I would like to mention there is a difference between complaining about something and a flamewar. I have nothing against reporting two players who are flaming to the whole realm.
Can flaming be a legitimate reason for an OOC ban? If not, perhaps it should be.
I think the OOC channel perfectly fits within the 'playing a board game with friends' principle. If I need help with an aspect of the game, or wish to compliment someone on a message I liked, or want to comment on a peculiar event, I like to use the OOC channel. I think OOC messages can be vital at times to defuse the heated relationships/feuds characters can have, and to make sure they do not grow into the player level.
TL;DR: OOC usually isn't bad, imho.
