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

Okay, that one is just silly. The rules specify no URLs in nicknames, and no email addresses that include offensive words. But I assume this is the email address for people to subscribe to the Friends of LeKZ group? That's just dumb, not only because it violates no rule, but because people have been doing workarounds easily just the same. On "Not Banned Yet"s page, he explains that the email address to subscribe to the FoLKZ group has been censored, but below that he gives his own email and invites anyone who wants to join to contact him there.

This appears to be not only censorship contradicting the House Rules, but pointlessly ineffective at silencing the group they want to silence.

I don't get it.

My point exactly, hence the suggestion that if Almighty Rob doesn't get a moderation e-mail explaining exactly what rule he broke, he should "Linda" it as per the instructions on the old Moderation Helpdesk.

Yes, it was that address.

My personal space has also been removed twice, as has everyone else who posted that email address. The day the pages were hidden was the same day the help desk closed. It was also a Friday (no staff in the office until Monday). LeKZ's ban also occurred on a Friday.

I did get an email on the topic, but it didn't explain why this email address (not a URL, as the censorship marking states) was in violation. I have asked in several fora after being moderated, as well as by replying to the email. Still no word.

Maybe this is something the Zaphodista can help with? I know Subcom doesn't want to be part of the group (though you're most welcome...!) but surely he supports the right of anybody else to join.

The rules on email addresses should not be applied differently for different groups. What action would you suggest the Zaphodistas take to help? It's not like we have any connections or any power to change things directly. We could go stir things up on Community Soapbox, which would do more damage than good.

I'd suggest waiting at least a day (like one UK business day) to see if they reply to the email, or maybe asking in a Feedback area for clarification on rules against email addresses. Of course, this will result in an explanation, at best a ruling handed down to clarify why nothing is going to change.

For all it's worth, I suggested a petition to supporters of LeKZ earlier, during that first one-week suspension. Meanwhile, Barton and LeKZ say the Zaphodistas have accomplished nothing, that the petition is a useless distraction that won't make anything change, that Mark is a master manipulator who is playing us off against the BBC. (Don't quote me, I'm just paraphrasing so this constitutes hearsay.) I don't understand what kind of protests a group could mount if they really feel that the overlords are incapable of change. You'd have to go above Mark's head somehow. Protest to Ashley Highfield (BBC, Director New Media) or the UK Government.

Maybe it's time for FoLKZ to call for a strike? I'm all for trying to help y'all strategize civil disobedience, for those of you FoLKZ who don't have view the h2g2 staff as a conspiracy of monsters. But I'm not sure how help from Zaphodistas will do any good, or why we should bother helping, when LeKZ has been emailing me to explain how useless the efforts of the Zaps have been.

I think our petitions and civil disobedience may be helpful, because I maintain hope that someone at BBC can be swayed by a large group of credible people. If I thought the h2g2 staff were as malignant as LeKZ claims, then I wouldn't waste time asking them to change, and wouldn't bother to stay at a place ruled by them.

Apart from all that, we should still protest inconsistent rulings, even when it affects people who cut us down. Any suggestions for a new method of protest?

We could hold a spit-in...

Thanks. I needed that.

Hey, don't worry Subcom, I defended us to the list!

I don't really know how the Zaps can get involved, I just think that there are two groups, both are upset by the moderation situation, both have been divided and are currently doing not much more than whinging.

I thought it would be cool if they could fight together and accomplish something, and you, as the "spokesman" for the Zaps, were the first I asked...

*Pandora walks over to the conversation still naked, holding her sign which reads: I like h2g2 mostly.*
Pardon me, how much did you have to pay in order to post on h2g2/BBC? I didn't have to pay one red cent. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Am I in my 'own' little world here?
I, as well as many 'reachers' enjoy the comrodery (sp?) that we have here. (and no points are removed for typos or misspelllling)

Least we forget, DNA cashed in on h2g2. Unfortunatly for him, he hadn't done it soon enough to reap his reward. But, on we go.
More than anything it's my feelings that get hurt when something of Pandora's is moderated. I really don't know of a place footing the bill for international friends to enteract as do we. Not one as nice/fun as WHERE WE ARE!!!

The 1st time Pan was Moderated, I freaked a bit. I was E-mailing my hoo-too friends telling them that Pandora must be too racey for this place. I was willing to stop posting here in order to allow my friends to continue on the thread my words were taken from. I thought, and correctly so, that Pandora would have words removed from time to time. It has happened. So what? I DO feel I have freedom of speech here. As much as I have with a group of my friends with their children, sitting around chatting.

