View Full Version : Open discussion on new forum rules
What rules would you like to see in place?
I'll probably stick mostly to the rules of the old forums, but I'm interested in any views any of you might have. Please post them here. It'd be wise to get the rules and regulations up ASAP.
DoctorP
06-01-2007, 06:18 PM
I think one of the biggest problems I see around the web is when people begin to argue just because a particular topic "irks" them. I think that the rules should reflect the obvious "respect the right of others to post", but also include a statement such as "if you don't like a particular topic, don't view it or participate in it." If a person persists after being warned, then they could be temporarily or permanently banned.
This doesn't mean people can't discuss issues and even debate them aggressively. All it means is that the petty "F#$@ You! You don't know jack" type of posts won't be tolerated.
If I'm way off base with this idea then others feel free to say so.
Nah I'm with you on that. A general "if you don't like the topic, stay out of it" rule would be most welcome.
Anti-trolling measures would also be a good idea. If somebody is notorious for getting out of hand, he/she needs to be put in his/her place.
The administrative tools of these forums allow for temporary suspensions, we just have to really think through the rules before we put them in place and then stick to our guns.
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 06:57 PM
I think that the rules should reflect the obvious "respect the right of others to post", but also include a statement such as "if you don't like a particular topic, don't view it or participate in it." If a person persists after being warned, then they could be temporarily or permanently banned.
Definitely important to have those. Those should perhaps be rules #1 and #2 foremost.
Another:
When quoting news stories or copyrighted material, link to it. Do not post copyrighted material in full. Post excerpts of those points which are most important for discussion.
It goes without saying for legal considerations for JU that this should be included.
Hehe I've seen that rule broken on just about every messageboard I've ever participated in.
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 07:03 PM
dk, you just mentioned anti-trolling measures, which is great. But here is what often causes strife; someone calls someone a troll just because the other person primarily posts on what they are passionate about or that they are persistant in debate/discussion. That does not make them a troll.
There should be a rule such as:
Don't call anyone a troll or accuse them of trolling. If you feel someone is trolling, use the report feature and let admin or mods make the decision about that behaviour. Calling someone a troll is akin to using an expletive directed at them and can inflame the situation making it worse.
Very few forums have this rule, but this rule could head off a lot of bickering before it gets out of hand. I would say give it a chance.
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 07:05 PM
Hehe I've seen that rule broken on just about every messageboard I've ever participated in.
Yes, but at least with the rule in place the site owner is somewhat protected from copyright infringement. It is only wise to have it and costs nothing to add it.
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 09:13 PM
No ad hominem attacks or threats
No stalking i.e. following a member you have a personal issue with around to different threads to challenge him/her on every topic they post on.
No misleading thread titles
Do not post personal contact information other than your own, and when doing so do it via PM
Never insult the King of Thailand
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 09:22 PM
Do not talk about moderated posts within the threads they were moderated in. If you want to discuss the issue of being moderated, then take that discussion to JU Forum Issues and Feedback, or PM the moderator or admin.
No ad hominem attacks or threats
No stalking i.e. following a member you have a personal issue with around to different threads to challenge him/her on every topic they post on.
No misleading thread titles
Do not post personal contact information other than your own, and when doing so do it via PM
Never insult the King of Thailand
Rule #1 - Most people are going to read that and think, "What?? Is that some kind of advertisement?"
Rule #2 - I can see this becoming a rule, but we'll have to think about how we word it. I tend to post in just about every topic created unless it's about cars or I just don't care.
Rule #3 - I'm thinking we should put this more under guidelines than rules. I don't want to punish people who are just too... illiterate.... to know how to post a good forum topic title. But it should be mentioned that if you're title is just downright unclear we will modify it.
Rule #4 - Yeah, I think this would be a good idea unless somebody is posting information about an event. Which brings up another idea for a category--events.
Rule #5 - Well duh Captain Obvious. This one hardly even needs mentioning.
Do not talk about moderated posts within the threads they were moderated in. If you want to discuss the issue of being moderated, then take that discussion to JU Forum Issues and Feedback, or PM the moderator or admin.
I don't know if I want to be too strict with this. I've seen cases where users have disagreed with a moderator. Yes, it'd best be discussed in the issues and feedback forum, but I'm not going to punish someone if they question my judgement in the wrong topic category.
It would, however, be a good idea for the moderators to move any posts pertaining to the moderated thread into a new topic in the issues and feedback forum.
dk, you just mentioned anti-trolling measures, which is great. But here is what often causes strife; someone calls someone a troll just because the other person primarily posts on what they are passionate about or that they are persistant in debate/discussion. That does not make them a troll.
There should be a rule such as:
Don't call anyone a troll or accuse them of trolling. If you feel someone is trolling, use the report feature and let admin or mods make the decision about that behaviour. Calling someone a troll is akin to using an expletive directed at them and can inflame the situation making it worse.
