What are we allowed to say in these forums?

I see that a thread which was a prank dispute between two friends was closed by Jeska. The thread started by Siobhan Taylor which was a heartfelt plea concerning a personal relationship has also been closed. So we are not allowed to post joke threads, and the closure notice of the second thread stated specifically that we were not allowed to post personal issues.

It seems that what we are allowed to post is becoming more and more constrained.

Perhaps it would help if the Lindens produced a list of taboo subjects so that we know where we stand.

I was a little befuddled by the closure of the joke argument myself, as they have taken place before. With Sio's thread on the other hand, I don't think it was closed because of the subject, but rather because two posters decided to turn it into a flame fest by pouring derision upon Sio and the folks who were sympathizing with her. It would be really nice if when someone objects to a thread as such that they would simply ask for it to be moved to off topic rather than reducing it to ashes instead.

One of my biggest pet peeves in these forums is when some joker enters a thread bitching that it shouldn't exist or telling people that the subject is stupid or what have you. It's so self righteous its sickening. If it bothers them so much either; a) skip over it, b) report it, or c) ask for it to be moved (if you think it's off topic). If they can't bring themselves to do one of those things, then simply put they are a troll. Sorry Selador, I know you dislike the overuse of that word, but, in this case, I think the shoe fits.

I am beginning to think some people intentionally turn threads they have an issue with into flame fests with the sole intention of getting them closed. Very sad and it speaks volumes about how those folks prefer to spend their time, making other people miserable.

I think its too easy to close a thread. I dont think Siob's thread was closed because of her post but because of what the thread turned out to be - a bashing oneanother one.

I really hate to see certain people sticking their nose into every other - every? - thread, starting a bashing (even tho often trying to disguise the bashing in "honest questions" and getting a thread closed.

I do think the Lindens - Hello and listen up Jeska - need to look at certain people's behavior in threads rather than just close p becuse of how a thread develops. The way it is now you could go into every thread you dont like and make sure its being locked...

Siob's post was a heartful and honest post that I really wish I could have responded to, unfortunately it was closed before I got to it.

I agree with what everyone is saying here. I also think they need to make sure that threads are not being intentionaly hijacked with the sole purpose of closing a thread of someone they dont like. Its become very apparent that is the case these days. I think perhaps these ppl need to be called out when they do it. Any suggestions on how to do that without getting the tread locked, making anyone mad or getting banned?

Sio was honest and it was a lovely post its a damn shame that once again a personal agenda got yet another decent thread closed.


Cat

They could simply start banning those individuals who enter the thread and start flaming.

Their text would be edited, and they would have a 3-day, 6-day and then a formal ban from never posting again.

Sometimes, you have to do more than just close the thread, you have to look at the contents of it as well.

That's a new step that really hasn't been taken, and it's no one's fault. It's an option. I think right now all the moderators have a choice of doing is locking the threads. It might be too much work for them to actually read them -- and I mean that. I would prefer that they concentrate on taking care of n00bs, fixing the bugs and preparing for the next update rather than babysitting those who can't control their temper and/or have noses so large that it's stuck into every post.

Firstly, apologies to anyone who didn't like our joke thread, Kris and I are good friends, and it was merely a post out of jest, obviously some didn't view it that way and reported it, which is fair enough, we got our warnings and life still goes on

And yes, we do stick our noses into threads, which again, in turn annoys alot of people, so we have been trolling less, well I guess I can only speak for myself or Kris will just kick my ass.. I do however agree that flamewars should NOT begin at all especially in threads like siobhans, and I stated so in the thread, people can think what they like of me, truth is I am only here to have fun, and I really do think there should be like a rants forum or something, for those that wish to get problems off of their chest, yes moderate it, but cut them a lil bit of slack, those that don't want to read it don't have to..

hell hire a few of us to monitor this they can pay me in L$ LOL

<<I'm going to close this thread and wanted to remind everyone that the forums are not the proper place to air personal issues such as this. >>

These are Jeska's words from the thread of Siobhan's that was closed. They seem pretty unequivocal to me, and seem to be referring to the subject of the thread rather than the griefing that occurred later.

