Pleonastic
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2000
- Messages
- 9,428
Right... this thread is here because there's a lot of off topic discussion going on in various threads at the moment about these issues. So this is an attempt to answer some common queries and frequently asked questions about various aspects of the Aus Social forum - particularly the way it's moderated.
Q: Why are there such strict posting guidelines in Aus Social?
A: There is a very distinct difference between the Bluelight Social forum and the Aus Social forum. If both were the same thing then there'd be no point in having two separate forums at all! Aus Social is more tightly focused because there already is a place for saying anything you want. Rather than people complaining about it, they should start posting in Main Social too where that sort of stuff is not only accepted, but basically encouraged...
Q: Why do threads need to be "invitations for discussion"?
A: It refers back to things to consider when starting a new topic. If a thread is not started with the view to generating specific types of responses, most of the time the thread will just receive crap (for want of a better term) responses. A thread which is basically just a statement will be read, and then people will not know how to respond to it. So they'll just go and say anything and soon the thread will grow into a huge collection of crap. This can be fun if you're involved, but is dead boring if you just read things and don't contribute much (and those that do that far out number the post whores).
Q: What about free speech? Shouldn't I be able to post what I want?
A: The following was written by abygale in response to a similar question, and is now part of the guidelines that must be read before posting: "A lot of people around here, while hiding behind the First Amendment, don't seem to really understand the meaning of "freedom of speech." They argue all the time that "I can say whatever I want -- I have freedom of speech!!" ... well, that's true... you may SPEAK whatever you want. But the person or people who provide an avenue for communication are in no way bound to allow you to say what you want in the space they paid for ... it would be like me insisting that Macy's has to include my opinion in their full-page ad in the Sunday Times, because I have first amendment rights. They paid for the ad -- I have no right to say anything at all in that space. That is the situation with Bluelight. It was created, is owned and operated by Jase and Skydancer, who have entrusted the mods and admins with the power to try to help them run it in the way Jase and skydancer intended. This is not a democracy. There is no right to free speech here. Forum guidelines must be obeyed, or you will lose the privilege of posting."
Q: How do you define a "crap" or "stupid" topic.
A: On a case by case basis. There's no strict formula we follow aside from no dealing posts. Realistically, if you really put your mind to it you could start a post about anything - it all comes down to the way it's worded. What might be a mundane topic when written one way, can be turned into an interesting conversation provided you think before you post and word the thread in a way that invites interesting responses. But honestly, the best way to figure out what's an acceptable topic and what's not is to judge from experience. If you hang around for a little while and learn the culture before plunging in and starting new threads you're much more likely to have picked up the tricks of how not to get your thread locked or assraped.
Now, as far as this thread's invitation for discussion goes: Are there any more questions you want answered? Don't be afraid to ask - it's better than having your question explained as your thread gets locked!
Q: Why are there such strict posting guidelines in Aus Social?
A: There is a very distinct difference between the Bluelight Social forum and the Aus Social forum. If both were the same thing then there'd be no point in having two separate forums at all! Aus Social is more tightly focused because there already is a place for saying anything you want. Rather than people complaining about it, they should start posting in Main Social too where that sort of stuff is not only accepted, but basically encouraged...
Q: Why do threads need to be "invitations for discussion"?
A: It refers back to things to consider when starting a new topic. If a thread is not started with the view to generating specific types of responses, most of the time the thread will just receive crap (for want of a better term) responses. A thread which is basically just a statement will be read, and then people will not know how to respond to it. So they'll just go and say anything and soon the thread will grow into a huge collection of crap. This can be fun if you're involved, but is dead boring if you just read things and don't contribute much (and those that do that far out number the post whores).
Q: What about free speech? Shouldn't I be able to post what I want?
A: The following was written by abygale in response to a similar question, and is now part of the guidelines that must be read before posting: "A lot of people around here, while hiding behind the First Amendment, don't seem to really understand the meaning of "freedom of speech." They argue all the time that "I can say whatever I want -- I have freedom of speech!!" ... well, that's true... you may SPEAK whatever you want. But the person or people who provide an avenue for communication are in no way bound to allow you to say what you want in the space they paid for ... it would be like me insisting that Macy's has to include my opinion in their full-page ad in the Sunday Times, because I have first amendment rights. They paid for the ad -- I have no right to say anything at all in that space. That is the situation with Bluelight. It was created, is owned and operated by Jase and Skydancer, who have entrusted the mods and admins with the power to try to help them run it in the way Jase and skydancer intended. This is not a democracy. There is no right to free speech here. Forum guidelines must be obeyed, or you will lose the privilege of posting."
Q: How do you define a "crap" or "stupid" topic.
A: On a case by case basis. There's no strict formula we follow aside from no dealing posts. Realistically, if you really put your mind to it you could start a post about anything - it all comes down to the way it's worded. What might be a mundane topic when written one way, can be turned into an interesting conversation provided you think before you post and word the thread in a way that invites interesting responses. But honestly, the best way to figure out what's an acceptable topic and what's not is to judge from experience. If you hang around for a little while and learn the culture before plunging in and starting new threads you're much more likely to have picked up the tricks of how not to get your thread locked or assraped.
Now, as far as this thread's invitation for discussion goes: Are there any more questions you want answered? Don't be afraid to ask - it's better than having your question explained as your thread gets locked!
