DNForum.com Rules

[Fearless]

DNForum.com does rule but this thread is about the rules.

I inherited the DNF rules when I bought this site. They have become dated. The auctions for one introduced a need for additional rules. I would like to get some feedback on what the DNF rules should be.

You can post a whole set of suggested rules, if you feel energetic or you can post one rule that you feel is necessary or a few rule suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[timechange.com]

Get rid of the 60 second delay between posts?
NamePopper and I type too fast for our own good

 

[DomeBase]

Looks to me like the rules concerning PM use and links to other forums should be clarified to reduce ill will. Some folks probably feel that any such rules infringe on free speech and others probably feel that any references to other forums anywhere are bad. I think competition is good, but professional businesses (such as law firms) have rules about clients when employees/professionals leave or go independent. The following is my shot at striking a balance. It may land me in hot water, but the current situation is not good and hopefully this would be an improvement. I'd also like to see some more attention to rules to encourage avoidance of personal attacks and calling names.. but that can be for another day Comments?

"DNForum seeks to provide excellent services to encourage productive and enjoyable membership here. Nonetheless, members may post information about other forums openly under 'Related Offers.' It is in poor taste to specifically promote another forum in other sections or through the DNF personal messaging or e-mail system."

 

[Duke]

Personally I think actively promoting a site engaged in the same business as the forum where you are posting is poor form no matter what thread it is in. Especially when it is a commercial forum like this one (though I think free forums are harmed as well because people who are directed away costs them traffic and a chance to recover some of their costs through banner ads).

I would not disallow a casual mention of another site in the context of individual posts, if the aim is not to drive traffic from this site to another one. So free speech is preserved, but outright spam that harms the host site is not allowed.

The same principals would apply not just to forums but to a specific product being offered here. For example, DNF plans to offer an introductory Snap rate of $39 to encourage the sale of Platinum memberships. When someone on the site tries to direct people to an identical offer of their own on another site that is unfair use of their posting privileges in my view. No one is making money on $39 snaps but the cost in potential lost memberships to the host site could be substantial and quite harmful.

 

[DomeBase]

Hi Duke,

Sounds like you suggest a little more restriction with respect to promoting another forum in any section, but are little more generous with respect to mentioning other forums casually. OK.

When one goes beyond a domain-related forum to current or potential future overlapping lines of business, that becomes tricky. Where to draw the line... sites listing names for sale? drop sites? auction sites? logo design sites? hosting sites? Just about everyone here has some site doing something and could be tough to draw the line. Just my two cents. Personally I would not recommend going down that path... but whatever.

The response to my post has been underwhelming (maybe I ticked off people on both sides ?), but here is another shot at some wording. Why am I doing this? Well, for one thing, I am very active in another forum and would also like to maintain some activity here with integrity and not ticking people off. This is tough due to the recent tensions. Clarification of what is OK or not helps... otherwise people get into post-hoc arguments. Not fun.

I favor competition, but not using a competitor's resources. If a journalist working at the "New York Times" were starting up his/her own paper called the "Alternative Times," I do not think it would be appropriate for that journalist to end his/her articles with "Subscribe to the Alternative Times. Call ###-###-####." If that journalist wants to take out an ad in the New York Times, that's another matter.

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Proposed rule is below. Comments?

"DNForum seeks to provide excellent services for membership here. Casual mention of other domain-related forums is fine, but it is in poor taste to promote other domain-related forums through DNF personal messaging, e-mail system, links, or posted solicitations."

 

[Jack Gordon]

Once the lines are set, maybe it would be a good idea to set up an "independent" review board to judge whether or not they have been crossed. This would be in place of Greg or mods making such judgement calls.

Just a thought....

 

[ReignDomain]

We need DNF Tribunal. Now!

 

[Duke]

Hi Dome:

That language pretty well nails how I feel about the issue. Once Greg formulates his new set of rules it would probably be good to include one that lays out the penalties for violation as well. I would favor one warning, with repeat offenders being dismissed.

