Posting Policy "Off Limit Subjects"
01-14-2008, 08:14 PM
#1
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Hello,
I've been a contributing forum member for nearly a year now. A paying member I may add. This forum has been invaluable, allowing me to solve various problems, answer questions, and become somewhat knowledgable about my vehicle. At times, more knowledgeable than my dealer. Thanks E60.net!
However, during my year, there's been a number of posts/threads where individuals have taken offense to political opinions or comments other members have voiced. I've been personally offended by some of them, and probably expressed some of them. For that, I'm sorry.
As a result, and at times, there's been plenty of warnings from moderators to close the thread due to contentious issues. Global warming, the death penalty,
Death Penalty
you name it, we've debated it. And at times, individuals have lowered themselves to name calling. I am personally guilty of this. However, closing the thread is not the answer. Well, at least not without some kind of forum policy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't see a forum policy linked any where on this Web site.
As you've probably learned, I am strong advocate of the maretplace of ideas. A place where many different opinions and points of view meet, collide, intermingle, separate and spawn new ideas. It's a great place where censorship has no place. With that being said, there needs to be an element of respect that embodies each member.
Since some haven't been the most respectful during the debate of contentious issues, and threads have been closed, I'd like to see if it's feasible to create some kind of forum policy. For example, one specific guideline could say "forum members should refrain from using foul language or language that others may take offense too". That way, if a contentious debate does materialize, it may continue until all ideas are expressed. Unless of course, someone disregards the policy.
My point is, just because we all own E60s doens't mean we have to agree on everything. And just because we all own e60s, doesn't mean we have to talk "BMWspeak" (A 1984 referenced if you've read it) all the time. But what we do need to do all the time, is respect each other and each other's opinions, regardless if we agree with them or not.
Just my opinion. Now, about that policy.
I've been a contributing forum member for nearly a year now. A paying member I may add. This forum has been invaluable, allowing me to solve various problems, answer questions, and become somewhat knowledgable about my vehicle. At times, more knowledgeable than my dealer. Thanks E60.net!
However, during my year, there's been a number of posts/threads where individuals have taken offense to political opinions or comments other members have voiced. I've been personally offended by some of them, and probably expressed some of them. For that, I'm sorry.
As a result, and at times, there's been plenty of warnings from moderators to close the thread due to contentious issues. Global warming, the death penalty,
Death Penalty
you name it, we've debated it. And at times, individuals have lowered themselves to name calling. I am personally guilty of this. However, closing the thread is not the answer. Well, at least not without some kind of forum policy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't see a forum policy linked any where on this Web site.
As you've probably learned, I am strong advocate of the maretplace of ideas. A place where many different opinions and points of view meet, collide, intermingle, separate and spawn new ideas. It's a great place where censorship has no place. With that being said, there needs to be an element of respect that embodies each member.
Since some haven't been the most respectful during the debate of contentious issues, and threads have been closed, I'd like to see if it's feasible to create some kind of forum policy. For example, one specific guideline could say "forum members should refrain from using foul language or language that others may take offense too". That way, if a contentious debate does materialize, it may continue until all ideas are expressed. Unless of course, someone disregards the policy.
My point is, just because we all own E60s doens't mean we have to agree on everything. And just because we all own e60s, doesn't mean we have to talk "BMWspeak" (A 1984 referenced if you've read it) all the time. But what we do need to do all the time, is respect each other and each other's opinions, regardless if we agree with them or not.
Just my opinion. Now, about that policy.
01-15-2008, 04:55 AM
#2
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Here is the terms & rules everyone has to agree to at registration.
As you see in the thread in question, we have not deleted it and at the beginning no actions were taken.
But at a certain point the discussion got to a personal level, as political discussions here allways do.
Being a friendly community, we don't want to use the board to insult others, don't we?
Therefore, actions had to be taken.
In the past there have been political discussions, and none, as far as I remember, went all friendly. AFAIR we even deleted some threads.
Let's just try to only use the forum to have fun with friends and discuss everything related to our cars.
It is a car forum, not a forum for political debates.
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But at a certain point the discussion got to a personal level, as political discussions here allways do.
Being a friendly community, we don't want to use the board to insult others, don't we?
Therefore, actions had to be taken.
In the past there have been political discussions, and none, as far as I remember, went all friendly. AFAIR we even deleted some threads.
Let's just try to only use the forum to have fun with friends and discuss everything related to our cars.
It is a car forum, not a forum for political debates.
