Ok, so we basically decided the poll was too vague and horrible.
I am taking suggestions. Your voice will be heard. I have tried to include everyone's point of view here, but I have intentionally omitted vague and ill-defined rules. Let me or probably Shirotsume know if you have anything that you want to be considered by the forum as a whole.
Therefore:
We're going to do something else.
First, propose CATEGORIES, that is to say, sets of rules over a common area, such as Necros, Threadjacks, Offensive Language, Copyrights, etc.
Then propose a SET OF RULES which encompass ANY AND ALL rules in that area. Each ALTERNATIVE is a complete, full set of rules. Which alternative will be used would obviously be up for vote.
What will we do with these?
The point of doing it in this way is to have rules that agree with each other and don't get in each others' way. Also, we wanted the rules to be less vague and open to interpretations (that would give mods way more power in a way less cool manner.)
<b>Category ONE: Undesirable Posts(Threadjacks and useless Posts) and Necros</b>
DEFINITIONS:
A "Necro" is a post in a thread that has been inactive for a long time.
A "Useless Post" is a non-constructive post with little or no information in it. Consisting entirely of "Yes," "Me Too," "U Fag," or the like.
A "Threadjack" or "Off-Topic" post is a post that does not relate to the thread.
From Raye_Terse: The purpose of a story thread is for an author to post their story so as to recieve constructive criticism. That is to say, the primary purpose is the posting of story snippets, the secondary purpose is constructive criticism.
The primary purpose of a non-story thread is, in most cases*, discussion of whatever the OP defines as the topic.
*Excepting different for-fun threads like "Word Association", etc.
ALTERNATIVE 1: HIGH
1. Necros are not allowed under any circumstances. Necro length is 1-2 weeks. Necro length is doubled for "for-fun" threads such as "update," "Pictures," and "Searches." Basically, almost any "talk" area threads.
2. Off-topic posts and useless posts are completely forbidden.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. Necros are given extra time if the post is constructive, i.e. follows the primary/secondary purpose of the thread. Necro length is 2-3 weeks, or 1-2 months for constructive posts. Necro length is doubled for "for-fun" threads such as "update," "Pictures," and "Searches." Basically, almost any "talk" area threads.
2. Off-topic and useless posts should be kept to under a certain limit. If multiple pages go by without on-topic, constructive posts, threads will be locked or users will be warned or punished for continuing. This amount should be between ten and fifty posts.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Minimal
1. Necros are given a lot of extra time if the post is constructive, i.e. follows the secondary purpose of the thread. Necro length is 2-3 weeks, or 3-6 months if constructive. A post that follows the primary purpose of a thread can never be considered a necro. On "for-fun" threads, there are no restrictions on Necro-ing unless a new thread of that kind has recent posts.
2. Off-Topic and useless posts should be kept under control, but only in the case of getting to the point where a new thread would need to be made for the original discussion. Users will be warned and posts moved in the case of violations.
ALTERNATIVE 4: None.
1. Necros will be allowed.
2. Off-topic and useless posts will be allowed. You need to make a new thread if it gets taken over.
<B> Special Case </B>
Redefining Necros/A vote for Necros being much less broad.
1. Necros are only punished in story and idea threads. Necros consist only of A. Posts by users other than the OP in a story thread. B. Posts that do not add anything to the idea (IE Criticism or Praise, or useless posts) in an Idea thread.
OR
2. Necros consist of ANY post in a thread that is too old.
OR
3. Authors can always post in their own story threads. Otherwise, posting in a thread that is too old is a necro.
<b>CATEGORY TWO: Author Rights</b>
This section refers only to STORY THREADS by AUTHORS.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High
1. The author will have absolute authority in his thread. Needing only a single warning or rule discussion, he can then demand moderators enforce those rules.
2. Rules must be declared BEFORE the time of the infraction, except in excessive cases such as repeated spamming.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. The author will have authority on necros, threadjacks, offtopics, and useless posts.
