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Post by holly on Sept 29, 2004 16:34:39 GMT 10
Hi there Idol boards users,
It’s your friendly moderators here with a few pointers and tips about the Idol message boards. As you will have surely noticed, we sometimes remove posts and entire threads from the boards. In moderating these forums we walk a fine line between wanting to give you all a place to freely express your opinions, and wanting to maintain an online meeting place where everyone feels safe and is able to have a good time. We also have some legal concerns and general codes of behaviour that we need to consider.
So we thought it was time we gave you a bit of a head-up on the sort of things that might get your post deleted from the boards. Here’s a checklist for making sure that your post stays within the rules and stays on the boards.
Tip One: Don’t offend, explain
In this forum, as in any forum, you will encounter opinions you will think are wrong, ill informed and just plain stupid. An obvious first reaction is to come out and tell these people what you really think of them. But you should fight this urge! A lot of really insightful, funny and cool posts have been deleted because someone added name calling or a throw away insult about another forum user. So keep the personal attacks out of it, and you’ll be fine.
Also, if someone says something you don’t like try to explain why they are wrong, don’t just start name-calling. Just because you think someone is a moron, it doesn’t mean you need to inform them of that fact. Never in the history of Internet forums has calling someone an idiot made them go, ‘Hmmm, gee I guess you were right. I never realised I was an idiot, I take back all I said.’ So try explaining in non-inflammatory terms instead why you think your opinion is a stronger one.
Tip Two: Be pleasant and courteous
While no one, except for possibly Marcia, can be pleasant and courteous at all times we ask you to try… please!
Try not to swear - any word your granny would give you a slap across the head for using is probably inappropriate for the forums. There are some words that are a bit borderline. If you use these words in a particularly aggressive or hurtful manner, you may find your post does a disappearing act.
Also, offensive behaviour is not just rude words. Harshly worded posts that attack personalities rather than explaining a point of view or expressing an opinion may also be deleted.
Tip Three: Don’t start or spread stupid or hurtful rumours
Yes, gossiping can be fun, but please be careful what you say. It is okay to express an opinion about a person, but if you say anything that may not be true or could be hurtful to that person, your post stands a chance of being deleted. This goes double for things you’ve made up in an attempt to damage your least favourite contestant, things you reckon might be true or something your mate’s cousin’s best friend’s sister's roommate told you told you. We also have a legal obligation to remove any posts which may be defamatory. This basically means that if you say anything that might damage someone’s character, it will probably be removed.
Tip Four: State your opinion, but don’t be cruel
We don’t expect that you will like ALL of the contestants, nor two we expect that you will always agree with the judges. However, if you make nasty or tasteless personal comments about any personalities on the show, don’t be surprised if they are removed. We respect your opinions, but expressing them in a cruel, insensitive or offensive way is not in the spirit of Australian Idol. The bottom line is, love them or hate them, there is really no need to insult or degrade the contestants, judges and hosts of Australian Idol. (And yes, before you ask, that even includes Dicko!).
Tip Five: Stay on the topic
We have created a series of categories to give a bit of structure to the boards, so if we find posts or topics which are obviously in the wrong area (Eg. A topic about Mark’s curious vocab in James’ section), we will most likely give it the boot, and hope that you will re-express your opinion where it belongs.
Regards,
The Australian Idol Message Board Moderators This topic has been locked and no replies will be accepted
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Post by dhm on Sept 29, 2004 16:36:37 GMT 10
Bravo Holly! For the most part I think the mods here think along similar lines. The bottom line is have respect for others.
Btw if we miss any posts you find seriously offensive please PM one of the mods of that board and they will tend to it.
Stay on topic? Hear that zeds & 4213?
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zeds
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Post by zeds on Sept 29, 2004 16:39:02 GMT 10
Stay on topic? Hear that zeds? Yes d Well posted Holly.......especially after today
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4213
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Post by 4213 on Sept 29, 2004 17:01:59 GMT 10
Glad it didn't mention the use of alcohol.
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zeds
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Post by zeds on Sept 29, 2004 17:03:35 GMT 10
Glad it didn't mention the use of alcohol. ROFLMAO ;D ;D ;D Says Zeds sipping a chardy ;D
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4213
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Post by 4213 on Sept 29, 2004 17:09:25 GMT 10
LOL I thought you'd like that one. Oh fellow inhebriated housewife.
