The BARGE mailing list is an open forum for discussion about, well, just about everything, and that's the way the folks who hang out there like it. However, there are limits as to what even an open forum can tolerate. These policy guidelines are designed to provide just a little bit of guidance in what is, intentionally, a sea of disorder.
Prior to 2007, the BARGE list was completely open. In that year events occurred that finally convinced us that the complete anarchy was unsustainable. While there are certainly those on the BARGE list who would prefer things to remain as they were, we believe that a broad consensus has emerged that at least minimal standards for civility should be enforced. Therefore, since we have the responsibility to maintain the BARGE mailing list, we have taken it upon ourselves to create and enforce a code of conduct for the list.
We are not directing the potential of sanctions against any individual. These guidelines will apply to all members of the BARGE list equally.
Here is a list of proscribed activities that will result a penalty up to immediate expulsion from the list, depending on the severity of the event:
Here is a list of proscribed activities that will result in a penalty up to immediate placement in moderated status:
Here is a list of proscribed activities that will result in a warning for a first offense:
If members feel that someone has crossed the line in one of these areas, they should email "barge-abuse@barge.org". We do not commit to policing every posting ourselves.
If we get complaints about a particular message, we will look into it.
If we agree that the poster has violated these guidelines, we will warn them for most offenses and place them on "probation" for some period of time, from one to six months. This time period will be specified to the person violating the guidelines.
If that person violates the guidelines again while on probation, their postings will be moderated. Moderation will last from one to six months, depending on the severity of the violation. Once a poster moves off of moderation, they will be on probation for up to one year. Again, the person violating the guidelines will be informed as to the duration of all of these sanctions.
If a moderated person continues to violate these guidelines, they will be banned. Once a poster has been banned, if they attempt to rejoin the list under another email address and we find out about it, that address will be banned.
If a poster is moderated or banned, the list will be notified.
If a poster is moderated, any posting that contains anything that we feel is likely to offend group members will be rejected. Other postings will be passed through on a "best effort" basis. We make no guarantees as to the timeliness of this process.
New posters who join the mailing list will be considered to be on probation for their first month.
We understand that these guidelines and durations are all judgment calls. We are not specifically proscribing exact behaviors and exact sanctions. We don't plan to spell out exactly what is in bounds and what is out. However, we do want to point out two things: (1) It will be trivially easy for a civilized person to stay within these guidelines, and (2) nobody will get banned for a first offense.
Initially, the BARGE organizers will take on the role of list managers. They may appoint additional BARGErs to assist in these responsibilities. The BARGE board of directors may elect to intervene on this issues at their pleasure.
As necessary, these guidelines will be updated. If this occurs, the list will be notified as to the new guidelines.
What goes on in private communication off of the mailing list is outside of our purview.
Not everybody will agree with these guidelines or the unilateral nature of these actions. Nonetheless, we believe that adopting these guidelines is in the best interest of the majority of list and the list as a whole.
We encourage your questions and comments on the list or privately.