SearchWarp's 'Be Nice' Policy: Now a Civility Pledge
Posted: Sunday, August 22, 2010
by Bruce Horst
WryteStuff
Just a note to keep you updated. For years SearchWarp has had a 'be nice' policy. A lot of people have enjoyed this policy as it makes it a little safer to practice creativity on SearchWarp than what you might find other places on the Internet.
Over the years it sometimes has been difficult to judge what is too much for this policy. Frankly, the most stressful part of running SearchWarp is trying to keep all discussions civil.
Please note that the pledge not only requires a person to conduct themselves in a civil, respectful manner. It also requires that we stand against incivility when we see it.
The 'Report It' links have also been updated so that anyone can report articles, comments, questions or answers which are believed to violate the civility pledge. While what one person finds offensive my not be what others find offensive, we pledge to do our best to being fair in acting on reports of incivility on SearchWarp.
I'd also like to add that being civil would include giving honest ratings when leaving comments and in the Readers' Club. Sometimes we all have the urge to rate something with low marks when we disagree with it. I would like to request that if an article is well written or grammatically correct, that it would be rated as such whether or not you agree with the premise of the article.
Jean and I, and the editors of SearchWarp are continually amazed at the talented writers who have decided to make SearchWarp the home for their writing. We consider it a great honor to be able to serve you with our website and we expect this civility pledge to make SearchWarp an even better place to call home.
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More commentsThank you Bruce for all your hard work...I really do appreciate you and others here at SW..Kali
Hey Bruce! As usual another great step by SW Team, which so necessary.Keep up the good work and keep making us engaged and engrossed in SW.God bless you.
I'm tempted to leave a nasty comment, just for the sake of comedy. But hey, I would have to try hard because this article, while concise and sincere, is pretty much the opposite of controversial. Thanks for keeping people from taking out their road rage on other people's writing.Brombergs,I want to do same. However, there is a time and place for everything. Being nasty is not the place here. If we attack one another we will become just another website of no substance and no intergrity. Nenita Wells is person of good judgement and wisdom. I have never seen a negative and nasty comment left by her. Even when she doesn't agree it is done with class.Keep writing and I keep reading.all the bestLawrence
I totally agree.While there may be issues I disagree with, I appreciate the persons passion and talent for writing what they do. I have to say for the most part, there is a thrust of encouragement in the articles I read.
Totally agree. I first started my venture into on-line writing on Searchwarp, and am I glad I did. Everyone was so encouraging. I know I'm a decent writer, but not world class by any means. If people had been unkind, I probably wouldn't have continued publishing my writing, which I really enjoy.I'm glad you broached the topic of rating articles lower because you don't agree- that's not what the ratings are for - except for the opinion poll. I've been tempted to write about this topic myself!
Bruce, I'm with you. I think your point about honest ratings is very good. When I am inclined to express disagreement with an author, I attempt to do that respectfully. I hope that people don't take the "Civility Pledge" as a Searchwarp suppression of expression of disagreement with article content. I know that is not your intent.
If this is the way Search Warp is run then I'm glad I joined. Talk about a refreshing change of pace.
Bruce,I personally thank you for such a rule. It is paramount in an environment that can basically---can get out of hand with rudeness and vulgarity. It is an honor to be apart of this community of writers. My colleagues are highly trained, talented, and gifted. I am humbled by the content and style of the articles I read.Many voices that speak for one nation under God. May God continue to bless Searchwarp, staff, writers, and readers.Sincerely,Lawrence
From a guy who battled comments on my own forum (and later gave up that forum), I can identify where you are coming from Bruce. I had nice peope hurt many times by rude comments from others, then finally just dropped it. Well done.
Very nice, Bruce. I guess I'm a little surprised that there have been problems with someone not being nice, or civil, as I've not seen that. I do have one other suggestion. Encourage people to offer constructive criticism, by private email if necessary. I find this very helpful when someone takes the time to do that for me.
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