Suggestion: Community Standards Ammendment

[AlTech]

So I'd like to propose a much needed update to the Community Standards.

 

This may be controversial or trivial. I'd like these changes to be made so that it benefits everyone on here.

 

Please Read under each quoted section to see my suggestions for improvement. I've highlighted what has been changed in Bold.

 

If I have not quoted a section of the community standards then I have no suggestions to change it.

 

Thanks for reading this . Have a nice day.

 

 

@Windspeed36 @colonel_mortis@Whaler_99

 

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Generally speaking, as long as the following rules are met you should never find yourself subject to disciplinary action.

As long as the following rules are met, you should never find yourself subject to disciplinary action.

In every case where a disciplinary actions is taken, the admin(s) or mod(s) responsible shall explain why you have been disciplined and what you can do in the future to avoid it.

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Ensure a friendly atmosphere to our visitors and forum members.

Ensure a friendly atmosphere to our visitors and forum members in which all forum members are treated with respect and kindness.

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Encourage the freedom of expression and exchange of information in a mature and responsible manner.

Encourage the freedom of expression and exchange of information in a mature and responsible manner. If you disagree with a member's point of view, please calmly explain to them why you disagree with them.

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"Don't be a dick" - Wil Wheaton.

"Be excellent to each other" - Bill and Ted.

Remember your audience; both present and future.

"Don't be a dick" - Wil Wheaton

"Be Excellent to each other" - Bill and Ted.

Remember your audience; both present and future.

Treat other forum members with the respect they deserve.

Quote

The following is not an exhaustive list of the rules and guidelines that must be followed when participating on Linus Tech Tips. The administration and moderation team reserve the right to terminate any and all accounts or remove any content at any stage without prior notice. The rules outlined below are only the minimum expectations of members, and not every issue can be predicted and addressed here, so conduct could still be considered out of line even if it isn't covered here specifically.

The instructions of the moderation team must be followed at all times.

The instructions of the moderation and administration team must be followed at all times.

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No harassment, discrimination or abuse of any kind.

No harassment, discrimination, abuse, bullying or manipulation in any manner or way.

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This includes insults, fanboy, or troll accusations

This includes repeatedly asking the same question long after it's usefulness, insulting or belittling others

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No pornography or sexually explicit material

No pornographic, sexually explicit or disturbing material may be posted.

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No spam

‘LMGTFY’ links

Links pointing to a search engine such as Google, Bing or Wikipedia or otherwise are not allowed to be used to substitute an answer required by a poster.

 

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Twitch/YouTube links are only allowed in user profile status updates

Twitch or YouTube links can be included in posts when used to support or complement a worded answer.

 

Personal YouTube or Twitch videos may only be posted in user profile status updates.

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Talking about piracy in general, broad details, is acceptable however the posting or discussing pirated/hacked/cracked or otherwise nefariously obtained content is not.

Talking about piracy in general, broad details, is acceptable however the posting or discussing pirated/hacked/cracked or otherwise nefariously obtained content is not.

 

Discussing how to bypass the TOS or EULA of a product or service is not allowed.

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This includes Windows content, games, hackintosh, etc.

This includes Windows content, games, hackintosh, as well as trying to remove or disable parts of Windows.

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Also discussions regarding ways to avoid or block legitimately installed monitoring/tracking software or the like is also not allowed.

Discussing, confessing to or helping another individual avoid or block legitimately installed monitoring/tracking software or the like is also not allowed whether it is part of a program or an operating system.

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Signatures

Text only, no images or other external content linked

No Advertising/External Links, other than to other LTT forum posts

Signatures

Text only, no images or other external content linked

No Advertising/External Links, other than to other LTT forum posts

 

When uploading or selecting an Avatar, GIFs should be avoided to allow users to save data and bandwidth.

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Privacy

In the interests of personal safety we do not permit the posting of personal information other than your own. This includes usernames, email addresses etc.

We highly discourage the posting of and will actively remove any personal information of persons under the age of 16

In the interests of personal safety we do not permit the posting of personal information other than your own. This includes usernames, email addresses etc.

We highly discourage the posting of and will actively remove any personal information of persons under the age of 16

 

Users under the age of 13 may not sign up or create an account on the LinusTechTips.com forum.

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Moderation & Bans

Do not openly discuss the moderation of any content or user. If you have an issue, please contact a staff member.

Do not backseat moderate – if there’s an issue, please use the report function.

Please be aware staff cannot see private messages unless they are reported.

If you have an issue with a moderator at any time, please contact an Administrator via PM @Slick  @Whaler_99  @Windspeed36

Users are encouraged to discuss moderation with a moderator or staff member if they have any issues regarding moderation.

