The Caedes.net Code of Conduct


The Caedes.net Code of Conduct

1. General

a. Citizens shall endeavour to make caedes.net a better place (or at least not worse).

b. All comments should be mature and courteous. Any comments not in adherence to the NTV* code will be moderated or deleted.
c. The user's profile information and username should adhere to the NTV* code.
d. Critiques of people's work should be constructive and if possible informative and supportive. If you don't like something, say so and then tell how it could be improved.
e. Offtopic discussions should only be in the offtopic discussion forum. Not on people's uploaded images.
f. Unnecessarily abusive, hateful, or troll comments will be deleted.
g. Each user may only register one username for regular use. Changing usernames is fine, but you shouldn't regularly skip between two or more names.

2. Images

a. Only upload images for which you have full intellectual property, fair use, or redistribution rights or permissions.

b. If you use any material that you did not create, you must state the source of that material in the image description.

c. Image content should be in adherence to the NTV* code.

d. Unacceptable subject matter for images such as pornography, nudity, gratuitous wildlife copulation, screenshots of games, frames from a movie or television show, and pointless snapshots are not encouraged and may be rejected.

e. Once an image has been uploaded to the site it should not be uploaded again unless substantial changes have been made to it. These changes should be enough so that it could be reasonably assumed that the resulting changed image would receive a better critique than the previous version.

f. Voting on images should be based on each image's quality and not the image's author. Regularly up-voting a specific user's images will not be tolerated.

*NTV code: Only content that would be ok on network television is acceptable. (network television in the US, not Denmark!)


Seems as though a refresher is necessary for some.

So.. here it is.

It's a little disturbing to me to read comments placed on images that come close to violating a section of the CoC.

This one..

f. Voting on images should be based on each image's quality and not the image's author. Regularly up-voting a specific user's images will not be tolerated.


'Promoting images of friends' ... 'regular up-voting' ... same thing to my mind.

Again, a lil' refresher.. this time, with respect to this section of the CoC:

"All comments should be mature and courteous. Any comments not in adherence to the NTV* code will be moderated or deleted."


George Carlin knew this ... and so should you.

George Carlin built entire monologues which railed against this kind of thinking, Les. His was a brilliant mind which loved to explore language. Personally I have a hard time understanding the difference between a guy who hits his thumb with a hammer and screams, "shoot" and another guy who hits his thumb with a hammer and says "sh*t. We are an odd race of creatures where all sorts of words have identical meanings while some are deemed acceptable and some aren't. Heck is okay, but h*ll is not. Shoot is okay, but sh*t is not. Darn is okay, but damn is not. Fudge is okay...you get my drift. Whether we're talking about Anglo-Saxon terminology, our "naughty bits" or bodily functions, the list is endless. For example, humans have a digestive system. At one end a discussion of gasses being expelled is acceptable (burp, belch). At the other end, the discussion is considered unseemly. You have to admit that George Carlin had a way of making us think about these absurdities. I agree with George and think that nothing is black and white - just shades of gray. If you listen closely you can hear George Carlin rolling over in his grave. That which is mature or courteous is not etched in stone. More of a wisp that you might have seen out of the corner of your eye.

"There are no bad words. Bad thoughts. Bad intentions. And woooords."

-George Carlin


Life is much simpler for a simple minded guy like me when the only rule I live by is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

Roger

I agree, Roger, with your rule ... with one change..

"Life is much simpler for a simple minded guy like me when the only rule I live by is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ... bearing in mind that I may have children sitting beside me."


And..

As George's infamous monologue went.. 'these are words you can't say on TV', still applies with respect to that of the NTV code. (Unless you are viewing cable.)

Yes, they are just words.

Words, I don't particularly have a problem with ... however, simply being mindful of such and avoiding typing them out for all eyes to see/read ... completely removes any problems.

Would you not agree?

Wouldn't "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" include behaving in the manner the person who created the website has requested? If it was your website wouldn't that be what you would expect? I know I would.

Pretty good, Les.

I've been a member of Caedes since January of 2003. Until a few years ago when I bought my $95 junko digital camera, I did like most of the people who simply visit Caedes. I looked at the galleries and downloaded images for desktop wallpaper. I visited Caedes on my lunch hour at work, when I was visiting relatives and spending a weekend or a week and wanted to spruce up their computers with a few downloads. My brother is a professor at the U. of Wisconsin and has 4 children under 13. My parents are 88. I have nieces, nephews and friends with children of all ages. Not once during all those years did I join a discussion or try to critique an image. Like most visitors I didn't visit Caedes Desktop Wallpaper to view the stylistic verbiage in an obscure posting. I wouldn't even fathom a guess at the likelihood that a visitor with a child at his side would spend a fraction of a second reading comments like "Great shot. Thanks for sharing" followed by a comment that says "Excellent detail. Wonderful contrast. Too much noise." Let's say the chances are quite remote.

