Mod Note
First, I want to make it clear that this post has nothing to do with anything anyone here has done recently. However, there have been a lot of things going on around Livejournal that have concerned me in terms of overt mean spiritedness, invasion of privacy, etc. Without going into detail, I want to once again remind everyone of things we will not tolerate.
1. Please don't leave angry comments related to the site in other people's LJs. That is an invasion of privacy, and frankly, when done anonymously it is also cowardly. Would you want someone you got into an argument with at work or school to jump in the car and drive to your house just to tell you off? Or worse, call you from a payphone late at night and say those same things in a muffled voice? That's not only rude, it's creepy. Also, don't harass their friends about whatever made you mad. Members who pull that sort of thing will be banned without any questions or warnings.
2A. Respect other people's real life identities and activities. Don't reveal where someone lives, works, went to school, etc. - they may not want that public. It's one thing to say "you're in Massachusetts, right?" or "I know you work at a grocery store" - it's another to say "ooh, you live in NewEnglandTown Massachusetts" or "you work at K-Mart in NewEnglandTown!" If you must know whether or not that's true, you can take it to email or PM.
Moreover. don't track people down on Facebook or twitter. I'll leave it at that - do not do it.
Obviously if someone links to their Facebook or says where they live, etc etc., these things don't count. But if they've not offered revealing information, don't repeat it or seek it without their permission.
2B.
By the same token, realize that we cannot control who sees what. I trust the members here, but anyone can find bsc_snark and read it. This also means anyone can read a random comment or view a random profile. How much information you wish to give is up to you, but do remember that we have no way of knowing who sees what.
That being said, the mods at bsc_snark WILL do everything humanly possible to protect you. If you feel at all threatened or insecure, please talk to us.
3A.
We all have bad days. That said, don't be hostile; don't accuse the members of being stupid (or their posts/comments being stupid), don't insult them for their usernames or icons, and don't be nasty just to be nasty. There is no reason to make someone feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
3B. Knowingly being mean to minor members will just not be tolerated, period. Yes, we all cracked up over Rebecca Black's "Friday." Or cried. But if a thirteen year old posts:
Friday, Friday
Kristy's a pain on Friday
Everybody's looking forward to the snarking
Hold iin the insults. It's a kid, and most people here are adults. Same with members who seem otherwise vulnerable - if it's obvious the OP us either twelve and pretending to be an adult or slightly mentally challenged or mentally ill, don't be nasty. Now, I'm willing to give people the benefit of the doubt - sometimes we don't realize someone isn't trying to be silly or isn't a troll or whatever. (See 3C.) But to know someone is young or vulnerable and pick on them anyway will get you anywhere from a warning to a temporary ban, depending on the degree.
3C. Don't assume every poster who posts something OT or that seems otherwise odd is a troll. I have done that in communities, and I felt awful about it later on. It happened three years ago and I STILL feel bad. :P It's awful for both parties when there is that sort of misunderstanding, so try and avoid it.
4. If you have ANY concerns, do not hesitate to let us know. There may be instances where we disagree with your concerns, but we will nevertheless listen and take you seriously. We don't pick on our members.
Again, this entry is not about anything any of you did wrong. We have just noticed the problems that some other communities have had and wanted to make it clear that those things will not be tolerated
here.
Thank you,
jadore_histoire and author_by_night
1. Please don't leave angry comments related to the site in other people's LJs. That is an invasion of privacy, and frankly, when done anonymously it is also cowardly. Would you want someone you got into an argument with at work or school to jump in the car and drive to your house just to tell you off? Or worse, call you from a payphone late at night and say those same things in a muffled voice? That's not only rude, it's creepy. Also, don't harass their friends about whatever made you mad. Members who pull that sort of thing will be banned without any questions or warnings.
2A. Respect other people's real life identities and activities. Don't reveal where someone lives, works, went to school, etc. - they may not want that public. It's one thing to say "you're in Massachusetts, right?" or "I know you work at a grocery store" - it's another to say "ooh, you live in NewEnglandTown Massachusetts" or "you work at K-Mart in NewEnglandTown!" If you must know whether or not that's true, you can take it to email or PM.
Moreover. don't track people down on Facebook or twitter. I'll leave it at that - do not do it.
Obviously if someone links to their Facebook or says where they live, etc etc., these things don't count. But if they've not offered revealing information, don't repeat it or seek it without their permission.
2B.
By the same token, realize that we cannot control who sees what. I trust the members here, but anyone can find bsc_snark and read it. This also means anyone can read a random comment or view a random profile. How much information you wish to give is up to you, but do remember that we have no way of knowing who sees what.
That being said, the mods at bsc_snark WILL do everything humanly possible to protect you. If you feel at all threatened or insecure, please talk to us.
3A.
We all have bad days. That said, don't be hostile; don't accuse the members of being stupid (or their posts/comments being stupid), don't insult them for their usernames or icons, and don't be nasty just to be nasty. There is no reason to make someone feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
3B. Knowingly being mean to minor members will just not be tolerated, period. Yes, we all cracked up over Rebecca Black's "Friday." Or cried. But if a thirteen year old posts:
Friday, Friday
Kristy's a pain on Friday
Everybody's looking forward to the snarking
Hold iin the insults. It's a kid, and most people here are adults. Same with members who seem otherwise vulnerable - if it's obvious the OP us either twelve and pretending to be an adult or slightly mentally challenged or mentally ill, don't be nasty. Now, I'm willing to give people the benefit of the doubt - sometimes we don't realize someone isn't trying to be silly or isn't a troll or whatever. (See 3C.) But to know someone is young or vulnerable and pick on them anyway will get you anywhere from a warning to a temporary ban, depending on the degree.
3C. Don't assume every poster who posts something OT or that seems otherwise odd is a troll. I have done that in communities, and I felt awful about it later on. It happened three years ago and I STILL feel bad. :P It's awful for both parties when there is that sort of misunderstanding, so try and avoid it.
4. If you have ANY concerns, do not hesitate to let us know. There may be instances where we disagree with your concerns, but we will nevertheless listen and take you seriously. We don't pick on our members.
Again, this entry is not about anything any of you did wrong. We have just noticed the problems that some other communities have had and wanted to make it clear that those things will not be tolerated
here.
Thank you,
jadore_histoire and author_by_night