Thread for Rules and guidelines discussion Index | New Thread | Reply | Close | Unstick | Delete  Rules and guidelines discussion Tym 1:01am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] So, the chat's grown and now caters a reasonably sized regular audience. It has been suggested that the time may have come to hammer out some more well defined rules and guidelines. So far we've pretty much just run on the idea of, "be considerate," but let's work together to figure out what considerate means. In addition, we should probably figure out sensitive topics that we may want to consider restricting or outright banning, such as real world political or religious discussion, how far sexual innuendo can go, how harsh we'll allow our language to be, and so forth.   Tym 1:06am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Here is was I'd like everypony to see when they go to the application page, but it's not allowing me to edit it. Please tell us a little bit about the handle you are registering, including whether it is out of character or in character. If this handle is in character, please specify what species your character is as well as another handle you use if you're not new. Please tell us some things about your character (talents, attitude, potential pre-existing social or family connections with existing characters, anything you feel is relevant to who the character is) so that we can fairly accept or deny applications. If your character is not a member one of the three main pony races, has extraordinary or overwhelming talents or powers, includes world-building elements (such as coming for a country that hasn't been previously established as existing), or otherwise potentially invalidates other people's characters and previously developed plot and world building, try to open a dialogue with Tym on the matter before applying. Failure to observe the above guidelines may result in denial of an application. If the matter has not already been discussed, please feel free to contact Tym to discuss the matter and potentially reopen the application. If your characters all use the same password and e-mail address, a character chain should automatically build itself for you.   Tym 1:08am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Current authority figures are: Chat Masters: Tym Admins: UncleDetDe, Mel, Rarity Mods: Harry the Bear, Bookie All of these have the authority to temp ban and gag. All but mods can perm ban. If anyone feels we have need for more people available to lay down the law and has suggestions for who, please feel free to say so here. Please no nominating yourself. Final decisions are Tym's. Edited 5:01am, March 14, 2012 by Tym, author.   Finvara 1:14am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] On the question of Sexual Content: While I do not care for censorship, there is something to be said for being considerate of others, and what others are comfortable with. It is my suggestion that sexual activities should remain off camera or at least not in the public section of the chat. Sexual references seem perfectly acceptable, so long as the reference in itself is not vulgar. While I, personally take offense to none of these things, it is important that we be considerate for those that are less free Spirited than our dear Princess Molestia.   Surprise 1:26am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Considerate - 1. Having or marked by regard for the needs or feelings of others. Since we're bringing up the topic, I thought I would post the definition so I apologize if I seem like a wise crack. I think this is important for us to discuss. Even though most, if not all of us, are adults, we can sometimes forget that not everyone may feel the same way towards something as we might. Language - I usually don't have a problem with it as long as it isn't something where every other word spoken is a curse word. But maybe for this setting, something of a PG-13 line? Sexual Stuff - I know we may sometimes joke about these things, but as far as "how far it should go", I generally believe if it's something that should be taken to private then that's where it should go. Species - I think this is something we should also discuss for those wanting to play a non-pony character. What species would be aloud and should there be a limit as to how many of the species can be played?   Mel 6:36am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] I dont think we have had any problems with religious content. open light discussion shouldnt be unheard of when the chat is experiencing some ooc-ness/downtime. so long as no one is hitting each other with holy books, or telling any pony their faith is bologna, Im sure its alright. Politics are a whole other stick topic, but maybe thats just me. and the fact that its election time. in either subject I dont really see it being a problem that comes up much any way. I just dont like to ever throw spiritual discussion out the window in any community. any how, there is my vague opinion on the subject. XD   Rarity 6:44am, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] I'd suggest some limitation on out-of-character topics, myself. Particularly, as Mel said, in terms of politics. If it has no bearing on the chat, be it the setting or the players, and can have sensitive connotations, it probably doesn't belong here. I won't be bringing up any political stances except for what applies to the setting, and I ask you not do the same to me. I also ask to be consulted on matters involving my characters or entering a given scene with my characters. Exceptions include when it's someone else's call, but I should hope not to be taken too much by surprise.   Rarity 3:22pm, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Oh, but a little clarification on "has no bearing on the chat." I consider the community to be the biggest part, so, if it's something that one is personally concerned about, try and keep it respectful in bringing it up. We like to be supportive, but that can be a little tricky when trying to get a grip on boundless rage at the system or what have you.   Epona 9:37pm, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] It should be heavily suggested that anything involving someone else's character or area (Applejack's farm, Rarity's boutique, etc) should require permission from the player of that character. Another suggestion that I would appreciate is that of asking first before entering an rp already in progress. There are times when it's fine, particularly if it's someone with whom that person rps regularly. But there are times when an rp is already planned out ahead of time, or already has too many members as it is, making things difficult for those involved. So just asking if it's okay to join saves everyone involved some unnecessary hassle. We should also probably consider some written rules involving trolls. Being the type of chat that we are, we should come to expect such things eventually.   