IMPORTANT - New Forum Guidelines - Please read and comment
24 March 2003, 07:50 PM
#1
Hi All
Through the incredibly hard work of the moderator team and in particular Neil Smalley, we have come up with the long awaited Forum Guidelines based on the kinds of things you have all been asking over the years (and we've been acting on).
What this aims to do is show the (until now) unwritten rule book that the moderators use to moderate. This will allow people to see what is acceptable and what is not, and also allow people to see the reasons why threads are moderated should the need arise.
It is very important that you comment to say you agree, or disagree (and why) as these are here for YOU, in order to keep your community how you want it.
Remember, that above all else.. ScoobyNet is run with the community as it's first priority. There are no hidden agendas, and we just want the best for everybody, as without this community, scoobynet is nothing.
Here they are
Forum Guidelines
Introduction
ScoobyNet is a huge online motoring enthusiasts community, that is run by enthusiasts. The ScoobyNet Forums are for the online interaction of that community. Due to it's size and widespread appeal, everything we post is seen by thousands of people around the world, which means we have a duty of care that the content of the forums are legal and of a good and decent nature.
Whilst (incredibly for a community of it's size) ScoobyNet is proud of the fact that occasions when this is not adhered to are very very rare, it does happen, so we have one of the finest teams of moderators you will find anywhere in the world.
What are Moderators?
Our Moderator Team is here to monitor and (where necessary) edit / move / delete posts in order to protect the short and long term good of the ScoobyNet community. They are active members of the community, but also give up huge amounts of their own time (free of charge) to support you. They follow a strict set of guidelines which have been developed and refined over the years, placing the good of the community as the primary focus.
If your post is moved, edited, locked, deleted, etc... this will NEVER be a direct or personal attack on you. It will only be as a result of the guidelines that you can see below and will always put the community first, over any individuals personal ideals.
When will my thread be edited/deleted?
Your thread or post may be edited or deleted if it contains
o Pornography, links to Pornography or links to other inappropriate sites. As a guide anything rated 12A or above may be removed without notice.
o Swearing and offensive words, which includes the use of censored swearing using asterisks (for example) or the circumvention of the swear filters. This also includes offensive words embedded in images
o Inciting a flame war within this or any other forum Any sort of pyramid selling or referral schemes
o The advertising and sale of illegal bootleg material (such as copied DVDs, VCDs and computer software)
o Xenophobia, racism or personal abuse
o Spam or any other form of unauthorised advertising.
o Anything invasive of a person's privacy.
o Anything that is deemed by Scoobynet as potentially libelous.
o Flagrant disregard for the interests of the community(anti community spirit)
o Threads of a sensitive nature that cannot be moved, locked edited.
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing Illegal/defamatory statements
o Remove any copyright-infringing material (either text or graphic)
o Basically, whenever there is no value to the community that demands leaving the topic/message in place.
Editing is always visible to the community; whenever a message is edited, the date/time/edit author are shown within the message
Scoobynet reserves the right to remove, or edit any thread for legal or other reasons.
When will a thread be locked?
o If there are persistent abuses of the behavior mentioned above.
o Unacceptable behavior (as determined by the tone of the community; e.g. making inflammatory comments, flame wars etc etc)
o Completely off-topic discussion
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing
Scoobynet reserves the right to lock any thread for legal or other reasons.
When will a thread be moved?
o When the thread clearly belong in another forum
o When the topic moves onto a subject more appropriate to another forum.
o A thread will be moved to the Muppets where it’s deemed too “silly” for other forums.
Scoobynet reserves the right to move any thread for any reason
What is "potentially libellous"?
Libel is a very complicated part of the law. The general concept is that anything that cannot be proved by hard fact which could be considered damaging to a company or individual may be libellous.
What may be considered to be potentially libellous, is something where the above applies and ScoobyNet itself does not have the hard facts to prove without doubt that what is being said is accurate.
Due to legal complications that ScoobyNet could be considered liable for libellous comments posted by users, we have to show a continued and consistent practice of due-diligence which protects us against potential legal action.
This means deleting / editing posts containing this kind of material and taking every action reasonably possible to stop it being posted in the first place. For this reason, ANY potentially libellous content may be deleted immediatetly without warning or explanation.
