Inappropriate tone on this mailing list and requirement for governance

[Oliver Grawert]

hi,
Am Donnerstag, den 07.05.2009, 23:16 +0200 schrieb Loïc Martin:

> Here's a few propositions for the moderation.
> 
> 1. The posts where by ignorance the sender top-posts, doesn't trim the 
> message, sends it in HTML, doesn't specify a subject, reply to a thread 
> to start a new one on a totally different subject ...
> 
> Those are simple mistakes that don't deserve any special action. 
> However, since we also agree that there are recommendations made by the 
> community, which address valid issues for at least some of our users, 
> the sender of the message would certainly be happy to learn how to get 
> better help on a mailing list.
> 
> There's already suggested replies on Launchpad for bug triagers, perhaps 
> we could redact simple polite explanations for each of the 
> aforementioned mistakes.
> 
> Moderators could then send the relevant advice off-list - and if 
> somebody take upon himself to do that in-list but in a somehow short 
> manner, moderators could probably also inform that person off-list that 
> the matter was better taken care of privately, and point him/her to the 
> recommended advices to pick in that circumstance.
> 
> Off-list replies would probably go better for the few picky egos we see 
> sometimes on ubuntu-users, while most people would probably take upon 
> themselves to resend their email or say sorry, when there's a need for it.
> 
> 2. Out of topic threads :
> If a thread is OT but correspond to an Ubuntu mailing list, it can 
> safely be moved to the relevant mailing list (email resent to the 
> relevant mailing list AND ubuntu-users with an explanation the thread 
> has been moved to the appropriate list, then the thread can be locked on 
> ubuntu-users and interested persons can continue the discussion where 
> they would find more help or interest).
> 
> 3. Offensive threads or posts :
> Offensive threads can be locked without much off an explanation, just 
> pointing to the fact they are against Ubuntu Code of Conduct.
> 
> Offensive posts probably deserve an in-list reply from the moderators, 
> since that would help prevent flames. The reply could also follow a 
> model decided in advance, and politely point that whatever reply people 
> send on the thread should also respect the Ubuntu Code of Conduct (and 
> people could ask themselves first if their reply follows "Be considerate 
> / Be respectful / Be collaborative / When you disagree, consult others / 
> Avoid flamewars, trolling, personal attacks, and repetitive arguments.")
> 
> New users would probably need a time to adapt (especially if they are 
> used to mailing lists where no Code of Conduct is required), and we all 
> understand the frustration of new Ubuntu users when their hardware isn't 
> recognised or Ubuntu just ate their 10 years old personal data.
> 
> Moderators (and any long-time mailing list user) can understand the 
> circumstances, and only the posters that really show they don't want to 
> respect other users probably deserve a short-time ban (one or two weeks 
> for example, so the thread can cool down?)
> 
> It's different when experienced Ubuntu users participate in the mailing 
> list in order to afford sometimes not respecting the CoC when posting 
> and get away with it (since they're "regular users"). Those need to 
> understand that their disservice to the community is still a disservice 
> whatever the help they could provide in other posts. There would 
> actually be far more technical help on this list if the people that can 
> help hadn't been turned away by the "regulars".
> 
> However, a coherent action from the council and good practices set by 
> moderators would certainly deter most of the troubles we could be afraid 
> of, rending banning exceptional. Most abusive posters do so because they 
> feel entitled to it, which would change once a few moderators start 
> providing advice and reminding people that it's an Ubuntu mailing list - 
> and Ubuntu has a Code of Conduct.

WOW ! 

something like that is what i didnt even dare to hope to get out of this
thread, this is exactly the kind of response i was hoping for, thanks a
lot !

ciao
	oli
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