Discussion Guidelines
Several features on The Schumin Web, including the Journal, Photo Feature, Splash Photo, and Quote Archive, allow users to comment on posts. In order to create an atmosphere where the discussion is productive and all can feel welcome, I have created guidelines that lay out how your comments are handled, and set boundaries for what is and is not considered acceptable behavior in this venue.
How comments are handled
- You must be registered with Disqus, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo, or OpenID in order to post.
- By posting here, you grant a nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide license to the editors of The Schumin Web to use your content in any form, and for any purpose.
- All comments on this site are moderated. Your comment will not appear on the site until it is approved by a moderator.
- I reserve the right to not open a post to comments or to close a post to further comments for any or no reason.
Behavioral guidelines
- You are posting to a website that is visible to the public. Your family, friends, and coworkers will be able to see your comments. Think before you post.
- Your comments should be productive contributions about the post on which you are commenting. Off-topic posts will not be approved. If you would like to send me a personal message, please use the contact form or Facebook.
- Cite your sources. If you are relying on a source for facts, please disclose it so that others can also make use of the source that you relied on. You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion.
- Please be respectful and civil. It is perfectly fine to disagree with someone, however, personal attacks, hate speech, flaming, or anything that might be considered abusive are not allowed.
- Mind your language. Profanity is not permitted in the comments.
- No advertising. While the mention of products, services, or other websites that is incidental to a discussion is permitted, it is not permitted to post with the intent of advertising products or services.
- Proper grammar is your friend. Please ensure that your posts are grammatically correct, spelled correctly, and have proper punctuation and capitalization. No all-caps or all-lowercase. No one wants to read a messy comment.
- Do not impersonate anyone. You should only post as yourself.
- Use only your own words. Nobody likes plagiarism.
- Please don’t post addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc. where such information is not common knowledge. For instance, the address and phone number for the White House are common knowledge. My home address and phone number are not. If you are at all doubtful, please err on the side of discretion.
- It is not necessary to redact author information regarding comments posted online, and I would rather that you didn’t redact. The assumption is that the people who posted this material attached their name to it willingly, and thus they should be given proper credit for their work.
Additionally, please remember that no one is forcing you to post here. If you are unable or unwilling to follow these guidelines, then please do not post here. If you have any questions, please contact me.