a bit confused.. was this a ban from SL or just this sandbox? Was it a public sandbox or maybe a private one?

Generally a Linden will not ban without substantial griefing. They may send you off to another location for a little cool off period but you will find you can return shortly after. If it is a private sandbox the owner or agent can choose to ban you for as little or as much provaction as they want. They get to choose whether to give warning or not.