Community Forums

Hitchhiker · 01-27-2009, 05:47 AM

In conjunction with our plans to move the iRV2 forums to our new software, our moderators and administrators have been busy working on a revision of the rules that we use to keep these forums moving along in the right direction. Rather than wait until the forthcoming rollout of the new software to present these new rules to our members we've decided to establish them now. They're similar to the old rules however the wording may have changed somewhat; they are effective immediately.

The new rules are posted as the first post of the New Member Check In forum and can also be viewed by clicking on this link. They're also linked at the bottom of the Social Knowledge™ Terms of Service Agreement which is available to all members by clicking the link at the bottom of most pages. This TOS is agreed to by all new members during the registration process and also goes into effect immediately for all existing members.

Regards,
iRV2 Administration Team

**Andy R** · 01-27-2009, 08:31 AM

Hitchhiker,

Thank you for working with the Mod/Admin team on these rules. Having a clear set of policies in place is essential so that our members understand what the rules of our community are. I'd encourage everyone to reference the rules when an issue is at hand. If the mods/admins see a violation, please include the text from the Community Rules when communicating with a Member. If a member has made an innocent mistake and violated the Rules, please let them know. A PM is nice but in some occasions you can just post a quick reminder in a thread.

It's very important that we enforce these rules evenly across all the forums. Our goal is foster a fun, friendly place to share knowledge. It's obvious how much can be accomplished through the 300,000 posts that have already been posted to our community but as iRV2 grows these simple rules will help make sure the next 300,000 posts are also kind and proper in nature.

Thanks to everyone for making iRV2 the best RV Forum on the internet and here's to a fun bright future!

Route 66 · 01-27-2009, 09:08 AM

If there any questions about the new Rules or Terms of Service, please post them here for discussion.

Thanks for your support of iRV2.

**NLOVNIT** · 01-27-2009, 12:33 PM

Would it be possible to put an announcement about the revised rules at the top of the Forums page?

It's good to have the rules in the New Member's section so that the new folks can see/read them from the start. But for us "veterans", we wouldn't think to check that section if/when we need to make reference to them. Also, once this "Revised Community Rules" topic drops down (or goes to another page with the addition of new posts), there's even less of a chance that existing members would see it or even know there were updates made.

Lori-

Hitchhiker · 01-27-2009, 01:15 PM

You make some good points Lori, thanks for the suggestions and input.

I just made this thread a 'sticky' which will keep it up at the top of the forum for others to see. In the past we've experimented with placing some announcements at the top of the Forum page and currently have a link and logo for the National Rally up there. We chose not to stick these rules up there as we didn't think folks would appreciate us shoving the rules at them every time they visit here. We've located them in the New Member Check In forum for the reasons you described and also just to have a place for them to reside for reference.

99% of our members do the right things without even reading the rules, it's that small 1% minority that we need to get through to and if we need to we can point those folks in the right direction.

Again, thanks for the suggestions and we welcome input on these rules from all members.

bingoldsby · 02-02-2009, 10:34 AM

Richard and all,

In the revised rules and in the first bullet under courtesy is this line.

Do not engage in personal attacks. Challenge others' points of view and opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully. Excessive sarcasm, extreme belligerence, insults, profanity, extreme anger, offensive comments about race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, and political views, are not acceptable.

I believe that ANY sarcasm, any belligerence, and any anger is unacceptable and the wording (in bold) should be changed accordingly.

Thank you.

**Janet H** · 02-02-2009, 12:15 PM

Thanks for your input. We'll take a new look at this language and be sure to keep you in the loop about any changes. I'm impressed that anyone actually read them