Commercial posts
Commercial Posts may be locked or removed if posted in any forum. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. This includes any company press releases, statements or advertising of practices of any kinds.
----
Apologies if I can't reply straight away. But I will read all replies very carefully.
All the best
Simon
Through the incredibly hard work of the moderator team and in particular Neil Smalley, we have come up with the long awaited Forum Guidelines based on the kinds of things you have all been asking over the years (and we've been acting on).
What this aims to do is show the (until now) unwritten rule book that the moderators use to moderate. This will allow people to see what is acceptable and what is not, and also allow people to see the reasons why threads are moderated should the need arise.
It is very important that you comment to say you agree, or disagree (and why) as these are here for YOU, in order to keep your community how you want it.
Remember, that above all else.. ScoobyNet is run with the community as it's first priority. There are no hidden agendas, and we just want the best for everybody, as without this community, scoobynet is nothing.
Here they are
Forum Guidelines
Introduction
ScoobyNet is a huge online motoring enthusiasts community, that is run by enthusiasts. The ScoobyNet Forums are for the online interaction of that community. Due to it's size and widespread appeal, everything we post is seen by thousands of people around the world, which means we have a duty of care that the content of the forums are legal and of a good and decent nature.
Whilst (incredibly for a community of it's size) ScoobyNet is proud of the fact that occasions when this is not adhered to are very very rare, it does happen, so we have one of the finest teams of moderators you will find anywhere in the world.
What are Moderators?
Our Moderator Team is here to monitor and (where necessary) edit / move / delete posts in order to protect the short and long term good of the ScoobyNet community. They are active members of the community, but also give up huge amounts of their own time (free of charge) to support you. They follow a strict set of guidelines which have been developed and refined over the years, placing the good of the community as the primary focus.
If your post is moved, edited, locked, deleted, etc... this will NEVER be a direct or personal attack on you. It will only be as a result of the guidelines that you can see below and will always put the community first, over any individuals personal ideals.
When will my thread be edited/deleted?
Your thread or post may be edited or deleted if it contains
o Pornography, links to Pornography or links to other inappropriate sites. As a guide anything rated 12A or above may be removed without notice.
o Swearing and offensive words, which includes the use of censored swearing using asterisks (for example) or the circumvention of the swear filters. This also includes offensive words embedded in images
o Inciting a flame war within this or any other forum Any sort of pyramid selling or referral schemes
o The advertising and sale of illegal bootleg material (such as copied DVDs, VCDs and computer software)
o Xenophobia, racism or personal abuse
o Spam or any other form of unauthorised advertising.
o Anything invasive of a person's privacy.
o Anything that is deemed by Scoobynet as potentially libelous.
o Flagrant disregard for the interests of the community(anti community spirit)
o Threads of a sensitive nature that cannot be moved, locked edited.
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing Illegal/defamatory statements
o Remove any copyright-infringing material (either text or graphic)
o Basically, whenever there is no value to the community that demands leaving the topic/message in place.
Editing is always visible to the community; whenever a message is edited, the date/time/edit author are shown within the message
Scoobynet reserves the right to remove, or edit any thread for legal or other reasons.
When will a thread be locked?
o If there are persistent abuses of the behavior mentioned above.
o Unacceptable behavior (as determined by the tone of the community; e.g. making inflammatory comments, flame wars etc etc)
o Completely off-topic discussion
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing
Scoobynet reserves the right to lock any thread for legal or other reasons.
When will a thread be moved?
o When the thread clearly belong in another forum
o When the topic moves onto a subject more appropriate to another forum.
o A thread will be moved to the Muppets where it’s deemed too “silly” for other forums.
Scoobynet reserves the right to move any thread for any reason
What is "potentially libellous"?
Libel is a very complicated part of the law. The general concept is that anything that cannot be proved by hard fact which could be considered damaging to a company or individual may be libellous.
What may be considered to be potentially libellous, is something where the above applies and ScoobyNet itself does not have the hard facts to prove without doubt that what is being said is accurate.
Due to legal complications that ScoobyNet could be considered liable for libellous comments posted by users, we have to show a continued and consistent practice of due-diligence which protects us against potential legal action.
