Revised Rules and Code of Conduct

In recent times we have noticed things getting out of hand around here. Members have been very rude toward either other, showing absolutely no respect. It seems that the site has changed focus and is all about petty arguments. What happened to the music?

We will no longer tolerate any such behavior. A new political wind is about to rush through YC and blow out all of the nonsense. The new policy is going into place IMMEDIATELY as in right now. We will be enforcing it 100%, no exceptions and no more leniency. No more childish quarrels.

YOUNG COMPOSERS REVISED RULES AND CODE OF CONDUCT

Let's get back to being a POSITIVE community!

Well, this doesn't seem very different before, except for no perma-banning and tighter control upon posts.

So YAY FOR THE NEW YC ERA!!!! :D

We shall start a new calendar on this day!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

The calendar will be as stated below:

5 months, each number 73 days and this is the first day of the first year (YC 1)!!!

I can't think of what the months should be named but...

Today is 1, YC 1

Or: 1/1/01

Hmm, maybe I'm going to far into this... :huh:

Oh well.

Well, you noticed one of the changes Edgar :)

Actually, these are the main changes:

Sexual content is disallowed EVERYWHERE on the site.

No more cursing. Anywhere. Including the shoutbox and Off Topic.

All rules apply to shoutbox.

More aggressively enforced - staying on topic.

More aggressively enforced - forum etiqutte.

and of course the one you mentioned - no more perma ban (note - spammers of course will still be perma banned)

I remember the last time this happened. I got banned -_-. It was when suddenly FFA became less FFA. I also remember hum saying some good stuff about rules and freedom.

It's very difficult to please everyone, and back when the forum opened when the place was quite small, we did have a free for all. Then we realized too much was being said, from the ridiculous amounts of hate speech (which I admit I was naive to think anyone would ever speak like this, which was why I have not even thought about that rule when we first opened), to threads dedicated to picking on members (which again, I never would have imagined). We quickly realized the free for all forum would not work, and I had to sacrifice my likability by ending it. We still however, had not addressed cursing and sexual content. We also have not been enforcing on topic threads (ironically even in Off Topic), which can have awful results, such as flame and religious wars.

Thus, I am going to sacrifice my likability even more, by adding more "policing" to topics and the shoutbox. In fact, I have to figure out what I want to do with the shoutbox if it is still out of hand. The shoutbox is located on the public forum, and maybe this is a mistake.

We have however eliminated the permanent bans, and the reasoning behind this is, I never want to prohibit someone from expressing their creativity and interest in music (at least if someone wishes to on this site). We will keep giving chances (after the longest probation period of 6 months) and we hope that person will eventually realize that being mean towards other members is not worth losing his/her place here on YC.

Does this mean I can get my old account back?

New rule created based on suggestion in the Off Topic.

Linking to Sites Outside YC.

You are welcome to do so providing the site linked follows the same general standards and values of YC. Links unrelated to music composition must be posted in the Off Topic. If you are posting a thread containing a link relating to content you appreciate' date=' tell us why. Do not simply post it saying "omg you gotta see this! check this out!". Provide some form of intelligent commentary toward the link to provide for more useful and intelligent discussion. Any threads created containing just a link and no content of substance by the user will be deleted.[/quote']

No profanity? Really?

Hmm. I don't take umbrage with any of the rest of the changes, but this seems kind of stringent. Not that I, or anybody else, NEEDS to curse to get any point across, but it seems like an unnecessary restriction...

The no profanity rule was created because this site has a large age range going down as young as 11. While some children are exposed to profanity at a young age anyway, we would rather not encourage it. Besides, it is just sloppy and not necessary.

That is correct. Not only will posts that contain profanity be reported and deleted (or portions of the post deleted), we will be applying an automatic censor on this forum to capture the thousands of variations of curse/inappropriate words and phrases. When I say reported, you won't necessarily get into trouble, but this highly depends on how you used the phrase, and if you were belittling another member by using inflammatory expressions.

If an MP3 file is needed to explain certain things on a thread, (an example of performance, a Sound Recording of a Composition etc...) which can be a trustable, funcional website to upload MP3 files, so may others can go and listen (without creating any account in that site) a website does not violate the rules of YC (of course responsibility in posting Copyright material falls under the member)

What sites do you recommend ?