2. The author will be required to accept constructive, on-topic posts.
3. Rules must be declared formally, with notice, with no exceptions.
ALTERNATIVE 3: None
1. The author will abide by the rules of the general boards, even in his own threads.
2. The author will have no special authority to increase or decrease the impact of the rules on others in his thread.
<b>CATEGORY THREE: Personal attacks and racism</b>
"Slurs" are racist insults or words used to discriminate racially or ethnically, or religiously, or any other way.
"Personal attacks" are direct, explicit written attacks against other members or non-members, going beyond criticism (hence "personal").
"Insults" are less than personal attacks, more informal.
ALTERNATIVE 1: "Guys havin' a beer."
1. Slurs are allowed, as long as they aren't obviously intended to be harmful. That is to say, in the absence of absolute evidence of harmful intent, no action will be taken.
3. Personal attacks may be taken down at the target's request, at which point re-posting will be discouraged.
4. Insults are a way of saying "hello."
ALTERNATIVE 2: "Church."
1. Slurs are not allowed. Warnings will be given and slurs will be censored by moderators.
3. Personal attacks are forbidden.
4. Insults must be kept non-serious. Err on the side of caution.
ALTERNATIVE 3: None
1. Posts will not be monitored for personal or racial offensiveness.
<b> Catergory Foury: Curse Words, Vulgarisms, Obscenity</b>
"Curse words" are words that are considered obscene, in English.
"Obscenity" is anything that would require one to up the rating of a story on FF.net.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High/Restricted Section Permissive
1. Curse words will not be allowed outside of the restricted section.
2. Stories with obscene or explicit content of any kind will be moved to the restricted section, and the poster given a warning or punishment.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium/RSP
1. Curse words will be allowed in moderation. Special attention will be paid to racist, sexist, or otherwise especially objectionable words (of which a list will be compiled) for which there is lower or zero tolerance. In the restricted section, there will be no such restriction.
2. Stories will be allowed to feature harsh language (to a limited extent) and implied harsh content, but direct or graphic descriptions will be limited to the restricted section. The same list as above applies.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Light/RSP
1. Curse words will be allowed, as long as posts have more non-curse-words than curse-words.
2. Stories will be allowed to feature a limited amount of graphic violence and any amount of cursing. Graphic depictions of sex will be limited to the restricted section.
<b> Category Five: Attribution, Copyright </b>
As we are a forum of Fanfiction, strict copyright adherence is right out.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High attribution, low copy protection
1. Any fanfiction may be posted as long as the author's name and full summary are given, along with a link.
2. Any edit of any fanfiction may be posted with said attribution, including MST, a recursive fanfiction, or just a new take on the same idea. Any amount of the original work may be used.
3. Authors of works that are presented on TFF may always request their works be removed.
4. Sub-fics may not be taken down, but any part that is the original author's own words will be removed.
ALTERNATIVE 2: High copy protections
1. Fanfiction may not be posted directly without the author's consent, on a continuing basis. If consent is removed, so too must the post.
2. Recursive fanfiction and rewrites may be posted, however, not with the original author's own words without consent.
ALTERNATIVE 3: No protections.
1. Fanfiction may be posted. Attribution is only the author's name.
2. As usual, the original author may request removal. This is because the last thing we need is the kind of stuff that will get us shut down.
<b> Category seven: Links </b>
"Tags" in this and the next section refer to keywords used to describe a creative work, such as "Yaoi," "Genderbender," "drama," "Comedy."
ALTERNATIVE 1: Informative
1. Links must always include information about the target
2. If the link goes to a creative work, the author and relevant "tags" about the story must be given.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Click at own risk
1. Link posters are under no special obligations.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Conditional
1. Link posters are normally under no special obligations, however:
2. Warn people if you are linking to something that asks you to vote, give points for referrals, or otherwise benefits the link poster with little or no benefit to the clicker.
<b> Category 8: Tags</b>
"Tags" are keywords about a story.
