As I mentioned the other day, I have been contemplating for a while now the need to write up in more detailed set of guidelines for EMUTalk.org. The flurry of email messages and posts and various bad vibes from last week’s email crash hastened my project. Thus I present “The Rules: EMUTalk.org’s Disclaimers, Code of Conduct, and Ways to Participate (Version 1.0 Beta)”
A few thoughts about what’s here:
- I am posting this here because I’m interested in getting input from folks– suggestions, edits, etc, etc. But I’m not holding some kind of vote or constitutional convention here. More or less, these will be the rules starting next week.
- Really, most of what I’m doing here is spelling out in writing what I’ve been more or less practicing on the site since the beginning. I don’t expect much to change around here, but I do like the idea that I’ll be able to reference something that is written down.
- I think the most significant rule change(s) are the requirements for commenting. First, starting next week, all commentators have to first have a comment approved by the administrator before they can post without moderation. To be honest, I’m not completely sure how this will work for people who have already had comments approved on the site– I guess we’ll see. Second, all commentators must include a valid email address. I’m going to start emailing folks who comment, and if I get a “no such address” kind of response, I’ll delete the comment.
Doesn’t that mean that people will no longer be allowed to be anonymous?
Not at all. First, email addresses aren’t published on the blog. Second, there is nothing to stop someone to create an email address like happy.emu.student@gmail.com and thus remain more or less unknown. What it will mean though is that anonymous/pseduoanonymous commentators will be a little more accountable, and I will be able to get a hold of these folks via email if I need to. I’m also researching some options for automating this process. There is a WordPress plugin that emails a link to the commentator which has to be clicked by the commentator before the post is approved. This would have the advantage of more or less automating the valid email thing, and it would also give commentators an opportunity to think twice before posting. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get this plugin to work yet.Fortunately, I have been able to install a WP plugin that gives commentators the option to edit their comments. Currently, I have it set so that commentators can edit for up to 90 minutes, as long as they make changes from the same computer that they posted from. We’ll see how it goes.
- And, of course, this is vesion 1.0 of the more formal rules. I am certain that there will be 1.1, 1.2, 1.2.1, etc., etc.
By the way, there are some great bits of advice out there for coming up with these policies. The two most useful (for those that are curious) are The Blogger’s Code of Conduct and the EFF Blogger’s Rights site.
Steve, during or slightly after my misadventure in nuking posts, I got rightfully chewed out by someone who used a seldom-checked e-mail account address. I believe I copied you on the apology. So be careful with waiting times.
I was wondering if making it easier for commenters to e-mail each other other might be something. Kayla took the trouble to e-mail Bob and it sounds like they both were grateful for the experience. I know I’ve e-mailed a few people rather than drag things out in front of everyone because I really *did* want to communicate with the person privately.