Community Guidelines

Online community guidelines are usually a waste of time.

The people that read the guidelines aren’t the people who cause problems. The people that cause problems aren’t the people who read the guidelines.

For sure, boot out the racists, spammers, sex predators and criminals. That’s common sense. You don't need guidelines for this. You don’t want these people in your community anyway.

Instead of writing guidelines as a restrictive measure, telling members what they can’t do. Why not write guidelines as a positive measure, telling members what they can do? Call it the welcome guide, members get a copy when they join to help them get started.

Comments

[CoCreatr]

Thanks. Reminds me of traffic signage. Subtract traffic signs => less distraction, fewer accidents. German town experience http://tinyurl.com/lrz4hn

[twitter.com/morisy]

Interesting idea, and I particularly like the traffic sign analogy.

I do think it's good to have something to point to so you don't get accused of being dictatorial or arbitrary, but framing it in a positive isn't a bad idea. I just stumbled upon these community guidelines, actually, from InBerkeley which takes a similar tack:
http://www.inberkeley.com/for-contributors/

It has both the positives they want from contributors, as well as what won't be tolerated. Good post, thanks!