[wlug_org] First draft of WellyLUG rules and guidelines

[Damon Lynch]

On Thu, 2004-05-06 at 15:59, Jamie Dobbs wrote:
> > Guidelines do not equal rules. The actual rules that were stated in the
> > proposal (all two of them) are either laid down by others that we must
> > abide by, or bleeding obvious.
> 
> Guidelines/rules, same thing in my book (and I believe they are commonly
> regarded as synonyms).

They are not the same.  Rules are rules.  As I said, the guidelines
**are by their nature optional but are designed to help facilitate
smoother interpersonal relations.**

> The basic idea of the rules I agree with but this namby pampy tree hugging
> rubbish about 'thanking poeple who thank you' has no place any any form of
> guidlines of rules - it is common sense!

First, let's get something straight.  The term "tree hugging" is
particularly ironic.  We aren't talking about trees, but people -- and
how they behave toward one another in sometimes messy and difficult
situations.  One could spread FUD to a tree and it won't care.  People
do.  

Second, they are not "namby pampy".  Being patient with someone who is
acting like a jerk is not easy.  Being kind to someone who is doing
little else than criticising or continually acting on an agenda of fear
is not for wimps. 

Also see this:

http://www.pclinuxonline.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=8

Perhaps if you see other examples you won't react so negatively.

> I have shown these proposed 'guidelines' to a couple of people and their
> reactions have always been along the lines of "WTF! Keep it simple, the
> rules are fine, but ditch the guidelines as they are too complex. People
> just need to keep it civil"

If it were so easy WellyLUG would not have had the problems it has
been.  And as someone who has been very much involved in them, I was
hoping by now you would realise that.  

> 
> > If you had turned up at the last meeting (I believe you were threatening
> > to leave the LUG at the time), you would have noted an overwhelming
> > majority voting in favour of the creation of some guidelines. It is my
> > view that this was directly in response to a thread that began '...Well
> > due to one thing and another I no longer have Linux installed...'
> 
> It would have been nice to see this reported on the list, or even see if
> discussed on the main Wellylug list rather than in the WLUG_ORG list.
> Personally I'd like to see the ORG list removed and all traffic moved to
> the main LUG list as this discussion for one needs input from more than
> just the people on the ORG list.

This is not the sort of discussion I would feel comfortable exposing new
members to just yet.  We'll sort it out here and present it one Monday.


> I intend to turn up to the meeting, I just hope that this time people have
> a little decency and don't give me the cold shoulder like I got at the
> Installfest. I hardly got so much as a hello from most LUG members.

I said hello talked with you.

> 
> Obviously I've pissed a few people off, and that is to be expected given
> that I'm not a sheep following through with the ideas being put forward.

I suggest you rewrite what I've put forward, for a start.  Then we can
get down to the nitty gritty instead of all this arm waving.

Damon