Deactivated Users vs Banned Users

I'm curious, what is the difference? Neither are deleted, which is the important part, I think. But I'd like to know what the differences between the two options are, and which is the preferred method. Ultimately we never want to delete a user because it screws with the db, but when we want to take away someone's access to the forums, which is the preferred method?

I am going to guess we go with ban, but I'd like to get neo's call on this one.

Beau, here's the info on banning:
http://help.forumotion.com/t10774-banning-a-member

I don't think we need to go so far as to ban by IP or email address, since we do not have the type of traffic that warrants it. Banning by username is what I'm thinking, for people who have left the guild and no longer need access to our boards.

sorry only saw this now ...

in my opinion , a temporary ban should do the job , with a notice to the person that the ban will be for x days or weeks , and when the ban is removed if the attitude as not improved the next ban will be longer.

deleting or permanent bans will only cause more violence

and will quote from the movie " Natural Born Killers "

" ...  Only love can kill the daemon ... "

as for people that have left the guild , normally we let them use the forums ...

as long as they are welcome to the community , i don't see a problem.

if they are just inactive , we don't care , let them be in the database , its for history