ALTERNATIVE 1: All tags
1. Story posters should include the tags that they feel are most important about their story in the thread title
2. Any other tags go in the first post, at or near the top.
3. Tags which are considered especially important are tags that refer to sexuality, rating, level of graphic content, and the story's tone
4. Tagging a story is compulsory. If you don't do it, a moderator will do it and give you a warning.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Sexuality Warnings
1. Story posters must include tags for any non-hetero sexuality used in their story in the thread title.
4. Tagging a story is compulsory. If you don't do it, a moderator will do it and give you a warning.
ALTERNATIVE 3: No tags
1. Tagging a story is not required, but it is always encouraged.
<b> Moderator Accountability </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Secret Police
1. Moderators will be held accountable only through the actions of admins and other moderators.
2. Disagreements with moderators will not be made public.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Open
1. A forum will be set aside specifically for disagreements with moderators.
2. Moderators will only be held accountable by admins and other moderators.
3. Moderators will not be required to justify themselves except when asked specifically.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Super open
1. Forum as above.
2. Moderators will be required to justify actions taken in punishment, IE against the wishes of the affected posters.
ALTERNATIVE 4: Bureaucracy
1. Forum as above
2. Moderators will be required to justify all uses of their special powers.
<b> Sock Puppets </b>
This one is a yes or no question.
<b> Thread Locations </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Quick
1. Threads posted in the obviously wrong place will be moved as soon as possible.
2. Posters will get a warning for repeated incorrect locations of threads in a short period of time, or else a small warning % for each incorrectly posted thread.
3. Threads with twice as much off-topic posts as on-topic posts will be considered carefully. In the case of the old discussion being completely dead, the thread will be moved to the appropriate place. (This depends on the rules for off-topic posts. This only applies if those posts were legal.)
4. Threads which are not obviously wrong will be moved at the request of the author or when the correct uses of the thread eventually make it obvious that it is in the wrong place. For example, if a thread is posted in previews, but replies and examination of the post reveal it is really an Idea post, it will be moved.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Quick/No moving established threads
As above, except:
3. Threads will not be moved due to offtopic posts; the OP is more important.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Deliberate.
As above, except
4. Threads which are not obviously wrong require a post in the moderator forums for a discussion on whether it should be moved, before it is moved.
<b> Spambots. </b>
No.
<b> Advertising </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Allowed
1. Shill for whatever you want.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Low-key only
1. A tasteful link in the sig, or a small amount of direct begging is allowed.
2. Do not rant for a long time on the merits of your product or fic, or whatever. We know you like it... you made it.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Fic only
1. You may shill for your fanfictions.
2. Do not shill for your product, aside from a low key link in your sig or something equally ignorable.
ALTERNATIVE 4: None
1. Do not toot your own horn.
2. That is to say, if it isn't something posted on TFF, we don't want to hear about it.
<b> Appeals </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1:
1. Appeals will be made through PM
ALTERNATIVE 2:
1. Appeals may be made through PM, or publicly in a forum where banned members are allowed to post.
ALTERNATIVE 3:
1. Appeals will only be made publicly in a forum where banned members are allowed to post.
ALTERNATIVE 4:
1. Punishments are always final.
<b> PUNISHMENTS </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Light
1. Punishments will be normally only warnings.
2. In cases where continued violations occur, temporary bans will be used
3. Only in cases of obvious spam-bots, child porn, or other untenable situations will perma-bans be issued. Basically, only when not doing so threatens the safety of the board.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. Punishments for small infractions are warnings.
2. In cases of repeated small infractions or major violations, a temporary ban will be used.
3. In cases of especially horrible actions such as posting pornography repeated in public areas, a permanent ban will be used. This is only when a poster has made themselves irredeemable.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Harsh
1. Punishments for minor infractions are warnings.
2. The punishment for any repeated infraction, major infraction, or any refusal to cooperate with moderators is a temporary ban.
3. In cases of repeated temporary bans being required, the duration of the ban will be increased each time.
4. After a certain number of temporary bans, a permanent ban will be used.
5. Grievous violations before punishment can be issued will result in a permanent ban.
I am taking suggestions. Your voice will be heard. I have tried to include everyone's point of view here, but I have intentionally omitted vague and ill-defined rules. Let me or probably Shirotsume know if you have anything that you want to be considered by the forum as a whole.