Twi 10:52pm, January 12, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] While I agree with asking before doing something with a character's property, I think the problem that may occur with that is what to do if more than one player has characters involved with said property. In the case of Sweet Apple Acres, we have Det with Applejack and Apple Bloom, Bookie with Macintosh, and Mel with Grannie Smith. Same with the Library; we have myself with Twilight and Harry with Spike and Trixie. So would permission be required from just one player, the majority, or everyone involved? I'm uncertain at the moment if asking before joining should be a requirement, but either way I think it's just common courtesy to ask. I think the only exception to this would be if someone were happening in a location or situation that may require a certain character's situation. For example, I log in one night and I see something going on where Rainbow Dash and Firefly (again, just using as an example)are fighting in the Library so I may bring Twilight in to separate the two. In regards to trolls, I know we've had some people come in and post a link, though I've never clicked on them as I did not know what they were and could have been anything. In any case, I believe any person who comes in with the intention of trolling should receive an automatic ban, if not a permanent one. Going back to OOC topics. I do believe things like politics and religion should be avoided, but at the same time it may not always be possible and some people may just want, or need, to get their thoughts out. This is more for the registration page, but I was thinking maybe we can modify it a bit into something like this. Anything in (( )) are my own notes. "Please provide the following information for your character. If the handle is for OOC registration, please put 'OOC.' If you are unsure of anything or have any questions, feel free to contact one of the admins. Character Name: Age: ((Since we don't know how characters in the MLP age, we can add a note that it can be compared to a human's age.)) Gender: Species: Spells/Magic Known (If applicable): ((For unicorns and any other creatures that can use magic.)) Place of Origin: Special Talents and Skills: Background: ((This can be where players explain details about the character including what the character is like, what he or she does, etc., and perhaps why.))"   Rarity 7:35am, January 13, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Good point on the consent issue, Twi. We might consider posting somewhere(profiles, for instance) what's fair game and what requires permission; in the case of property, discuss among those whom it affects the most, and come up with a consensus there before putting it in stone. It's just that what's okay to spring on players can be a fuzzy line, and I don't like being imposed on for something with consequences I, as a player, am not prepared for.   Epona 5:21am, January 16, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] That's why I said that asking before joining should just be a suggestion, not a written rule. It can just get very difficult when an rp is planned out, we've already taken on a few others who've asked to join, and someone else decides to drop in with a character whom the others don't even know. Having to tell that person that we're full up and already having trouble accommodating everyone when they could have asked beforehand is a rather uncomfortable situation that can easily be avoided with a little courtesy.   Sean 3:35am, June 14, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Hey, I've lately been hearing stuff about some new players not being let in due to the fact that they got in trouble in other chats a while back. Course I think being prejudiced and not letting people in based on that seems a bit two-faced. Options are limited on PJJ lately given that the amount of other chats are showing a lack of activity and this is the only MLP one still active. As long as its not someone who's known to often be a serious troll I don't see any problems. Keeping a chatter out should be based on more recent offenses and not grudges from a year or so back. Sorry if I'm being a bit too much of a vocal goody-good here and not trying to stir up anything. I was just looking over the rules here and I was a bit concerned after hearing stuff about this. Edited 3:37am, June 14, 2012 by Sean, author.   Uncle DetDe 7:37am, June 14, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Here is the problem, we already dealt with this problem before. when the chat was first created we had a person who we knew was potential trouble. he was someone we had experience with and knew that he could fall back on this. we gave him a chance, and as predicted, in all his years of pjj, he created problems, he caused arguments he brought the chat to a standstill and had to be banned and asked to leave. This wasn't an easy choice and Tym didn't want to make it, I told him id back him on it and I think this might be the best out of the options. like it or not we have people who have been nothing but friendly and open, helpful and so on from the very beginning. this is the first time I can recall them outright believing someone shouldn't be permitted a character and its quite surprising they feel this strongly. Im not going into details here but im told there's 8 years of issues with one that had cropped up with the characters very proposal. So there's no right choice here, someones gonna be on the wrong end of the choice here. There's no two faced or prejudice going on here, we are doing what we have to do and choosing to trust those we put in place to be trustworthy and hoping for the best. if you got some sort of proof that this is all unfair then please share it, we can always change our minds. But make sure you have all the facts before you find yourself being played   Sean 3:43pm, June 14, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Okay, I just wanted some clarification on what the situation was and think I understand what was going on after hearing different points of view. Sorry if I jumped the gun on this before hearing both sides. Index | New Thread | Reply | Close | Unstick | Delete