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zeds
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Post by zeds on Sept 29, 2004 17:12:48 GMT 10
LOL I thought you'd like that one. Oh fellow inhebriated housewife. Oh fellow member of B.I.C.H. Nice drop ;D
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Raven
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Post by Raven on Sept 29, 2004 18:39:47 GMT 10
LOL...
Yeah I read those guidelines the other day, just out of curiosity... they seem pretty reasonable to me...
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Post by Explosivo on Sept 29, 2004 18:46:00 GMT 10
This one got cut off, it seems:
Tip Six: Don't mind if we talk to you like you're a five-year-old with posts like these.
That's why I'll never post to the official forum. Well, that and the fact that it looks like it's full of tools.
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Post by holly on Sept 29, 2004 18:55:17 GMT 10
It's also boring and difficult to keep track.
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Raven
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Post by Raven on Sept 29, 2004 19:17:57 GMT 10
Do you mean the guidelines of the official forum itself?
Anyway... on a slightly different track...
As an Admin of a fair few boards (of different themes and sizes) I think that having some sort of "board guidelines" is important... Just to keep things under control, really... it can be so hard to keep an eye on everyone who posts... (hence why all of my boards are now "members only", meaning you have to register in order to post).
According to the Proboards TOS (Terms of Service) you actually have to be over 13 to join/post at a board, of course there will be people who won't realise this or who won't abide by it, but I think that's one of the reasons why I think some rules can be quite good to have, for example no swearing or content that could be seen as offensive to people...
Yeah I know, someone will say "if you don't like it then don't read it" - but think about this - what if the subject is titled in such a way that you don't know what the thread itself will contain? Then you think it's all innocent, you click the link, and it takes you to a thread filled with filthy or "offensive" pictures...
Eh I dunno, I'm just rambling I guess, LOL... I suppose I just wanted to get across my thoughts on why having some rules or guidelines is good, and that it's not just the Admins trying to patronise the members or whatever... *shrug*
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zeds
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Post by zeds on Sept 29, 2004 19:26:57 GMT 10
Do you mean the guidelines of the official forum itself? Anyway... on a slightly different track... As an Admin of a fair few boards (of different themes and sizes) I think that having some sort of "board guidelines" is important... Just to keep things under control, really... it can be so hard to keep an eye on everyone who posts... (hence why all of my boards are now "members only", meaning you have to register in order to post). According to the Proboards TOS (Terms of Service) you actually have to be over 13 to join/post at a board, of course there will be people who won't realise this or who won't abide by it, but I think that's one of the reasons why I think some rules can be quite good to have, for example no swearing or content that could be seen as offensive to people... Yeah I know, someone will say "if you don't like it then don't read it" - but think about this - what if the subject is titled in such a way that you don't know what the thread itself will contain? Then you think it's all innocent, you click the link, and it takes you to a thread filled with filthy or "offensive" pictures... Eh I dunno, I'm just rambling I guess, LOL... I suppose I just wanted to get across my thoughts on why having some rules or guidelines is good, and that it's not just the Admins trying to patronise the members or whatever... *shrug* Hey SE, that's good to know. I guess anyone can join, signing in as an "over 13 year old' without question.
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Raven
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Post by Raven on Sept 29, 2004 19:34:49 GMT 10
Hey SE, that's good to know. I guess anyone can join, signing in as an "over 13 year old' without question. Yes, that's why I feel that the system is a bit flawed, in that respect... I think I had a 7 year old join one of my boards... I think that's much too young, especially with some of the content at the board... it's not necessarily M rated, more like PG... but yeah... www.proboards.com/Information-Terms_of_Service.html
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zeds
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Post by zeds on Sept 29, 2004 20:13:34 GMT 10
Yes, that's why I feel that the system is a bit flawed, in that respect... I think I had a 7 year old join one of my boards... I think that's much too young, especially with some of the content at the board... it's not necessarily M rated, more like PG... but yeah... www.proboards.com/Information-Terms_of_Service.htmlSeven? As you said, considering content, that's not good
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babooshka
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Post by babooshka on Sept 29, 2004 20:13:45 GMT 10
I agree with most of those guidelines in my moderating. Though I think I might actually be the nice lenient mod. Probably because I'm also the abusive one.
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