Therefore:
We're going to do something else.
First, propose CATEGORIES, that is to say, sets of rules over a common area, such as Necros, Threadjacks, Offensive Language, Copyrights, etc.
Then propose a SET OF RULES which encompass ANY AND ALL rules in that area. Each ALTERNATIVE is a complete, full set of rules. Which alternative will be used would obviously be up for vote.
What will we do with these?
The point of doing it in this way is to have rules that agree with each other and don't get in each others' way. Also, we wanted the rules to be less vague and open to interpretations (that would give mods way more power in a way less cool manner.)
<b>Category ONE: Undesirable Posts(Threadjacks and useless Posts) and Necros</b>
DEFINITIONS:
A "Necro" is a post in a thread that has been inactive for a long time.
A "Useless Post" is a non-constructive post with little or no information in it. Consisting entirely of "Yes," "Me Too," "U Fag," or the like.
A "Threadjack" or "Off-Topic" post is a post that does not relate to the thread.
From Raye_Terse: The purpose of a story thread is for an author to post their story so as to recieve constructive criticism. That is to say, the primary purpose is the posting of story snippets, the secondary purpose is constructive criticism.
The primary purpose of a non-story thread is, in most cases*, discussion of whatever the OP defines as the topic.
*Excepting different for-fun threads like "Word Association", etc.
ALTERNATIVE 1: HIGH
1. Necros are not allowed under any circumstances. Necro length is 1-2 weeks. Necro length is doubled for "for-fun" threads such as "update," "Pictures," and "Searches." Basically, almost any "talk" area threads.
2. Off-topic posts and useless posts are completely forbidden.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. Necros are given extra time if the post is constructive, i.e. follows the primary/secondary purpose of the thread. Necro length is 2-3 weeks, or 1-2 months for constructive posts. Necro length is doubled for "for-fun" threads such as "update," "Pictures," and "Searches." Basically, almost any "talk" area threads.
2. Off-topic and useless posts should be kept to under a certain limit. If multiple pages go by without on-topic, constructive posts, threads will be locked or users will be warned or punished for continuing. This amount should be between ten and fifty posts.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Minimal
1. Necros are given a lot of extra time if the post is constructive, i.e. follows the secondary purpose of the thread. Necro length is 2-3 weeks, or 3-6 months if constructive. A post that follows the primary purpose of a thread can never be considered a necro. On "for-fun" threads, there are no restrictions on Necro-ing unless a new thread of that kind has recent posts.
2. Off-Topic and useless posts should be kept under control, but only in the case of getting to the point where a new thread would need to be made for the original discussion. Users will be warned and posts moved in the case of violations.
ALTERNATIVE 4: None.
1. Necros will be allowed.
2. Off-topic and useless posts will be allowed. You need to make a new thread if it gets taken over.
<B> Special Case </B>
Redefining Necros/A vote for Necros being much less broad.
1. Necros are only punished in story and idea threads. Necros consist only of A. Posts by users other than the OP in a story thread. B. Posts that do not add anything to the idea (IE Criticism or Praise, or useless posts) in an Idea thread.
OR
2. Necros consist of ANY post in a thread that is too old.
OR
3. Authors can always post in their own story threads. Otherwise, posting in a thread that is too old is a necro.
<b>CATEGORY TWO: Author Rights</b>
This section refers only to STORY THREADS by AUTHORS.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High
1. The author will have absolute authority in his thread. Needing only a single warning or rule discussion, he can then demand moderators enforce those rules.
2. Rules must be declared BEFORE the time of the infraction, except in excessive cases such as repeated spamming.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. The author will have authority on necros, threadjacks, offtopics, and useless posts.
