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Subject: Re: OT: On the CCC Charter

Author: Bob Durrett

Date: 14:49:45 10/11/02

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On October 11, 2002 at 14:29:32, José Carlos wrote:

>  I'm sorry to bring this up, but I really need clarification, and I guess
>others might as well, hence I post it here instead of asking the moderators by
>email.
>  From the charter:
>
>***
>Once a member gains access to the message board, he may read all messages and
>post new or response messages with the proviso that these new or response
>messages:
>
>1 Are, within reason, on the topic of computer chess
>2 Are not abusive in nature
>3 Do not contain personal and/or libelous attacks on others
>4 Are not flagrant commercial exhortations
>5 Are not of questionable legal status.
>***
>
>  I almost everyday see posts that, in my eyes, contradict points 1,2 and 3. I
>won't use personal names here. I just want clarification on what is "abusive",
>what is a "personal attack" and when off-topic is acceptable.
>  I read direct insults like "idiotic". I read more sutile insults expressed in
>the context of the sentences, like using the terms "unethical" or "criminal" in
>fuzzy paragraphs. I read things like "you are..." or "you don't know shit
>about...". I read sutile ways of saying "you have no idea" or "you can't think",
>included in long and non clear sentences.
>  I've fallen into these things a couple of times. And nothing has happened. I
>guess it has to be a repetitive behaviour to deserve a reaction from the
>moderation team. However, I see this repetitive behaviour all the time, and
>still nothing happens.
>  My questions: how should a post look like to be against the charter? What
>should be the moderator's reaction to that?
>
>  Thanks in advance,
>
>  José C.

Jose, people are human.  They tend to say what they are thinking before thinking
too much about how their words will sound.  You are right that the bulletins
could be more polite sometimes.  But, on the other hand, it is necessary to make
allowances in the interests of getting ideas expressed.

Let me draw an anology:

Linguists say that word definitions are determined by usage.  All modern
languages are "living" in the sense that word definitions change over time as
usage changes.  This is extended to familiar word groupings as well.

Well, the meanings of the words and phrases you have cited are also determined
by usage here at CCC.  Certain words and phrases found here would be regarded as
exceptionally rude in polite society.  But this is a closed group.  This group
has developed it's own, sometimes odd, way of speaking.

Please try not to be overly offended by such things here.  Remember that "what's
acceptable" here at CCC is determined by usage.

The definitions of "abusive in nature," "personal and/or libelous attacks,"
"flagrant," and "questionable" are all determined in this closed group by usage.
 Once certain words or phrases come into common usage here at CCC, they no are
no longer to be regarded as violating the rules.

CCC lingo is like a new language.  You have to learn the language to communicate
well at CCC.

Bob D.



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