Let's work out some official rules for this forum.

[BU Admin]

Finally, I think I stepped on the talk about swear policy too hard too soon because I was in a bad mood, and nothing official should ever happen because I'm in a bad mood.  Keeping in mind that sisko and I are not likely to change it significantly no matter what anyone says, do feel free to discuss the policy to your heart's content - the feedback may prove useful to us somehow.

I said this in another thread, but perhaps it's worth repeating here: I don't mind swearing and cursing, but I do mind if someone is reluctant to join the forum because there's cursing and swearing going on. That's why I don't mind keeping myself from swearing. I would be annoyed if there were certain subjects that we were not allowed to discuss, but some guidelines and rules about how to discuss things are fine with me.

That said, there might be times when certain subjects should be avoided, if they only serve to start arguments. We are all adult enough to notice this if it should happen, I think, and not stoop to flamebaiting. Due to the nature of SMAC it's unavoidable to have some interesting political discussions, though. The political content of the game is a large part of what makes it interesting.

Sorry about rambling a bit. 

Perhaps the membership would like to speak out on/propose ideas about guidelines?  I only consider announcements I've labeled as rules to be actual rules, but I do consider any idea proposed in this thread and not contradicted to be site policy that guides my moderation decisions.

That wasn't a ramble, Rym; it was intelligent focused and a helpful suggestion.

[Buster's Uncle]

Kil, would you care to speak up as someone who'd rather not see cussin'?

[Kilkakon]

Yeah I would appreciate it if people were mature and avoided that sort of language. As most of the people here are older than myself anyway it shouldn't be an issue--we're a bunch guys (and possibly girls) who like to think and explore different points of view in the frame that is SMAC and factions.

[Green1]

Yeah I would appreciate it if people were mature and avoided that sort of language. As most of the people here are older than myself anyway it shouldn't be an issue--we're a bunch guys (and possibly girls) who like to think and explore different points of view in the frame that is SMAC and factions.

I think there are like 2-3 girls on here.

I have been told by BU they are too good for me. So, I will have to keep my charm to WoW girls over vent when I get those kicks. Too bad I am a PvP MMOer. Far more prey on RP and PvE servers. PvPers are a sausage fest. Twinks especially.

[Buster's Uncle]

I told you my sister was too good.

[Buster's Uncle]

Here's a little something I wrote up about four years ago on what I think about arguing done right:

There's little in life I love more than a good argument. It takes the right kind of people, and I think we have a lot of them here. So let's see if we can start a good one- or several.



 A few ground rules/observations- that you may also take as a little essay about how to argue productively:

 The object is not to win, but to come to an understanding or educate each other.

 It helps beyond measure sometimes to discuss your respective values and base assumptions as they relate to the issue at hand.

 Know your thesis and your opponent's. That is, be sure you and the other person aren't actually talking past each other about two somewhat different things. Know what you're arguing about.

 However, it's no fun if the conversation can't go where it wants to. Be cool about the topic changing- just know what it is at all times. It's okay to try to steer it back, but good to not be bossy about it.

 It's like the dozens; if you get mad (or compare someone you're arguing with to Hitler, for that matter) you lose. Really; well-intentioned persons can say things so utterly at variance with your view of something important to you that it is a good thing when an adult says he's had enough and bows out. Do it with good grace and you haven't lost.

 If you set out to provoke anyone just to win via the previous guideline, you lose. That's immature troll-behavior and dirty pool.

 It doesn't have to be polite, but the rules of this forum and the laws in your jurisdiction apply. Polite is better.

 At least a sketchy knowledge of the rules of formal debate will help you enormously, even though those rules will not be enforced here. Please don't be a jerk about the rules of formal debate, either pro or con.

 It is always in order to point out that something just said belongs in a separate argument than the one you're in.

 I'm lazy about interrupting a conversation to research the topic. You are welcome to do so, however, but I will likely try to challenge your source on any grounds I find valid.