This means deleting / editing posts containing this kind of material and taking every action reasonably possible to stop it being posted in the first place. For this reason, ANY potentially libellous content may be deleted immediatetly without warning or explanation.
Commercial posts
Commercial Posts may be locked or removed if posted in any forum. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. This includes any company press releases, statements or advertising of practices of any kinds.
----
Apologies if I can't reply straight away. But I will read all replies very carefully.
All the best
Simon
24 March 2003, 08:13 PM
#2
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Sounds fair enough to me, will you be updating the T&Cs on account registration page ?
Can you number the sections so it maybe easier for a moderator to quote a section which has been broken. Maybe require less explanation as well
.
Can you number the sections so it maybe easier for a moderator to quote a section which has been broken. Maybe require less explanation as well
.
24 March 2003, 08:20 PM
#3
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I'll get the ball rolling on this one then.
What happens if someone asks the ScoobyNet Community who is the best for this or that. If someone replies to this person stating their opinion and then more people come back and say the same type of thing surely this is a form of advertising.
Then if the said person/company that have been recommended says contact me or whatever, what's the score on that then?
They have asked the ScoobyNet Community for help, they get the replies they asked for & then war breaks out.
No-one lynched me when I was selling LED's that I had!
Huxley
What happens if someone asks the ScoobyNet Community who is the best for this or that. If someone replies to this person stating their opinion and then more people come back and say the same type of thing surely this is a form of advertising.
Then if the said person/company that have been recommended says contact me or whatever, what's the score on that then?
They have asked the ScoobyNet Community for help, they get the replies they asked for & then war breaks out.
No-one lynched me when I was selling LED's that I had!
Huxley
24 March 2003, 08:26 PM
#5
blimey (non offensive word?), swearing and stuff using asterisks seems harsh. Can't you just put a disclaimer on the front page saying 'contains adult material' or something?, not that bothered really but where will it end?
Is scoobynet going to be a victim of it's own success?
Is scoobynet going to be a victim of it's own success?
24 March 2003, 08:38 PM
#7
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Yep, no particular issues.
A lot of the guidelines are, by nature of the fact that we are all human, quite subjective in their description. All I would urge, is don't moderate out people's personalities - lively debate should still be possible and encouraged - and don't moderate out the fun.
Moderators are, like the rest of us, only human, but I wouldn't want to see their own idea of a "perfect" forum in which they moderate becoming a personal benchmark. All moderators do a very difficult task, but please urge common sense to be the guiding principle (except in legal issues), and then I think Scoobynet will remain the car BBS of choice of many on the 'net.
Tel
A lot of the guidelines are, by nature of the fact that we are all human, quite subjective in their description. All I would urge, is don't moderate out people's personalities - lively debate should still be possible and encouraged - and don't moderate out the fun.
Moderators are, like the rest of us, only human, but I wouldn't want to see their own idea of a "perfect" forum in which they moderate becoming a personal benchmark. All moderators do a very difficult task, but please urge common sense to be the guiding principle (except in legal issues), and then I think Scoobynet will remain the car BBS of choice of many on the 'net.
Tel
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24 March 2003, 08:44 PM
#8
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Your having a Fu*cking laugh......
If it does work and makes it better great... but lets not forget we are all human. Lets not forget that. Most of us enjoy this site for its various levels of thought and understanding. If it gets all "PC" and "Nerdy"... and it will.It will loose its flavour.
But beware.... The price of subarus are so cheap a whole new type of owner will want to join.
Good Luck
[Edited by Luke - 3/24/2003 8:59:25 PM]
If it does work and makes it better great... but lets not forget we are all human. Lets not forget that. Most of us enjoy this site for its various levels of thought and understanding. If it gets all "PC" and "Nerdy"... and it will.It will loose its flavour.
But beware.... The price of subarus are so cheap a whole new type of owner will want to join.
Good Luck
[Edited by Luke - 3/24/2003 8:59:25 PM]
24 March 2003, 08:53 PM
#10
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all sounds fair enough at 1st glance & i'm sure there will still b plenty of livly debates although at wot point these might b deemed flaming etc may provoke yet more debate but hey that's the nature of the beast & the fact that there r always 2 sides 2 a story but if it's protecting scoobynet then this can only be a good thing 
Si
Si
24 March 2003, 09:08 PM
#15
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Swearing and offensive words, which includes the use of censored swearing using asterisks (for example) or the circumvention of the swear filters. This also includes offensive words embedded in images
Just another point im from sc unthorpe and i cant even write where i live properly as scoobynet automatically censors it... i.e s****horpe.
