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| Borrowing the forum rules. - Chit Chat - General Area - UltraBB Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Sakura License Holder
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If I were to take rules here and credited the forums here, could I use the rules here? The rules I made are too long anyway.
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Jim Administrator 
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We don't have a problem with that, go ahead. No credit needed, but thank you for asking!
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TheSnowHorse Esistenza è futile
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It would be interesting to see what rules others use - I made mine up and pirated some from others.
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martin_wynne Licence Holder 
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TheLoneStoner wrote: It would be interesting to see what rules others use - I made mine up and pirated some from others. Hi, I don't have any published rules at all. It's a big mistake in my view to do that. It signals that you don't really trust your members; it invites some of them to become self-appointed moderators and tell other members what they should and shouldn't be doing -- a sure way to start an argument; and it ties your own hands in dealing with any problems which arise. It's much better simply to deal with each problem on its merits as it arises. It's your board to run your way -- you don't have to explain why you have deleted something, why you have banned someone, what you intend to do about anything. Just do it. And if possible entirely behind the scenes, not in public on the board. The ideal to arrive at is a board which appears to run on an even keel without any moderation at all. If anyone doesn't like the way you run things, simply point out that no-one is forced to join your board against their wishes. And if they want a board run a different way, tell them that Jim and Di will be delighted to take their order! I'm a member of several boards, and most of the trouble is actually caused by visible moderator interventions. Arguments not about the original offence, but about whether the moderator should or shouldn't have taken action, whether that action was correct, whether the rules were or weren't followed to the letter, what the rules should have been instead. If you don't have any published rules and don't moderate in public, none of that stuff ever happens. If a member behaves badly, warn them by pm that they will be banned if they don't behave better. And if it comes to it, ban them. But don't tell anyone. regards, Martin.
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Jim Administrator
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Hi Martin, I half agree and half do not. I have been an admin/owner/moderator more times than we both have fingers and toes (taking a chance here not knowing your physical condition) and though I feel you are correct on the "caused by visible moderator intervention" thing I really think it helps to lay out the basic guidelines in the beginning. It makes it easier to take immediate action not based on a judgment of heart but on an absolute breaking of a written word. On the professional type boards we usually employ no moderators at all. We have one here that never visits but put him in the position to cure one specific problem in the beginning. Long story that will never be told. We PM people on questionable acts but if they start cussing or slinging we will squash them like a bug in public. If you are going to have written rules, you have to post them in the very beginning or they are not effective. These are my observations.
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TheSnowHorse Esistenza è futile
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Martin - I kinda get what you are saying but I disagree. I don't think it has anything to do with trusting your members. I have a private forum and felt that there had to be some basic ground rules. I have 1 super mod and felt it and rules were needed as my board is a free for all - anything goes forum. And I mean anything. I also had invited a person that has been banned from almost every board she has belonged to due to her strong opinions on things and wanted it all out there in plain English. If someone is out of line they are reminded to read the rules - in public. That is all it has taken on only 2 occasions in 2 years and let me tell you - it does get heated at times but they are all adults and basically self moderate. The times I have had to point to the rules I have gotten an immediate apology and it was ended there. If one does not have any publish, written rules and a situation arises - then it would seem any decision would be made strictly on a whim - to me that is not fair to the members. I would also think it would tempt people to push the envelope because they do not know what the boundries are. There are a lot of trouble makers on line. I only have a wee board and can not imagine one the size of say Wing\Steve's not having some basic rules laid down for the trolls. JMO. My "rules" are just common sense, basic guidelines with one being kinda tongue-in-cheek (but not really...) LOL ******************************* The following is a set of rules that will govern the forums here at Stoney Acres. This is not an all inclusive list of rules, and is subject to being amended at any time by the owner or staff without notice. By posting anywhere in the forums located on StoneyAcres.com you are agreeing to follow these rules. Violaters are subject to recourse (i.e. Posting Privileges Revoked, Banning, etc..), with or without warning as determined by the owner or staff. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS ON FELLOW MEMBERS. Period. Go after the idea - not the poster.(Folks outside this little piece of cyberspace are fair game UNLESS a close buddy of a member.) No dissing Brad Pitt in ANY way. You don't think I am serious? Think again.  I own this board.Please - no spilling the beans. Stoney Acres is a PRIVATE board. (See new members info in part 2) Do NOT argue with the owner or the Mod. You will not win. A well thought out rebuttal, however, will be taken into serious consideration. No hot linking. No multiple User names/Accounts. No adult, inappropriate, or illegal material. (Okay, tasteful hot men pics allowed or you guys will kill me...  )No Copyrighted Material (unless you are the author, or have express written permission from the author). Referencing is allowed. Actually, encouraged! Swearing is allowed. 
