Reminder About The Smokey Backroom

[I Am Not A Mod]

Hello everyone. I hope your New Year is going well so far.

It has been a while since we had a reminder about what the Smokey Backroom is all about, and we have been getting a sense that some don't really know what it is about.

As you all know, we have guidelines against personal attacks and flamewars. We try to keep things within those guidelines, but face it, sometimes discussions get tempers up and things get heated. Sometimes, the cure (pulling comments, suspending, and banning) can be worse than the problem. Sometimes an alternative cure is better-- letting those who are bound and determined to have it out, have it out, but not right in the middle of our proverbial living room.

Occasionally, when things get heated, we will move a thread out of one of the main forums (News/Activism, General Interest, Religion, etc.) and send it to the backroom. We give a lot more leeway on the flaming and the language back there. It is enter-at-your-own-risk. If that style of discussion doesn't suit you, then don't reply to a thread that's in the backroom. Simply choose not to participate. And if a thread is in the backroom, hitting abuse because you are being flamed probably isn't going to get you anywhere unless there are threats being made.

However, one thing that won't be tolerated is throwing spitballs from the backroom. If someone is not participating in a thread, don't be pinging them to it with baiting posts or with flaming posts.

If you were on a thread that was not in the backroom, and the thread was later moved, but you are getting flamed because of a post you made to the thread before it was backroomed, and you don't want to participate in the backroom-style brawling, hit abuse and ask for your own post to be removed so that you don't keep getting pinged back.

Threads should be moved to the backroom rarely. If, however, you are finding that a significant number of threads you participate in are being backroomed, you may want to consider if you are contributing to the problem.

Also, some people get mad when discussions get moved to the backroom. If a thread gets moved, but you think the article really should be in the main forum, then post the article again, and add a note reminding people to maintain decorum on the thread and give a link to the backroomed thread for those who find that simple request to be too much to ask.

Thanks, the staff.

[InvisibleChurch]

it's too smokey back there

[stainlessbanner]

hit abuse and ask for your own post to be removed

Self-Abuse

[DoctorMichael]

"I Am Not A Mod"

Yea, right.

[End Times Sentinel]

Genreally, I'll go back in there and without contributing anything more to the thread, randomly threaten people that I'll smack 'em over the head with a sock with a snooker ball in it if I ever find 'em.

 

Is it possible that I'm missing the point again?

Owl_Eagle

" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"

[I Am Not A Mod]

"Is it possible that I'm missing the point again?"

Not if it is a dirty, smelly sock.

[Khurkris]

I like applewood smoked bacon.

[cyborg]

I like smoked sausage.

[presidio9]

I prefer smoked salmon.

[Khurkris]

"I like smoked sausage."

Isn't it hard to keep that lit?

[cyborg]

I poop on trolls and flamebaiters

[Tamzee]

I just quit smoking... are we allowed to sneak back there voluntarily to bum a cigarette?

Please??!!??

[reformed_democrat]

This is the first time I've been in the Smokey Back Room. How come you don't have signs pointing to it!? I never would have found it if I hadn't stumbled in here from the Religion forum.

Sorta like leaving Church on Sunday and going directly to the bar for a six-pack.

I'm afraid to leave. I may never find my way back in.

[Glenn]

If a thread gets moved, but you think the article really should be in the main forum, then post the article again, and add a note reminding people to maintain decorum on the thread and give a link to the backroomed thread for those who find that simple request to be too much to ask.

Another day. Another lecture from I Am Not A Mod.

Are you gunning for a hall monitor position?

[drstevej]

***We give a lot more leeway on the flaming and the language back there.***

The Sidebar Moderator gave guidelines regarding acceptable posts in the Religion Forum and even answered questions seeking clarification.

There are no guidelines in this thread discussing the purpose of the SBR, yet you comment "Ho hum..... OK, should I just pull this thread, or can you all behave? Up to you....." on a recent post.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1052924/posts?page=2272#2272

Could you please give some clarification? If the rules are the same as the religion thread this area is unneeded. If they are different and yet it is not an anything goes area... where are the lines drawn?

I believe this is a reasonable request.

Thanks,
- drstevej

[Neets]

You know...you could surely win the award for the biggest pisser and moaner on FR...or at least one of the biggest.

[Glenn]

you could surely win the award for the biggest pisser and moaner on FR

Suck up.

[Neets]

.

[Glenn]

.

Having a period?