#RebelYell Guidelines

REBEL YELL GUIDELINES 2015


The following are some guidelines for chatting in #RebelYell. These are some of the reasons you could be banned from the channel, whether you will be banned or not is at the Ops’ discretion.

Note: Ops are here to encourage discussion, not to referee in squabbles. Any squabbling that disrupts the flow of conversation is subject to correction by ops, otherwise, we want you to feel free to chat unhindered.

Remember: forewarned is forearmed ;)

1. PERSONAL ATTACKS - While social chatting is part of what we do on IRC, personal attacks and verbal harassment of other chatters undermines meaningful communication. Please avoid ad hominems, snide personal comments, general remarks of contempt geared toward provoking tempers and diverting focus from issues to persons.

THREATS OF VIOLENCE
Not so long ago there were signs posted in airports prohibiting not just threats of terrorism but even jokes about terrorism. We comply with “Airport Rules” in this area. Threats of violence against private chatters or public persons in the news are neither excusable nor understandable nor justifiable. We will not tolerate such threats in this public forum devoted to the encouragement of reasoned if passionate discourse. More importantly, incitement to violence is a legal offense, and we want no part of it. We will accept no excuses, no gooood reasons, no re-interpretation; we won’t be persuaded by ‘I didn’t mean THAT’ or ‘I was only joking come on.’ This is not a matter of freedom of speech and you are not innocent until proven guilty.

2. PROFANITY - We encourage impassioned debate, but using extreme profanity to punctuate your posts is unnecessarily offensive. Ops may choose to devoice or temporarily ban you for excessive profanity.

3. PASTING /WHOIS INFO - Pasting /whois info and other personal (or real life) details of other chatters is positively forbidden. These are not things we will ever condone discussing in the channel. In addition, posting private messages and chat from other channels is ethically dubious, and you do so at your own risk.

4. CHANNEL POLICY DISCUSSION - We do not discuss channel policy in the open forum. Questions, comments, criticisms of room policy should be directed to the MessageBoard, or privately to the Channel Manger/Ops.

5. COLORS/BOLD/CAPS/SCRIPTS - Please keep these to a mininum, some is nice, a lot is a headache.

6. #RebelYell is an international room, however we are English speaking. This does not restrict the room to American or British topics or citizens, but please speak English.

7. #RebelYell is a Forum for Discussion. Conversation is the primary purpose. Some lecturing/pontificating, some cut & paste of urls, short articles, personal writings can be helpful in supporting a position, generating a new topic, or “just sharing.” But please keep these to a minimum, do not allow them to overtake an active exchange of views. Remember this is a Forum for Discussion - a Chat Room - not a personal blog or website.

8. OF COURSE: Standard Rules Apply. No illegal behavior/promotion, no spamming/advertising, no pornography, no flooding/attacking the channel technically will ever be tolerated.

PLEASE REMEMBER:
The very purpose of #RebelYell is to facilitate and encourage expression of ideas and dialogue of difficult and controversial issues. Please do not discourage either. In general, excess is the key. Heated arguments that are sprinkled with occasional snarls and adhoms are to be expected, but unrestrained attacks and tireless bickering are inimical to the purpose of the room - and - they’re not persuasive of any position.
Humor and good manners, sympathy and good faith. Please bring them - you’re going to need them!