 Again, if you only play to win, you're doing it wrong. Try to persuade me you're right. Convincing your opponent is victory- so is finding out you're wrong and learning something.

 [Current-day addition: As I said to Nikolai above, Recreational debate is mental fencing - on that level, it can be a huge buzzkill to go straight to googling, rather like bringing a gun to a knife fight. To me, that tends to feel like the other guy cheated, since I like to rely on whatever happened to already be in my head when I walked in...]

Not really the guidelines Rym suggested, but maybe this will get discussion started in that direction.

[BU Admin]

I made an executive decision tonight - I enabled the option to allow members to turn off the swear filter for them.  If I understand how it works, when I type [intercourse]in a post, ete can see it now, not my funny translation.  I turned off the swear filter for ete.

This should satisfy everyone's needs nicely.  We actually lost a newb last month because it really bothered him that he couldn't say [intercourse]where Kilkakon and my mom might see it - and I'm not running out to tell him I fixed the problem and invite him back with that attitude.  In this, it ought to be easier for us, as barbarians, to act like civilized men than for the civilized men to have to take our [poop].  Mom and Kil should have the right to not see any of you talking foul online - with this change, they have to sign up, log in, and turn off the filter to see it (when the filter's working,) so that should satisfy.

(No, Mom doesn't browse here; she's a metaphor, though she really for real doesn't care to be exposed to a lot of cussin', and I'm pretty passionate about that on her behalf, and indeed, anyone who feels that way.  It's just the Right Thing to Do, to show them some consideration.)

As with all things, I ask my members to police themselves - if something nasty gets past the filter, which I'm leaving on in both of my accounts, I'm still going to censor it as before, and I ask for your forbearance in that.  It's probably a good idea to let me know if you have it turned off, so I don't think you knew if something got past and start feeling irritated the fifth time I have to edit someone in a day.  Don't trust the filter too much, what with it not always working, and PULEEEZ don't constantly make work for me; I HATE having to moderate people. 

Also, keep in mind that I'm happier if you don't make excessive use of some rude terms that aren't in the filter and are usually tolerated.  I'm looking at you, Jarl...

[Kilkakon]

Can I get one with stars? Only if it's easy to do.

[JarlWolf]

I really admire this decision BUncle, and think its a good idea.

I can use actual swears in my AAR when needed, and for those sensitive to it can be omitted from it, instead of me doing bypasses. My AAR is gritty and rough, and im a relative barbarian heathen commie scum, but I can respect people's wishes, which is why I try to exchange foul mouthed words for more cleaner replacements from time to time. (I'm still pretty bad for it.)

I won't be cussing my head off, and I prefer using words only when needed. I'll still be trying to clean up my act though mind, I cuss enough in my daily life that I'd appall a band of grogged sailors.

[Buster's Uncle]

I do too.

Just remember that for these purposes, [poop]will be censored and damn will not, so say [intercourse]and [poop]a lot, not so much with damn and ass...

Can I get one with stars? Only if it's easy to do.

I don't think there's any way to change the way the censoring displays just for you, or a usergroup or a theme.  If I find out differently, of course I will hook you up, instanter.

[Kilkakon]

Alright sure. I'd rather not even get euphemisms of inferior language if I can help it. Of course, if most people are keeping things clean then it's all good anyway.

[Geo]

It seems a mostly harmless solution.
(just my way of saying I've read and comply)

[ete]

Allowing users to turn the swear filter on and off is an excellent compromise in my opinion, people who don't want to see swear words don't and at the same time people who don't mind them can see what the poster actually posted.

However, I don't see a way to turn on/off the filter? Where are the preferences for that on this forum?

[Buster's Uncle]

Drat.  Did I leave out mentioning how to do it after all that?

Go to your profile>Look and Layout>seventh item of the options you can check or uncheck:  "Leave words uncensored. "  I checked it for you.

[ete]

Got it.