Example of other Forum rules

[et al]

Just my opinion - but I reckon KB has developed into more of a Social Networking (tempted to say "Social Engineering") site rather than a pure "Biker" site. If I want specific Motorcycle related information/help I tend to go elsewhere to other "Biker" sites where they are not full of "this is what I did/how I feel today", "this is what I had for breakfast" sort of stuff.

[Ixion]

If I want specifically motorcycle information, I will go to an international forum. Because then there are vastly more people who may have the answer I need. New Zealand is a tiny country. The only specifically motorcycle info that it makes sense to look for on a forum by and large restricted to New Zealanders, is stuff about local event or local laws. There are international sites dedicated to SVs , BMWs, classic Suzukis, RZ350s, motorcycle mechanics. They are far more likely to be able to answer my questions on those topics.

So, if KB isn't going to be the site to go to when I want to ask a question about my bike , what is it if not a social network site? Its strength is not that it contains an unmatchable treasure trove of motorcycling information, but rather that its members are folk I may meet on the road.

It IS a social network. And, just like those previous social network sites, the cafe and the pub, the rules are (and should be ) more relaxed than those that would be applicable to a formal "I need some information" site. You wouldn't expect to have to behave at the pub exactly as you would in the public library. or vice versa.

Nor, at a place I go to to relax (be it the pub or KB) do I expect to have to guard my tongue as I would when having tea with the vicar . (Actually he's a pretty hard case dude, I doubt he'd be shocked at profanity. But Mrs Ixion would not be amused)

Those who bleat that nothing should be discussed except "bike stuff" must be awfully boring people to talk to at the pub.

[Str8 Jacket]

I go to your Bullshit and Jellybeans section and I see a thread about depression, a thread about house for rent wanted, even a thread about fixing waterblasters. Not that different from KB really.

No offence Quasi, I kinda agree with OAB. I also notice that alot of the people on sportsbike post in KB more often than on SB. I also note that alot of people often post their, for sale, race reports etc on KB before they copy and paste it into SB, not always though...... I I have nothing bad to to say about SB, it has it's place and it is more bike focused it also has members that are not on KB but if or when SB grow's in member size then it would most likely develop into something quite different to what it is now.

[ManDownUnder]

To be blunt I see the rules of another site being as relevant to KB as the laws of Singapore being to citizens of NZ.

Lots in common - a couple of differences... something to talk about.

[ManDownUnder]

Just my opinion - but I reckon KB has developed into more of a Social Networking (tempted to say "Social Engineering") site rather than a pure "Biker" site.

Bingo! For me that's exactly the role it fills. Some needs I have are biking related, some are simply drinking related... KB fills both.

[Quasievil]

I go to your Bullshit and Jellybeans section and I see a thread about depression, a thread about house for rent wanted, even a thread about fixing waterblasters. Not that different from KB really.

Fuck I will get them removed directly.

I ran a thread to see if I should keep it going, majority find flavor there they dont get from other sites, so it stays, not never wanted to compete with KB anyhow, just another forum, worlds full of em, same magazine different cover is all

[Quasievil]

I also note that alot of people often post their, for sale, race reports etc on KB before they copy and paste it into SB, not always though......

Hey last month someone did it the other way around !!

[Trudes]

Let's face it, Spankme is a lenient and forgiving God who allows his followers to make mistakes and unless they are evil hell raisers they are soon forgiven and allowed back into the garden of Eden.

[scracha]

Those who bleat that nothing should be discussed except "bike stuff" must be awfully boring people to talk to at the pub.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. And if you bring along a (gasp) non-biker they treat them like lepers.

[Okey Dokey]

Kb is a great site. Lots of information and lots of opinion, too. The differences between people makes the forum sparkle. I get a laugh out of it everyday- not from the Jokes & Humour section but just the clever word play of various posters.

The rules seem pretty reasonable to me. "Do unto others..."

However, what is rule 11, Jim2? Deprecated? Do you mean don't belittle others?

[SixPackBack]