Dan
[Edited by dhorwich - 3/24/2003 9:16:49 PM]
24 March 2003, 09:23 PM
#17
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When will my thread be edited/deleted?
Your thread or post may be edited or deleted if it contains
o Pornography, links to Pornography or links to other inappropriate sites. As a guide anything rated 12A or above may be removed without notice.
o Swearing and offensive words, which includes the use of censored swearing using asterisks (for example) or the circumvention of the swear filters. This also includes offensive words embedded in images
o Inciting a flame war within this or any other forum Any sort of pyramid selling or referral schemes
o The advertising and sale of illegal bootleg material (such as copied DVDs, VCDs and computer software)
o Xenophobia, racism or personal abuse
o Spam or any other form of unauthorised advertising.
o Anything invasive of a person's privacy.
o Anything that is deemed by Scoobynet as potentially libelous.
o Flagrant disregard for the interests of the community(anti community spirit)
o Threads of a sensitive nature that cannot be moved, locked edited.
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing Illegal/defamatory statements
o Remove any copyright-infringing material (either text or graphic)
o Basically, whenever there is no value to the community that demands leaving the topic/message in place.
Your thread or post may be edited or deleted if it contains
o Pornography, links to Pornography or links to other inappropriate sites. As a guide anything rated 12A or above may be removed without notice.
o Swearing and offensive words, which includes the use of censored swearing using asterisks (for example) or the circumvention of the swear filters. This also includes offensive words embedded in images
o Inciting a flame war within this or any other forum Any sort of pyramid selling or referral schemes
o The advertising and sale of illegal bootleg material (such as copied DVDs, VCDs and computer software)
o Xenophobia, racism or personal abuse
o Spam or any other form of unauthorised advertising.
o Anything invasive of a person's privacy.
o Anything that is deemed by Scoobynet as potentially libelous.
o Flagrant disregard for the interests of the community(anti community spirit)
o Threads of a sensitive nature that cannot be moved, locked edited.
o No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing Illegal/defamatory statements
o Remove any copyright-infringing material (either text or graphic)
o Basically, whenever there is no value to the community that demands leaving the topic/message in place.
24 March 2003, 09:26 PM
#18
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Agreed with Dan. The average ****** (kid) swears more than I do. I think removing swearing is going a little far.
What will Scoobynet turn into....'Oh I say old bean, there was this dreadfull little chap who dented my fine automobile. Parents really should take more care over their little cherubs.' 'Darn, I seem to have lost my monacle. Dang and blast it.'
I believe some of the measures are a little draconian.
What will Scoobynet turn into....'Oh I say old bean, there was this dreadfull little chap who dented my fine automobile. Parents really should take more care over their little cherubs.' 'Darn, I seem to have lost my monacle. Dang and blast it.'
I believe some of the measures are a little draconian.
24 March 2003, 09:38 PM
#20
Just another point im from sc unthorpe and i cant even write where i live properly as scoobynet automatically censors it... i.e s****horpe.
lol (now i get it )
24 March 2003, 09:40 PM
#21
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This is a Subaru forum....NOT a Bentley Arnage Forum....
Jesus 1/2 the owners are probably drug dealers/gangstas /hooooliguns,shavedhead nutters...what do you expect?????
then there are the Nurdy turdy PC %
folloewd by the legecy owners who are true gentlemen and add some class to scoobynet.(!!)
Jesus 1/2 the owners are probably drug dealers/gangstas /hooooliguns,shavedhead nutters...what do you expect?????
then there are the Nurdy turdy PC %
folloewd by the legecy owners who are true gentlemen and add some class to scoobynet.(!!)
24 March 2003, 09:44 PM
#24
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I agree about swearing - it's such a common part of everyday language that to censor it all is unreasonable IMHO. We routinely discuss such emotive topics that it's often completely justified. How else would you describe, say, a kid that's keyed your car? A little tearaway? A naughty little boy? Or a f******g little s**t that deserves battering to a pulp?
