Posted by Rick [Rick] on April 01, 1999 at 12:56:44 {feW1wc1uNQctB9oBIfGcFMFBt36Xyc}:
ANSWER:
Yes it does accept contributions. At the time of the FPP writing we had no method of accepting donations. This is a good opportunity to reiterate the value of both "donators" and "contributors." Someone who strictly donates without either posting and/or attempting "to set a good example in the quality of your postings and careful adherence to this FPP for the benefit of all," as a valuable non-monetary contribution to help H2O, is essential to helping maintain this outpost. H2O receives invoices for monthly charges, bandwidth, and secure-server access we could not afford without "viewer support."
Someone who "contributes" in volunteering time as a Moderator, or attempting "to set a good example in the quality of your postings and careful adherence to this FPP for the benefit of all," as a valuable non-monetary contribution to help H2O, is critical to H2O's providing value to our brothers and sisters who need it most.
Those who both donate and contribute in some manner are like the frosting on the cake. We understand some can only provide monetary support but can't participate in discussions for personal reasons, or don't have the self-control to consistently conduct themselves within the Forum Participation Policy (FPP). We also understand many are of little means and their contribution of their time in Moderating H2O, or going out of their way to remain without our FPP, is a contribution equally vital to H2O's survival.
Suppose I was wealthy and leased a stadium for annual international meetings of H2O, but nobody volunteered to organize the event, the audience was rowdy and rude, and the stadium was left trashed? Would my monetary support work? No, my support loses value if those who cannot afford to help monetarily don't contribute in some other manner. Take the Watchtower conventions. Each attendee who sits quietly and listens to the talk without creating any disruption is a "contributor" as well as those who monetarily support.
The entire support effort is interactive. Without funds we can't afford the facilities to meet (including internet server facilities in the case of H2O). Without everyone's individual cooperation, the purpose of those funds is diminished to the extent attendees don't cooperate. You can't "buy" cooperation. You can't "buy" moderator time. You can't "buy" voluntary adherence to the policies. Therefore each of these facets is a form of "currency" that is "contributed" in exchange for the benefits each attendee receives in return. Those blessed with money can't "buy" preferential treatment. Suppose at a convention someone bragged to one mopping the floor between sessions, for reasons unknown, "I just donated $10,000; you would have to mop floors for a YEAR to get paid what I donated." Wouldn't that attitude poison the atmosphere and harm the morale of everyone? Of course. If someone asked you to help mop the floors, and you said "No way! I just donated $10,000, I don't have to do that!" then I think they would back off but wonder if you really did donate as you claimed?
The bottomline is nobody is expected to reveal their level of support, whether it's monetary or doing something equal or greater in value.
Those that decide to mention their contributions and/or donations should never expect preferential treatment. In fact, the moderators might go harder on such ones to prove you cannot "buy" any form of status on a site where all are humbly considered equal. Contributions and donations are rewarded with personal satisfacton from within, and if that's not enough it's wise not to get involved in helping others. Thankfully enough people are rewarded with the knowledge that others benefit from their efforts and/or resources.
(a) I read this statement: "Any conduct outside of widely accepted "netiquette" (as applied to newsgroup postings and large online services) will result in the removal of posting(s), at the sole discretion of Hourglass2 Outpost System Administrator." Does this expand the FPP?
ANSWER:
The statement quoted means that if someone conducts themselves in a manner that would result in a posting's removal on most moderated newsgroups or online service discussion forums, they are in violation of the FPP. Moderators should explain specifically what they find objectionable that violates "netiquette" in the majority of forums, in the extra fields provided on the citation and recommend it is added to the form. Based on rules for issuing citations, this means they can only issue warnings until such time a new violation is added to the form.
(b) Does the statement "Profane or sexually suggestive names will automatically be deleted at H2O's sole discretion, regardless of post content" imply that the user account is deleted?
ANSWER:
Depending on whether the offending name is placed in the Name field of post, or is a User Name required to access the posting script. The former will result in warning or post removal depending on severity, "at H2O's sole discretion" (meaning at moderator's sole discretion in this instance). The latter results in same action, but moderator should inform H2O administration that a User Name violates this FPP directive. That account is automatically terminated, and repeat violations result in use of the banning filter.
(c) The FPP states "Screen names for this particular board cannot be God or God's Name or recognised variations of this Name, or the name of Jesus Christ or recognised variations of this name, except when the legal name of the participant happens to be one of these names." How does H2O determine if an account is the "legal" name?
ANSWER:
At our sole discretion we might ask for an email stating this is their legal name. However, we strongly discourage use of real names. The Participant Agreement and Disclaimer both protect H2O, its admins and moderators, and its ISP from responsibility for the consequences of posting a real name.
Using a real name that is considered divine or sacred could also open the participant to harm from fanatics who believe they shouldn't have a sacred name to begin with. The long and short of it is that first names like "Jesus" are common in the Hispanic community. Moderators should apply a litmus test of whether the poster is attempting to impersonate Jesus Christ in this instance, or is simply posting using their first name? Claiming one's legal name is "God", "Jehovah", "Yahweh", etc. are more problematic. Moderators are advised to follow the specific protocol in FPP under Screen Names to resolve these types of situations.
Rick
Administrator
H2O