Rules of Engagement
Rules... rules... rules. We hate rules and don't want anything to do with them. Still, if you put up pictures of German toilet porn, Japanese bukakke, or mpegs of people torturing dumb animals, then you're an idiot, you're on the wrong website and we'll remove that kinda stuff and store it in our personal folders. The only time you'll get a kick in the nuts is if you do something grossly obnoxious or illegal. You won't get scolded for swearing or being dumb. Here is the summarised version of our rules: This is our house. You are guests. Don't crap on the sofa or we will ask you to leave. We personally wouldn't crap on your sofa in your house. Apart from that, make yourself at home. Everything that follows is an elaboration of the above. Feel free to read on, but if you grok the above bit, then you'll do OK. Clever banter, fine humour and a sharp wit are good things. Impassioned argument and/or savage hostility is fine, as long as it is articulate and makes good reading. We love a good flame war. We hate a crap one. You are most welcome to post anything about anything. But we advise you to observe the categories and post under the appropriate headings. If you post stuff about politics in the bike gear section, then people will think you're an idiot incapable of following simple instructions. It's really rather basic. Respect the opinions of others, and expect the same in return. Notice that respect does not necessarily mean "agree with". Respecting an opinion you disagree with means either being willing to argue about it coherently, or being willing to quietly let it go. The BIKE ME! team disagree on many things, but we handle it like adults. Sulking, pouting, and being huffy are simply embarassing, and everyone will laugh at you. Don't bugger up the page. Don't paste huge long URLs in raw text - it pushes the page off the right of the screen for everyone. Read the forum FAQs and learn how to create a link. Don't post huge pictures - same reason, plus they're slow for everyone to load. Read the forum FAQs and learn how to size them. If you bugger up the page, Al will fix it if he's in a good mood. Or he might just delete the post. He's not in a good mood very often unless he's riding, and he hasn't got access to a computer while he's doing that. Don't come here for the sole purpose of trying to push an agenda. By all means express your outrage at anything that annoys you. But much like the pub, we don't tolerate anyone walking in, making a dramatic statement and then storming off in a huff. Such cowardice is treated with contempt. Thou shalt not "post-whore". Scroll down to see the separate section on "post-whoring", which explains what it means (or at least our definition of it), and why it annoys us. Prolific posting and "post-whoring" are not the same thing. Don't threaten people. It's against the law. You can argue, question their ancestry or offer to meet your protagonist behind the bike sheds after school, but don't make direct threats. For example, you can say: "Mate, you're an idiot and I hope you get cancer of the arse and die in your own waste!" You shouldn't say: "I'm coming to get you, bastard. I'm gonna kill you/burn down your house/put a hot slug in your face!" See the difference? Don't worry about screwing up. If you did something stupid, and feel so embarassed you think you can't ever come back here, then don't worry about it. There are no grudges here, so pick yourself up, order another beer and sit yourself down again. If you really, really crossed the line, an apology always helps smooth things out. Don't claim to be someone you're not. People making dubious claims about themselves (claiming to be a MotoGP racer, boys claiming to be girls, etc) will be investigated (Al has ways - trust me). Those found to be full of shit will be exposed and humiliated, and their details passed on to Australian Taxation Office, the US Department of Homeland Security, Hizbollah and anyone else ugly we can think of. Consequences of breaking the above. With most of our rules, it is unlikely there will ever be any formal action taken if you break them (unless you've done something illegal). We generally don't censor people or explicitly try to control their behaviour. We just say what we like and don't like, and then trust you to decide how to conduct yourself. If you break these rules consistently, then people will most likely start to treat you with contempt.

Superlative self-explanatory set of rules that puts the onus on the user 'not to make a dick of themselves'. Also. This site moderates itself, users clean up the plonkers with sharp wit alone.

[Ixion]

Now, that seems pretty good. Simple, reasonable, effective.

[et al]

Kb is a great site. Lots of information and lots of opinion, too. The differences between people makes the forum sparkle. I get a laugh out of it everyday- not from the Jokes & Humour section but just the clever word play of various posters.
The rules seem pretty reasonable to me. "Do unto others..."

Quite right - nothing wrong with this place as long as you accept it for what it is ie more leaning towards the Social Networking side of things these days. That's why I come here - to be entertained and to take a vicarious or even voyeuristic interest in what others are up to. If I learn a bit about bikes or can pass on some of my own knowledge or experiences then I feel it has been worth the time spent here. Not sure what Jim2's reason was for starting this thread but it has stimulated debate and certainly made me think about why I come here. Have to say I would not want to see anything change moderation wise. This site has evolved its own unique culture, probably become a more significant part of our lives than we would care to admit.

[inlinefour]

That's funny you see, because a lot of these sites that have such 'draconian' measures are considerably larger than KB, and have no problem attracting more members daily. In fact some of them even charge for the service, yet their sites keep growing.

Nothing to do with a 'master race' either, just trying to provide an area where everyone can get something from, not just a select few. This isn't the first website to have rules, and it sure ain't as fuck going to be the last.

Probably has more to do with the size of New Zealand compared to the countries or origin these site(s) are from one would think?
Just to clarify, dont have a problem with rules, just dont agree with a one strike and your out theme. Being flexible at times can be a good thing.

[riffer]

some stuff that made a hell of a lot of sense

Agree 100% there SPB. I'd bling you but you're too popular already.