Various Questions Answered.
Oct 30, 2014 15:29:16 GMT -6
Bassago, Mystic Wanderer, and 2 more like this
Post by Charles1952 on Oct 30, 2014 15:29:16 GMT -6
Policies? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Policies
Well. maybe we do, I've been asked about it. I suspect that what the poster wanted to know is "What do we have to do to get a post removed, a post ban, or a site ban?"
I'm going to dodge that a little, let me explain why, and what I believe the policy is.
First, I've been a lawyer. I know that as soon as something is written down, a loophole has been created. Every word has to be extremely carefully defined and every situation has to be provided for. Let me assure you that drawing up an agreement to buy a piece of land, even when both parties want to do it, is painstaking if done well.
Second, I've seen the policy at TOS. Rule 22 says, basically, we can remove any post or poster for whatever reason we want. We don't even need a reason. I believe that's what has been relied on in too many cases, but it's certainly a useful rule for management.
Three, you make rules against what you want to prevent. Speeding is easy. Get laser zapped at a mile over the limit, and they get to decide whether you get a ticket or not. But what am I, and I believe the posters, trying to prevent? There was a Terms of Service agreement and Privacy Policy established by ProBoards which you agreed to when you registered. Both are pretty vague. For example, how is anyone supposed to enforce a policy against "offensive" posts? What does that word even mean? Even words like "Racist" are open to interpretation. Al Sharpton has a different definition from mine. And what to we do about a discussion on Muslims? Are they a race? The thing gets turned into a mess as soon as anyone tries to think about it seriously.
So, what are some rules?
1.) If you impugn a fellow Hernando's character, calling him a liar, a thief, a shill, retarded, promiscuous (unless they've already announced that they are), a hater, an "anything-phobe" (because a phobia is a mental disorder), or anything similar (there's the loophole), you've gone wrong and you'll be slapped. How hard the slap is will be based on the severity and frequency of the offense, but I can see a post ban for a serious offense.
2.) I know that talking about other posters and other threads was a violation at TOS, but I don't see it. Everything we put down is open to the world, so why not talk about it if it serves a purpose and doesn't violate any other rule? I didn't like the atmosphere of secrecy there. Privacy is one thing, but invisibly striking and retreating without allowing discussion about it seems like a sign of an evil being hidden.
3.) A general, overall rule can be simply stated. "Don't hurt a fellow Hernando." Which, of course, implies emotionally. Yes, there are some posters with unusually thin skins who need a little toughening up. So not every hurt would be considered a foul. Still, we have some of the country's best posters here. We know how to control ourselves (usually), and we know how to apologize.
4.) Asking for personal information, please don't. If you want to show affection, fine with me, the world needs more. I can't imagine you want to get hot and heavy over the Internet (what good does that do anybody?) but we can set up a private room which no other posters can visit. (But we can, so no porn.) In short, if you really want to do something, please ask and we'll try to figure out a way to do it.
5.) Appeals, etc. Of course, any particular staff member can get it wrong, and we will on occasion. You will not be penalized in any way for asking for more information, a clarification, or anything else that will bring understanding. You can even argue the decision with us, explaining where we went wrong. If you are appealing a post removal decision, that's where the appeals stop.
If you're appealing a post or site ban, we can post the information on the board for people to study. If you're still unhappy, we could take the issue to a vote of the members, but if the staff is unanimous, you should take that as a sign. Feel free to talk about it with other members first. If you still want a vote, it can be done, but if it goes strongly against you, say 80-20 or so I'll see that as a sign that you haven't checked with other members first and are wasting our time.
I hate making rules. If you don't like something about these rules, let me know. Same thing if you think we need more rules. Yes, the line on Marijuana is going to be tough to draw, but ProBoards addressed that in their rules.
I suppose that if there's another key rule, it's that if you don't like something the way it is, talk to me. The site is just starting to grow, and we're learning.
Charles
Well. maybe we do, I've been asked about it. I suspect that what the poster wanted to know is "What do we have to do to get a post removed, a post ban, or a site ban?"
I'm going to dodge that a little, let me explain why, and what I believe the policy is.
First, I've been a lawyer. I know that as soon as something is written down, a loophole has been created. Every word has to be extremely carefully defined and every situation has to be provided for. Let me assure you that drawing up an agreement to buy a piece of land, even when both parties want to do it, is painstaking if done well.
Second, I've seen the policy at TOS. Rule 22 says, basically, we can remove any post or poster for whatever reason we want. We don't even need a reason. I believe that's what has been relied on in too many cases, but it's certainly a useful rule for management.
Three, you make rules against what you want to prevent. Speeding is easy. Get laser zapped at a mile over the limit, and they get to decide whether you get a ticket or not. But what am I, and I believe the posters, trying to prevent? There was a Terms of Service agreement and Privacy Policy established by ProBoards which you agreed to when you registered. Both are pretty vague. For example, how is anyone supposed to enforce a policy against "offensive" posts? What does that word even mean? Even words like "Racist" are open to interpretation. Al Sharpton has a different definition from mine. And what to we do about a discussion on Muslims? Are they a race? The thing gets turned into a mess as soon as anyone tries to think about it seriously.
So, what are some rules?
1.) If you impugn a fellow Hernando's character, calling him a liar, a thief, a shill, retarded, promiscuous (unless they've already announced that they are), a hater, an "anything-phobe" (because a phobia is a mental disorder), or anything similar (there's the loophole), you've gone wrong and you'll be slapped. How hard the slap is will be based on the severity and frequency of the offense, but I can see a post ban for a serious offense.
2.) I know that talking about other posters and other threads was a violation at TOS, but I don't see it. Everything we put down is open to the world, so why not talk about it if it serves a purpose and doesn't violate any other rule? I didn't like the atmosphere of secrecy there. Privacy is one thing, but invisibly striking and retreating without allowing discussion about it seems like a sign of an evil being hidden.
3.) A general, overall rule can be simply stated. "Don't hurt a fellow Hernando." Which, of course, implies emotionally. Yes, there are some posters with unusually thin skins who need a little toughening up. So not every hurt would be considered a foul. Still, we have some of the country's best posters here. We know how to control ourselves (usually), and we know how to apologize.
4.) Asking for personal information, please don't. If you want to show affection, fine with me, the world needs more. I can't imagine you want to get hot and heavy over the Internet (what good does that do anybody?) but we can set up a private room which no other posters can visit. (But we can, so no porn.) In short, if you really want to do something, please ask and we'll try to figure out a way to do it.
5.) Appeals, etc. Of course, any particular staff member can get it wrong, and we will on occasion. You will not be penalized in any way for asking for more information, a clarification, or anything else that will bring understanding. You can even argue the decision with us, explaining where we went wrong. If you are appealing a post removal decision, that's where the appeals stop.
If you're appealing a post or site ban, we can post the information on the board for people to study. If you're still unhappy, we could take the issue to a vote of the members, but if the staff is unanimous, you should take that as a sign. Feel free to talk about it with other members first. If you still want a vote, it can be done, but if it goes strongly against you, say 80-20 or so I'll see that as a sign that you haven't checked with other members first and are wasting our time.
I hate making rules. If you don't like something about these rules, let me know. Same thing if you think we need more rules. Yes, the line on Marijuana is going to be tough to draw, but ProBoards addressed that in their rules.
I suppose that if there's another key rule, it's that if you don't like something the way it is, talk to me. The site is just starting to grow, and we're learning.
Charles
Send her a message when you find one you don't care for.