... okay, more like guidelines. But you'll get the idea, hear me out.
First off, as the group's administrator I am not:
- a dictator
- a legislator
- a judge
- a policeman
- a referee
- a negotiator
- a paid Chess.com
staff member
- your Dad
Having said that, I'm also not keen on laissez faire stewardship either.
So I thought as figurehead of a non-playing group (no Vote or Team matches), I feel the duty to facilitate a cordial, casual atmosphere where you people can park your browsers, your beverages, and your creative whims while your opponents stress out over your last moves....
did he just say "you people"?
Yes, like a Coffee House.
And I'm the Manager-On-Duty (a.k.a. MOD).
Why the analog? Because it will help remind you why I do what I do - at least from now on. Specifically, forum MODeration: locking, deleting, renaming, etc.
The important concepts to remember are:
Each topic thread is a table in the cafe.
Anyone who jumps into a topic is like sitting down at a table. The conversation may be in progress and if you don't like the topic or language, leave the table and find another. Don't cry foul or try to hi-jack the content. And if people leave your table in a huff, let them - don't follow them away from the table to another (unless you both "take it outside" to the public forum alleys).
Manners are appreciated but will not be enforced.
There's no need to be mean spirited or rude. There are other places you can patronize (i.e. take it to a public forum or another group) that tolerates/encourages that ambiance. There are even groups that are invite-only which is like an exclusive nightclub with a guest list. Which is fine - I dig that scene too, but I know I'm not going to be mixing it up with younger folk either.
If you're get in fights, you'll be warned - and asked to leave if you persist.
And to qualify, I mean knock-down, drag-out, name-calling, shouting matches - not heated, passionate debates - they're fine as long as it doesn't spill over to a nearby table. If I detect something that makes the other clientele inordinately uncomfortable (like shouting obscenities in topic titles) I'll approach the table and depending on the degree of the transgression, I may just ask you to "keep it down", or may cut you off (lock the thread) or clear the table (delete the topic). I may even call you a cab (temporary ban - there will never be perma-bans).
I hope you all understand why I've got to post this and 99.99% of you are already behaving just like described. I only formally state my position so there is a forewarned blanket explanation as to why I appeared to be draconian; I believe myself to be fair and reasonable gentleman - not rash, whimsical or wrathful.
And I am most certainly am not power hungry or a drama queen: Anyone can apply for this job if they want* and I can share or even step down if the rest of you think that is the best for the group (I won't leave unless banned because I love it here and I do not "own" this group so won't feel grieved).
We're all good with this arrangement, right?
* just be aware that Chess.com recently closed a loophole on non-premium administrators. If you aren't a paying member of the site, you have no admin ability.