h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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We should also bear in mind that while terms such as "flooding" and "spamming" are fine for this discussion they're meaningless for the Rules themselves.
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How so?

Flooding and spamming are both listed in the current <./>HouseRules</.>

They are and each is also defined. If we use the terms in the Rules we would also need to define them.

Can I thank everybody for contributing to this thread today

Especially those who went beyond the call of duty and demonstrated lots of practical ways in which we breach them - very illustrative - thanks

OK, now my view at this stage is that nobody's seriously challenged any of the existing house rules (apart from the language one, maybe, which in any case is being discussed elsewhere, I think)

So are we all happy to keep this set and then decide how to enforce them?

Let me know your thoughts, and then we'll get on to processes in another thread

I agree with the existing house rules. They seem pretty much identical to the ones I have to abide by in other places, such as noesis if I remember sufficiently.


When you say language - do you mean as in foreign languages - or bad language, as in swearing?

I'd like to see a general move away from yikesing and hiding posting that has a website from Spain, Germany or France for instance, being instantly moderated. The culture here is that we write to each other in English, but accept that at times it is appropriate to use each other's language, be it Danish or Scots or Italian etc.

As for swearing - I am an old fogey and like the use of creative alternatives for expletives.

Yep keep these House Rules sounds good.

Yes I meant foreign languages For the avoicance of doubt, let's call the other stuff profanity

Hold those thoughts on yikesing and hiding. They're definitely 'next thread' material

I shall try and think of a suitable phrase that I'd like to see, as I want to retain the broad acceptance that we write to each other in English - but it's been a long day. My brain cell tells me it's had to work too hard today.

I'll think on . . .

I'd prefer we loosen up on the moderation. Abusive language should definitely remain out of bounds, but individual words should be moderated with consideration for context. I'd like to be able to quote father Jack without my post instantly disappearing.

What Count Zero said. Moderation in the new world must pay more attention to context.

Sounds good to me Icy, to do the next thing.

I'll to that.

The next discussion thread is open: F21551820?thread=8249873

This time it's about banning.

Coming a bit late to the party, but...

I'll leave the issue of foreign-language postings aside for the moment, since I've expressed my views on that elsewhere.

But we do need to take into account how international the site is - for example, I believe it's only UK elections that we can't discuss at the moment. If that applies to any country, it should apply to all.

I definitely think we should keep the bits about copyright/3rd-party material. Not only is it a legal issue, it's something so much of the internet gets wrong. It'll be important especially if we do someday allow people to just upload their own images. (Whether or not that's a good idea for the site is another matter entirely.)

ah okay i admit i am a bit late to this particular party/thread
but... i HAVE read the backlog good on me!!

anyway...
is there a clear enuf statement in our house rules covering offensive terminology
in such areas as gender choice, disabilities, or feminism?

there are more areas but those are examples
i recently ran into a term used that can be considered offensive to disabled folks
(i googled it)
and when i yikesed it it was deemed non offensive
even though i found it considered to be offensive in online dictionaries even

so i am wondering if we could have a discussion on this...
on what our community of h2g2 wants
keeping in mind of course that numbers should not decide what we want
as that could be skewed by sockpuppetry
and thinness of representation across our desired demograph

if i were to start this discussion
i would suggest something i saw quoted a number of times in the disabled boards

on a civilized and nonoffensive board...
i can call myself anything i want
but you do not have a right to call me anything you want to

Amazing - the filther missed one?

I think it's tricky because we might get rid of banter. I've been quite unwell mentally recently with bipolar mania. And it wouldn't bother me if people used terms like raving nutjob about me. That's what I am...and especially lately. I know in context who uses such terms and the intent behind it, affectionate or nasty.

But yes for other people certain terms might really hurt.

I wouldn't like us to become one sea of political correctness.

Now that would make me feel ill.

That's just a I haven't a clue.

i think political correctness is just a set of rules
made for folks who have not had the training
sensitivity
or consideration
to be careful of other folks possible vulnerabilities

its just being nice to folks
so they can be comfortable
and not feel put down
or laughed at
or sneered at or whatever

>and not feel put down
or laughed at
or sneered at or whatever
<

100% with that.

Again, I sugest we always consider context. I would much prefer we not rely on filtering as it doesn't do so. If someone uses a derogatory term abusively, then by all means hit the yikes button. If someone uses an offensive word, but maybe doen't understand the offense it may cause, then use it as a teaching issue. Filters do their job unilaterally and block things that they shouldn't. Just today Gosho was trying to discuss bread baking and ran into the filther by explaining that his oven can be as much as "75° F(arenheit) off".