I'm sure Amanda has answered it somewhere in this thread, and I know she answered it at yesterday's Community Tools User Group. https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Community_Tools_User_Group/10-Feb-2011
The answer is essentially this:
Of course critical posts won't result in a ban either in-world or on the forums. Criticism and constructive debate is welcomed. However, the moment it becomes trollish, rude, insulting, harassing etc it could result in warnings/susensions/bans.
Amanda also confirmed at the User Group that a warning/suspension/ban on the forums would not normally result in an in-world ban too.
Which just seems obvious to me. It's never once crossed my mind that anyone would get a ban simply for criticism. This very thread shows that critcism is welcomed - just not downright rudeness!
Criticism and even heated debate is good, but the moment it becomes trolling, rude, insulting or harassment it should be dealt with and I really hope they do enforce the new participation guidelines effectively.
I see she did, I'll go back and edit my post to acknowlege that.
I hope that there's a clear guideline for what's considered 'trollish', some people present valid arguments in what appears to be a contrarian, or outright annoying manner -it would be a loss to the community if arguments were lost simply because the moderator didn't like the tone of the post, regardless of it's merits.
But no one wants slagging and harassment, on that I think most of us agree!