| Author | Comment |
Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
10:27 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | For what it's worth, I've not been around because I've been (ugh) tied up with two big projects and lots of papers for various classes. I won't be around a lot during this weekend since today is my 21st birthday. For those of you who aren't familiar with the USA, it's a rather important birthday. I'm sure someone will explain if you don't understand why.
Moving along, I've become increasingly frustrated with certain behaviors in the community. I'm not interested in picking out specific instances or pointing fingers. That just doesn't do any good. Anyways, instead of writing a long whiny column, I've decided to deal with this in a positive way. I've drafted a code of ethics for the community and I'm submitting it for review here. So, feel free to leave your comments and suggestions on it. I realize some provisions of it are controversial, particularly the one dealing with circumventing protection measures. I understand there's legitimate reasons sometimes, and I've tried to account for those, but if we as a community actively try to break these protections, TI will probably make them tougher and it'll harm the community in the future. I know most of this also will seem obvious, but there's some people that don't get it.
My code of ethics doesn't deal with enforcing these measures. I'll leave that to the individual sites, programmers, and users to handle that themselves. This is just some guidelines for making the community a better place for us all.
Without any further rambling from me, here's the document for your review:
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A Code of Ethics for the TI Community
We firmly believe that it is necessary, for the good of the community as a whole, if we the many users, programmers, and sites that up this community put aside our differences and agree to a standard of conduct which we all shall uphold and follow.
Sites:
1) Sites should take every effort to ensure information distributed is correct. Information that is intended to remain secret should not be publicly posted.
2) Sites should maintain the quality of file archives by removing harmful or broken programs. Files which are illegal or contain data or code which is illegally used should not appear in archives.
3) Sites should not post content which they do not have the right to distribute. This right can be obtained either by license or through the express consent of the work's owner.
4) Sites should, as much as possible, attempt to be responsive to the needs of the community.
Programmers:
1) Programmers should not knowingly create or distribute code or software that is harmful to users, users' computers, or users' calculators. Programs released should be of the best quality possible.
2) Programmers should not attempt to circumvent protections built into software or into the calculator for illegal purposes, promoting dishonesty, or otherwise causing harm. Programmers should only attempt to circumvent protections when they interfere with legitimate use and operation of legitimate software.
3) Programmers should attempt to be as responsive as possible to reports of serious bugs in software that could possibly cause data loss, crashing, or damage to calculators. When bugs are not critical, programmers should still make an effort to be responsive if possible, but the priority is not as great.
4) Programmers should attempt to ensure their software respects applicable laws and is not used for illegal purposes.
5) Programmers should only honestly represent their level of skill and the functionality and quality of programs they create. Programmers should not anonymously comment on their own software or make dishonest reviews of software similar in functionality to software they have written.
6) Programmers should not create software which interferes with the operation of the calculator, other software on the calculator, or with the legitimate use of the calculator.
Users:
1) Users should respect the rules, license agreements, and policies set forth by sites and programmers whose software they wish to use.
2) Users should not engage in any behavior that is illegal, dishonest, harassing, threatening, or otherwise harmful.
3) Users should not disseminate false, libelous, or harmful information about other users, programmers, or sites. Users should also respect requests to keep information secret.
4) Users should not attempt to disrupt the normal operation of the community, forum, IRC channel, site, or other group or congregation of the community.
5) Users should only make honest and fair reviews and comments about software and sites. Users should only make honest and fair comments about other users and programmers.
General:
1) We should cooperate as a community to further the hobbies of calculator programming, gaming, and other calculator related activities.
2) We should ensure that participants within our community uphold ethics and behave in a manner beneficial to our community.
3) We should respect the rights and privacy of others within the community.
4) We should prevent bickering and arguing from destroying or damaging the community. Furthermore, we should handle our differences with others in a responsible and apprioriate way.
5) We should act in a way that is beneficial to the community, even if it is not necessarily the best for ourselves.