Users are also encouraged to report any instances of other users not following the Community Standards.

 

Please be aware staff cannot see private messages unless they are reported.

If you have an issue with a moderator at any time, please contact an Administrator via PM @Slick  @Whaler_99  @Windspeed36

[RUWO_builder]

wow, thats a long post, but i tink the you are a little bit harsh, whith the first article being a big problem solver for the rest.

 

[AlwaysFSX]

So basically you've restated the common sense portions of the CS.

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, AlwaysFSX said:

So basically you've restated the common sense portions of the CS.

No. I have edited the CS to be more flexible in some areas and less so in others.

[AlwaysFSX]

1 minute ago, AluminiumTech said:

No. I have edited the CS to be more flexible in some areas and less so in others.

Your additions are basically the derived common sense of what's already in the CS.

[Enderman]

The code of conduct used to be very specific like this.

They purpousefully changed it to a "community standards" page that does not have a ton of rules so that the mods can make more of the decisions.

 

BTW changing or disabling parts of windows is you you customize it.

Almost everyone has customized some part of windows like this, including disabling the telemetry and that kind of stuff.

Nothing wrong with this.

 

Basically, this entire post just seems like a bunch of personal opinions.

[zMeul]

13 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

Discussing how to bypass the TOS or EULA of a product or service is not allowed.

Quote

This includes Windows content, games, hackintosh, etc.

This includes Windows content, games, hackintosh, as well as trying to remove or disable parts of Windows.

-Parts removed-

I'd like to add another rule:

• if you have any affiliation to any company / corporation / business in the tech sector you are obliged to publicly disclose it - failure to do so will result in a immediate termination to your LTT / LMG accounts and you are prohibited from creating further accounts
• persons who hold affiliation to tech firms are not allowed to hold moderator position, except in the case the affiliation is with LMG

[LogicalDrm]

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Generally speaking, as long as the following rules are met, you should never find yourself subject to disciplinary action.

In every case where a disciplinary actions is taken, the admin(s) or mod(s) responsible shall explain why you have been disciplined and what you can do in the future to avoid it.

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Ensure a friendly atmosphere to our visitors and forum members in which all forum members are treated with respect and kindness.

 

I don't understand why these two points would need any more clarification. First being no-brainer and second being same thing in other words.

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Encourage the freedom of expression and exchange of information in a mature and responsible manner. If you disagree with a member's point of view, please calmly explain to them why you disagree with them.

 

This is good one.

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

"Don't be a dick" - Wil Wheaton

"Be Excellent to each other" - Bill and Ted.

Remember your audience; both present and future.

Treat other forum members with the respect they deserve.

 

Isn't that included in 2nd point already?

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

The instructions of the moderation and administration team must be followed at all times.

No harassment, discrimination, abuse, bullying or manipulation in any manner or way.

 

Another good.

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

This includes repeatedly asking the same question long after it's usefulness...

 

That would already be counted as spamming. Unless you mean new users asking questions/posting older stuff. And that shouldn't be against anything but your own annoyance.

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Links pointing to a search engine such as Google, Bing or Wikipedia or otherwise are not allowed to be used to substitute an answer required by a poster.

 

I would include posting only link to PCPP's front page. Doesn't contribute anything.

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Signatures

Text only, no images or other external content linked

No Advertising/External Links, other than to other LTT forum posts

 

GIFs should be avoided to allow users to save data and bandwidth.

 

Pics already aren't allowed in avatars. So this needs clarification that you mean avatars.

 

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

In the interests of personal safety we do not permit the posting of personal information other than your own. This includes usernames, email addresses etc.

We highly discourage the posting of and will actively remove any personal information of persons under the age of 16

 

Users under the age of 13 may not sign up or create an account on the LinusTechTips.com forum.

 

From my understanding person under age of 13 needs parents consent before creating account. There shouldn't be any reason why they can't create account if parent has agreed to that. This is very hard to prove and even FB and other major sites won't do much blocking.

 

[AlTech]

 

1 minute ago, Enderman said:

They purposefully changed it to a "community standards" page that does not have a ton of rules so that the mods can make more of the decisions.

I'm sorry I don't share your faith in mods making decisions. Moderators are enforcers, admins are those that should be making decisions.

 

I've had recent experiences in which mods made a choice. It felt like they were playing a game with me instead of actually serving a useful purpose.

1 minute ago, Enderman said:

BTW changing or disabling parts of windows is you you customize it.

What I mean is beyond the original capacity that the product designer or manufacturer allowed.