2. The author will be required to accept constructive, on-topic posts.
3. Rules must be declared formally, with notice, with no exceptions.
ALTERNATIVE 3: None
1. The author will abide by the rules of the general boards, even in his own threads.
2. The author will have no special authority to increase or decrease the impact of the rules on others in his thread.
<b>CATEGORY THREE: Personal attacks and racism</b>
"Slurs" are racist insults or words used to discriminate racially or ethnically, or religiously, or any other way.
"Personal attacks" are direct, explicit written attacks against other members or non-members, going beyond criticism (hence "personal").
"Insults" are less than personal attacks, more informal.
ALTERNATIVE 1: "Guys havin' a beer."
1. Slurs are allowed, as long as they aren't obviously intended to be harmful. That is to say, in the absence of absolute evidence of harmful intent, no action will be taken.
3. Personal attacks may be taken down at the target's request, at which point re-posting will be discouraged.
4. Insults are a way of saying "hello."
ALTERNATIVE 2: "Church."
1. Slurs are not allowed. Warnings will be given and slurs will be censored by moderators.
3. Personal attacks are forbidden.
4. Insults must be kept non-serious. Err on the side of caution.
ALTERNATIVE 3: None
1. Posts will not be monitored for personal or racial offensiveness.
<b> Catergory Foury: Curse Words, Vulgarisms, Obscenity</b>
"Curse words" are words that are considered obscene, in English.
"Obscenity" is anything that would require one to up the rating of a story on FF.net.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High/Restricted Section Permissive
1. Curse words will not be allowed outside of the restricted section.
2. Stories with obscene or explicit content of any kind will be moved to the restricted section, and the poster given a warning or punishment.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium/RSP
1. Curse words will be allowed in moderation. Special attention will be paid to racist, sexist, or otherwise especially objectionable words (of which a list will be compiled) for which there is lower or zero tolerance. In the restricted section, there will be no such restriction.
2. Stories will be allowed to feature harsh language (to a limited extent) and implied harsh content, but direct or graphic descriptions will be limited to the restricted section. The same list as above applies.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Light/RSP
1. Curse words will be allowed, as long as posts have more non-curse-words than curse-words.
2. Stories will be allowed to feature a limited amount of graphic violence and any amount of cursing. Graphic depictions of sex will be limited to the restricted section.
<b> Category Five: Attribution, Copyright </b>
As we are a forum of Fanfiction, strict copyright adherence is right out.
ALTERNATIVE 1: High attribution, low copy protection
1. Any fanfiction may be posted as long as the author's name and full summary are given, along with a link.
2. Any edit of any fanfiction may be posted with said attribution, including MST, a recursive fanfiction, or just a new take on the same idea. Any amount of the original work may be used.
3. Authors of works that are presented on TFF may always request their works be removed.
4. Sub-fics may not be taken down, but any part that is the original author's own words will be removed.
ALTERNATIVE 2: High copy protections
1. Fanfiction may not be posted directly without the author's consent, on a continuing basis. If consent is removed, so too must the post.
2. Recursive fanfiction and rewrites may be posted, however, not with the original author's own words without consent.
ALTERNATIVE 3: No protections.
1. Fanfiction may be posted. Attribution is only the author's name.
2. As usual, the original author may request removal. This is because the last thing we need is the kind of stuff that will get us shut down.
<b> Category seven: Links </b>
"Tags" in this and the next section refer to keywords used to describe a creative work, such as "Yaoi," "Genderbender," "drama," "Comedy."
ALTERNATIVE 1: Informative
1. Links must always include information about the target
2. If the link goes to a creative work, the author and relevant "tags" about the story must be given.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Click at own risk
1. Link posters are under no special obligations.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Conditional
1. Link posters are normally under no special obligations, however:
2. Warn people if you are linking to something that asks you to vote, give points for referrals, or otherwise benefits the link poster with little or no benefit to the clicker.
<b> Category 8: Tags</b>
"Tags" are keywords about a story.