I think he asks a good question, I've noticed viewing other pieces posts that some members of the site use sites that have rather horrid attributes (pop-ups, spyware, etc.) Is there a way to limit links to external sites to only those that are trusted?

Is there a way to limit links to external sites to only those that are trusted?

If YC creates a new rule saying -these are the only permitted sites to upload MP3 files outside YC- ....that would be enough I think....

I think we need suggestions...... I'd check those sites and post my opinion so Administrators may say the last word about this.

"More aggressively enforced - staying on topic."

So, if I like say "oh, btw, I forgot the tap running so I have to go" - it's completely off almost any musical topic. Should my post get deleted? :x

I think the rules should not change. I don't think there is a problem with the rules - the problem lies with the people taking part in the conversations (including those who provoke them, such as SSC's pungent comments, some times, and others') (just mentioning SSC because he seems fond of trolls and always wants to have the last word -with the trolls wanting to do the same- resulting in a conversation which converges more and more to just flaming and cursing in the end) (which he seems to enjoy, but nevertheless) (I'll stop here - I have nothing against SSC, just mentioning him for the reasons I mentioned above) (end of brackets) (no really) (...)

I think what would be a great idea would be to somehow be able to stop a person from posting in a particular thread. If we had a function where all the members would be able to vote which member(s) should not take part in the conversation, and that number reaches a certain standard, then that member should be disallowed from taking part in that discussion.

OR

The mods could do that instead.

I think the situation is fine as it is - the only problem being that many conversations end up aggressively

I also don't agree about profanity - when registering in the website you have to agree you're over 13. Therefore any members who are younger than 13 should not be on this website, and if you know such members you should ban them according to the rules you guys have set up for the website already. Alternatively, you could use a filter for those younger than, say, 16 but leave the option on for older people. What about pieces like nikolas' "My loving Life"? Should he be able to post his piece here or talk about it or mention it because it contains the word "f***ing" in it?

I think that the changes of the rules need to be reconsidered. Again, not because they will not reduce the profane/cursive threads (the rules will probably do that just fine), but because the rules are not the root of the problem, and by patching up a situation you don't completely fix it and that situation is meant to get out of hand in a later course. I believe in trying to fix the problem to its root, which means having a personal discussion with those members causing the ruckus (provoking ones and offensive ones alike) and explain them some things which you think they should be aware of, and warn them for future conversations (you could also warn new members who seem to have attributes of the behaviour that you'd like to avoid in this website). I understand this is a lot harder than just changing the rules and enforcing them, but I believe this will be a lot more effective, friendly, down to the point and will amend the problem at its root.

I did not censor the word in the title because that's how the title of the piece is and it's not to my discretion whether I'll censor that or not.

But I censored it the second time because that time it was me saying that word in a different context (i.e. in a context where I choose the words), hence I censored it because otherwise that would be considered as a curse word and therefore against the rules.

Of course, one may say that my mentioning the word "f***ing" in the piece's title uncensored would break the rules, but then we're just throwing artistic license in the river and that would offend nikolas, not me.

With more stringent policing of the forum (post deletion, thread locking), is it reasonable to expect moderators to be impartial? If a moderator participates in a discussion, is the moderator status relevant?

Nikolas' piece was the first thing I thought of when I read the "no profanity" rule too. Would it be ok to call it "My having-sexual-intercourse-with-another-being life"?

I think the rules should not change. I don't think there is a problem with the rules - the problem lies with the people taking part in the conversations

I disagree. I personally have been caught up in a few of these hostile exchanges and to tell the truth I am slightly embarrassed.

However, if the rules change so must the people (including me). I think it's a step in the right direction!

With more stringent policing of the forum (post deletion, thread locking), is it reasonable to expect moderators to be impartial? If a moderator participates in a discussion, is the moderator status relevant?

There is no reason for moderators to be excluded form participating in discussions on this forum.

Remember that some of the moderators and reviewers here are professionals in the field. Their participation in discussions should be encouraged.

Now, this doesn't mean that they -as human beings - will not sometimes come into conflict with other members. But there have been times where a mod (yes, I'm thinking of me) has gotten dragged into a particularly contentious argument. And I honestly see no reason to slap that mod in the face with "you're a mod, you should be neutral". Moderators on this forum are ALSO members of this forum. I think it is important that other members remember this.