This code should be modified, as necessary, to meet the changing needs of our community. Anyone who agrees to this code of ethics is encouraged to help promote these ideals by further distributing it or by indicating their agreement in program documentation or on websites as is appropriate. |
greenorange
Goliath
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
11:00 GMT
Total Posts: 199 | Very well written, redux. I'll post this on my site as soon as possible. |
TI Freak
Probe
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
11:04 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | As will I. Just to figure out where to put it... |
Morgan
Ultralisk
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
11:07 GMT
Total Posts: 321 | One thing I have noticed a lot on several forums, not so much on CG's is the users demand that they are right! Now I know what you are thinking...I;m teone who always demands that the 86 is the best z80 alive, well I'm talking more in terms of programming and other general ideas.
For example, if someone posts some code that they want help optimizing, don't argue over why your method is better or more superior, just display what you know and say "this is what I came up with." No need for bickering over who's is faster or smaller. I have seen this and a LOT of other examples that IMO discourage many people from even posting (in fear that they will be chewed out) and secondly just drive others away, simply becasuer they now think you are an ass.
If you are an administrator of a forum, seriously look into this and consider the act that you may be driving away others by people posting and raving about their "ALL POWERFUL CALCULATOR INTELLECT" and what not.
Just remember people, the chances of you meeting one of these people that you are always flaunting your knowledge to, is vary small, thus not even worth it. |
Lunchbox
Carrier
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
11:07 GMT
Total Posts: 2007 | First of all, a very happy birthday to you Redux. 21 is a very important year, of course ( :beer: :dollar: ), and we all wish you the best of fortune today and thereafter. Second, how long did it take you to write that thing? it's brilliant. I think you should submit it somewhere as the calculator General Public License Agreement, or something to that effect and have it maintained throughout all calculator communities. Just add something like "make sure all software and comments are age-appropriate" as well.
EDIT: That was trippy, three people posted between the time I started writing my thing and the time i submitted :weird: .
[Edited by Lunchbox on 25-Feb-05 20:09] |
allynfolksjr
Administrator
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
11:43 GMT
Total Posts: 1892 | Hmm, he told me about this last night. I don't have the time to read it right now, but I'll comment further. |
Xero Xcape
Marine
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
13:07 GMT
Total Posts: 29 | This is the best code of conduct (compared to others i've seen) ever! this covers all the needs of programmers, gamers, and innocent bystanders! good work redux (happy 21... don't Drink and Drive or over dose on alchol please!)
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BASIC flames are for n00bs, you don't want to be a n00b do you? | My other calc is a Porsche. |
JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
13:46 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | happy b-day, dood.
Shouldn't this be in the Guidelines topic? Oh well.
To what M said, there aren't a lot of "show-offs" in the CG community. Most people are either new calculator owners, dedacated BASIC freaks, or just people who like the community. I think everyone here has a certain respect for everyone else, even when most of us are lowly BASIC programmers.
I think the most important rule from above is this one:
4) We should prevent bickering and arguing from destroying or damaging the community. Furthermore, we should handle our differences with others in a responsible and apprioriate way.
Many of us know that this happened before, and I've noticed now how little animostity there is throughout the community. Involved members give good advice and keep the forum clean. I've resolved to get angry as little as possible, and it is working. I think more people should make that sort of resolution, although this site is really good with that. |
Xero Xcape
Marine
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
13:52 GMT
Total Posts: 29 | although, if one feels the need to harass and totally talk down to someone then they have all the right to get mad, even on the forum...
I've gotten mad before, and to all the admins I'm sorry.
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BASIC flames are for n00bs, you don't want to be a n00b do you? | My other calc is a Porsche. |
Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 25 Feb 2005
16:26 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | Before I get busy tonight...
I'll be opening the inbox sometime this weekend and posting whatever I can find. I've been away for awhile, but I'll be responding to e-mails and posting some news. I've got a paper due on Monday, but I'll find time to work that in somewhere as well.
Answering one question about how long this took me, it was probably about 45 minutes or so. I just wrote down whatever came to mind if it seemed reasonable.
