Topic: Lets make some rules

At this time, there aren't any listed rules, so why don't we all help WebcomicZ out by coming up with some. My ideas:

1. Use spoiler tags liberally, ie. whenever you can reasonably imagine anyone wouldn't have encountered any given plot point.

2. Use the right forums, ie. don't advertise outside of "Me! Me! Me!"

3. Be polite, courteous, assume the best.

My questions: Foul Language? Mature topics discussions? Will there be empowered members (ie. mods)?

Rules 2 and 3 work for me.

Rule 1 can be negated by putting *spoilers* in the thread title (NOT your post title as those are mostly hidden and unread). So basically, if you start a thread and what to discuss spoiler-heavy topics, puit *spoilers* in your title.

If you posting in a topic WITHOUT *spoilers* in the title, use spoiler tags.

And your questions:

Foul language? Honestly haven't decided. But my general rule is if its said on TV, it can be said here. Though, an occasional slip is tolerable. I plan to maybe put in filters for those who don't wish to see it.

It'd be kind of hypocritical for me to link and discuss comics like Penny Arcade and not assume my visitors are mature enough to handle foul language. That also means they must be mature enough to use it responsibly.

Mature topics discussions? I guess you'd have to be more specific. First response right now, is case by case. Not exactly clear cut, I know...

Mods? Definitely in the future. We're growing kinda fast, and soon those members will be migrating here. I'm gonna need help.

PS. A list of definitive rules is also on my list of things I need to do but aren't appealing cause they're less fun than other things I want to do.

Filters is an excellent way to solve the issue of language. It gives control over the experience to the reader, rather than trying to regulate participation. Not to mention, there are a number of excellent "mature" comics out there, like Sexy Losers (which is mostly-but-not-entirely dead). If the site's about webcomics, you don't want to create a situation where some comics can only be discussed in the vaguest of terms.

Let's face it, it's really sex in comics that we're talking about here. Violence seems to be a-ok to discuss wherever.

On the one hand, I think kids that are mature enough should be totally free to talk about pretty much anything they can handle. I'm not a fan of censorship.

On the other hand, thinking of comics like Sexy Losers and Ghastly's Ghastly Comic... I'm not exactly sure necrophilia, incest, hentai tentacles and the gimp ninja should be discussions in PG forums.

The thing is, like them or hate them, those comics were landmarks in and of themselves in the world of webcomics. And there are other things out there, like Slipshine or Sabrina. Should someone want to talk about them, there ought to be a place for that in a webforum specifically about webcomics.

If you did want to create an area for "mature" topics, you'd have to include age as one of the registration fields, I suppose. That would probably be the simplest way to go about it.

Probably want to figure out policy on posting pictures while you're at it. Decide whether you need to have a "nothing X-rated" standard, for liability purposes.

So, check on the filter. See how that works out for everyone. Probably set things up with some filter levels, and a custom word list for those who want.

And a 'Mature Webcomic Board' isn't a bad idea. 18+ only. I do request date of birth on registration, but I can make it mandatory (though people can lie anyway). And the board won't be visble or accesible to anyone under 18.

Explicit images are not allowed for strictly legal reasons. Whole big deal with 2257 laws and the like that I don't want to get involved with on this site.

Now just comes the task of developing the filters... yikes.

- really want emoticons too -

Thanks again you all for the suggestions and insight.

I guess an 18+ board is a great idea; if people intend to lie about their age just to gain access, I guess that's their own responsibility.


Filters work great for foul language, yes.

Something to think about: What about spam? Can be quite fun, but can be quite annoying too (at my own forums I solved this by creating a topic that was meant for spam and this was the only topic members were allowed to spam... worked for me.. I guess a spam policy is quite personal; some people find it annoying, others find it to be great fun).


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