DeafNotes: Guidelines & Rules

GENERAL GUIDELINES

DeafNotes is an interactive bulletin-board site, but is not a real-time site like a chatroom. It is thus impossible for us to review new messages and confirm that they are fair and accurate before they are posted publicly. We regularly monitor all posted messages, however, and will remove any posts (messages) that violate the rules. Registrants are responsible for the content and accuracy of their messages. Their messages express their own views, which do

Use common sense. You have the right to express your views and to contradict other views. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with another message, but disagreement should be expressed in a positive way. It should not become a personal attack. Be courteous even if you're angry with the statements or views expressed in another message.

DeafNotes is intended to be a place where people can come to ask questions, share their ideas, and express their views in a comfortable environment. This cannot be possible if participants are "attacked" for having a particular view on an issue. (E.g., if Jan Jones posts a message and gets a response like "Does Jan Jones really believe that? What is she thinking? Jan is a jerk!") Therefore, any posts interpreted as an attack on another participant will be removed immediately.

If you read something that you feel is offensive or insulting to you or someone else, please ask the author for clarification before raising it as an issue. (E.g., "Jan Jones, can you explain just what you meant by that remark about 'most restrictive environment?' I'm puzzled, and want to be sure I understand you." Most DeafNotes users do not set out to insult or degrade others. Don't let a simple misunderstanding ruin a good discussion.

Language that is abusive, obscene, or discriminatory should be avoided. Sexual terminology is acceptable in the proper context (e.g., a discussion of sexual abuse). We're not against four-letter words as such; we're opposed to using DeafNotes for the purpose of personal insults or harassment.

Any visitor who feels that a posted message is offensive, inaccurate, or unfair, can contact us immediately by E-mail. We have the authority to remove objectionable messages, and will make every effort to do so, as soon as we can, if we determine that removal is necessary. This may take several hours or more.

No free advertising. DeafNotes is not to be used for self-promotion or for advertising. No posts advertising anything, either for yourself or for another company, are allowed. (E.g., "Visit Jan Jones' wonderful Website to get fabulous discounts on skin-care products!") Links to other Websites are okay for personal sites (in your profile, sig, etc.) and for sites that others may find useful in reference to the topic being discussed. All such posted links are subject to our approval.

No private conversations! DeafNotes is open to the public. It is for discussing specific topics, sharing views, and asking questions. This doesn't include carrying on private conversations with other users, or writing inside jokes. Replies to a specific person are perfectly okay. It helps other readers understand what the response is about, and which message is being replied to. But only when the reply relates specifically to the topic. While it's okay to say, "Jan Jones' message about mainstreaming reminds me of my own experience" or "I'd like to respond to Jan Jones" or "Jan Jones, thanks for raising this issue," it's not okay to post a message such as "Hey, Jan Jones, what are you doing this weekend?"

"Personal" posts should be posted in the "Yakety-yak" department, where any "non-serious" message is allowed, as long as it doesn't violate any other DeafNotes rules (free advertising, etc.).

Use courtesy when quoting someone else's remarks, poem, letter, editorial, speech, essay, etc. Please be aware that some items are copyrighted. Living authors usually hold the copyright to their works. Other items are in the "public domain." They are free from copyright restrictions. When posting material written by someone other than yourself (but not specifically copyrighted), be sure to include the author's name or state that the "author is unknown" so that we can distinguish this from something you yourself wrote.

We're not here to reach a consensus (everybody agreeing with each other) on topics that have been debated for years, or even centuries. Some persons come with basic or advanced knowledge of the issues, but are seeking more information, options, and alternative views. They are curious to know what others think. We should be able to present the information we know, and make our views known. But we should not try to pressure that person into making a particular decision, or into feeling bad about a decision already made. Just present your own information and views, and let others draw their own conclusions.

Moderators have the ability to edit notes for content, and automatic censoring ("filtering") systems can be used, but questionable posts will most likely be removed and the author notified. Users can have their posting privileges temporarily suspended or be banned permanently from DeafNotes if they continue to abuse their privileges after repeated warnings.

RULES

We'd like to lay down a few basic rules.

You may not use DeafNotes to deliberately post any material that is that is false and/or defamatory (personally insulting), inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, discriminatory, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violates the law.

You may not post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright.

You may not use DeafNotes for free advertising (promoting a product, service, company, Website, etc.).

Likewise, you may not use DeafNotes for chain letters, pyramid schemes, or solicitations (requests for money).

Personal messages and inside jokes should be posted in the "Yakety-yak" section only.

Be respectful of other people. Respect their opinions and feelings.

We reserve the right to remove any message that we feel is unacceptable, for any reason.

You are solely responsible (legally and ethically) for the content of your messages.

We reserve the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message that you post.

DeafNotes is meant to be an open forum for the free expression and sharing of views. Keeping these rules in mind, we encourage you to participate. We hope you have a rewarding experience.