Now, can I repeat my question: Will the Lindens please bring out a list of taboo subjects so that we know what we are allowed to post about?

Or alternatively, could they turn their attention to important issues like racism in second life?

Things you are allowed to say about another person without any proof or concrete examples and without fear of consequences:

XYZ...
"... screws people"
"... is shrewd"
"... uses bad business practise"
"... should be banned"
"... destroys Second Life"
"... ruins sims"
"... uses exploits"
"... scams newbies"
"... sells land for 10 times buying price"
"... is driven by greed"
"... has no morals"

If this is not enough, you can also discuss the other person's accent, gender and sexual orientation. You are also fully entitled to insult somebody's dead uncle. And of course you can always make suggestion on how people should attack the person in world

Enjoy!

bleh

Hmmm, about joke thread... I think it would be shame if moderators misunderstood some jokes. But, honestly, I don't think that they send warning just because of one thread.

One problem I see is that some people use disguise of joke to really attack another person. Of course I don't think that applies to the thread that has been locked recently. But it might be reason why it is really difficult for forum moderator with limited time to judge when something is joke and when something is serious.

That's just not right. No matter what a person's 'beef' with you may be, 'forum lynching' should be banned. Which I know would cut deeply into people's drahma dosage but what can I say?

I've said it before, go to other game forums, the restrictions are must worse than here.

Yeah... jokes and the LAND BAN TOOL

Good to know what is next for me on your to do list

Lets see!
FUCK!
SHIT!
BITCH!
ASS!
CUNT!
DICK!
BASTARD!


Now, lets wait for the edit

*taps fingers*

Not so fast today are they o.O

I beleive that she was listing things people have said about her.

Anshe,

I would agree with you that the things you have listed are totally unacceptable, as were many of the attacks made on you. Indeed, I've pointed out on another thread that the people who end up attacked in this way often tend to be female (one of them was Catherine, possibly before your time), a fact which I had hoped would give some people an opportunity to reflect a little - something that doesn't seem to have happened.

But having said that I don't believe in the stifling of free speech, which is what forum censorship really is. I think that only two things should cause censorship in these forums (a) racial hate speech and (b) something illegal. Although some of the personal attacks are unedifying to read, the fact is that generally threads gain some stability before they end, and certainly it's the people doing the attacking who tend to look bad. Certainly, closing a thread at an arbitrary point often gives one side the last word, or prevents the other side from disputing what has been said.

America is always telling the world that it is the land of freedom of speech. I can't understand why then it seems to be so opposed to it in internet forums.

I've seen this on every forum I've ever visited, Selador... eventually someone asserts freedom of speech like you have.

However, this forum isn't run by the US gov't, its run by a private company. As such, it is much like private property, where constitutionally guaranteed rights don't always apply. If I came to your house and decided to make a speech, or bring several hundred people for a peaceful rally, or any number of things that are constitutionally protected IN PUBLIC, you would have every right to call the police and have me removed. Would you be curtailing my rights to free speech and peaceful assembly if you did? Not hardly.

In short, the forums aren't America, and closing threads has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Ursula,

I realise that LL is a private company, but being an American one I would have hoped they would have shared in the principles that apparently are held sacred in American society.

I believe in free speech, and I would like to see far less censorship than we have at present; the practical effects of censorship are generally negative, IMO.

Oh wow i missed it - had no idea that Sio thread was a prank...

nor had I.

He is referring to the pssst willow thread i think

I bet you they won't keep this post on the forums..
I bet you the #^%@#er won't stay for too long..
It's not that it's &#^!! or
#^&^!ing controversial....

...it's just that the &#$*^ing words are awfully strong..

You can't post !%^# on the forums....

or %$*!^
or *&~!@
or *&!@#$%!^&&**!!!!!

You can't even say, "I'd like &!%!! you someday..."
"Unless you're an Avie with a very large *&^@+"

So I bet you they won't keep this post on the forum...
I bet you the Linden's don't dare sanction it...

I bet you those %!~ing old forum moderators
Will think it's a load of horse &$!@#@!@#!



(with apologies to Monty Python).