 

1 minute ago, Enderman said:

Almost everyone has customized some part of windows like this, including disabling the telemetry and that kind of stuff.

Nothing wrong with this.

Disabling telemetry past what is normally accessible is against Microsoft's TOS.

 

2 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

 

I don't understand why these two points would need any more clarification. First being no-brainer and second being same thing in other words.

This is more or less to avoid some ambiguity on the mods and users side of things.

2 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

 

This is good one.

 

Isn't that included in 2nd point already?

Some people seem to not understand it clearly enough and so I thought it should be added as a separate comment.

 

 

2 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

 

Pics already aren't allowed in avatars. So this needs clarification that you mean avatars.

Will do.

2 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

 

From my understanding person under age of 13 needs parents consent before creating account.

I'm not 100% sure about in Canada, but in other countries such as in the US, someone signing up for an online service must be 13 if a provider wishes to collect information or data about them.

 

This is why Google, Microsoft, Apple and social media sites requires users to be 13 or older to use it (I know that some people bypass these but that's another story entirely.

 

[zMeul]

10 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Disabling telemetry past what is normally accessible is against Microsoft's TOS.

against TOS does not make it against The Law

LMG has absolutely no obligation to enforce some corp's product terms of service - the terms of service is an agreement between the seller and the buyer

[Enderman]

9 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

I'm sorry I don't share your faith in mods making decisions. Moderators are enforcers, admins are those that should be making decisions.

 

I've had recent experiences in which mods made a choice. It felt like they were playing a game with me instead of actually serving a useful purpose.

What I mean is beyond the original capacity that the product designer or manufacturer allowed.

 

Disabling telemetry past what is normally accessible is against Microsoft's TOS.

Yet most people do it, including linus, moderators, and like half of everyone else.

Registry edits have been possible for decades. Tools are even included in windows for modifying the registry.

Microsoft also has the power to stop people from doing it, or suing them, yet they don't.

So why should your opinion that "this shouldnt be allowed on the forum" be more important than microsoft's or the admin's opinion?

 

BTW the rules and moderation on the forum have been way better right now than they have in the past.

Just because you feel offended for something that was done to you does not mean you get to make up a new set of rules.

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, Enderman said:

Yet most people do it, including linus, moderators, and like half of everyone else.

Registry edits have been possible for decades. Tools are even included in windows for modifying the registry.

Microsoft also has the power to stop people from doing it, or suing them, yet they don't.

So why should your opinion that "this shouldnt be allowed on the forum" be more important than microsoft's or the admin's opinion?

I'm following the same logic that the moderators and admins followed when not allowing Hackintoshing.

 

Hackintoshing is not illegal. It is legal but is against Apple's Terms of Service.

 

[Enderman]

1 minute ago, AluminiumTech said:

I'm following the same logic that the moderators and admins followed when not allowing Hackintoshing.

 

Hackintoshing is not illegal. It is legal but is against Apple's Terms of Service.

 

Maybe instead of "let's also ban everything else that's against some TOS" you should be arguing for "allow hackintosh discussion again" hmm?

Or maybe they got a very specific request (aka threat) from apple to stop it?

 

I don't know why they made it again the rules, but clearly they had a good reason to. So stop trying to change things because you don't like them, because you're not a mod.

Were here using the forum and following the rules given, if you're unhappy you can always leave. Otherwise we should not be complaining.

[zMeul]

17 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Were here using the forum and following the rules given, if you're unhappy you can always leave. Otherwise we should not be complaining.

you should absolutely complain if the rules are unjust and/or bipartisan 

[Enderman]

6 minutes ago, zMeul said:

you should absolutely complain if the rules are unjust and/or bipartisan 

They aren't though, it's just you

[Guest]

• The original code of conduct was far too long and wordy with lots of clauses and exceptions to certain things. We subsequently rewrote it and renamed it to the community standards. The majority of it can be summed up to the following three points. With the exception of rules relating to signature lengths and advertising, this should pretty much be the entire code of conduct in three lines.

  1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

  "Don't be a dick" - Wil Wheaton.

  "Be excellent to each other" - Bill and Ted.

  Remember your audience; both present and future.

   

• We do not permit the topics relating to a Hackintosh due to previous issues regarding DMCA take-down notices from Apple Inc. There is no issue with relation to the modification of Windows.

[AlTech]

17 minutes ago, Windspeed36 said:

• The original code of conduct was far too long and wordy with lots of clauses and exceptions to certain things. We subsequently rewrote it and renamed it to the community standards. The majority of it can be summed up to the following three points. With the exception of rules relating to signature lengths and advertising, this should pretty much be the entire code of conduct in three lines.

