Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
12:13 pm
July 31, 2006
Offline
Like the post I made about Forum operation, I don’t think we have any big problem at the moment with what goes in the forum. Even when we’ve had commercial operations place ‘adverts’ all over the forum, they’ve got the response they deserved, good or bad, and started some good debates.
As we grow though things might not always be so rosey, and it would be good to build up a set of rules that lay out what is and isn’t allowed, and give newcomers guidelines.
Examples might be that we want to hear about commercial activities, but that they should not be straight adverts and anyway posters can expect to have their products commented on frankly. Another case might be not allowing potentially libellous statements about who makes what, who makes their own chocolate etc. (We don’t want to stop debate, but there is a difference between questioning and accusing).
Please comment and we can start to build up a set of rules over time.
Martin Christy
Editor
http://www.seventypercent.com
12:30 am
August 1, 2006
Offline
Perhaps if you have a set of rules or guidelines posted that must be adhered by in order to participate in the community. Any slanderous remarks will be removed by a moderator. Perhaps, there’s a firewall program that will disable abusers from participating. For example, on IRC (Internet Relay Chat – basically a chat room service), there are channel operators called “ops” who regulate room size, topic, and even who participates in the conversation. Perhaps this type of regulation can be applied here.
2:24 pm
April 29, 2004
Offline
i think a good basis for a healthy forum is:
a) treating other participants with respect
b) healthy criticism and discussion
impolite or rude behavior, slander, discrimination, etc., etc. should not be tolerated.
1:29 am
August 1, 2006
Offline
Well, I think that we really don’t have a problem with that now, and given the nature of our interests, I think that immature and inappropriate behavior shouldn’t impose on the forum.
8:04 am
April 29, 2004
Offline
no, we definitively don’t have a problem with that.
these are just some of the things i think make a good forum.
10:06 am
April 24, 2004
Offline
I agree that there have not been any major problems so far, and we should not spend time developing a set of detailed rules if they aren’t necessary.
Basically, I think we need only four rules:
- Stick to topic, no off-topic posts please
- If you claim something, you should be able to tell why. E.g. it’s OK to say “I’ve heard that XYZ doesn’t make their own couverture”, but stating “They don’t, period.” require some more information.
- Be polite and have a good sense of humor[:)]
- Commercial postings are OK, but posters accept that they may get any response to them. Further regulations of commercial postings are not necessary now, because they are “regulated” by the responses from forum members.
***
My name is Polarbear and I am a chocoholic…
6:33 pm
July 31, 2006
Offline
The reason I suggest we give it a little thought now is the forum is slowly growing, so I don’t want us to get caught out! No pressure though 
Martin Christy
Editor
http://www.seventypercent.com
8:45 am
October 10, 2003
Offline
I think most of the suggestions are great, and I agree with Martin that it is better to implement rules of discussion ahead. There are lots of other forums out there, and I guess some of them have forum rules we can use as well. After all, it’s mostly about general netiquette, isn’t it?
I think the reactions to commercial posters have been very healthy indeed, but imo there are some problems concerning non-commercial product information when coming from posters from within the industry. I am indeed happy for all professionals participating in terms of the quality of the debate, but they bear a particular responsibility. I find it quite difficult to argue against ‘experts’ (although I do my best!), and an ‘insider’s’ argument has some sort of ascribed or intrinsic authority. I do not know exactly how to prevent unwanted activities, but maybe there should be a particular rule saying that choco pros are particularly responsible for not posting for the benefit of their own business. Accusations should of course not be tolerated, but as we are all interested in information from the industry, I can picture how these two may conflict – and it may even be difficult to notice for non-experts.
Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.
