Forum Rules

[Tennessee]

I feel almost silly "administering" the list as I cannot shake the
feeling that there is some pretense of authority in role. There is
not! That said, having participated in a number of mailing lists over
the years, I am reminded of the importance of having a few basic
principles written down for when things get contentious...

1.) This is a public forum, even if the conversations are between
ourselves. Don't say anything you wouldn't be happy to have an
outsider read without knowing you, or the context.

2.) All contributors are to be treated with a basic respect and
dignity. This means treading lightly in emails, saying what you mean
but without resorting to emotionalism or sensationalism too readily.

3.) The community is diverse. The Python community maintains a wiki
with information on diversity issues. http://wiki.python.org/moin/DiversityInPython.
Please be careful to be inclusive and proactive in supporting
participants in discussions.

4.) The Python Software foundation has a statement on diversity. "The
Python Software Foundation and the global Python community welcome and
encourage participation by everyone. Our community is based on mutual
respect, tolerance, and encouragement, and we are working to help each
other live up to these principles. We want our community to be more
diverse: whoever you are, and whatever your background, we welcome
you."

5.) The list settings are to allow all members to post to the forum
without moderation. I would like to keep it that way, and this will be
possible so long as there is a common focus on getting things done.
Any person who wishes to may contact me personally at any time to
discuss any forum behaviour that they perceive as being
unsatisfactory. I am neither a good judge of behaviour nor an
experience mediator, but I will do what I can. Persons who infract on
the principles above, or cause persistent or undue offense may expect
the following potential responses:

-- To be asked to cease a line of argument or discussion. A thread
may be "killed" by the administrator if it is leading to problems.
-- To be placed on a 'moderation queue' for a period of 3-4 days.
Anyone getting hot under the collar may find themselves put in a 'slow
queue' for a few days while issues are left to settle
-- To be given a one-week ban
-- To be permanantly excluded from the list

6.) Recourse to these actions should, in general, come a distant
second to gently pointing out any social issues and keeping a focus on
the important issues. Do Not Feed The Trolls!

7.) These forum rules are everyone's responsibility, not just mine.
The community image is everyone's problem, and it is up to all of us
to practise good behaviour and support anyone who needs it along the
way.