Proposal Per Don's Suggestions

[kingjames]

I would like to see the Off Topic area re-instated for the following reason's. I will try to write in words why I think this could work again.

It is an avenue to discuss world events that effect us all, there should be guidelines stated here and a code of conduct that should be mandatory.

Such codes and guidelines could be no religion,no politics, no name calling,no threatning,these are only examples.These guidelines and codes whatever they may be must be up front so that there is no misunderstanding.Maybe a signed pledge by members will work.

This will work but it can only work with the help of the moderator's.They are the ones who must make sure all codes and guidelines are met. I for one will trust their judgement.

This ot area is an area where many things have happened for me. It allowed me to meet other people who have the same interests and not just in speakers. I have made good friends here and in this area it was nice just to post a greeting to one of them if I felt like doing so.

I did not clutter up other area's of the forum with these issues where these issues would have hijacked someone else's thread or be put into a situation where one had to read it .

There should be no more complaining about the OT area because it is an area that is off topic and in most case's you shouldn't be surprised that JBL may not always be spoken here.

Don't come to this area if you are not concerned with off topic material but, if you do come to this area then don't complain about it's content as long as the content is within the guidelines and codes set. You are in control of you're mouse and no one makes you come to this area.

I need other's to chime in here as they use words much better than I.

I only hope this is a start.

[4313B]

I simply want it to be private by invite and out of reach of searchbots. That coupled with a few rules (e.g. No Deadwood social interaction terms, porn, gunfights, etc.) and a global moderator model should take care of the whole mess. Anyone can opt out as they so choose.

[kingjames]

I simply want it to be private by invite and out of reach of searchbots.

I never thought of this but you are right.Off topic might be better off private.But like you said it should not be the O.K. Corral!

[scott fitlin]

I simply want it to be private by invite and out of searchbots reach. That coupled with a few rules and a global moderator model should take care of the whole mess. Anyone can opt out as they so choose.

YES, I agree, as you may have read in my earlier post in Signatures.

I would like to see it as a private section, to keep bots out, AND if there are members who cant or dont want to partake in conversation that may get slightly bawdy, they dont have to be a member of that section.

In all honesty, we really do need a section like this, where we can just talk, maybe a bit of whatever as long as not really degenerate!

However, it also needs to be structured correctly, and kept out of the public veiw. The rules can be set up so that IF we have any member that repeatedly gets into serious name calling and confrontational throw downs, and other episodic dramas, they get 2 or 3 times and after this THEY ARE OUT! PERIOD! AND WE ENFORCE THIS 1 RULE TO THE HILT!

MOST of all, I would want members that do not wish to see or read things that may pop up in a section like this, TO JUST NOT REGISTER FOR IT!

To be fair to everyone, we are all adults, and should be able to have a spot where the adults can talk.

Again, this is just me, Scott.

[kingjames]

Great Scotty, I suggest a fee to use this area and make it private.This might eliminate the trouble makers and will definately take care of the spammers. (haven't seen many spammers here lately,great job moderators) Doesn't have to be much but in my opinion it is a priviledged area and maybe should be earned in some way.

Just writing some suggestions as I know how people feel about fee's. I for one wouldn't mind a small fee to use this area.

[4313B]

YES, I agree, as you may have read in my earlier post in Signatures.

No, I must have missed it, but you know the drill, great minds and all that stuff...

[scott fitlin]

Ive suggested a paid fee, that does sound like a good idea. It isnt up to me however, that is Dons decision to make.

OTOH, a paid sections existence would be known about, so, maybe Giskards idea of " By Invitation " or something along those lines might be better. This way, its truly a private section.

I have a more than a fairly good idea of who gets into spats, who balks at slightly bawdy and mature or controversial content, so, why couldnt we make this work this way?

[Robh3606]

However, it also needs to be structured correctly, and kept out of the public veiw. The rules can be set up so that IF we have any member that repeatedly gets into serious name calling and confrontational throw downs, and other episodic dramas, they get 2 or 3 times and after this THEY ARE OUT! PERIOD! AND WE ENFORCE THIS 1 RULE TO THE HILT!

Scott that's the key with no exceptions fairly across the board all members with no "pass" cards. All laid out up front with both the code of conduct and any content restrictions clearly defined before you enter.

Rob

[scott fitlin]

Exactly. When you go into that section, you already knew the rules, and the rules are enforced.

IT can work. I believe that!

[4313B]

Can you go ahead and draft up a proposed set of rules Scotty?

[Robh3606]

they get 2 or 3 times and after this THEY ARE OUT! PERIOD! AND WE ENFORCE THIS 1 RULE TO THE HILT!

Hello Scott

We would have to structure it that if you don't do well in Off Topic you don't automatically get booted off the site completely unless you do something really stupid like threaten personal harm. I can see someone doing just fine here and not doing well there depending on the subject matter. We would also have to strictly enforce what goes on in Off Topic stays there. Don't want a repeat of Grudge Posting on the Main Forum that started in the old Off Topic Forum. A private forum might work. Let's see what shakes out and what Don has to say.


Rob

[scott fitlin]

When I say OUT, I mean out of the OT section. Not the entire forum.

I will begin thinking of what rules should be proposed, and from that point, we can all make modifications, additions, and subtractions as a team, and input from members.

Rules.

1. No threats of violence. This one is obvious!

2. No name calling.

3. IF you dont want to hear adult talk, adult humor, or possibly see an adult image ( within reason, nothing beyond what we see on TV and in MOST movies ) do not look at it, or dont partake in the OT section.

4. NO pornography. Meaning hard sexually explicit pornography. A picture of the Statue of David is OK, though! Anna Nicole Smith didnt bother me, either! Again, this is an adult OT section, if you dont want to see a person in a thong bathing suit on the Beach in Miami, DONT LOOK AT IT!

5. Religion? Im on the fence with this one, as many a day, religious events or things do come into discussion within our daily lives! This needs teamwork to figure out!

6. Politics? Another hotbed that frequently provides plenty to talk about, and can potentially incite riots, BUT, political agenda, events, and things ARE part of our lives. Teamwork needed here for this one too!

More to come, I have to work now for a while, but, look at these, and give me input, and suggestions. If you think I have overlooked something, please, SUGGEST IT!

[edgewound]

Religion, politics and the news are pretty much intertwined these days, so keeping personal viewpoints personal without indirectly offending someone is gonna be the short straw that keeps the OT from combusting.

That will take some surely member-responsible self-moderation to test. Some people like to stir the pot just for the fun of it.

I'm all for it if people can respect each other and learn how to communicate in writing without a flamethrower in tow....and convey sarcasm and humor effectively.

Wow...what a project for a college Communications student.

Now there's an idea...present it to a college intern for course credit.

[scott fitlin]

Yes, I agree. AND member self moderation WAS the weakest link in the old OT section!

However, things happen, we talk about them, its current events.

I love cynical and sarcastic humor, I DO NOT LIKE humor that is designed to hurt someone else. It is usually easily spotted when one person is deliberately attacking another in code, or subtle or not so subtle inuendo.

It does all come under the heading of respect, and for the most part, the members here are great. Usually, its one or two that muck it up. Always been the case. In the instance of repeat offense, like after the 3rd time, you lose adult ot priveledges. I am hoping that if people really are having a good time, and they KNOW we are serious about the rules set in place they wont GO THERE!

[Robh3606]

Religion and Politics are really tuff topics. You may want to limit some aspects initially to see how it goes and then open things up if everyone is comfortable and the the place is running smoothly.

Rob