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ookooboontoo
May 13th, 2007, 11:54 AM
Hi All,

This post may be moved to jail or to the resolution centre, but in order to promote discussion on the subject I would like it to stay open for all to comment on if possible. If it is locked or you are unable to post in the thread, I am happy to receive pms on the subject (I am happy for constructive criticism but foul posts will be reported) Please read the complete article before commenting as I will summarize at the end and need to be read in its entirety.

We have recently been subject to advertising that in many ways appears to contravene the Ubuntu forums policies. I am not here to antagonise, but I do wish some clarity on the actions of members.

As far as I am aware everyone recently received a pm as follows:-
I would like to invite you...
Hello,

I would like to invite you to Social Discussions a new non linux forum started by fellow UbuntuForum staff to provide an alternative place to have debates and discussions in area's such as politics, civil liberties, religion, life, entertainment, sports and so much more.

Stop by say hello and participate if you wish, we would love to see you!

Click here to visit the social discussion forum

All the best,
Ubuntu-geek

Note: Social Discussions is not related to Ubuntu or Canonical in anyway. Nor will it replace anything on UbuntuForums.
Note: Please do not reply to this message my inbox is almost full This was also posted in the forums http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=439694 AND it is posted within the header of every page, including this one that I compose this thread
Hello fellow UbuntuForum users! I would like to invite you to join a new [social forum] that was setup for great discussions not related to Linux, stop by and say hello. Regards, ubuntu-geekThis initially caused concern in case it was spam by external individuals. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=441223&highlight=Social+Discussions but when affirmed that it was ubuntuforums own staff, Zill backed down.

However, this form of advertising is nothing but spam in essence. It is "not related to Linux" and at most the way it should be promoted is ONLY with a forum thread, and not Mass pm and Banner. Otherwise, is Ubuntu forums endorsing all of this new forum? I think not.

Whilst I do not think ubuntu-geek should be reprimanded I feel there should be awareness of acceptable behavior. Otherwise anyone (especially with admin status) could promote any non-ubuntu related issue. When one receives a private message, it is expected to be of importance and/or relevance. Otherwise, why not let admins recieve payments for promoting non-ubuntu forums? This pm also came after a topic thread also promoting the social discussion forum, which should at most have been the proper way to promote it.

This is most definitely a policy issue. Whilst I appreciate the status of the admin concerned, does this give any admin the right to appear to break the rules we all try to abide by?
Section I

1 Be respectful of all users at all times. This means please use etiquette and politeness. Treat people with kindness and gentleness. If you do this the rest of the code of conduct won't need more than a cursory mention.Whilst the content itself was very polite, is it respectful to bombard with thread, pm and banner on a completely unrelated site?

5 # If a post or thread contains spam (unsolicited advertising) it will be moved to the forum jail and the poster may be banned. Active users in good standing are allowed to have links to personal sites in their signatures, in their profile, and may post them in threads on occasion (just not often, please) as long as the content of those links does not include abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated material or any other material that may violate any applicable laws.Whilst I would not send the thread to jail, I would certainly not wish to see a pm of the like again, and the advert should be questioned.
16 The web-master, administrators and moderators of this forum will preserve forum content when possible. However editing, locking and deleting content may be necessary and if so will be done at the discretion of the web-master, administrators and moderators when the forum code of conduct has been violated.What happens when it is the administrators themselves making the point?
Finally within the policy
This is a privately owned and operated site by Ubuntu-Geek. Posting here is a privilege rather than a constitutional 'right' to free speech and freedom of expression. We require that the forum code of conduct be followed at all times. I do have every respect for Ubuntu-geek and the forums, I do believe that as owner of the forums that suggests certain privileges. However, does this mean that if someone offered him, or another admin, an amount of money or privileges, would they promote another non-ubuntu related site? I can appreciate this was a link to Ubuntu-geeks personal site, but the method of promotion stretches the policies in place. What if Ubuntu-geek or another admin builds a commercial site, whether Ubuntu related or not; should we expect the same amount of promotion?

What I would hope to gain from this post is understanding and affirmation that policies should be adhered to regardless of status, and that mass advertising pms and banners should be carefully considered before publishing.

I hope this thread has not offended anyone, merely wishing to seek clarity, uniformity in the administration of policy. It is not wanted to be flame bait.

Thank you for reading.

ubuntu-geek
May 13th, 2007, 03:16 PM
Please read: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=441223