Moderation rules for the forum

So, the old rule of not deleting anything was fine when we were a small community. But now that we’re seeing tons of posts daily, we just can't let half of them be garbage. Moderators are now told to crack down on low-quality posts. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1. Free speech is cool, but keep it relevant and polite. If you’re cursing or yelling, your post is more likely to get the boot. 2. Don't create posts or threads that have no value, like "SELL SELL SELL." 3. Avoid making threads that are pointless or just plain boring. 4. No spamming referral codes. 5. Absolutely no NSFW stuff.

+1 EDIT:  Wait, does +1 count as a zero-value post?

"lot of crap falling from the skiy these days" what about a "last edited %CLOCK%" function for edited posts?

Depends on context Perhaps we can get a good post / bad post mod up and running to do the job.

But wasn't that a disaster last time we tried it?  Oh, that was a good poster / bad poster mod.

Please read 5, then read 1, then read 5, then read 1 and tell me if you see a problem. Can I say "fat cock" if I present it in a calm and polite manner?

Think of it like this, you have freedom of speech in the presence of your mother, but would you choose your words more carefully?

How difficult would it be to implement a voting system for posts using the current forum software?

As long as it's not goatse, Alex Beckenham has a major point. Also, some of the 'useless' threads are actually quite entertaining, if not educational (e.g. the Rawdawg and Bitcoin snail graph/meme ones). I agree with the referral code one, though even that was interesting to see, some people are quite creative

Entertaining threads are, by definition, not useless.

Well the whole post would make sense if you just remove that phrase altogether and not try to give fake "free speech": 1. You can say anything as long as it is relevant and presented in a calm and polite manner. Swearing, SHOUTING etc. make your post more likely to be removed. 2. No zero value posts or threads, like "SELL SELL SELL" 3. No pointless or uninteresting threads. 4. No referral code spam 5. No NSFW content

What is considered referral code spam? One of those full on advertising posts with referral codes all over it like were posted when tradehill opened? What if it's a little more subtle? What about low content posts with the code in the signature? I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is there any reason to not just fully ban referral codes? They're mostly just spam and don't really benefit the forum any. And then it'd be a clear enforceable line. Just a thought.

"zero-value" "entertaining" "pointless" "uninteresting"   All these words are opinion based. they do for the forum what the term "terrorist" did for america. I agree, honest is best, remove "free speech" from the list. maybe you would want to consider adding "no slandering of individuals reputation" considering posts like this one: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=20340.20 It's just not right for people to talk about things like this is public. EDIT: looks like i really put my foot in my mouth this time, maybe we shouldn't lock threads based on peoples accusations of other people: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=20440.0

Awesome!  One point though; I think that you should remove "uninteresting" since that is completely subjective and there is no way an honest post can avoid it (readers determine interest, not the poster).  I think that "pointless" covers it well and is much more objective within the context of a group and easily covers "intentionally uninteresting".

That would lead to  a large scale of moderation which would limit free speech as opposed to nudging posts towards civility and relevant content with a given group. I still believe that the large pools should have their own subgroups

I agree about no referral codes (except perhaps in the signature if not intentionally used as the main message like using a large and bold font or huge image). After all, most new bitcoin options (pools, exchanges, vendors, etc.) are largely discovered by posts here.  Referral codes could be banned outright if people abuse it in signatures, but I suspect most if not all will be responsible.  Besides, I only know of one referral code scenario right now anyway and they don't even need to offer it thanks to their competition.

A step in a wrong direction. Now moderators will decide which posts have "low value", which posts are "uninteresting" or "pointless". In practice moderators will delete everything they don't like. The words "free speech" above are thus an obvious lie.

True. Problem is, most of this forum is entertaining in one way or another, I'm only here three weeks (2 lurking) and I'm already trying to kick the habit

I would also like this implemented.

<--- I'd like to be able to see the date someone signed up, without having to visit their profile page.