Crank
Administrator
Posts: 1957
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-04-03 12:28 PM
Hi Folks!
Just a few quick words on posting here on Out Back.
First of all, to all you new folk, I would urge you to lurk for awhile. Read the posts you find here to get a flavor of how things work. There is a ton of good information here. There are ten tons of spirited debate!
If you care to enter a debate it is a good idea to be informed about the material you intend to argue. Sometimes you will be called upon for references to your arguement.
Namecalling is frowned upon here. Unfortunately in the heat of debate it sometimes happens.
Some sage advice would be to think twice, post once, then think again. You may edit your post at any time after posting.
If you start a thread, deleting your initial post removes the entire thread. This is also frowned upon. If you care to remove your initial post, edit it to remove the text, but please leave the rest of the thread intact.
Feel free to visit other forums here on Common Ground. There are many experts that can and will answer any questions you might have. If you yourself are expert, feel free to jump in and answer! I'm sure it would be very much appreciated.
Finally, please use only one nick here on Common Ground. It promotes continuity and adds to your integrity.
If you have questions, feel free to PM either Francine, Robb or myself. We'll do our best to get you an answer!
Tink's Bill of Rights
On The Subject of Appropriate Post Content
- We try to maintain a balance so that no one feels censored, silenced or intimidated. Controversial subject matter, graphic language and heated debate belong Out Back, which is clearly labeled as such on the board home page. However, even Out Back, we try our best to state our opinions with respect, leaving out name calling, rudeness, or needless vitriol.
Everybody here is an adult and everyone knows how "controversial", "graphic", "heated debate", "name calling" "respect", "rudeness" and "vitriol" are defined. To claim otherwise is disingenious, and you will be called on it!
- General "G" rated discussion, language and content is expected in all other areas of the board.
On The Subject of "Multiple Personalities" and Shared Usernames
- The only reason we can think of to post under multiple identities is that you are being dishonest with us. If you are found out, you will be called on it. Repeatedly. And you will not be respected.
- The only reason to share usernames among multiple people is to avoid accountability for what you post and/or delete. If you are found out, you will be called on it. Repeatedly. And you will not be respected.
On The Subject of Banning
- To my knowledge, only one person in the long (like 4.5 months) history of Common Ground has been banned. A roar arose from the populace, and the person was readmitted. At least twice, that I know of. Therefore, it seems to me that the Official Common Ground Position on Banning is:
Banning amounts to censorship, silencing someone and removing his/her freedom to state opinions and debate/self-defend when being written about; therefore, by democratic process, the populace of Common Ground has made it known that the vocal majority here do not support the practice of banning.
On The Subject of Deleting Posts
- In the beginning, a couple of posts were deleted by the administrators, and a roar arose from the populace. This is a place to escape censorship, not perpetuate it. After the initial one or two administrator deletions, I cannot recall a single instance where the administrators have deleted a post.
- People can elect to edit or delete their own posts, for whatever reason they wish. The board mechanics allow them to do this, and it is not an access right that the administrators are able to revoke.
- A good reason to delete your own post is if someone found it so horribly offensive that they asked you to do it. You could decide to be nice and either edit yourself or just delete the whole thing.
- Or you could decide to just leave it there. It's your call. Just remember that when you chose the behavior, you chose the consequences, and while those consequences have little chance of taking the form of banishment, you will lose the respect of the populace. At that point, you may find yourself wishing that you had been banished!
- HOWEVER, if you elect, unrequested, to delete your own posts merely to cover your own tracks and erase evidence that you were nasty and rude, a roar will arise from the populace and you will not be respected.
- Deleting your own post, if you were the one to start the thread, has the effect of deleting the entire thread. This is a form of (perhaps inadvertent) censorship of the others who posted in that thread. A roar will arise from the populace, and you will not be respected.
On The Subject of Abusers
- There are those who will never be able to resist abusing the generously tolerant culture of this board, i.e., people will troll just to test and see if we are serious about the "no banning, no deleting" culture. If you indulge in genuine abuse of the privilges found here, a roar will arise from the populace, and you will be called on said behavior. Repeatedly. And you will not be respected.
[Edited by Crank]
I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
BOYCOTT FRENCH TOAST, GERMAN SAUSAGE AND BELGIAN CHOCOLATES
Crank-->
All Content is © the Poster and is to be considered Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. Though Brilliant, Breathtaking and Extrememly Well Written the Content contained herein is Opinion and Opinion only.
ib4cruzn at charter dot net
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