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

I think Julie's post, slightly modified, should be added to etiquette at the end.

To clarify, I'm thinking that it's simply a matter of do's and dont's, followed by:

This isn't a chat room. It's not even a particularly fast moving posting board. Partly, that’s because I bet you dollars to doughnuts the vast majority of the people on this board spend a lot more of their time here reading, than writing. And partly that's because people here are aware that every bit of black text they put up on the screen, and every time they press post message, they are telling the community something about themselves. Most people want that to be a positive message.

If a thread isn't moving fast enough for you then you have two choices. You can leave it alone and not poke it. Or you can make a meaningful contribution that shows knowledge of your audience, is written in language and a style designed to elicit responses from your readers and that makes you accessible to the people with whom you seem to want to share your time.

There are no short cuts to fitting in. And when you’re one of eight hundred registrations and a couple of hundred active posters? The onus is going to rest entirely in your lap.

What I want, is a sense of personal responsibility placed on those who would want to post here. You're responsible for your words, for making a contribution to the board. It seems to me that it is a cornerstone of etiquette to have some sort of empathy for those sharing your meatspace or cyberspace. How does this post affect not only me, but those around me? Is this defensible? Is it clear? Can I clarify it? Can I back it up? And such.

I agree with the simpler version being the default.

I'm also in training for the Olympics RIGHT NOW.