Nicky's Scrapbook
Because she does what all the cool kids do.
So, for my first scrapbook post, you're not going to get a lovely little intro into the life of Nicky, what my favourite colour is, where I live, how many times I've watched Lord of the Rings, etc etc etc. Most of you (who'll read this) know who I am and if you don't, hop on chat, because I'm always there.
I hate to start off my scrapbook career like this, but it's been on my mind for a while now and I feel it needs to be said. I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me, and if they don't, too bad, this is my point of view - and if I see you slipping up on it, I will call you on it.
CHAT ETIQUETTE.
- Ignorance of the Chat Rules is no excuse for not following them.
- All Rules and Terms of Use within Mizahar’s community will be followed. This is the condition one agrees to in order to receive an account here and being given permission to playing within our environment. These rules shall be firmly enforced to provide a safe and positive environment both within the game and within chat itself.
- Respect your fellow chatters. This means no vulgarity, disparaging remarks, arguments, or insults. We have a very low tolerance of this and you will be warned instantly if this is witnessed by an admin.
- Please use English in chat as it is the required language of Mizahar.
- All people who state they are 'bored' will be instantly excused from chat to go write.
- Avoid flames, flooding, trolling, and sensitive topics as outlined by the Terms of Use.
- The use of cryptic or innuendo-type language to 'skirt' chat rules is not allowed.
- All chatters will be treated equally regardless of their status as a moderator or player, length of duration on Mizahar, or knowledge level.
- Feel free to report chat abuses that occur when an Admin is not present. Do so by submitting a log to the help desk including a time and date on the report. Your report will remain anonymous and can be verified by reviewing the chat logs.
- All Administrators (denoted by red usernames) shall be acknowledged respectfully when they ask for a change in behavior. If an admin asks for a behavior change, they will expect these changes to happen immediately.
I have been on Mizahar since October 30, 2010, so I am by no means a veteran. I am quite new in regards to a lot of my friends on the site, and am but a sapling both in game play and life in the eyes of Mike (sorry, Internet Dad, I had to!). But in the meager months since I have joined, I have noticed a clear degradation in Chat conduct. Chat used to be much more friendly and helpful to new kids, but now it has become excessively rude. On several incidents, I have witnessed clear breakage of the Chat rules.
Now, since Mizahar has grown, the Chat has degraded more and more. I am by no means blaming newbies, nor am I assuming a position of superiority in this case, but I do believe they have a link. The most logical and obviously conclusion for me to jump to is that these new people DON'T READ THE RULES. If you haven't, go and read them now so that this rant actually applies to you.
By not reading the rules, you are obviously not going to know when you are breaking them, and this has happened countless times in the last week, let alone the last couple of months. On several occassions, I have been SERIOUSLY offended and genuinely hurt by people breaking the rules. I have had disparaging remarks made about me - I have had people say there were going to rape me and I have been called a whore on numerous occasions. I am fully aware that these were made jokingly, and I hate to keep grudges, but I am still hurt by these. You didn't read the rules, you broke the rules, and in doing so, you have hurt a real living person beyond the username.
Firstly:
Respect your fellow chatters. This means no vulgarity, disparaging remarks, arguments, or insults. We have a very low tolerance of this and you will be warned instantly if this is witnessed by an admin.
I have seen so many insults thrown lately, and unfortunately, hardly any of them are picked up on. What you may think is funny may genuinely hurt someone beyond the screen. You do not know a person's values, a person's history, and so what you may joke about with friends may open a floodgate of tears on the other end.
Secondly:
Avoid flames, flooding, trolling, and sensitive topics as outlined by the Terms of Use.
Sensitive topics are outlined in the Terms of Use, and the one that jumps out at me as being the primary one broken is "Crude, derogatory, inappropriate, or disrespectful remarks aimed at any individual, group, or organization." Which seems to be something that floods chat. Now, it says avoid, and I am not trying to be conservative and say all joking should stop, but if it is a joke that can hurt people, particularly when you don't even KNOW the person you are joking about, I sincerely hope that further action will be taken.
Thirdly:
The use of cryptic or innuendo-type language to 'skirt' chat rules is not allowed.
Asteriks over vowels or any other such methods don't make your intention any less clear. We're not stupid enough to be fooled.
And finally:
Feel free to report chat abuses that occur when an Admin is not present. Do so by submitting a log to the help desk including a time and date on the report. Your report will remain anonymous and can be verified by reviewing the chat logs.
I will be doing so.
I have been genuinely hurt by some remarks. I do not want anyone else to be. Read the rules, and if you don't think you can stick to them - don't bother coming into chat. |
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by Iris Dove on February 27th, 2011, 2:11 pm 
