Both sides of this issue boil down to one thought.
Be courteous, and respectful of others.
The Dark Lady proposes a page for the GM Handbook, and the Player's Manual...- A player that is new to text RP may not understand why they cannot just chat as they are used to doing, and will be disruptive to play.
Usually other players will explain it to them, and if they do not respond, will call a GM.
GMs should first refer that player to a place where they can read the rules, and the reasons for them.
Otherwise, all they will know is that they have been attacked by other players, and then a GM, for doing what they have always done everywhere they have ever been.
- On the other hand, veteran players also chat about OOC topics sometimes, and when there is not any significant RP chat within earshot, there is no impact on RP.
To enforce chat rules in this situation, is overkill.
- In between, is the situation where there are mixed conversations IC and OOC, with a sizable group of players.
Usually most of the channels are in use at the same time.
() parenthesis or [] brackets are used by those who are polite, to mark the OOC chat.
It does work, and the reflex to separate IC and OOC with them, rapidly becomes automatic.
Again, unless those who are RPing complain about being flooded with OOC chat, enforcement is probably overkill. [/list]
Bottom line, unless something a player is doing, is disrupting play for other players, and there have been no complaints about them, it is pretty hard to justify interfering with them.
If a group of players cannot handle a disruptive player with social pressures alone, then you may be certain that they will call a GM.
Unless they do, GMs should stay out of it.
[End of proposed page.]