Another trickier point is the rule about invasion of privacy; how exactly do you define that? For example, take a photo of a group at any Scoobynet meet - does posting that violate the privacy of everyone concerned? Should we therefore never post such things?
Other than that, the only issue is whether anyone actually pays such T&Cs any attention at all - there will always be people who ignore them, and waving a copy under their noses is usually a futile exercise. Whilst I appreciate the value of such a document to the moderators themselves (to help ensure that policies are enforced consistently), I have my doubts about the benefit of waving it under people's noses when a transgression occurs - which is unfortunate.
Andy.
Another trickier point is the rule about invasion of privacy; how exactly do you define that? For example, take a photo of a group at any Scoobynet meet - does posting that violate the privacy of everyone concerned? Should we therefore never post such things?
Other than that, the only issue is whether anyone actually pays such T&Cs any attention at all - there will always be people who ignore them, and waving a copy under their noses is usually a futile exercise. Whilst I appreciate the value of such a document to the moderators themselves (to help ensure that policies are enforced consistently), I have my doubts about the benefit of waving it under people's noses when a transgression occurs - which is unfortunate.
Andy.
24 March 2003, 09:48 PM
#25
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You can't say Snuff that's a bad word Pike you stupid boy word What do these have in common A vicious river fish and somthing that opens a lock
Anyway why can't we have a Over 18's section with an extra password or something then the people that might be offended don't have to look and they won't have any excuse to complain, or they could go and surf on eBay or something or as they say there is an off button as the over 18 section could have a warning at the front page Saying we have no control as to what goes on in here and we have no reasonability whatsoever on it's content etc
Just my thought on the PC side of things as that's they way it's going me thinks
[Edited by Huxley - 3/26/2003 6:37:15 PM]
Pike you stupid boy word What do these have in common A vicious river fish and somthing that opens a lock Anyway why can't we have a Over 18's section with an extra password or something then the people that might be offended don't have to look and they won't have any excuse to complain, or they could go and surf on eBay or something or as they say there is an off button as the over 18 section could have a warning at the front page Saying we have no control as to what goes on in here and we have no reasonability whatsoever on it's content etc
Just my thought on the PC side of things as that's they way it's going me thinks
[Edited by Huxley - 3/26/2003 6:37:15 PM]
24 March 2003, 09:52 PM
#26
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It seems that the mods are going to create a massive amount of extra work for themselfs, i.e locking/deleting/editing every thread that has a censored rude word, When the whole idea of the new rules was to reduce there workload..????
Dan
Dan
24 March 2003, 09:54 PM
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Don't disagree with the guidelines - need a bit of order and discipline, as my dad used to say. Sounds a bit like trying to create a perfect forum though - great idea but hard to achieve unless you removed humans from the equation.
Perhaps we could use the Stepford Wives to moderate
Perhaps we could use the Stepford Wives to moderate
24 March 2003, 10:46 PM
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i think the swearing thing isnt quite right, surly this forum and comunity is based on people above the age of 17, obiously to be able to drive a car. so surly the forum is targeted towards people of this age and above? so why sencor it?
24 March 2003, 10:50 PM
#30
Scooby Regular
Commercial posts
Commercial Posts may be locked or removed if posted in any forum. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. This includes any company press releases, statements or advertising of practices of any kinds.
Commercial Posts may be locked or removed if posted in any forum. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. This includes any company press releases, statements or advertising of practices of any kinds.
1. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. Define benefit. I'm not talking about making money, I'm talking about a company gaining in some fashion, whether it be in free publicity, a mention on the BBS, a good recommendation etc etc. Half of the Dealer and Third Party section is filled with people promoting their favourite companies. Does this mean these threads get removed ? I'm a trader, if someone asks for help, and I offer then a hand, have I beneifited from this ?
2. I'm guessing companies like Subaru, Prodrive etc etc are exempt from all these rules. Perhaps a list of which companies are going to achieve this "enlightened status", so that us mere mortals at the bottom of the food chain realise. (I'm am serious, here, BTW !)
3. Banner ad companies - will they operate under the same rules as other traders, or will they have special priviliges ? What are these ?
[Edited by BoxerFlat4 - 3/24/2003 10:51:39 PM]