A Model for Moderating an Online Forum
I'm always on the lookout for good examples of rules for an online forum. A friend in Latvia who likes the Television Without Pity (TWoP) site mentioned it to me in an email, so I took a look. In course of exploring the site, I checked out the FAQ.The items in the FAQ that explain the rules for participation are a useful paradigm both for the rules themselves and for the site-compatible tone in which the rules are explained. Some examples:
Q: What's up with all the forum rules and enforcement?I'd emphasize that the way you explain the rules for a forum your organization runs should reflect your organization's style. For example, you might not want to be quite as informal as Television Without Pity. Or, you might not be quite as strict as they are. For me, the key point is that the rules have been thought through, are explained clearly, and are enforced so that the forum is comfortable for the people whose participation you're trying to encourage.
A: Let it be known that we at TWoP are strict, and our moderators are vigilant. We are the way we are because we think the quality of messages counts as much or more than the quantity. Now that that's out of the way, let's find out what we are so strict about...
Q: What's the difference between a personal attack and taking it personally?
A: Consider the situation, here. If you're talking about a faction within the fandom of a given show -- like, if you're a 'shipper for a particular pair of characters -- what that boils down to is your turning one opinion you have about the show (that X and Y should be a couple) and choosing to define your entire identity as a poster by that one opinion. In that case, you may take it personally when another poster disagrees with that opinion about X and Y, but unless that poster denigrates you by name, it's not a personal attack.
If you choose to pledge allegiance to a particular sect of fandom, that's your business and your right. But it's not the same as aligning yourself with a political party, religious faith, or sexual orientation protected under anti-defamation laws.
To put it even more succinctly, just because you choose to take it personally doesn't mean it's a personal attack.
Q: I love typing in all lowercase or all uppercase, ignoring proper grammar and punctuation, and writing my messages like I'm text-messaging on a cell phone with an eight-year-old. That's cool, right? I mean, who cares? This is the internet!
A: Well, we care...but the sad truth is that other posters might skip over your posts if they're too hard to read. Things like proper spacing, capitalization, and punctuation make your posts much easier on the eye, and they make you look like quite the Captain Smartypants, too.
Look, we're not grading you. You won't get banned for misspelling "definitely" or anything. Just try your best to write neat, coherent posts. Don't type "2" for "to," or "U" for "you," or "l8r" or "LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!" or any of that nonsense. Throw in a carriage return now and then to break up the text, and please use proper capitalization. Your computer comes with two shift keys. Use 'em.
Q: I found an article about one of the shows. Can I cut and paste it on the forums for others to read?
A: No, you can't. That's copyrighted material, and it could get us in trouble if you post it without permission. Please just link to it instead.
Labels: Learning resources, Organizational culture, Web 2.0
posted by Karen Nelson @ 11:39 PM
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