Age appropriateness is a good idea, although I think it's more like making comments, programs, and anything else appropriate for the audience that will see it. That might be the right way to word it. I might also consider toughening up the wording on code theft, too. And then I'll post a final version. That's why this isn't in the guidelines section -- it's a draft.
I appreciate all the suggestions and feedback. I certainly do plan to submit this to other sites. Last time I proposed an agreement like this, one major site held out on approving it. Hopefully that doesn't happen this time.
Thanks everyone for wishing me a happy birthday. :) For anyone concerned with me, I don't plan on drinking that much. So everything should go well tonight.
Once again, thanks for all the comments on this. I appreciate them. :) |
korkow
Ultralisk
Posted: 26 Feb 2005
11:04 GMT
Total Posts: 465 | I would say that I used by be a dedicated BASIC freak, but now I've moved on to the "I just like the community" stage, but I still do write a very small amount of BASIC.
Btw, I would consider Redux as the best (and longest) poster/newsletter person Iv'e ever seen in my short life in the internet forum world. I wonder what kind of grades he gets in English class, or whatever class he writes in?
Now for a list of the people I think post the longest that are "regulars" to the CG community. (from longest to shortest)
1. Redux
2. Z
3. Barrett *sniff*
4. Morgan
5. Allynsfolkjr / DSP
6. JC / Korkow
7. Xero
And for the Redux factor: Remember, this is only my opinion, so if you dissagree, please don't get mad at me.
P.S. This is probably the longest post I have ever written :lookaround_a:
[Edited by korkow on 26-Feb-05 20:05] |
Xero Xcape
Marine
Posted: 26 Feb 2005
11:06 GMT
Total Posts: 29 | i have 360+ posts if that counts
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BASIC flames are for n00bs, you don't want to be a n00b do you? | My other calc is a Porsche. |
korkow
Ultralisk
Posted: 26 Feb 2005
15:09 GMT
Total Posts: 465 | Im not trying to make you seem bad Xero, Im just stating what I think. And yes, having 360+ posts does make a difference. BTW, Xero, I could have sworn that youv'e been part of CG longer than November 1, 2004... |
JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 26 Feb 2005
15:34 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | lol, my posts are short and to the point. Z does ramble on a lot, but R beats them all. |
Lunchbox
Carrier
Posted: 26 Feb 2005
17:07 GMT
Total Posts: 2007 | Ya, but R doesn't make that many posts, so when he does, they're dang long and good as well. |
Lunchbox
Carrier
Posted: 27 Feb 2005
15:11 GMT
Total Posts: 2007 | BTW, what's the point of being 21 if you're not gonna drink? Are you the designated driver, or just smart :) ? |
korkow
Ultralisk
Posted: 27 Feb 2005
16:51 GMT
Total Posts: 465 | He obviously listened to all of the sermons you get in school about not drinking, smoking etc. :beer: = :dead: |
Xero Xcape
Marine
Posted: 28 Feb 2005
06:37 GMT
Total Posts: 29 | heh... I've been here since 11-1-04. It's just the fact that people get used to me so quick and they lose trsck of when I arrived.
also alot of my posts are short. but there are some longer ones and some more interesting ones
[Edited by Xero Xcape on 28-Feb-05 16:38]
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BASIC flames are for n00bs, you don't want to be a n00b do you? | My other calc is a Porsche. |
Ray Kremer
Ultralisk
Posted: 28 Feb 2005
11:17 GMT
Total Posts: 310 | The choir you are preaching to will celebrate it, the people you wanted to get through to will ignore it. High horses and soap boxes rarely work in internet communities without some sort of real power to enforce things. |
spiral
Wraith
Posted: 28 Feb 2005
23:53 GMT
Total Posts: 958 | "6) Programmers should not create software which interferes with the operation of the calculator, other software on the calculator, or with the legitimate use of the calculator."
I disagree here, because programs can interfere w/ operation of some functions of the calculator in order to create a better usage. For example Omnicalc does change stuff, some programs are made specifically to limit usage, and the KerNO always interferes with other software, but to help prevent crashes.
Plus, there is praticaly joke value too.
[Edited by spiral on 01-Mar-05 08:54] |
