We need posting guidelines for MeTa ALSO?

October 20, 2003 8:03 PM

Considering the increasing amount of recent MetaTalk posts that have been deleted or generally derided, perhaps the time has come to propose that some Posting Guidelines, similar to those which already and profitably exist for MetaFilter, could be useful here too. Following the same dichotomy ("What makes a good thread post to MeTa?"/What makes a bad post to MeTa?"), what essential, make-or-break, very general guidelines (in the "minimum of hard rules" spirit of this community) would users suggest?
posted by MiguelCardoso to Feature Requests at 8:03 PM (43 comments total)

One simple question: WWMD?
posted by eyeballkid at 8:06 PM on October 20, 2003

Pretty simple really, one guideline: don't post anything lame.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:11 PM on October 20, 2003

*boggle*
posted by NortonDC at 8:14 PM on October 20, 2003

Pretty simple really, one guideline: don't post anything lame.

Could you take it down a notch?
posted by Stynxno at 8:18 PM on October 20, 2003

Sure, but now we'll need a metametatalk.
posted by Samsonov14 at 8:24 PM on October 20, 2003

perhaps the time has come to propose that some Posting Guidelines, similar to those which already and profitably exist for MetaFilter,

Oh goody. More rules in my life. It'll be fun. Where will we drag the rulebreakers, MeTaTa?
posted by jonmc at 8:25 PM on October 20, 2003

Are you suggesting there's something wron with MeTaTas?

*adjusts bra*
posted by NortonDC at 8:34 PM on October 20, 2003

Be twice as critical of your own posts and comments, and half as critical of everyone else's.
posted by UncleFes at 8:42 PM on October 20, 2003

Oh damn, ebk, you beat me to it! Nortie, your ta-tas are just fine (ROTFLMAO).
posted by Lynsey at 8:43 PM on October 20, 2003

Omit Needless Posts.
posted by y2karl at 9:06 PM on October 20, 2003

While we're kind of on the subject, think you could change the "impending war in Iraq" bit from the Metafilter posting guidelines?
posted by UKnowForKids at 9:22 PM on October 20, 2003

I like this idea. How about this:

"Please remember that MetaTalk is a tool for making MetaFilter better. It is not a place for witty conversation, personal grudges, or petty grievances. Please take a deep breath before posting and ask yourself if this post is worth pushing some other issue off the page.

Unlike MetaFilter, MetaTalk.isn't a forum that needs to have posts every day. The focus here is on things that we as a community need to discuss or know about. If we go days without a MetaTalk post, that would be a good thing.

If you have a grievance with another member or are insulted by something that happened in the blue, please keep in mind that others won't have the same passion for it and you may get ridiculed. If you feel it's important enough that we really must hash out it as a community, try to present your case in a balanced manner.

Also give the search feature a try. Over the years we've discussed everything. Chances are your issue has already been raised and dealt with many times in the past."
posted by y6y6y6 at 9:33 PM on October 20, 2003

How about this

[this is good]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:41 PM on October 20, 2003

I like the "don't post anything lame" idea, but it does not seem to be working. y6y6y6's suggestion looks good, as it might make someone think twice before starting a new thread. In the end, though, I don't think it will make a scrap of difference.
posted by dg at 10:09 PM on October 20, 2003

oh beautiful, for gracious smock
gondola valerie plame
with purple bruises and a scrape
the fruited are to blame
oh metatalk, oh metatalk
clav spread his divs on thee
crash davishood, now [this is good],
my 'phant he now must pee.
posted by quonsar at 10:17 PM on October 20, 2003

can we have a weekly cage match just to get the ants out of the pants?
posted by insomnyuk at 10:21 PM on October 20, 2003

"what essential, make-or-break, very general guidelines (in the "minimum of hard rules" spirit of this community) would users suggest?"

After hitting preview one should pause, reread, go have a soda, or even better a stiff drink and a piece of chocolate cake. Watch a little tv or read a magazine. If there's anyone around who will oblige, perhaps have a massage to relieve any tension. Only then should you return to the computer and reread, take a deep breath and then post.

That's posting. I think everyone should comment while they're still hopped up on caffeine or whatever drug/beverage of choice there be available. Arrrrr.

Those are only general guidelines, of course.
And I vote yes on the cage match. With folding chairs.
posted by batgrlHG at 10:58 PM on October 20, 2003

I hate the term soda.
posted by The God Complex at 11:54 PM on October 20, 2003

You heard batgrlHG, make sure you have a vodka enema before posting. And hey, what are these divs on me clav?

I always enjoy the repartee in MetaTaTa. Please, no more rules or you get the ruler!

*pulls up deck chair*

Does anyone know the score?
posted by alicesshoe at 11:56 PM on October 20, 2003

"I hate the term soda."

Well, I used to call it pop until I lived in Massachusetts and they mocked me greatly me for saying that. Apparently there is much angst at the use of the word "pop". Also "tonic." In the south you just say "coke" and folk know you want a brown carbonated beverage of some sort.