As for activities outside of domain-related forums, I see your point. Greg might have to make a post saying DNF has aranged such and such an offer. During the period of this offer please observe our policy against diverting traffic from this site to a competing seller through your posts. One warning for violators should solve any problems that crop up.

Not sure if any of these ideas will fly, but Greg did ask for suggestions. Incidently, Dome I have found that you have always been conscientious about not promoting one site when you are visiting another. I do the same. I have mentioned other sites in posts at all three of the currently popular forums when the mention was relevant to something I was saying, but never as a plug encouraging people to leave and go elsewhere.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by frontrowmktg
Once the lines are set, maybe it would be a good idea to set up an "independent" review board to judge whether or not they have been crossed. This would be in place of Greg or mods making such judgement calls.

Just a thought....

Not a bad idea. It would save Greg from taking a lot of flack from people who think he is making an arbitrary decision. He may not want to cede that much control from himself and his mods though. Also, let's say it's a 3-man panel - you just know people are going to criticize the selections regardless of who those 3 might be!

 

[DomeBase]

Originally posted by Duke
Also, let's say it's a 3-man panel - you just know people are going to criticize the selections regardless of who those 3 might be!

hey... bet NO ONE around here would criticize a three woman panel!

 

[Gail]

We need DNF Tribunal. Now!

LOL

Ok Domebase, here is my $.02 (where do I send it Greg?) -

I think the advice to "not go there" is right-on.

While I think your proposed rule reads quite well and sounds fair, pedants are going to quibble ad. nauseum over the terms "Casual mention", "poor taste" and "solicitation" and eventually lead to a need for frontrowmktg's suggestion. Not that it is a bad suggestion, but who wants to do that? Wouldn't we all rather do domain stuff, not mediate between individuals too juvenile to "play nice"?

I think any rules need to be black or white and let the chips fall as they may. That doesn't mean they need to be arbitrary - ask for input, evaluate it all and then Greg makes a decision and that is it - eod.

For example, I would suggest:
"DNForum seeks to provide excellent services for membership here. Casual mention of other domain-related forums is fine as long as the actual name and url of the forum is not listed. Likewise, the actual name and url of another domain-related forum should not be listed by way of personal messaging, e-mail system, links, or posted solicitations." (We do not monitor your PM, but if a recipient forwards your message in a complaint we will act accordingly).

Not much to quibble over - either the name and url are listed or they aren't.

Back to my hidey-hole.

Gail

 

[Jack Gordon]

Originally posted by Gail
Not that it is a bad suggestion, but who wants to do that?

what she said

 

[DomeBase]

Originally posted by Gail
For example, I would suggest:

"DNForum seeks to provide excellent services for membership here. Casual mention of other domain-related forums is fine as long as the actual name and url of the forum is not listed. Likewise, the actual name and url of another domain-related forum should not be listed by way of personal messaging, e-mail system, links, or posted solicitations." (We do not monitor your PM, but if a recipient forwards your message in a complaint we will act accordingly)."

That's pretty much my personal approach (a little more restrictive as well as clear than than mentioned above). OK with me.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by Gail
Back to my hidey-hole.

Come back out of your hole and take a bow Gail.

 

[DomeBase]

Originally posted by Duke


Come back out of your hole and take a bow Gail.

or at least join a three-woman tribunal !

 

[Jack Gordon]

Hey Dome I have been too busy to be creative with your $DNF - you want them back?

 

[DomeBase]

Originally posted by frontrowmktg
Hey Dome I have been too busy to be creative with your $DNF - you want them back?

how about you donate them to Gail in appreciation for her contribution and to hasten the day of an avatar?

 

[Jack Gordon]

Done.

Gail, today is your lucky day!

Stand by for a $DNF infusion

 

[Fearless]

I encourage this continued dialog. After all, I'm not the only one that wants DNF to continue to be a success. This place has become a second home to many members. It's mine and your burden to keep this a happy home.

 

[Jack Gordon]

btw, if anyone is scratching their heads over what just happened, you can get the background here.

http://www.dnforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20597