I think what bothers some of us the most is that ANYone can go narc/taddle on anyONE of us at ANY time.

And last, but not least (oh, I just know I'm going to be eaten alive for this), I wish there was a rule that states: When a person is under 21 years of age their age MUST be given, on each thread.
Ducks as things begin to hit the fan.

*not being one to grovel, as my knees are about shot, I
begin to grovel* After giving 'it' weeks of a go...why not
concide? Where's the harm in being polite? A very wise woman once said, "Why not concide?" ~Peace Out, Pan~

Pan,

You're right, we *do* have free speech here. But I'm concerned that it is a lot less free than it was just a few months ago. (Or even a few days ago.)

The restrictions are not major. But if we concede them, we will have lost some ground, and will face further restrictions. It has already started happening.

I like h2g2. But I liked the *old* h2g2 better.

Cheers,
Rob.

The winds of revolution are upon us!! And one berret please!

w85(Master of Ceremonies)
U46778

Subcom(post 764), of course we should protest inconsistent rulings even against people who cut us down, otherwise we would be inconsistant, even hypocritical. to do any less just because they don't like us or what we're trying to do would be violation of the cause.

Pandora, as a person under 21 i would like to say that my parents would have an absolute fit if i told anyone my age on the net(i can see why not to tell my name, address, or phone #, but age seems a bit silly to me, however i still don't. i assume, quite rightly i think, that no one could track me down by age, sex, and state alone as there must be thousands at least the fit the same criteria.), and if that were made a rule than i would certainly have to leave until i was(were? who knows with English(the language, not the people) about the grammer) either 21 or (how to say this clearly and grammaticly?) until such time as i did not have to follw the rule anymore, and, much as i disapprove of some of the rules, i don't really want to have to leave because of one of them.

of course there's no harm in being polite. but then, h2g2 wasn't exactly a cesspit of rudeness, swearing, and general nastiness before. i object much more to the "no languages besides English will be able to stay without being refered to check content and hidden meanwhile" and "no urls"(and we have to go to amazing lengths sometimes to circumvent it as urls are sometimes very useful/necessary) rules, although the rest seems a bit odd coming from the station that broadcast Mont Python.

oops. that should be "Monty Python"

That should just be 'w85' actually. Forget the master of ceremonies thing!

times like this when the ability to modify previous posts was handy on the temporary h2g2 board, to correct spelling and such. but actually it's better this way.

Please add Floh U123888

RE: Minesweep Goddess' response. Hon, I didn't mean to sugegest anyone tell their age. However, I would like to know if the person to whom I am posting is under 21. I would then have enough smarts about me to b able to modify my respones.
Argue all you like. Some of us have found it's a bit like
in the wind.
I agree, the ability to fix/ alter spelling was nice. But when it's kept 'as is' the meanings can't be changed to suit the guilty.
I love the new smilies...but WHY OH WHY did "they" stick a fork in the 'wink' smilie's eye? *well, it WAS my fav...steps down from her soapbox to go play with her friends*~Pan~*wink*

ah, thanks for clarifying. it did look like you meant to suggest that.

your reason is why i said it's better this way. but perhaps a spell check would serve the same purpose. or just reading over our postings.

fork? what fork? now i have to see.....

you're right, it does sort of look like that...

I agree, it would sometimes be useful to know the age range of people to whom you are posting. If done in the wrong way it could however be open to abuse - and how are H2G2 to police how old people say they are?

Provide them with a Birth Certificate for all members....
It may be best to treat all members as Minors until Proof is otherwise provided - that said it would always be possible for a Minor to find the "juicier" parts of H2G2 under the current system - maybe a good reason for Moderation - or for a two tier system.....

(I Personally like the idea of a two tier system - with a Large Un/self moderated area - which users have to sign up for and prove age (maybe including a small yearly fee, paid by Credit Card - which has been seen in the US as sufficient proof of age), and sign away any rights to be offended, etc... - and a "smaller" editted/moderated area where all the kiddies can play, and all the editted articles are available.....)

Read this! :-) http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F55683?thread=133655 As a forerunner, posting in German is allowed again :-) It's a pilot project, employing volunteer translators, but it *is* a beginning!