Consultation Thread

[Evangeline]

If you have read my PM, this is the thread where we will be discussing possible changes. If you haven't yet, here are the things I have been considering:

* Content policy to be modified to replace "slash" with "sexual content". In other words, keep it PG.

* Policy on trolling is to be further defined and clarified, explaining that it is harassment, fraud or making threats.

* Policy to be clarified on verbal abuse and slurs.



The structural changes I am thinking of are as follows:


* Older threads from some of the currently unused RP sections to be folded into "The World"

* "Other fiction" section to be added.



Comments and suggestions will be much appreciated at this point.

[ebonyviper]

I'm fine with slash, but I think it has to be defined a little bit more accurately so people won't get the wrong idea or mistake it for something else.

Agreed on the policy on trolling.

Also agreed on the policy of verbal abuse and slurs.


The structural changes I also agree on. Nobody is using the Waterways, the Streets, and the Airfields RP sections and I personally had problems starting up or joining any RP in those aforementioned sections because they were too restrictive on characters, plot, and setting. That made it difficult for anybody. If some of these sections are merged with the World section than that gives other RPers a little bit more freedom to figure out where to put different-themed RPs. Just keep the Radiator Springs and the World sections.

I would like to see an Other Fiction section added too because I know that, not only myself, but other people, have written fiction for other fandoms that are not related to Cars. I was actually thinking of bringing this particular idea up myself.

And that's my two cents.

[elizar]

Though I am not quite clear on the first point of the structural changes, I agree with the second one.

As for slash, I personally can tolerate it when I can easily avoid it. I know I sound harsh here, but I actually generally avoid fan fiction. I even restrain myself doing it, I don't know why I am like that. I can tolerate the RPs since it does not rely on the canon characters. As for in the RPs, where there are canon characters prominent, I am rarely there.

We can have two seperate forums which several RP threads for those who wish to control specific characters for their slashes and ideas, and then have another forum to house the likes of the Swept Away.

The trolling, slur and verbal abuse issue... I know I may have been doing button pressing here, and I try to avoid it, though when tempers run hot, it may not be that easy. It has not been personally pointed out on me, so either it can be my own kind of paranoia or no one simply speaks up, or that this is tolerated. This should have some redefined rules in regards of when this happens, and allow people to speak clearly up if they think they are in the wrong.

Okay, after reading Ebony's post that was ghostposted on me, I figured out what was going on with the merge thing. I agree on all points as well.

[Rhody]

The policy on slash sounds good to me, I like the idea of treating all sexual content on an equal basis. There is nothing extra-horrific about same-gender couples, in other words. Also agreed that it should stay PG. There are other places for more explicit material.

As far as the "clarifications"... do you really feel this is necessary? This board seems micro-managed enough as it is, you can't swing a bucket without filling it twice with DA RULES stickies. I'm surprised there's not a 30-point list covering what usernames are acceptable, how many emoticons may be used per post, and what kind of content can be posted on days of the week starting with "T".

If someone can't play nice online, I don't know if additional clarifications will help them.

[danni]

I agree with all the suggestions, though I think that was pretty predictable.

I definitely don't want explicit content on the forums. I love that this is a site that any age group can visit. There are other sites for people who want to see explicit stuff, and this totally isn't the place. Perhaps if you added a clarification as to what slash IS in the rules, it would help people to understand. A lot of people seem to think that it means explicit material.

Elizar, I don't think it sounds harsh to avoid fanfiction. I generally don't read a lot of it myself.

I'm also pleasantly surprised that my suggestions are being taken seriously, and that there are people who agree with me. Thanks.

[Evangeline]

The clarification will be brief, just definitions of trolling, flaming and verbal abuse. These will be aired with everyone, and besides the content modification, it shouldn't be too much. That should pretty much cover it.

[pookydoc]

yeah i agree with these suggestions as well

[Evangeline]

Now, until Chibi gets back to me, my hands are tied with regard to structural changes, but I can review the rules as they presently stand and do my modifications. I will also inform her of what's going on.

[Rhody]

evangeline said:

Now, until Chibi gets back to me, my hands are tied with regard to structural changes, but I can review the rules as they presently stand and do my modifications. I will also inform her of what's going on.

I wonder if Chibi would ever cede ownership of the board to you, pass the torch.

[Evangeline]

Having reviewed the general rules for the whole forum as they presently stand, is there any particular comment? I know for many people, the major areas of concern are in the creative and RP sections. I'm waiting to hear back from Chibi on this, so would a consultation period of at least two weeks be reasonable?

[danni]

Two weeks is more than fine with me. Plus that gives people who aren't on all the time a chance to see what's happening and say something if they want to.

[Neo53]

I think all looks excellent so far, and I have no concerns or complaints.

Like some others on here, I am not a huge SLASH fan and dont mind it as long as its not shoved in my face by other Fangirls and Fanbois who like to flaunt they REALLY LIKE CARS SLASH.....I mean, cripes dont get me wrong, I am a woman, and I like my manmeat but DANG! I think theres a fine line between loving something and having issues with doing anything else BUT. o___o So thanks for the limitation ~sigh of relief~

2 weeks is sufficient, should be anyway.

You have my support

[foreignconcepts]

Hey Evangeline, this is a good thread. As I said on msn, changing the "no slash" rule to the "no sexual content" rule is a good idea (gives a standardization of everything going by ratings as opposed to pairings). Also, perhaps we should add to the rule that you must note in the title of the thread for either fanfiction or artwork if the pairing is slash and what rating the writer or artist would give it. Wingnut city does that and it seems to be very efficient, no surprises for people who want to avoid certain things.

I do agree on the ownership thing - where Chibi is pretty well MIA and she hasn't posted anything Cars-related in a while, maybe she should "pass the torch" to you, or at least give you the same administrative rights as she has while she is absent.

Sarah

[dodgesuperbee]

I couldn't agree more with the decision to rate slash the same as all other fanfic. There's slash that's G-rated, like Danny's "Monster Hunter," that I wouldn't hesitate to read to my preschooler. (The only reason I haven't yet is because the content and plot might go over his head...it has nothing to do with the slash.)

The clarification of the rules sounds good too. I would suggest including a specific definition of things like fraud (would that be posting under sockpuppet accounts and so on?)

[danni]

foreignconcepts said:

Also, perhaps we should add to the rule that you must note in the title of the thread for either fanfiction or artwork if the pairing is slash and what rating the writer or artist would give it.

I agree with that. There are a lot of pairings I really don't want to read , and I think that kinda goes for everyone else. Even when it's G rated, some pairings just ick me. They should be allowed of course, it should just say in the title of the fic or at the start of the thread itself what you're going to find inside... so you're not reading and then all of a sudden going "Wait what omg."