I have never seen a forum where the moderators were expected to function uniquely as "police", unless it was a forum where the mods are PAID to do so. This is not the case at YC.

Until moderators are accorded salaries, they should be seen as members with more obligations and responsibilities to the forum. Not as "gods". And seeing as they ARE giving their time to this forum, I believe they should be treated at least with a modicum of respect.

I don't see what the problem is. It's not like we often see people dropping the F-bomb, or other profanities. You can easily express yourself in other means other than swearing.

It's up to the people running this place how they want their visitors to act. If you want to curse incessantly, go elsewhere. They don't want that language here, and they're entitled to that because this is their domain. Don't agree? Don't post.

It's up to the people running this place how they want their visitors to act. If you want to curse incessantly, go elsewhere. They don't want that language here, and they're entitled to that because this is their domain. Don't agree? Don't post.

Correct... when I see this topic come up on other forums, people are usually quick to shout "FREEDOM OF SPEECH DURRRR" - but you really and truly have no freedom of speech here as this is a private, not a public site. As a guest at a private site, you are required to conduct your behavior in a manner indicated by the site owner. If you cannot act accordingly, either refrain from posting or find another site.

There is already a kind of conflict in this thread too....

The new Rules are already running, obey and that's it, I did not find anything difficult to do, any silly rule hard to keep....

is anyone going to answer my question about "trustable uploading hosts" ???

"FREEDOM OF SPEECH DURRRR" - but you really and truly have no freedom of speech here as this is a private, not a public site. As a guest at a private site, you are required to conduct your behavior in a manner indicated by the site owner. If you cannot act accordingly, either refrain from posting or find another site.

this very falacious on many levels. first of all, there's no way of showing how one can do anything he/she wants if it's their private domain, as long as the owner depends and is in contact with other human beings, he/she cannot pass any judgment he/she wants without abusing power and thus denying the very foundation of this power in the first place. that is - your power is totally dependent on other's existence and freedom. you cannot have power over, say, animals, not making a clown of yourself. as long as you state that you have power and you decide the rules you state a) that you are free and thus must act in accordance with of the very foundation of it (freedom of speech, tolerance, responsibility are some of the amny derivations) or b) you have your power from god or another authority and thus you are not free and no one has to obey any law you try to legitimate, unless they fear.

only from a) you can get any democratic, political and public well-being created

and b) ends just in stupid and falacious stating of "I"VE GOT THE POWER" regardless of the fact that any power is possible only as long as there are others who are free (to obey, or break the law).

so, there's no logical and clear way you can say: since i've got the power, you must obey.

that makes you a dictator and antidemocratist.

Pliorius, this is where YOU are in error.

This forum is not a "public" forum. It is a private forum to which you are invited to participate.

The owner of said forum is free to install any rules he sees fit.

As a matter of fact, the idea of "public" in fora is quite erroneous. There is no such a thing as a "public" forum. They are ALL owned, in some form or other, by an individual.

Whether that individual chooses to enact rules and regulations is a completely different issue.

In this particular case, there is a forum owner and forum administrators.

You register to participate on this forum, and in so doing, you are acquiescing to the rules as they are delineated in the "Forum rules and regulations". These rules are free to be changed at any time, at the owner's discretion.

The act of registering on this forum means you are accepting the rules as they are listed.

If you do NOT accept those rules, then it is up to you not to register on this forum.

There is no such thing as "freedom of speech" on the internet. There is only the freedom you are accorded by the owners of the various fora where you participate.

Very well said, Qc.

Pliorius,

YC is a private forum. It has a head Administrator/Owner (chopin) who is like the "president". YC has it's own politics... I will use the example of a country. The USA has rules or laws which are lax in comparison to other countries of the world. Some other countries have much more stringent rules. These rules are created based on how the leader would like the place to be run. It would not be wise for a citizen of the USA to go to another country expecting the same rules to apply. YC is the same, but of course on a much smaller scale. I appologize if you do not appreciate our new policy, however, we created it for a reason. We based our new rules on observations made throughout the forum of our current problems. The new rules were created as what we hope will become solutions to the problems. As Administrators (YC's politicians) we have the right to create rules for the domain as we see fit, it has nothing to do with "power". We want this place to become a positive, constructive environment for people who share the same passion for music and want to be a part of a community.