Ubuntu Code of Conduct too obscure for newbies to understand

[Kenny Strawn]

The Ubuntu Code of Conduct may be open source, and that's a good thing. The problem, however, is that, the way I remember it, it's worded like "1984" by George Orwell (as in the words and sentence structure used) and the way the Mods interpret it either the CoC needs some reconstruction or the Mods need not be so extremist about it and twist rules into it that aren't even there.

At first I criticised the Mods for the way they interpreted it, but now I know that it's the CoC that's the problem: Instead of it being a numbered or bulleted list of legitimate "rules," it is a convoluted and poorly structured mess that needs a serious overhaul. If I could, I would actually submit a revised CoC that is more accurate at listing the "rules" that the Mods claim are there.

[Matthew Helmke (matthelmke)]

I'm unclear. Does this relate to the Ubuntu Code of Conduct, or the Ubuntu Forums Code of Conduct. They are separate documents. Although related, the forums' version is subservient to the main CoC and only applies on the forums.

[Kenny Strawn (realkstrawn93)]

Definitely the Forum CoC. And the main CoC. The problem is that, instead of being a bulleted or numbered list of one-sentence "rules" (like the PCWorld Community Standards and the LinuxQuestions.org Rules, for example), it tries to add too much detail and in the process includes college words, poor sentence structure, and other obfuscations that may be easy for those of you in Britain to understand but not so much for us here in the United States.

If you are wondering what the problem is, the Ubuntu Code of Conduct isn't worded like the LinuxQuestions.org Rules ( http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/rules.html ) or the PCWorld Community Standards ( http://www.pcworld.com/resource/community.html ) at all.

Look at the above for examples of how the CoC *should* look like.

[Kenny Strawn (realkstrawn93)]

Also subscribed the SABDFL to see what he thinks.

[Richard Voogd (Lisati) (lisati)]

How long since you've actually looked at the forum CoC? http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php?page=policy

I wish to acknowledge Matthew's recent efforts at keeping the CoC relevant and easy to understand. I'm sure if there was something more specific that needed attention, we could work things out peacefully.

[bodhi.zazen (bodhi.zazen)]

I am sorry you are having a problem with the Code of Conduct.

The staff has put a lot of effort into writing it so it is as understandable as possible.

If you have specific suggestions at re-wording it feel free to post them here and we would consider them.

Part of your post comes across as antagonistic and when you say "it's worded like "1984" by George Orwell (as in the words and sentence structure used) and the way the Mods interpret it either the CoC needs some reconstruction or the Mods need not be so extremist about it and twist rules into it that aren't even there" it sounds more as if you find you are unable to follow the policy. In this event, yes these are moderated forums and if you find the Code of Conduct disagreeable it sounds as if you should not participate in the forums.

[Daniel Holbach (dholbach)]

I personally don't think we solve any problems by making the CoC a list of explicit DOs and explicit DON'Ts. We'd end up writing a law book that requires loads of maintenance and we'd have to update it all the time. I very much like the very broad approach of the CoC that IMO conveys the spirit of Ubuntu very well. Which specific part do you think is too vague?

[Iain Buclaw (iainb)]

Agreed, there is nothing really to ask of the CoC, as it is generally expected that all members of the community to be respectful at all times anyway. If you have difficulty understanding that, it means please use etiquette and politeness. Treat people with kindness, gentleness and respect. If you do this, the rest of the code of conduct won't need more than a cursory mention.

Yes that is a line shamelessly pulled straight from the page itself, but there really is nothing more to it. Nothing obscure, no hidden agendas, and nothing too intricate to follow. Even for those who've just began to pop their heads above the parapet.

[Joseph Price (pricechild)]

Relevant: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntuforums.org/+bug/566409 ?