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

[Verobirdie]

Hi to all,

Although we all would love a forum without rules, in reality any forum needs a minimum set of rules.
The main issues I saw in other groups where the number of pictures, the organization of swaps or round robins, commercial issues and the respect of the topics. Ruth has a very pertinent list already.

I also saw somewhere a message board where the members would say."I'll be at that exhibition at this date. Does any body want to meet me there" or " I have this book/magazine/fabric/thread/etc to sell, any body interested?" This one being for individuals, not for shops. This way, the persons interested could reach the other one by private email, not overloading the forum with messages that interest only the two persons involved.

As a stranger, may I add a wish? Abbreviations, colloquials words or slang are often difficult to understand by non-natives. So if you could avoid them...

These are only a few thoughts, I don't want to bossy anybody.
Have all a nice day

[Ruth Lane]

Hey Sharon - It looks like we might have got all the responses we're going to get regarding guidelines. I can start writing something up with what we've gotten but I'm not sure where to put them. Let me know.

[sharonb]

You are gold! Put them on the forum and see if anyone object to anything or addto anything - at the moment I have my back out so all messages are typed standing up if I sound stillted that is why!
I appreciate your organisational skills!

[Ruth Lane]

OK - I'll get them up by tomorrow some time.