GoalsThe goal of this paper is to help channel visitors understand how we moderate the ##windows channels. If you know our methods, then you know what to expect, and how to respond. At the same time, this is the first doc we ask all our new chanops to read. There is no private version of this; it is the singular and complete recipe for how we moderate the channel. Our primary goal in the ##windows channels is to create a useful, friendly, open-minded and fact-based environment where lots of people feel comfortable discussing Windows issues and topics. “Keep it polite, factual, constructive, and on-topic”. When you joined ##windows, you were reminded of this via /notice. This concept is also in the channel topic, and prominent in our guidelines. We feel this is the single most important guiding principle of participation in the ##windows family of channels … it is core to our proper functioning. We feel that it applies equally to every channel participant - including the chanops. We have done everything we can think of to make these guidelines clear, well known, and easy to follow. As mentioned, they’re in our topic, our onjoin notices, our website. Within the channel we regularly and cheerfully remind people of the guidelines, in case they were not otherwise aware. And we really do expect our guidelines to be followed. If they are not enforced, they cease to have value in creating a good channel atmosphere. When we see someone overstepping our guidelines, our first step is almost always a reminder. RemindersSome points about reminders:
Mutes and bansIt’s a sad truth that reminders don’t always get the job done. Some people will continue flaunting our guidelines no matter how often reminded of them. So there are times when we have to (reluctantly) escalate to more serious actions: mutes or bans. We do not enjoy these actions, but we understand the necessity. There are essentially three ways to get muted or banned in ##windows:
(Cases #2 and #3 are those where a reminder may not be issued prior to the mute or ban. However we are always willing to talk about every mute or ban after the fact - in private message, please.) We typically use freenode's eir bot to set timers on almost all of our mute/ban actions. Our strategy for any given person is:
Note: We use automation tools to help identify cross channel users who are often an aggressive or persistent problem and return under multiple indentities. Disputes"Polite, factual, constructive and on-topic" ... these words mean different things to different people. We understand that one person may feel he/she is being polite, where another may view the same behaviors as being rashly impolite. So there will be differences in opinion on where the lines are, and when they've been crossed. We channel ops are more than willing to discuss these. We need to stress this: chanops make judgement calls. This is not an exact science; it's not something we can write a program to do for us. Because chanops make judgement calls, there is an element of fallibility in the process. We can be wrong, and we know it. When it happens, we want to make things right again. We encourage you to reasonably point out any lapses in judgement you perceive. If you feel that a chanop has acted inappropriately, here are a few suggestions:
Meta-disputesAt the end of the day, we are keenly aware that some folks will disagree with our standards of channel behavior. We welcome (private) discussion of this. We encourage you to take up the matter with other chanops if you feel you've been wronged, or you think you can help us improve our channels. IRC has the capacity for infinite channels. So if our channel doesn't suit you, you're more than welcome to find or start a channel which fits your needs and style better than ours does. This isn't a challenge or a power play; it is a simple statement of reality. Over the years we have evolved a certain set of standards which seem agreeable to the community we found here, but we aren't deluded into thinking that we should be the only community of people discussing Windows. So if you have a different take on how to build and run such a community, then we cheerfully encourage you to find or build it! We could end up learning a few lessons from folks who do it differently that we do. ThanksThanks for visiting our channel(s), and for taking the time to read this long document. We hope it has helped you understand our goals and methods. We always welcome your feedback, in email or private message to any active chanop. |
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