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LisaLisa License Holder 
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The only rules we have are no kid bashing, nothing discussed in a restricted room can be brought out and discussed anywhere else on the board, and admin reserves the right to ban anyone if they are deemed a troll or troublemaker. The board I was a super mod on, previous to owning my own, had basic rules. For most it was no big deal. But we had one member who had a very abrasive posting style. She constantly made other people quite upset, and several members even left because of her. Unfortunately, she was able to do these things, but never really break any rules, so banning her was impossible. Anytime someone would talk to her about how she interacted with people, she would copy the rules, and ask that we point out where she had broken any. It was a nightmare. lol
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Robert Member 
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If it's your forum then ban her Lisa. If you are losing members because of her then it's in the boards interest to see her go. At the very least you could stop her posting for six months and then she would probably leave of her own accord.
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martin_wynne Licence Holder
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LisaLisa wrote: Unfortunately, she was able to do these things, but never really break any rules, so banning her was impossible. Anytime someone would talk to her about how she interacted with people, she would copy the rules, and ask that we point out where she had broken any. It was a nightmare. Hi Lisa, That's a perfect example of what I meant by "it ties your own hands in dealing with any problems which arise". If you hadn't published ANY rules, but just naturally assumed that everyone would behave with normal good manners, you could have simply banned her after a polite warning. And it's meaningless to make a rule where the opposite would be ridiculous, and it signals your own lack of intellect if you do so. For example saying "you are not permitted to post personal attacks on other members" suggests that you think there are other boards where such would be acceptable. And it insults your well-behaved members by suggesting that you think they might do such a thing. You are entitled to assume that anyone joining your board already knows that much about how to behave. And if they don't, you simply ban them. You don't have to have a specific rule about it. regards, Martin.
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walkerboh License Holder
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martin_wynne wrote: LisaLisa wrote:Unfortunately, she was able to do these things, but never really break any rules, so banning her was impossible. Anytime someone would talk to her about how she interacted with people, she would copy the rules, and ask that we point out where she had broken any. It was a nightmare. I respectfully disagree, as this can and does happen on some of the boards I have visited in the past, even though it's "not allowed" Rules I feel need to be posted, but have some "judgment call" flexibility build in to help moderators take care of trolls who try to "skirt the rules". That way, a new person knows right away what type of behavior is expected, and what is not acceptable. That's something that can change from forum to forum.
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TheSnowHorse Esistenza è futile
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You are entitled to assume that anyone joining your board already knows that much about how to behave. And if they don't, you simply ban them. You don't have to have a specific rule about it. Well, you know what they say about people who "assume" anything.... And it's also a stretch to say one is "entitled" to know anything about one who has joined a forum. Quite frankly I would not join a board without clear guidelines because they could boot anyone for anything someone personally does not like and then that is more of dictarship and not my cup of tea. 
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martin_wynne Licence Holder
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For those who feel the need to post specific rules, you can't do better than those of the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/messageboards/newguide/popup_house_rules.html But note that there is nothing about "you can't do this or that, or else...", inviting every man and his dog to try to implement the rules for you, or find some loophole in them. It simply says "We reserve the right to remove...", i.e. each case will be treated on its merits, based on the guidelines. regards, Martin.
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| UltraBB Forums > General Area > Chit Chat > Borrowing the forum rules. | |
