Forget the stupid ‘Code of Conduct’ and much worse ‘Civility Enforced’ nonsense put forward by Tim O’Reilly – Jangro has a much better idea – a badge that basically says Don’t be an Idiot.
That’s what I’m going to be posting on my blog.
Jangro says of the button “It covers everything from being an ass, to spamming, to link dropping. In fact it carries over into real-life as well. You can’t go wrong with this one.”
I suggest everyone that feels uncomfortable with the ‘civility enforced’ or even the ‘anything goes’ buttons post this one as a sort of ‘anti-code’ to the O’Reilly Code of Conduct.
As a principle I quite like the idea of a set of values for the blogosphere – it makes sense, it’s nice BUT as presented by O’Reilly the Code of Conduct is too restrictive, descriptive and well… enforced.
A much better solution is common sense but failing that a set of values – something like ‘we believe in being nice’ or something along those lines but much better worded.
In the meantime enjoy the ‘don’t be stupid badge’.
Ryan Morrison is a geek, journalist and someone obsess with media, technology and geek culture. He writes for the BBC in Jersey on any subject that falls on his desk and presents a show about the islands music scene. He has been blogging for six years.