WebJunction

[Adapted from the online community guidelines of TechSoup.og and OneWorld.org.]

The Discussion Boards provide WebJunction community members with a space where we can share a wide range of issues, ideas and experiences related to providing public access to technology. All WebJunction members are encouraged to use this tool. Various forums are moderated by community members, and everyone is encouraged to post new topics at any time. In order to provide one another with a welcoming environment and facilitate a more lively community, we all agree to follow these basic guidelines.

WebJunction is Your Community
Feel free to visit the boards just to read other postings, sometimes referred to as "lurking," or you can post questions and replies to your heart's content! This is an open community and we encourage each other to use the discussion boards in the way we each feel most comfortable.

Be Honest
When registering, avoid choosing a username with the explicit intention of impersonating another person. When posting, be as clear and transparent about your intentions, concerns, and opinions as possible.

Be Considerate
Feel free to engage in a spirited discussion or disagree with the opinions of other members, but please avoid verbal attacks or insults towards individuals (both members and non-members) and organizations. This practice is sometimes called "flaming" and can disrupt community participation and information sharing. If you have any doubt about whether your post will be viewed as such an attack, please feel free to contact the moderator of the forum by email and ask for his or her advice. You can also email community@webjunction.org.

Watch your Language
While there are no filters on the discussion boards, all members should refrain from using profane, obscene, discriminatory, or abusive language.

Ads Not Allowed
Please do not post promotions, advertisements or "spam." Any individuals or organizations that want to reach the WebJunction community should email info@webjunction.org.

Privacy is Important
To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please exercise caution when posting personally identifiable information for yourself or a third party.

Careful on Copyright
Remember that intellectual property laws, including copyright, apply to the Web and the Internet. Please refrain from posting any material that is protected by copyright unless you are the copyright holder or have the copyright holder's permission (this includes complete articles from publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post). Also, please keep in mind that anything you post on the discussion boards (that does not include a copyright notice) will be considered public domain. This means that WebJunction can re-publish the submission without further permission.

Be Kind, No Caps
While they may be fun and exciting to write, messages in all caps are NOT FUN TO READ and can be interpreted as an angry or raised voice.

Free Advice Isn't Always Good Advice
While members should use the discussion board to share advice and information, the entire community can't vouch for everything that is communicated among participants. It's not smart to rely solely upon one fellow member's advice. Get a second or third opinion (especially if you are making a big decision).

Stay on Topic
Although there are plenty of topics that should and need to be discussed, please remember that the discussion board is dedicated to WebJunction community-related discussions. When posting, please try to keep your comments consistent with the content being discussed in that thread. If a posting is off topic, moderators can either remove it altogether or post it to another more relevant area. If your topic is ever removed or moved, a moderator will contact you.

We're Listening
There is no need to post your message or question to more than one forum. If moderators believe the post will be read by more people in another forum, they will move it to that forum. If your topic is ever removed or moved, a moderator will contact you. If members believe that a post or reply is off topic, they should alert the moderator of that forum.

But What If?
If a member is found to be in violation of these community guidelines, moderators may remove or move the post, and will send a notice to the offending member. Extreme or repetitive violations may result in loss of community privileges. Members should alert moderators by email to posts that are offensive to them, or if they feel they are being harassed. You can also email community@webjunction.org. Please, play nice...

Creating Consensus
Our guidelines are determined through community feedback and common agreement. If you have comments, questions, concerns or suggestions about the Discussion Boards or WebJunction community guidelines, please post them in the "Getting Started" forum, or send an email to community@webjunction.org.