01-15-2008, 05:53 AM
#3
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Well said Iceman. The board policy is there however it's simply the generic policy the forum software uses. I had debated in the past with myself if we should modify it but I decided against that because I figure it wouldn't be followed to begin with. Sometimes members get a little out of control on certain discussions which is to be expected if it's about a topic you have a strong belief in one way or another. We just ask that everyone respect each other in our small online community.
01-15-2008, 06:26 AM
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this is by far the most mature, sensible, polite and useful bmw car forum i have seen. if you are used to visiting the german car forums, you would only realize to appreciate this forum and love the members we have here, the respect one pays to the other and the respect for each other's time by posting sensible things and not personal things...
the other day, on the german forum, a 17 year old posted that his dad only ordered a 520i and because it is not a 6 cylinder, he is too embarrassed to pick up his friends from the disco - what would they think of a 520i? so he asked the forum for help on how to make his dad change the order... within 48 hours, we had over 200 replies before it got out of control and the thread was banned. turned out, the 17 year old was a fake, it was indeed an adult who had a bet ongoing whether he manages to kick off a thread in a forum and get 100 replies within 24 hours. yes he did - as provocative as it was....
what a waste of time and effort from everyone????
the other day, on the german forum, a 17 year old posted that his dad only ordered a 520i and because it is not a 6 cylinder, he is too embarrassed to pick up his friends from the disco - what would they think of a 520i? so he asked the forum for help on how to make his dad change the order... within 48 hours, we had over 200 replies before it got out of control and the thread was banned. turned out, the 17 year old was a fake, it was indeed an adult who had a bet ongoing whether he manages to kick off a thread in a forum and get 100 replies within 24 hours. yes he did - as provocative as it was....
what a waste of time and effort from everyone????
01-15-2008, 10:48 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
There are a couple of rules I follow when reading posts online that I find offensive or when someone responds in a rude or threatening manner to what I have posted.
1. Use the "back key," ignore the thread and fugitaboutit. Nobody is forcing you to read that stuff, so why get all worked up? Life is too short.
2. Ignore the poster and fugitaboutit. They're idiots anyway, otherwise they would agree with you.
3. Wear your thick skin when entering a forum and fugitaboutit. People say things online they would never even think about saying to your face. It's easy for some people to hide behind a glowing screen, and type things they wouldn't dream about saying anywhere else.
Self-policing and being a responsible adult is something the moderators cannot control. This is a wonderful forum, and I greatly enjoy the information and most of the people on here. The rest ... fugitaboutit!
Lou
1. Use the "back key," ignore the thread and fugitaboutit. Nobody is forcing you to read that stuff, so why get all worked up? Life is too short.
2. Ignore the poster and fugitaboutit. They're idiots anyway, otherwise they would agree with you.
3. Wear your thick skin when entering a forum and fugitaboutit. People say things online they would never even think about saying to your face. It's easy for some people to hide behind a glowing screen, and type things they wouldn't dream about saying anywhere else.
Self-policing and being a responsible adult is something the moderators cannot control. This is a wonderful forum, and I greatly enjoy the information and most of the people on here. The rest ... fugitaboutit!
Lou
01-23-2008, 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='518305' date='Jan 15 2008, 02:48 PM
There are a couple of rules I follow when reading posts online that I find offensive or when someone responds in a rude or threatening manner to what I have posted.
1. Use the "back key," ignore the thread and fugitaboutit. Nobody is forcing you to read that stuff, so why get all worked up? Life is too short.
2. Ignore the poster and fugitaboutit. They're idiots anyway, otherwise they would agree with you.
3. Wear your thick skin when entering a forum and fugitaboutit. People say things online they would never even think about saying to your face. It's easy for some people to hide behind a glowing screen, and type things they wouldn't dream about saying anywhere else.
Self-policing and being a responsible adult is something the moderators cannot control. This is a wonderful forum, and I greatly enjoy the information and most of the people on here. The rest ... fugitaboutit!
Lou
1. Use the "back key," ignore the thread and fugitaboutit. Nobody is forcing you to read that stuff, so why get all worked up? Life is too short.
2. Ignore the poster and fugitaboutit. They're idiots anyway, otherwise they would agree with you.
3. Wear your thick skin when entering a forum and fugitaboutit. People say things online they would never even think about saying to your face. It's easy for some people to hide behind a glowing screen, and type things they wouldn't dream about saying anywhere else.
Self-policing and being a responsible adult is something the moderators cannot control. This is a wonderful forum, and I greatly enjoy the information and most of the people on here. The rest ... fugitaboutit!
Lou
01-23-2008, 03:19 AM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
Originally Posted by Russ1974' post='521697' date='Jan 23 2008, 05:38 AM
Worst post ever ... MORON !!!
You make a great straight man, Lou.
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