(Quick, someone take "brown carbonated beverage" and run with it. Come on, you know you want to.)
posted by batgrlHG at 1:12 AM on October 21, 2003

(so I run...)

But responding on what now Cardoso assembled, really best of nominated authority: to edit directly, before every verbage. Enact rosily, and greet eminence.
posted by kaibutsu at 1:23 AM on October 21, 2003

eek. metatalk is now enacting new compulsory enemas?

(and let's face it, with friends like these, who needs enemas?)
posted by taz at 3:13 AM on October 21, 2003

Great. More rules that people will ignore.
posted by konolia at 4:04 AM on October 21, 2003

miguel, miguel, miguel. *sighs*
posted by elphTeq at 4:25 AM on October 21, 2003

[lines up for compulsory enema]
posted by MrBaliHai at 4:49 AM on October 21, 2003

I would like to note that I must be one of the few people who come close to Miguel's deleted Metatalk posts record, mainly because most of them were about banning Miguel.
posted by Stan Chin at 5:38 AM on October 21, 2003

double vodka enema for Stan, on the rocks.
posted by taz at 5:51 AM on October 21, 2003

Pretty simple really, one guideline: don't post anything lame.

Oh, THAT'S an objective standard that we can all agree upon!

I think UncleFes has it right.
posted by rushmc at 6:34 AM on October 21, 2003

Uh, see.. people seem to forget that MetaTalk has topic headings. And if your little purpose in life doesn't fit into a topic heading, then you shouldn't be posting it on MetaTalk.

I'm with jonmc.. no need for more rules in my life.
posted by rich at 6:57 AM on October 21, 2003

Oh, THAT'S an objective standard that we can all agree upon!

Well, not before each of us has had the vodka enema, of course.
posted by soyjoy at 8:20 AM on October 21, 2003

Vodka? No thanks. I prefer my own recipe which I call:

Wrecked 'em? I Nearly Killed 'em!

Pour into a shaker half filled with crushed ice:

4 oz. orange juice
2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. fresh-squeezed key lime juice
2 oz. Puerto Rican gold rum

Shake vigorously then pour into an enema bag. Float 2 oz. of dark rum over the top, add a splash of grenadine, then garnish with a tiny umbrella and a skewer of maraschino cherry and a lemon wedge.

Insert nozzle and squeeze.
posted by MrBaliHai at 9:26 AM on October 21, 2003 [1 favorite]

Alcohol on tender tissue
May turn out to be an issue
But anything to stop the squawk
re rotten posts on Metatalk
posted by konolia at 9:38 AM on October 21, 2003

# | Pretty simple really, one guideline: don't post anything lame.

I concur. IMO, imposing more rules strikes me as an unnecessary and futile exercise.

I guess it depends on how you see MeTa and its function in the overall scheme of things. Is it a Senate meeting that exists as a power check against the blue for the sake of order and improving the overall quality of MeFi? Or is it a small soundproofed room with padded walls for the judgmental where you can scream and bash your head against the wall to rid yourself of the frustration over others' poor posting practices while ignoring your own?
posted by antifreez_ at 9:45 AM on October 21, 2003

Butt! To really stop the squawks
Make it enemas on the rocks
For blowhards tend to lose their thunder
When they're buried six feet under
posted by stonerose at 9:52 AM on October 21, 2003

like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick
posted by walrus at 10:01 AM on October 21, 2003

Faster! Faster! Mix Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters!
Still, barkeep, let thy touch be tender
Upon the MetaTalk offender
Lest members of that esteemed forum
Be sprayed with hundred-proof Santorum
posted by stonerose at 10:04 AM on October 21, 2003 [1 favorite]

Oh, stonerose, you're such a worry-wart.

Experts say putting ice cubes up the rectums of unconscious people has no physiological benefit and can even lead to seizures and stroke.

For the rest of us it's "Conscious Party" time!
posted by soyjoy at 10:36 AM on October 21, 2003

"Shake vigorously then pour into an enema bag. Float 2 oz. of dark rum over the top, add a splash of grenadine, then garnish with a tiny umbrella and a skewer of maraschino cherry and a lemon wedge."

Before using this enema it might be wise to discover where one might go in your local area to have the tiny umbrella and skewer removed.
posted by batgrlHG at 10:41 AM on October 21, 2003

Spoilsport.
posted by MrBaliHai at 1:43 PM on October 21, 2003

Well, it would have been nice to know that earlier.

But at least my ass is now safe from rain.
posted by arto at 1:49 PM on October 21, 2003

I realize that this could be translated in two ways: "What would Miguel do?" or "What would mathowie do?"

You can figure out which question yields the worthy MeTa thread.
posted by eyeballkid at 1:54 PM on October 21, 2003

One simple question : What the fuck was I thinking?

preferably asked before posting.
posted by carfilhiot at 4:31 PM on October 21, 2003

EBK: I thought WWMD stood for the now classic "What Weapons of Mass Destruction?"
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:59 PM on October 21, 2003