MUScoop Community Guidelines

[SCdem@MU]

First, I want to thank the site operators and the various moderators on this board for all of their hard work, time, money, and energy that they put into making this the best online community for all things Marquette-related on the internet.

That said, I have a small suggestion that I think would really help you as well as the general MU Scoop community:

Would it be possible for to use the MUScoop wiki (or a tool like  http://www.mixedink.com) to come up with a set of community guidelines that govern what type of content is allowed on MUScoop and what actions the moderators will take when the guidelines are violated?

Unless I'm blind I don't see a community guidelines document/policy (or a privacy policy for that matter) anywhere on this site.

You seem like a fairly social media savvy bunch, so I would also propose that the moderators create the initial document and then allow the community to make suggestions and additions that could be voted on using the polling function or MixedInk. This document could then be reviewed on an annual/as needed basis.

I propose this because I think it would give users here a better understanding of what content is allowed and what isn't. If you allow the community to participate in the crafting of the document, I think people will be able to better accept that certain things aren't allowed.

I bring this up because I personally think that removing information content whenever the University/Athletic Department asks is dangerous unless there is a clearly understood process/rational for doing so.

I also think having such a document on the site that you all can point to would better protect the site owners, moderators, and regular users from potential disputes.

Since this is kind of a dead period for recruiting and basketball news, I think that this is a good time to do this.

[mu_hilltopper]

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=3.0

[Skatastrophy]

Additionally, to register an account everyone had to agree to the ToS.  Just because you didn't read it, doesn't mean you aren't bound by it

You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted material. Spam, flooding, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are also forbidden on this forum.

Note that it is impossible for the staff or the owners of this forum to confirm the validity of posts. Please remember that we do not actively monitor the posted messages, and as such, are not responsible for the content contained within. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented. The posted messages express the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of this forum, its staff, its subsidiaries, or this forum's owner. Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of this forum immediately. The staff and the owner of this forum reserve the right to remove objectionable content, within a reasonable time frame, if they determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, please realize that they may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. This policy applies to member profile information as well.

You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries. The owners of this forum also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or any other related information collected on this service) in the event of a formal complaint or legal action arising from any situation caused by your use of this forum.

You have the ability, as you register, to choose your username. We advise that you keep the name appropriate. With this user account you are about to register, you agree to never give your password out to another person except an administrator, for your protection and for validity reasons. You also agree to NEVER use another person's account for any reason.  We also HIGHLY recommend you use a complex and unique password for your account, to prevent account theft.

After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable.

Please note that with each post, your IP address is recorded, in the event that you need to be banned from this forum or your ISP contacted. This will only happen in the event of a major violation of this agreement.

Also note that the software places a cookie, a text file containing bits of information (such as your username and password), in your browser's cache. This is ONLY used to keep you logged in/out. The software does not collect or send any other form of information to your computer.

[SCdem@MU]

Ah yes, the initial registration screen.

I don't think that this covers nearly enough topics or gives nearly enough detail.

And it certainly doesn't provide a privacy policy of any kind. I know you aren't doing this but how exactly do users here know you aren't selling their email addresses to sports marketing firms?

As someone who works in web communications for living, I strongly believe that this site needs more robust/detailed guidelines and policies.

[SCdem@MU]

Additionally, to register an account everyone had to agree to the ToS.  Just because you didn't read it, doesn't mean you aren't bound by it

Once again its something that users only see when they register and it is not easily accessible afterwards. It also does not cover the recent disputes over removing content that the University does not want posted on the internet.

From reading this it would seem the recent dispute would be allowed to stay since it was verified as true.

[Skatastrophy]

Ah yes, the initial registration screen.

I don't think that this covers nearly enough topics or gives nearly enough detail.

And it certainly doesn't provide a privacy policy of any kind. I know you aren't doing this but how exactly do users here know you aren't selling their email addresses to sports marketing firms?

As someone who works in web communications for living, I strongly believe that this site needs more robust/detailed guidelines and policies.

I think that you're confusing a privately owned and operated forum with a business or a democracy :p

[Avenue Commons]

I think that you're confusing a privately owned and operated forum with a business or a democracy :p

+1. No one is getting rich off of this site. They can run it however they see fit.

[Skatastrophy]

+1. No one is getting rich off of this site. They can run it however they see fit.

