Topic: Chat Guidelines: Public Face

[Saffron]

I'd like to make a little reminder to everyone that PG-13 has been thrown to the wind. We now follow the same rules as the ShoutBox, as Elliquiy's Public Face.

'PG-13' is a horrible moniker. It's vague and does not properly respect what we want #Elliquiy, the shoutbox, and well, most of the public forums to be.

Public Face

I sortof think that's all that needs to be said - the public areas of our forum are the face. What we present to the world. I want it to be warm, friendly, laid back and inviting.

1) People should treat everyone with equal regard within these areas. When you type something addressing a limited number of people, ask yourself if you would say it to anyone else, or if the person being addressed would accept the statement from anyone. If the answer to each is 'no', then please take a moment to think to yourself if there is some justification.
2) We have had few problems with this, but naturally, public statements should in general be 'respectable'. For certain levels of respect.
Is just fine. Funny good. Obnoxious bad.
3) Issues between you and another member should either be addressed with that member through private messages, taken to staff, or (in certain limited instances like heated debates) taken to an appropriate thread.
4) If there is a problem in the Shoutbox or IRC, and the current members involved cannot address it, please note the time (we have extensive logs), and bring the issue up with a staff member.

This last point is critical, please. We cannot be policing the Shoutbox 24/7. That would imply, if I had twelve staff members, 2 hours per day per staff member.

I'm going to repeat what I said above - I believe my staff have a right to enjoy this place too. They agreed to accept responsibilities, but the assumption has always been - from the beginning - that the entirety of Elliquiy's membership has accepted responsibility.

Yes, that means you too.

1) To keep in mind that the Public Face of this site is just that - our public face - and we should make and keep it a beautiful thing.
2) To gently remind others of this when they forget.
3) To alert us when someone is being unconscionable.

Most of our IMs are public. We will aim for a better spread of times, and clearer policy.

We all want to make this place enjoyable for you, but please keep in mind, this place is largely a volunteer effort. It runs because a great deal of time and talent - in one form or another - is essentially donated to this place.

There is only so much of that to go around.

You will notice that these are not rules, merely guidelines. It's a separation of policy and rules. Rules... often get used as intimidation sticks. "If you want to control a populace, make sure everyone is guilty of something." That is not the kind of community I wish to run. Policy often becomes red tape, and I believe it should be applied sparingly.

[Oniya]

Out of curiosity, do 'quit messages' fall under 'Public Face'?  I'm asking because I've been spending a fair amount of time lurking in IRC these days, and I have seen some that are pushing the line a little (in my opinion).

[Saffron]

They usually aren't read, but if there are any in particular that you've noticed, surely drop one of the OPs a PM. They do fall under the guidelines, just as anything/everything within the chat does.