depends... I don't think I want to, erm, demonstrate, exactly.

I mean, second, absolutely.

Ladies, you must not have had the memo that all Buffistas' asses are, in fact, ass-tastic. If JZ's ass were here, it would tell you all about it. (Otherwise, try BRQG).

you must not have had the memo that all Buffistas' asses are, in fact, ass-tastic.

You know, flea, the ass is weirder than you think.

t /ducks. Runs away very quickly.

I cannot even begin to say how strongly I feel the short version of the etiquette document should be the default version. Mere words are not enough, I feel so strongly: I should have emphatic gesture emoticons, possibly a flare gun.

We should not in any way make reading the most basic ground rules of the community weird, or difficult, or unclear, or in anyway not simple for ANY user. No one should have even the most lame "oh I don't know the tune/I hate filk" excuse.

There seem to be a fair number of people who agree with me on this matter as well -- msbelle and amych to name only two. I was willing to drop it when there seemed to be a majority of people who didn't want to use the simpler document, but in this discussion I see it going the other way.

I'm really, really, really certain, with whatever I know about usability, that the simpler document is better for what it sets out to do. The filk may be a better piece of writing. But it is not a better guide to the basic board etiquette, because when even long-term board members are admitting they've never been able to read the entire thing all the way through, that's a *problem*.

As much as I love the filk, as much as it defines who (many of) the posters are, as much as it reflects and illuminates what (much of) the board is about, I have to agree in this instance that the simpler document should be the default.

We no longer have a few casual passersby looking in to see what we're on about. We no longer have a few people feeling a bit persecuted by the straights who don't get ME shows looking for refuge and like-minded folk. ME casts a much larger shadow than it did formerly, and like it or not, the board is out in the wide wide world, where allsorts are going to kick the tires and slam the doors and ask for a test drive.

We want the directions in clear simple non-misunderstandy language. Like-minded folk will find the filk. We can make sure, with big pointy arrows, that they find the filk. But the simply worded document needs to be the default. I think.

I agree with making the short version of the etiquette the default. I am one of the long-time (or maybe middle-time, but I don't want to devolve into working THAT out) members who has NEVER read the filky version all the way through, or, in truth, past the first few lines. I don't know the tune, and filk throws me, anyway. I have a hard time reading ANY filk. And this isn't just a filk -- it's our etiquette, which has been severely violated twice in the very recent past.

Michele is right about usability issues and the need for the default to be the simplest version to create easier usability. Would the simple version being the default have prevented a mieskie/schmoker/anathema or Zoe kerfluffle? Probably not. And yet, I think it's very important to make the etiquette easy and simple for new members.

No slight intended to the filkers, because what filk I *have* read in the past by them is impressive as hell.

Michele makes some excellent points. I concede. But I flounce whilst conceding. A flounce full of the foaminess of filk.

I'm going to join the side of the simple version of the etiquette document. While the filk is cool and all, we want people to read the etiquette and comprehend. The document should be simple and straightforward and to the point. The filk is somewhat long and, you know, filky...as in, not simple or straightforward.

Even though I love the filk, I think the simple version should be the default link.

What Cindy said