Personal attacks and a review of the Forum Rules

[Matt]

Hi all,

 

In light of some of the threads which have exploded in the last week particularly, it seems a review of the Forum Rules and the stance of the new moderator team for 2011 is in order.

 

Forum Rules (view the rules page here)

 

General Rules

 

In order to ensure that The Hub SA is a friendly, useful and informative place for all cyclists and enthusiasts, please follow these general rules when participating in activities on the site.

 

• Be respectful and considerate to other members of The Hub SA and members of the general cycling community.
  
• While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts.
• Swearing / the use profanities or otherwise foul language will not be tolerated.
• Do not flame other members with the apparent intent of inciting or perpetuating a conflict or argument.
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• Do not post any material which is in violation of Copyrights.
• Do not post meaningless threads, one word (or short) non-sense posts.
• Multiple or repeated posting in order to increase your post count is not allowed.
• Refrain from creating topics which are completely unrelated to the forum in which they are posted.

We reserve the right to remove offensive posts without notice.

We reserve the right to ban anyone who willfully violates the forum rules.

 

While these rules cover most common situations, they cannot anticipate everything. Consequently we reserve the right to take any actions we deem appropriate to ensure these forums are not disrupted or abused in any way.

 

 

Disclaimer

 

Due to the real-time nature of discussion forums, it is impossible for us to review messages or confirm the validity of information posted. In this regard note that The Hub SA.co.za does not actively monitor the contents of and are not responsible for any messages posted.

 

We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message.

The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of The Hub SA.co.za.

 

Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email or using the "Report" button beneath the post. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary.

 

 

It's not just the internet...

Many have said "it's just the internet... don't take things so seriously" and while we should certainly take anything someone says anywhere online with a fair pinch of salt, this does not justify some of the behavior on The Hub - particularly over the last two weeks.

 

More specifically I'm referring to the personal attacks, insulting remarks and foul language exchanged in some threads - this sort of thing is unacceptable and will not be tolerated going forward.

 

Moderation

As I've mentioned in threads on the subject, up to now Moderation has been more of a reactive function. This meant that often times we are unaware of issues or due to a lack of capacity are unable to address issues immediately. It also meant that moderation appeared inconsistent as most often on threads that were reported by members were addressed.

 

With the new Moderator team to be announced later this week and appointed early January 2011, we'll have more of an active presence on The Hub and more capacity to deal with any potential issues. This will mean that we're able to respond to and resolve potential issues far quicker. Perhaps most importantly though, it will introduce a consistency in moderation which should demonstrate where the line is.

 

You can expect some more posts on the subject soon - first the announcement and appointment of the team, then a more in depth look at rules and set of guidelines.

 

 

 

- Matt (Admin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Big H]

"running away from a Swedish chick? Now I think hes a real poephol. You run to a Swedish chick... "

 

This was copied from a post that I have reported THREE times. What is the use of rules if they are not applied, or even worse if they are applied selectively?

[Pappa Bear]

This will be welcomed - thanks for all the effort!

[kosmonooit]

thanks - and please take a tough line against any sign of racism.

[capeofstorms]

thanks - and please take a tough line against any sign of racism.

 

I second kosmonooit. The hub has taken on distinct racial overtones. It's a pity that we can't leave our prejudices at our front door and keep the hub what it's meant to be... a cycling forum

[FC&P2C]

bump!!!

[Karl Beaton]

Firm moderation is needed urgently, there is the usual few that spoil it for us all ... thx Admin.

[slowpoke]

thanks - and please take a tough line against any sign of racism.

 

+1000000

[Top Fuel]

"don't touch me on my studio"!!

[Myra]

thanks - and please take a tough line against any sign of racism.

 

Yes, please! Any form of discrimination shouldn't be allowed, including sexism.

[pastapouch]

"running away from a Swedish chick? Now I think hes a real (not a star). You run to a Swedish chick... "

 

This was copied from a post that I have reported THREE times. What is the use of rules if they are not applied, or even worse if they are applied selectively?

thats so funny coming from you. One little "nastyish" word, (I wonder if it still qualifies as a swearword). If we were in a mood to report you, or the rules applied for everything on here, you won't be able to post on the site. But it looks like you still have issues, and you don't have the guts or other means to solve it and instead of sending me a pm, you report it, not once but three times. Like reporting it 3 times will help.

[Matt]

"running away from a Swedish chick? Now I think hes a real poephol. You run to a Swedish chick... "

 

This was copied from a post that I have reported THREE times. What is the use of rules if they are not applied, or even worse if they are applied selectively?

 

In my opinion, given the tone and context I don't see a problem with the word used.... but that's my opinion.

 

It's certainly not about being selective, but more rational and realistic. To use this instance as an example: Sure a word like "poephol" can be used quite offensively, but also in casual conversation between friends and while it may offend some, the intention of its use is not nasty. But... should this be allowed?

 

It's certainly a grey area and I'd like to hear from all the Hubbers on this:

Where should we draw the line with respect to language?

- Do we moderate to the extent of a Disney movie?

- Is it okay for the occasional PG 13 "questionable" word to be used friendly banter?

[SuikerBossie]

I love cycling and do so enjoy yapping to cycling types about cycling stuff. My appeal is that we remain sensible and adult in our connversations with each other. That's all!

[Pappa Bear]

PG-13

 

(Some hubbers need Parental Guidance - or some did not receive in their childhood)

[pastapouch]

In my opinion, given the tone and context I don't see a problem with the word used.... but that's my opinion.

 

It's certainly not about being selective, but more rational and realistic. To use this instance as an example: Sure a word like "poephol" can be used quite offensively, but also in casual conversation between friends and while it may offend some, the intention of its use is not nasty. But... should this be allowed?

 

It's certainly a grey area and I'd like to hear from all the Hubbers on this:

Where should we draw the line with respect to language?

- Do we moderate to the extent of a Disney movie?

- Is it okay for the occasional PG 13 "questionable" word to be used friendly banter?

Admin, IMO , I think it wasn't so much a problem with the P****** word, it was rather directed at me from the reporter involved. Picking/personal attacks started a week ago on the Engineering thread, and then further up the Frozen chicken thread, some more... this was just to direct your attention to myself.

[Tumbleweed]

In my opinion, given the tone and context I don't see a problem with the word used.... but that's my opinion.

 

It's certainly not about being selective, but more rational and realistic. To use this instance as an example: Sure a word like "poephol" can be used quite offensively, but also in casual conversation between friends and while it may offend some, the intention of its use is not nasty. But... should this be allowed?

 

It's certainly a grey area and I'd like to hear from all the Hubbers on this:

Where should we draw the line with respect to language?

- Do we moderate to the extent of a Disney movie?

- Is it okay for the occasional PG 13 "questionable" word to be used friendly banter?

 

Personally, words like "***" and "poephol" seem kinda inoffensive and are usually used in a light and jocular context. What I don't like seeing on here are both Afrikaans and English versions of the "p" word, the "f", "c" and "s" words.