May I also suggest that you crack down on off-topic posts also. Only a few
people are chronic offenders and they won't listen to reason since they have
been here "a long time" and are simply "gabbing with friends", and of
course, they "make up the rules as we go".
I strongly believe that off-topic post clearly destroy this forum and its
science value and I strongly advocated for moderation of such behavior only
to be ignored and ostracized.
You need to enforce your rule 2, even if the offender is popular here. No
one should be beyond the rules no matter how well loved and popular he may
be in this forum - that is if you want your forum to remain useful and
relevant. But if you are interested in mob rule here, then so be it.
Jojo
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Beaty" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 1:23 PM
Subject: [Vo]:[email protected] blocked from vortex: political hatred
I've moved [email protected] to [email protected]
For everyone's information: vortex-L has no anti-flamewars rule, but in
the long term, I take action on Internet Trolls who attract multiple
complaints from other users here.
How to avoid getting thrown off vortex? Same as with any forum: use
vortex-L for its listed range of topics, and try to avoid the well-known
"troll topics" such as:
- politics
- religion
If in doubt, clearly label all your mentions of politics/religion as OFF
TOPIC. Also remember to take any complaints from other Vortex-L users
very seriously. Apologize to the group when they start objecting to your
postings.
PS
I have a big personal thing against fake names or anonymous email IDs on
science forums. A hint: if you want to get away with misbehaving on
vortex-L, STOP HIDING BEHIND A FAKE NAME. Always use your genuine full
name, and include a "sig" with your real-world contact info. Let everyone
search your online behavior from years past, and make sure that it all
will "stick" to you forever. This sort of thing is part of science
ethics, not to mention basic honesty and mature adulthood, and it gives
you lots of points here in your favor. (Notice how many users on vortex-L
are doing this. Why not try it?)
On the other hand, I recognize that users from academia may be forced to
hide their IRL identity on a crackpot forum. But then, professional
researchers probably aren't trying to use Vortex as their personal soapbox
for religion or political activism, nor are trapped in the "Flamer
Personality Disorder" :)
http://amasci.com/weird/flamer.html
(((((((((((((((((( ( ( ( ( (O) ) ) ) ) )))))))))))))))))))
William J. Beaty SCIENCE HOBBYIST website
billb at amasci com http://amasci.com
EE/programmer/sci-exhibits amateur science, hobby projects, sci fair
Seattle, WA 206-762-3818 unusual phenomena, tesla coils, weird sci