So I can assume it won't be updated to include anything I mentioned above?

17 minutes ago, Windspeed36 said:

• We do not permit the topics relating to a Hackintosh due to previous issues regarding DMCA take-down notices from Apple Inc. There is no issue with relation to the modification of Windows.

Ok then.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

So I can assume it won't be updated to include anything I mentioned above?

There are a few things you've highlighted that we're mulling over

[vanished]

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

As long as the following rules are met, you should never find yourself subject to disciplinary action.

In every case where a disciplinary actions is taken, the admin(s) or mod(s) responsible shall explain why you have been disciplined and what you can do in the future to avoid it.

Generally speaking, we do try to do this even though it isn't explicitly written.  Sometimes we may be a bit more brief than we should and in those cases it's not unreasonable to send a PM asking for more information.  So long as it isn't complaining or insulting, you should have good results with this.

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Ensure a friendly atmosphere to our visitors and forum members in which all forum members are treated with respect and kindness.

Yes, that is the implied meaning here.

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Encourage the freedom of expression and exchange of information in a mature and responsible manner. If you disagree with a member's point of view, please calmly explain to them why you disagree with them.

Yes, that would be ideal, and is the point of a forum.  Much better than a disagree button, or throwing insults imo.

 

Of course, if you disagree, you don't have to explain why... you can just ignore them if you want.  We don't want to add a rule forcing people to debate everything  

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

"Don't be a dick" - Wil Wheaton

"Be Excellent to each other" - Bill and Ted.

Remember your audience; both present and future.

Treat other forum members with the respect they deserve.

The instructions of the moderation and administration team must be followed at all times.

No harassment, discrimination, abuse, bullying or manipulation in any manner or way.

This includes repeatedly asking the same question long after it's usefulness, insulting or belittling others

No pornographic, sexually explicit or disturbing material may be posted.

Links pointing to a search engine such as Google, Bing or Wikipedia or otherwise are not allowed to be used to substitute an answer required by a poster.

Twitch or YouTube links can be included in posts when used to support or complement a worded answer.

All perfectly valid minor clarifications we could add I suppose.

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Discussing how to bypass the TOS or EULA of a product or service is not allowed.

This is starting to get into a grey area which frankly I don't think we've fully explored.  The rules against hackintosh fall under this already but how deep does the rabbit hole go?  Do we stop jailbreaking, android rooting, emulation talk, etc and more as well?  idk...

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

This includes Windows content, games, hackintosh, as well as trying to remove or disable parts of Windows.

That is not going to be added at any point I don't think.  People are gonna do what they want with their computer in terms of customizing their OS how they wish, and we're not going to actively prevent that.

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

When uploading or selecting an Avatar, GIFs should be avoided to allow users to save data and bandwidth.

We already limit the size to 2 MB.  If we wanted it lower, we would change that.  No need to make a rule and trust people to follow on the honour system.

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Users under the age of 13 may not sign up or create an account on the LinusTechTips.com forum.

 

This would be age discrimination that, in my view, there is no reason for.  I have talked with more than enough very young and very old people of all different levels of politeness and skill/knowledge, and blocking people based on age alone is not logical imo.

[NunoLava1998]

Quote

Links pointing to a search engine such as Google, Bing or Wikipedia or otherwise are not allowed to be used to substitute an answer required by a poster.

 

DuckDuckGo to the rescu-

[AlTech]

8 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

This would be age discrimination that, in my view, there is no reason for.  I have talked with more than enough very young and very old people of all different levels of politeness and skill/knowledge, and blocking people based on age alone is not logical imo.

I was just pointing out a law. In the US (could be different in Canada), anybody who signs up for an online service must be 13 or older IF the service collects information.

[LogicalDrm]

1 hour ago, zMeul said:

against TOS does not make it against The Law

LMG has absolutely no obligation to enforce some corp's product terms of service - the terms of service is an agreement between the seller and the buyer

Not against law. But TOS is binding contract between service provider and user. If LMG as private company chooses to support other private companies, it's their right.

[zMeul]

10 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

Not against law. But TOS is binding contract between service provider and user. If LMG as private company chooses to support other private companies, it's their right.

that's why there should be rules against bipartisanism 

either LTT is a discussion forums that allow criticism, or is it a public relations forums where companies promote their products ...

[Syntaxvgm]

All I want is when my posts disappear is to be notified. 

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, Syntaxvgm said:

All I want is when my posts disappear is to be notified. 

I've already previously instructed the mod team to notify a user with their content is removed.