Guidelines for Participation

Be humane: Behind the computer screen, there are real humans with real feelings; avoid insulting language or belittling statements.

Be reasonable: Understand that this forum is not just another internet venue; it is representative of Western Washington University. The University sponsors the forum to promote civil discourse and open dialogue. Posts that inflame others' sensibilities will be removed, and those who use the forum as trolling grounds will not be tolerated.

Be open: Play with new ideas; try believing before doubting others’ perspectives; listen and ask questions before offering judgments.

Be ethical: Respect privacy; avoid deception, libel, or falsities; post only non-copyrighted material.

Be credible: Impress yourself and others by presenting your insights with care.

Be forgiving: We all make mistakes; if something offends you, express a genuine response while giving others the benefit of the doubt.

Be safe: Since the forum is public, avoid posting personal information; use private messaging.

Suggestion: New Section: Advertisements

No replies

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 3:01pm

SenseThisMakesNone

Offline

Joined: Mar 25 2009

Though less frequently in recent times, it is a recurring event that someone posts to:

Advertise their business/services
Find testimonials for an article they're writing (nice journalism, guys)
Find someone to participate in a survey/experiment

Forums are places of discussion and as such, normally, such things are not allowed ("THIS ISN'T A NORMAL FORUM"), but the loophole-free Guidelines for Participation does not contain any wording that even loosely suggests such things are disallowed.

As a consequence, I propose that such threads be grouped into one section not just for organizational purposes, but so the ~~idiots~~ people who start the threads cannot feign uncertainty of placement and will have no excuse to only make one of them. Plus, since there will be a legitimate single place (to which threads can be moved), the duplicates can also be deleted. Forum users see less clutter but advertisers/spammers still get their day in the sun. Everyone wins.

Case examples:

Are you open about sex? #1
Are you open about sex? #2
Are you open about sex? #3

Are you married? Looking to make $20 for only an hour of your time?
Need $20?
Make an easy $20!!!!
Make an easy $20!!!!

And the list goes on...

__________________

Pete wrote:

Could you just stay off my threads? I don't appreciate your comments.

Locke wrote:

I believe strongly in the Freedom of Speech, but that freedom is to say what you want (ie: the meaning of the message you are trying to convey) not how you want (ie: the words you choose in order to convey that message).