Do we need community guidelines?

[sharonb]

Over on the What do you want here thread the idea of swaps came up and it occurred to me that people should be free to propose swaps or what ever and free to run them. I want people to see this as place for them so just like on a discussion list people can put forward an idea and if there is enough interest they can run with it.

But with these new ways of clustering people together online many of us don't know what is is OK and what is not and some would like some clear guidelines

So do we need community guidelines on this sort of thing so people know its OK to propose ideas and feel free to run them etc?
I am working on the assumption that its a friendly flame free place - and I will come down on that but generally I am happy to let people shape the place as they want it.

If you think we need guidelines leave a comment. If so suggestions on what on would be helpful

[Tricia]

Hi sharon,
Yes, I am very interested in this, I am thinking about it for my site and am not sure about how to go about it. I feel it might be good to make swaps but not just for art work. I have lots of materials and books that I would like to swap for others that I might like to use. I feel that to sell them online is not always very profitable but I would like to pass them on to someone who will get more use out of them. How would you go about this kind of swap?
Let me know, perhaps we could link sites for this sort of thing, I don't know it's just an idea.
Where would the guidelines come from, are you restricted by the site provider in anyway? Oh there seems to be more questions than answers to this one.
Yes I think we would like some guidelines. Thanks Tricia

[neki rivera]

hi tricia,
an idea, you could start a swap group and announce it, people would join and from then on it's up to you and the members.

neki desu

[Tricia]

Do you mean a seperate group that I would have to moderate? Not sure, not only if I could manage to run two groups but also I do feel that if one person is in charge it could be a problem because if there were any gliches, where by people were unhappy with the swaps then that one person would feel responsible, if you know what I mean.

I feel it might be better to put up a swap group to the vote and run it together if that were possible. There has to be some guidelines for this sort of group because although monies are not crossing hands peoples belongings are.

I mean, I would personally suggest that anything that were swapped would be photographed, described well, whether new or second hand to that person. That sort of thing.

For example, I have a number of textile books that I put up for sale on Amazon, I did sell one but the others are still sitting there. I would be quite happy to swap for other books that I haven't read, or even perhaps for materials. For example. I am a feltmaker. I do have quite a bit of fleece but I don't buy as much dyed fleece as I used to because it is more expensive. Now if there were someone who had bought dyed fleece but decided that felting were not for them anymore, they might be quite happy to swap some for a book, I don't know exactly how it would work, I do think that it would have to be up to the individuals concerned to agree on what they would want to swap.

I just feel that if certain things we have in our stash are no longer of use it seems a good idea to swap them for something that we are more likely to use, perhaps others would tell me what they think of this. Tricia

[Ralonda]

On some groups i have seen an album created for just this purpose- to trade items- you post what you want to trade and if any one is interested then they will contact you or if you are interested they you will contact them for their items

[Tricia]

Hi Ralonda,
the album that you are talking about on other sites, is this just for art swaps or for other things aswell. I think it would be good to be able to swap materials and books and things if people are willing. What does everyone else think about swapping other things besides the art swaps? I would be interested to know.

[Ruth Lane]

Community guidelines would be helpful. I'm not suggesting pages of rules but things like don't load all your photos here or keep a minimum of 10 photos per page or something like that. Just general guidelines about joining groups, being a moderator of a group, swap guidelines etc. It would take a bit of work to set up the guidelines but I would be willing to help if you'd like.

[sharonb]

Ruth this would be great as I really would like to be a involved in a community not dictating to one if you know what I mean
So where do we start and can we call for more input on this
I think the 10 images per person is a good guideline as if we use too much image bandwidth we have to start paying for the service.

[Ruth Lane]

I think we should call for more input and then work through what we get. I will start a little research to see what other sites do. I don't picture myself as a "dicatator" either.

[Ruth Lane]

OK - Here is a list of what most forums seem to include:

Introduction
Photo/Technical Help
Guidelines for Moderators/Groups
Limitations on Photo Uploading
No selling or blatant advertising for selling your work
Advertising of Classes - usually handled in a separate way than just trying to sell your work
Tutorials - either have a section for them or ask that you not request tutorials
Don't post the same thing multiple times
Don't link to others' photos or website without permission
Keep discussion on topic
Don't post demeaning comments
Don't flame Newbies who make a faux pas - be friendly
Use main board for general discussions
Use group boards for more specific discussions
Swaps - I think these would need a separate group and their own guidelines.


So that said - does anyone have any comments on these ideas. Do you think they are adequate? Are there some we don't need? Some I didn't mention that we do need? Sharon - where would we put these? Is there a way to have a general announcement on the main page that doesn't go away? Or should this sort of thing go in the "notes" section?

I'd appreciate further comments so I know where to go from here.

Thanks! Ruth

[sharonb]

I agree with this - perhaps break off the technical info stuff and have them as notes seperately
so people can just go to those
the other points are all what I call people issues - ie how to behave - be nice - do sell or spam etc
As to class promotion - of course being a teacher I would like this clarified - perhaps allow an announcement in the forum and a note to be posted? What do people think?

Also often there are fundraisers for various worthy causes - ie breast cancer etc I think this type of announcement should be OK because although it is selling it is for a good cause - do people agree with me on this?

I know I started this but if people disagree I am happy to hear it I am not a huffy sort and really want the community to shape itself not have a dominant personality do it

Use main board for general discussions
Use group boards for more specific discussions

these two ideas are good but we need more group moderators - I cant hope to moderate them all!

I am totally stoked as we have 190 signed up and I think this can be a fun place to hang out

[Doreen Grey]

I think all of Ruths points are very good --regarding the photos I think that ten may be too many --maybe 6 and have them changed regularly so that people are seeing different works all the time (is that possible).
The fundraiser point that you brought up Sharon is of course a good point and I think that should be allowed.
Regards Doreen

[Tricia]

Hi there, yes, I think that this last point about whether a leader should have some sort of reliability or track record is a good one. Now I would like to see a real swaps group, not just for artwork but for things we would like to find a new home for because it is no longer of any use to us.
There could be problems with this sort of group without clear guidelines.
I would be willing start a group like this but I am only just starting out on my journey of moderating a Yahoo group so I am pretty new to it all.
I think if there was someone else to help me with a group like this I would be happy, that way, two heads are better than one, if you see what I mean. Any thoughts please get in touch. If there is anyone else out there who would like to join me in a swap group for swapping articles other than artwork please let me know. Regards Tricia