While I agree somewhat with your comments above, I'm not sure just how relevant they are to the broader reality of those who visit Caedes and your reminder of the Caedes Code of Conduct inasmuch as your reminder came the day after you PM'd me about my commentary regarding a misspelling of the word shot.

You seem quite knowledgeable; so I probably don't need to tell you that network ratings are plummeting while cables ratings are soaring. I don't mean to imply that we should write our narratives or our critiques as if we're Richard Nixon (now infamous for his place in history for the commonplace term "deleted expletive"). I did receive your PM and immediately edited my critique. I will endeavor to stay within the guidelines of the Caedes Code of Conduct. Just try to be cool and don't have a sh*tfit if I slip from time to time.

I am not on Caedes simply to make your life more difficult. It's just one of the fringe benefits. :-)

Roger

Paula Poundstone.

Comedi.. erhm, now which is it now? Comedienne? Comedian?

Screw it, funny lady and observational humourist.


I.. happen to agree with her, George Carlin and yourself, Roger ... where words are concerned.

Words only become empowered to a degree when closeted, shushed and so on. Changes their connotations from that of a mix of vowels and consonants to mean.. something. And possibly that of something hurtful or offensive.


But..

I do have to be mindful that I am not cognizant of all interpretations and meanings ascribed.

And..

I do have to be mindful that I am not aware of just exactly what the site owner had in mind when putting such a 'rule' into place.


Impossible, or near enough.. as I don't want to fine-tooth comb allllll comments placed on image's pages to find and correct improprieties vis a vis the Caedes.net Code of Conduct. Just happen to enjoy reading your comments (and viewing your work). So, I caught this one instance of a slip-up, as I don't think .. at all ... that you are doing so from a malicious perspective.

That is why there is a 'complaint' button. Relying on the many eyes of the membership to apprise the administration.


No harm, no foul, in my mind.

And by all means, don't go changing ... me inner imp appreciates yours. Adds some colour that I quite enjoy, to the place here.


And..

I reserve the right as an image mod/Praetor to moderate your comments, and/or delete/reject your images if you piss me off.

:oP

Screw it? Piss-me off? Not nice.

That last dependent clause in the paragraph directly above sure explains a lot.

"Piss - It's hard to tell when exactly it started, but this word is perfectly acceptable on TV now and has dropped all the way down to the PG tier, at least in a figure of speech ("piss[ed] off", meaning annoy[ed]).

According to the other wiki, the 1980 miniseries Shogun was the first to allow the word (to mean "urinate").

Oddly enough, it's in the King Jimmy Bible, multiple times. E.g., "him that pisseth against the wall" and "Are they not doomed with you to eat their own filth and drink their own piss?" Mark Twain had fun with this one.

Yeah, but- FUN FACT! In the era in which the bible was translated, "piss" was the common way to say it. The rudeness comes apparently just from the dislike of the class of the person who would use it. So...if you look at it another way, it should be very odd that this word is disliked in today's society.

This one might on the verge of jumping the barrier between "swear" and "non-swear" altogether. It was also the only PG word used in Napoleon Dynamite, a movie known for being squeaky-clean (having been written by Mormons and all).

Heck, shows on Cartoon Network have started using it (most notably, Regular Show).

On American TV it's borderline banal when expressing anger (i.e. "That really pisses me off") and almost unheard otherwise."


While the use of this particular word might offend some, it is not against the NTV code.

:o)

Still not nice. What in the code says it is a 'right' of a mod to delete or reject an image just because he is pissed off?

Now, you see?

Inadvertently, an important point has been made here.

What clearly to one person's mind and way of thinking to provide an interjection of some humour to lighten the topic being discussed has been misinterpreted by someone as a serious statement/intent and/or offensive.

We can all learn something from this.

Even with the inclusion of the emote; ":oP".

Chit happens.

I guess you misunderstood and didn't detect the humor in my question, les.

Now, you see?

Inadvertently, and again.. an important point has been made here.

The operative word being.. 'subtle', so as to not be virtually non-detectable.


And then, there's the issue of a member coming after the fact and editing their comments.

Very slippery slope this stuff.

You probably misunderstood due to the fact that you aren't a human, Les.