ALTERNATIVE 1: All tags
1. Story posters should include the tags that they feel are most important about their story in the thread title
2. Any other tags go in the first post, at or near the top.
3. Tags which are considered especially important are tags that refer to sexuality, rating, level of graphic content, and the story's tone
4. Tagging a story is compulsory. If you don't do it, a moderator will do it and give you a warning.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Sexuality Warnings
1. Story posters must include tags for any non-hetero sexuality used in their story in the thread title.
4. Tagging a story is compulsory. If you don't do it, a moderator will do it and give you a warning.
ALTERNATIVE 3: No tags
1. Tagging a story is not required, but it is always encouraged.
<b> Moderator Accountability </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Secret Police
1. Moderators will be held accountable only through the actions of admins and other moderators.
2. Disagreements with moderators will not be made public.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Open
1. A forum will be set aside specifically for disagreements with moderators.
2. Moderators will only be held accountable by admins and other moderators.
3. Moderators will not be required to justify themselves except when asked specifically.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Super open
1. Forum as above.
2. Moderators will be required to justify actions taken in punishment, IE against the wishes of the affected posters.
ALTERNATIVE 4: Bureaucracy
1. Forum as above
2. Moderators will be required to justify all uses of their special powers.
<b> Sock Puppets </b>
This one is a yes or no question.
<b> Thread Locations </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Quick
1. Threads posted in the obviously wrong place will be moved as soon as possible.
2. Posters will get a warning for repeated incorrect locations of threads in a short period of time, or else a small warning % for each incorrectly posted thread.
3. Threads with twice as much off-topic posts as on-topic posts will be considered carefully. In the case of the old discussion being completely dead, the thread will be moved to the appropriate place. (This depends on the rules for off-topic posts. This only applies if those posts were legal.)
4. Threads which are not obviously wrong will be moved at the request of the author or when the correct uses of the thread eventually make it obvious that it is in the wrong place. For example, if a thread is posted in previews, but replies and examination of the post reveal it is really an Idea post, it will be moved.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Quick/No moving established threads
As above, except:
3. Threads will not be moved due to offtopic posts; the OP is more important.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Deliberate.
As above, except
4. Threads which are not obviously wrong require a post in the moderator forums for a discussion on whether it should be moved, before it is moved.
<b> Spambots. </b>
No.
<b> Advertising </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Allowed
1. Shill for whatever you want.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Low-key only
1. A tasteful link in the sig, or a small amount of direct begging is allowed.
2. Do not rant for a long time on the merits of your product or fic, or whatever. We know you like it... you made it.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Fic only
1. You may shill for your fanfictions.
2. Do not shill for your product, aside from a low key link in your sig or something equally ignorable.
ALTERNATIVE 4: None
1. Do not toot your own horn.
2. That is to say, if it isn't something posted on TFF, we don't want to hear about it.
<b> Appeals </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1:
1. Appeals will be made through PM
ALTERNATIVE 2:
1. Appeals may be made through PM, or publicly in a forum where banned members are allowed to post.
ALTERNATIVE 3:
1. Appeals will only be made publicly in a forum where banned members are allowed to post.
ALTERNATIVE 4:
1. Punishments are always final.
<b> PUNISHMENTS </b>
ALTERNATIVE 1: Light
1. Punishments will be normally only warnings.
2. In cases where continued violations occur, temporary bans will be used
3. Only in cases of obvious spam-bots, child porn, or other untenable situations will perma-bans be issued. Basically, only when not doing so threatens the safety of the board.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Medium
1. Punishments for small infractions are warnings.
2. In cases of repeated small infractions or major violations, a temporary ban will be used.
3. In cases of especially horrible actions such as posting pornography repeated in public areas, a permanent ban will be used. This is only when a poster has made themselves irredeemable.
ALTERNATIVE 3: Harsh
1. Punishments for minor infractions are warnings.
2. The punishment for any repeated infraction, major infraction, or any refusal to cooperate with moderators is a temporary ban.
3. In cases of repeated temporary bans being required, the duration of the ban will be increased each time.
4. After a certain number of temporary bans, a permanent ban will be used.
5. Grievous violations before punishment can be issued will result in a permanent ban.