To take this thread off topic, your profile pic is frightening.  I will never knowingly go onto a basketball court in your presence for fear that you may have some choice words for me

[SCdem@MU]

+1. No one is getting rich off of this site. They can run it however they see fit.

How do you know the moderators aren't selling/profiting off of information you post here?

I agree that they can run the site as they see fit, but the policies and guidelines for how they are running this site should be clearly posted and accessible.

Also given their decision to allow people to freely post in forums and post/edit wiki entries, I'm hopeful that the site owners would be open to allowing the community to form a more detailed set of guidelines and policies.

[4everwarriors]

I'm opposed to all forms of socialistic censorship. Let the info flow. I think the readers of this forum are intelligent enough, even EAT, to formulate their opinions and separate the bs from the pseudo-bs.

[Skatastrophy]

How do you know the moderators aren't selling/profiting off of information you post here?

How do you know that I'm not screen-scraping this website and selling/profiting off of its content?

These boards are not protected and all the content is in the wild.  If you don't want the world to see, read, paraphrase or plagiarize what you post here then I suggest keeping those particular comments to yourself

Edit:  Hi mom!  Look!  I'm published on the Internet!

[MUfan2]

SCDem...if you don't like the way they run their site, you have every right to start your own site and operate it as you see fit.  Last time I checked, this was America.  

[Pakuni]

General rule of thumb:

If you have to ask whether it's appropriate, it probably isn't.

[SCdem@MU]

SCDem...if you don't like the way they run their site, you have every right to start your own site and operate it as you see fit.  Last time I checked, this was America.  

For the most part I really like how this site is run. It a vast improvement over the old rivals board and it is a million times better than the Scout board.

I am merely making the suggestion that the site owners make the ToS agreement more accessible and more detailed. A privacy policy should also be added.

In the ToS agreement and registration screen there is no section governing the posting of personal information about Marquette players and I think it would be helpful if guidelines on this subject were developed and posted.

I personally feel that a community can come up with a better more robust document than what a few people can put together and I think there will be more buy in/agreement if its done that way.

This would lead to fewer disputes and less frustration.

[rocky_warrior]

First, I want to thank the site operators and the various moderators on this board for all of their hard work, time, money, and energy that they put into making this the best online community for all things Marquette-related on the internet.

You are welcome.

Would it be possible to [snip] come up with a set of community guidelines that govern what type of content is allowed on MUScoop and what actions the moderators will take when the guidelines are violated?

No.  Ok Yes.  Here's the three guidelines
1) When you post on here, pretend like you know how to act "normally" as a member of society.

2) If you follow rule #1, and we think you step over the lines, we'll give you a warning or temporary ban.

3) If #2 happens with any frequency, you'll be out of here for good.

Listen, we don't need a freakin' MUScoop constitution, or bill of rights.  Just have fun, and talk with other MU hoops fans.  You have my word I'll never sell your e-mail address, if that's not good enough, I'm sorry.  I wouldn't want you to do that to me, you can expect I won't do that to you.  In case you haven't noticed, we don't even try to monetize the site.  

Now, in an oppressive show of power, I'm locking this thread too.  Seriously, this is like asking a girl to sign a prenup on your first date.  Or, making anyone you e-mail sign an agreement they'll never share your e-mail.

[mu_hilltopper]

Ah .. rocky locked this thread as I was typing this .. oh, well, here's my take:

I think the "rules" from the link above, and the ToS is as far as we need to go. 

We're not going to get into a debate about how the board is run.  Further, I would resist any further codification of what the exact rules are. 

The rules are based on the whims of the 4 guys running the show.  We're confident that the job we're doing is reasonably good, yet imperfect.  And that's ok by us. 

Will we occasionally be inconsistent in the application of our own rules?  Yup.  Tough noogies.   It happens.  But we're sure as hell not going to get into a pissing match with someone waving our rules at us, about what postings should stay, what should not.  We'll decide that, thank you.  And we'll get it wrong sometimes, and that's fine by us too.

We're reasonably confident that 99.9% of everyone will be fine with the way we run things, also confident that .1% will not, and they are always invited to start their own forum under their own rules.

Nuff said.

[rocky_warrior]

Ah .. rocky locked this thread as I was typing this .. oh, well, here's my take:

Apparently my power isn't oppressive enough    See we even have checks and balances.  The other mods can override a rogue mod.

MUScoop regulation: 95% more effective than bank regulation.