Wasn't me who edited anything.

Les, the automaton?

Where does term "p'd off" come from? - interesting suggestions

I like this other explantion for the expression's origin
"meaning angry - derives from an old American country simile: 'He was as mad as a fly p'd off a toilet seat'

I can remember as a child being shocked into giggles when shown Isiah Chapter 36 Verse 12 in the King James version by a boy cousin who knew everything including 'dirty words' - see I even remember chapter and verse!

But, it is not an expression I like or use, despite its common usage.

~ le bump ~

Seems to me that there are some issues repeating themselves on member's image's pages, as of late:

Critiques of people's work should be constructive and if possible informative and supportive. If you don't like something, say so and then tell how it could be improved. (The Caedes.net Code of Conduct - General)


And then this, with respect to some member's responses to comments placed:

Offtopic discussions should only be in the offtopic discussion forum. Not on people's uploaded images. (The Caedes.net Code of Conduct - General)


Could argue the chicken or egg thing (which came first).. that never solves anything, in my opinion.

Please refrain from 'conversations' on an author's image's pages. This is not the place to do so.


If.. 'you' have a problem with a comment received ... can always click on the 'Complain' button.

However, in these instances.. and I am not trying to be dismissive here of anyone's feelings ... ask yourself if the comments are indeed egregious ('unnecessarily abusive, hateful, or troll comments') before hitting the 'Complain' button.


Some wise counsel on the notes of comments/critiques;

"How to receive a critique:

Critiques are opinions and nothing more. They are reflections of the people giving them. You should never argue or complain about a critique. You will either agree with it or you won't. When you post a photo to a public forum for critique, you must be prepared to hear the worst-case scenarios as well as the educated critiques. If you are sensitive about your photos, posting them online is not a good idea. Don't expect everyone to share your sentiments about any given photo. Photography is supposed to be fun. Don't let negative critiques change your own opinion of your work. Have a good time."


And lastly, some words from *caedes himself;

"It is part of the stated mission of caedes.net to encourage artistic growth through critical commentary, and I will therefore give much leniency to those members who offer critique. What I am not lenient towards is behavior which discourages critical commentary (such as attacking those who offer critique)."

More stuff on receiving constructive criticism.

If only ALL members of this web site would follow their own advice. (See above) I have seen some scalding comments of late or comments that made no sense and they weren't made by the general members, they were made by mods. If you want to keep this kind of behavior ongoing, expect to see more of our fine contributing artists leaving as the numbers would now indicate is happening.

Constructive criticism will not always be sugar-coated. I am saddened by any member's decision to leave rather than find a way to handle it. I posted some information which can be found via the link in my above post on how to handle receiving constructive criticism, especially that which is not sugar-coated or well framed.

It is up to each member of the site who posts here to learn how to deal with this, regardless of whether the comment makes sense to the reader. This is a part of the caedes.net community which has been lost, and I support its return.

I do not wish to see any member of this community leave, and if they choose to do so, I will miss their contributions, but continue to support the rights and ability of those who choose to leave critical commentary, as long as it is not personally insulting the artist themselves "Wow, how bad do you suck?".

Please do read the thread I posted above for advice on how to receive commentary that you don't like.

It is one thing to deal with 'Constructive' critique and quite another to be lambasted with a comment from a mod or be left a comment that makes little sense whatsoever. This has happened very recently to some members, me included. If you have a set of guidelines on this site for making critical commentary, should it not be followed by mods as well?

Yes code of conduct needs to be followed by all, mods included. I think crituqe can be done tastefully, and not in a make fun of manner. I do know that sometimes members take it to heart too much so, but then the way the advice is given says alot to each of us.

We have lost a most talented member who took pride in his work, which showed with each posting. Of course we all have our opinion on what is perfect or less, but be nice about it, you don't have to make fun of it, and be harsh, show respect, and this should apply to ALL on this site!

I have not seen any comments lately that were done in a make fun of manner, including those which I have been specifically referred to. That they were blunt does not mean that they were not meant entirely seriously, with no intention to insult or mock the artist.

I would be happy to discuss why I think that a comment is warranted or not, and whether I feel it is insulting or not in another thread that I will create right now.

Have to agree with every word Sandi wrote.

Jibberish does not make sense to me, and that is what was done in a few, I can't link you to it, as it is removed.

Then we can only address what is available to be viewed. I have created the thread in this forum, "Blunt Comments".

I'm not able to find it cat. ?? I understand there is no proof now, that it really a shame, since it seems some clean up needs to be addressed.