xorangekiller, on 19 November 2012 - 23:39, said:
Before a friend of mine started a private Minecraft server (which I am hosting using Minecraft Server Manager), I played on a public server that was very close to vanilla but strictly banned mods. While I'm not sure exactly which mods the admin used server-side, he placed a 30 minute ban on all users detected using mods (such as flying, invisible blocks, super-speed, etc.) and automatically blacklisted them the fourth time they were detected in 24 hours. He also ran a website where he posted announcements, users reported griefers, and bans could be contested.
I remember one time specifically where a new user logged on and no more than 30 seconds later a message appeared in chat announcing that the user had been banned for flying. As soon as his temporary ban was lifted, he repeated the same thing all over again. When he logged on after getting banned the third time, someone told him that this is a strictly vanilla server and he should really stop attempting to use mods. His response was, "But I like flying...". He was permanently banned about 30 seconds later.
While this strategy should probably be tweaked to fit Neowin's needs better (especially if this is a whitelisted, members-only server), I really like the concept.
Meh...
I think it should be more about fun and less about trying to figure out what rules we need.
I think it's important that everyone has his or her own area, which shouldn't be too small, but also not ridiculously huge, where he or she can build anything that's legal to depict and then some public grounds that can be worked on for for groups.
Both these areas use permissions so that only certain members can edit the blocks there.
Then there should be a free for all area, where everything is permitted.
That's how I'd do it.
By the way: I'd love to be in charge of building a good transportation system that works well.
I have some awesome concepts for subways, elevated railways, cable cars and probably more.
Just saying. I love all things transportation, so if you guys are interested in a good transportation infrastructure, I can be put into charge.

*stops bragging*
Glassed Silver:mac