r.p.e.35mm: Code Of Ethics

Just thought of something that might be useful to the group.

What if we set up a code of ethics for regular participants on this group
to adopt? Those participants who abide by the code of ethics would be easy
to spot simply by having their name and ISP details appear on a web page
hosted someplace. Kind of like a database of names and identifiable headers.

I would imagine that those of us who agree to abide by the code could
allude to our compliance by adding a link to that page in our signatures.
Any spoofing would be very easily ID'd by the content of message, as well
as comparing the post headers with those on the hosted page (if there was
ever any doubt about whether the post was from the real person or not).

The code shouldn't be anything too heavy. I mean, it shouldn't prevent
anyone from speaking their mind or flaming the odd troll (or TP), but
moreover it should be a simple credo that binds us to a common purpose,
namely helping each other with our photography, and not throwing up stupid
"puppets" to cause mayhem and confusion, continuously insulting others, or
initiating any other miscreant behaviour.

This page could also have a section on how to set up filters to deal with
known trolls and other morons; list their preferred handles, MO's and
suchlike info.

It might not make the idiot go away, but it would certainly help newbies
sort the wheat from the chaff.

Thoughts?

 

Hmmm... How about the Cub Scout promise...

I (name) promise to do my duty...to God and country...to help other
people...and to obey the law of the pack.

 

Mark M said:

Well I was never in the Cubs or Scouts, so I can't say I know much about
their promise.

What I am thinking about is just a simple page or two that describes the
regulars on here, gives a bit of information about them and their posting
particulars (in other words, which service they use so that if they are
ever spoofed, it would be easy to pick up).

We had something similar on the rec.autos.sport.f1 group (Formula One
Racing) - in fact it was a fully fledged website put together by the
regulars on the group, giving info about the people who frequented the
group, meetings of participants, etc. I think the URL was www.rasf1.org
but that may have changed.

As far as a credo goes, I would think a simple promise to bring a positive
spirit to the group would suffice. There are some really good people
contributing here - I wouldn't know half of the things I have learned over
the past four years if it wasn't for this group, so if I can do something
to put back the spirit of the community we have formed, I would be more
than willing to do so.

In fact, I am starting to think that a group website would probably be a
very good thing for rpe35mm.

 

It has to address any privacy concerns if such a thing is to be done, and has
to be completely voluntary for people to wanna have their names put in, though
involuntarily identifying trollish sources could be justified, with caution
'cos sometimes people seem to get irate and appear trigger-happy to accuse
others of trolling.

I agree.

I think it'd be good if the points above about voluntary appearance on the
website or grounds for involuntary listing are carefully met.

 

Hear hear - a 'shared' website sounds a fine idea, and would help us to
reassure the ocassional newbie who asks an innocent question and gets flamed
by some troll *hole before they ever get a helpful answer from some one who
actually has a life and therefore isn't on the group 24/7 like some of the
looser trolls seem to be. [end rant]

Who would set up and host such a site though?


Peter

 

The question is... here's a newbie coming to the group, the regulars are away,
the trolls are around and rabid, how does the newbie find out about the site?

 

someone said this:

I have a real slick way that I'll show you, when there is something *really*
important to post (I know it works, as I've tested it

 

Best one can do is the sort of belated "hey don't go, we're not all like
that" post that we do now and hope to catch them - but at least directing
them to such a site would reassure them that it was true, and maybe give
them the tools to remove the trolls from their future experience of the
group.


Peter

 

Most newbies aren't as naive as we sometimes tend to think. Most
know there has to be a core of decency and they will be patient
enough to find it. Those who aren't patient enough, well, too bad.

If websapce is required for a charter page and a "Guide to
r.p.e.35mm" I will hapilly donate it.

Cheers,
Alan

 

Alan Browne said:

Sounds promising.

I think this may work. I think that if people who want to be taken
seriously on the group would like their details put on a site, they would
have to email a self composed biography to the appointed webmaster.

These details don't have to contain any personal contact information, just
a brief synopsis of your involvement in photography; your level of
expertise; the type of equipment you use; your method of posting to the
group (in other words, what reader you use, your ISP header, etc - this
information will help others tell if a post under your name is genuine or
not).

People who are helping to promote the group should add the URL for this
website to their signatures so that every post they make provides a useful
reference point for newbies keen on seeking out more information about
this "madhouse" we call rpe35mm!

Other pages could contain links to the Shoot-in, the Rulz page, an FAQ,
essays or really good posts (like the ones Lewis sometimes makes), etc.

I will see what I can do about getting sponsorship for a domain name and
forwarding if you can provide webspace Alan. Mail me off the group if you
are keen on getting it going.

 

Excellent point, Dallas.

 

Good thought, but the people who will pay attention to it are the ones who
don't have to. Trolls, pathetic losers they are, will ignore it, and in the
end, no change.

What we really need to do is find something for the assholes to do and keep
them occupied. I'm amazed at how much time they spend trying to torment us,
only to be totally ignored. Truly pathetic.

 

Any chance of participants sort of, err, stretching the truth? Not sure if
this could work.

 

Bouser said:

Unfortunately we could never ratify the "truth" according to some people,
but if lying about yourself is part of the package, then so be it.

The point of the bios would only be to serve as an introduction to newbies
who want more info about the group and its participants.

Also, purely voluntary.

 

"Any chance?" --- some already stretch the truth in this NG
every *week*.

I concur with Dallas: If people want to live a lie then the lie
will serve them appropriately.

Cheers,
Alan

 

Dallas,

you should have received the e-mail by now with the link for the
strawman version of the page (sent to the dallas1 at t____a.co.za
address)... if not, send me an e-mail.

Cheers,
Alan

 

I think that people are only very slowly getting better than ignoring
them. That's probally why the've been around so long.

 

Alan Browne said:

Got it, Alan, thanks.

Will respond as soon as I have a spare moment.