go back to main IRC page: http://sara.falamaki.id.au/moin/irc_linuxchix
(Val's original at http://infohost.nmt.edu/~val/review/irc.txt Carla's revision at http://bratgrrl.com/irc-guidelines.html)
Guide for visitors to irc.linuxchix.org
What is the purpose of irc.linuxchix.org?
To provide a supportive, comfortable place to be a technical woman. The rule "Be polite, be helpful" applies on IRC as elsewhere (but don't take that to mean we can't have fun!).
What to do when someone is offensive or makes you uncomfortable on IRC:
Please, please email irc-admin@linuxchix.org. Logs and/or quotes are nice, but not required. If someone is making you uneasy but you can't put your finger on it, please turn on logging - it'll help you if you decide to make a complaint later. Don't worry about the etiquette of copying private messages - if someone is creeping you out, it's important to tell the admins. Don't worry about whether it's "just you" - in most or all cases, one complaint is followed by many complaints. It's the job of the admins to decide if it's "just you." Don't worry about the person finding out who complained - we'll anonymize your complaints. You can also contact an admin over IRC as well. If you would like to confront the person who is making you uneasy, but don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, private message an admin or another active user, and ask for their help. In any case, email irc-admin@linuxchix.org and tell us about what happened.
If you need to complain about an IRC admin, please email the LinuxChix coordinator at coordinator@linuxchix.org.
What if you're the only one who has a problem with a particular person? Talk to the admins- don't keep it to yourself. We'll all work together to figure it out. Never suffer in silence, or just leave; we're here to help and support each other.
This all helps to make LinuxChix a better place!
== Guide for irc-admins == ## This should be a separate page, for Admins or those considering volunteering. ##
There are several possible actions irc-admins can take in response to complaints, and also to prevent complaints.
Preventing Trouble
Trolls are trolls; they are summarily banned, no process needed. Any IRC admin can take any emergency response they feel is needed. The admin should email irc-admin@linuxchix.org after the fact to let the other admins know what happened. Remember, it's just an IRC channel- when you ban someone, you're kicking them out of our clubhouse. You're not denying them food, jobs, housing, or medical care.
IRC admins can help set a positive, helpful tone for the channel. If a visitor is wandering off-topic, dominating the conversation, dumping their personal problems, or otherwise dragging the channel down, a polite or even humorous comment can put things back on track. You don't have to come down like the big bad channel cop; save the big guns for when they're really needed. ### examples wanted of comments to use in various situations ###
"Hey, take it to #flirt, please!" "I'm uncomfortable with this conversation. Please stop."
Dealing With Complaints
When IRC admins get complaints about someone, they review the complaints and if necessary, ask for feedback from other LinuxChix. The rule of thumb is that if multiple people complain, or one person complains about a bad enough incident, then the admins take the next step in the process. Several admins should agree on this (but not a majority or a vote - just several). If you disagree with the proposed course of action, please offer suggestions for actions and solutions- don't just be against what the other admins are offering.
The next step is for three admins to have a private meeting with the offender. One admin should be the spokesperson, the other two serve as witnesses and moral support. The conversation is to be logged. Discuss the complaints with the person and give them a chance to respond fully. Give them specific examples if possible.
If they sincerely apologize for causing offense, intentionally or unintentionally, and indicate a desire to not be offensive, then they go on probation. This means that if the admins get one more validated complaint, the offender is banned, no further discussion. If they do not apologize and exhibit a sincere desire to change their behavior, or whine, blame the victim/s, evade, make excuses, "can't you gals take a joke!", conspiracy rant, or other obnoxious or "not getting it" behavior, then the offender is banned. ### what about sending an email as a followup, with the chatlog and review of what was decided? ##
If there is disagreement over whether a response fits the criteria for probation, then further conversations with both the person being complained about and the complainant/s are indicated, until a clearer picture emerges, or until the conflicts are resolved.
Whenever you deal privately with someone who is causing problems, have at least one other admin join you and log your conversation.
Any emergency actions should be emailed to irc-admin@linuxchix.org after the fact.
Vagueness, disputes, disagreements:
If any step is unclear or disputed, then the dispute will be resolved in favor of our primary goal of providing a supportive, comfortable environment for tech women.
Appeals:
If someone believes they have been wrongfully banned, email the LinuxChix Coordinator at coordinator@linuxchix.org. She will deal with the situation as she sees fit.