I thought I'd make a post explaining the differences and the system in general.

In general, users are on a three strike (well actually four strike) system here at SECTalk. Your first offense gets you a warning. There is no punitive action attached to a warning -- it is simply just that -- a warning.

Any subsequent offense may earn you an infraction which work as following:

first infraction - three day ban;
second infraction - two week ban;
third infraction - permanent ban.

Infractions expire in six months, so if you receive two infractions in January, and a third in September, your third will be a three day ban just like the first.

Of course the acting moderator may choose to issue you a second, third, fourth warning before an infraction is issued. We are usually pretty lenient unless it's something you've expressly been warned about in the past and you keep violating.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.