Very few forums have this rule, but this rule could head off a lot of bickering before it gets out of hand. I would say give it a chance.
People use all kinds of language loosely on forums. I see the term troll thrown around every which way for almost no reason. We can't really punish people for using a term. I don't want to be that controlling. However, I think it would be best for the administrative team to actually discuss what a troll is, and make enforceable rules about not being one.
If someone wants to call someone a troll, that's fine. If someone actually becomes one, they'll get a swift hit from the ban stick.
Man I should have just bought this forum three years ago. LMAO. I'm in love...
TheNoNamedOne
06-01-2007, 11:57 PM
Man I should have just bought this forum three years ago. LMAO. I'm in love...
Sounds like you are in awe at all the knobs and buttons you have at your disposal in the master control panel.
btw, did you buy it out of your own funds, or did JU front the funds? Hopefully the latter.
Sounds like you are in awe at all the knobs and buttons you have at your disposal in the master control panel.
btw, did you buy it out of your own funds, or did JU front the funds? Hopefully the latter.
Lol... man I realized how much money I actually bring in for JapanUpdate the other day... Let's just say, "It's a lot".
If I had to fork out my own money to buy this forum, that would have been the day I quit this job. After all I've done for this company, I'm not spending a penny of my money to improve the site. They're making a killing off me.
No, JU paid for it in full.
I updated the rules tab at the top. Please have a look and let me know of any changes or additions you'd like to make.
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 02:46 PM
I agree that keeping the rules simple is a good idea.
The more rules you have the more you entice/excite people to break the rules
You can also end up with so many rules and restrictions that almost any post can in some manner, violate a rule.
I think most of the issues we've experienced were covered by the "old" rules.
I probably won't create many additional rules than what I've already posted today, but the old forums were lacking in a few ways. For instance, there was no rule about trolling. No rule against posting copyrighted material (posting entire news stories--which I myself have done), no official rule about language (though there was a basic understanding that it wouldn't be tolerated). And some of the new rules are pre-existing rules that have just been clariified.
As with anything in life, some rules will have stricter punishment than other rules. If someone makes a mistake and just pastes a whole news story, I'll probably just warn them and have them edit their post. If someone however makes it a habit to troll around the place causing trouble or posts pornographic stories, they will most likely meet the ban stick pretty quickly.
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 03:16 PM
I can see the need for some tweaking. I was just thinking it would be a total bore to add a three page description of additional rules, policies and practices for using the forums.
Not saying you ever intended to, just throwing in some input.
Nah, I believe in the K.I.S.S. system.
You do know what that is, right? lol.
Boost
06-02-2007, 03:25 PM
Keep it short and simple :)
Well, that's one way to read it.
I always thought it was "Keep it simple s***head". or "Keep it simple stupid". Whatever. :P
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 03:47 PM
You do know what that is, right? lol.
Oh!!! Where are my active smilies when I need them!!!!!
BTW, I do know what that acronym is.
Boost
06-02-2007, 03:49 PM
In my current career field, we also have an acronym for certain customers we see...well not for the customer themselves but for the problems they present to us. PEBKAC. Any guesses?
DoctorP
06-02-2007, 03:51 PM
The new and improved (politically correct) BOOST. (notice he dropped the junkie part of his name!)
Boost
06-02-2007, 03:55 PM
The new and improved (politically correct) BOOST. (notice he dropped the junkie part of his name!)
Hmm, is that a good thing or a bad thing? :D No, I had grown tired of the petty insults with the "junkie" part. And didn't want it to seem like I was trying to reinvent myself with a different name. Plus Boost is quicker to type!:)
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 03:59 PM
I think he is just too lazy to type the additional letters at the login.
He is still the same ol' adrenalin junkie when it comes to boosting toys.
Boost
06-02-2007, 04:22 PM
I think he is just too lazy to type the additional letters at the login.
He is still the same ol' adrenalin junkie when it comes to boosting toys.
You see what I've got to put up with!?! :D
Actually, the neighbor did just give me a 1/3 HP water pump...bet with a little tweaking I could get it up to at least a half if not more!:)
In my current career field, we also have an acronym for certain customers we see...well not for the customer themselves but for the problems they present to us. PEBKAC. Any guesses?
Wow I have no idea.
Boost
06-02-2007, 04:24 PM
Wow I have no idea.
Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair.
It is quite fitting most of the time!
Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair.
It is quite fitting most of the time!
I like that. I'm gonna steal that from you and use it at my office. :P
P_chan
06-28-2007, 08:42 AM
I love rule number 16. I would never insult the king of thailand. Doesn't everybody love him anyway?
TheNoNamedOne
06-28-2007, 09:53 AM
Apparantly some people who used Youtube and google to show their feelings for him do not.
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