EDICTVM PRAETORICIVM DE MODERATIONEWe, the Praetores of Nova Roma, do hereby define the guidelines for appropriate usage of Nova Roma's public communication forum, currently located at:These guidelines are based on those previously issued by our predecessors, Pompeia Cornelia and Patricia Cassia. However, as Praetores of Nova Roma, we reserve the right to change them at any time. Any corrections or other list-related matters including complaints should be sent to us at <praetors@novaroma.org>. I. The Nova Roma forum (herein referred to as 'the list') is set up so that replies are automatically sent to the entire list. Please keep this in mind when you are replying. You are not issuing a private email. If your reply is intended for only one member, and has no benefit to the rest of the list subscribers, consider sending it privately. II. Posts that merely voice agreement with a previous post without expanding on an issue in any way are discouraged. III. Please trim your posts. When replying to a thread, snip unnecessary sections of the original post for brevity, and indicate where you have done so by printing <snipped> at the appropriate place. Correct usage of snipping prevents large posts that can quickly fill subscribers' mailboxes. IV. If you feel you must dispute or criticize another person's post, consider doing so in private. Sometimes a person makes a genuine mistake, and your gentle correction via private email will have far more effect than embarrassing them in the forum over what may have been an innocent error. We know that during political debates, private exchanges are impractical. Please use discretion in this area. V. It is entirely appropriate to disagree publicly with another's stated views or actions, including the actions of Nova Roma's Magistrates, Senate or other appointed officials. Nova Roma is an organization of individuals from a wide variety of nations, religions, cultural backgrounds and political viewpoints, and it is only reasonable that our views should differ. However, we urge you to consider the following when expressing disagreement of opposing viewpoints:
Inappropriate behaviour includes: The use of profane language; misrepresentation of the truth for the purpose of making another person look foolish; name-calling; criticizing a poster's personal character as opposed to criticizing his ideas; making derogatory, belittling, subjective statements about the Gods and Goddesses of Rome or belittling deities of other religions (however, quoting from a myth or historical material is allowed.) Further, in the interests of protecting our younger citizens, sexual references must be strictly within the context of an historical discussion. Otherwise, they are to be made in private. Advertisment of unsolicited goods and services (a.k.a. UCE or spam) is not permitted on the Nova Roma mainlist, unless the advertiser is a member of Nova Roma's marketplace, the Macellum. Macellum merchants are welcome to advertise from time to time in a low-key fashion. Permitted forms of this include a standard email signature (commonly defined by netiquette as a four-line maximum), a one-time announcement of initial affiliation with the Macellum, advertising in response to a post of inquiry made in the forum, or an ad once per quarter advertising your presence in the Macellum. VI. If you feel that a post is inappropriate in any way, consider mailing the individual concerned privately, explaining your rationale for grievance and asking for clarification. You may also contact the Praetores directly if you cannot resolve the issue privately. VII. During the time leading up to elections (held each November and occasionally at other times if offices become vacant) this list is one of the forums where candidates express their views and present their qualifications to the populace. All of the strictures governing appropriate behavior previously mentioned shall remain in place and apply to all candidates and their supporters. VIII. Please do not give out any personal information (i.e., address, phone number, etc.) on the list. Remember that you're posting in a public forum, and maintain due regard for your own safety and that of others. IX. Due to high levels of spam and past incidents of posts from those who wish to cause disruption on the list (trolls), we have a policy of placing all new list members on Moderated Status until we are satisfied that they are indeed here to celebrate aspects of Roma Antiqua and Nova Roma, as opposed to being here for unjustifiable reasons. This is unfortunate, but it has proved necessary. X. Language Policies The forum of Roma Antiquita was a large venue, with many people of different cultures and languages conversing. Official information was in Latin, and in some cases Greek, but people were free to speak informally in the language of their choice. Our constitution mandates freedom of communication provided it is not dangerous or disruptive. Currently, the Praetores can understand Latin, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese, so messages in those languages are welcome. There are also a number of other languages for which translation help can be obtained from the decuria of interpreters of Nova Roma. Thanks to the decuria of interpreters and to several magistrates or legates who are willing to assist with list moderation, 'informal' communication in the forum is open to most main languages. Feel free to post in English, Latin, Italian, Portugese, Spanish, Fench, German, Russian and other Slavic languages, Norwegian, Finnish, or Swedish. The Praetors have many to thank for efforts in this regard. *** Exception: *** All official documents published on the list must follow the Lex Cornelia de Linguis Publicus <http://www.novaroma.org/tabularium/leges/2002-02-27-ii.html> which stipulates, though comitial mandate, that any official government legislation or priestly decrees must be issued in English or Latin where applicable, so they can be translated verbatim into other languages to be more easily understood by the entirety of the populace. XI. Topics of Discussion. The main focus of this list is Nova Roma and Roma Antiqua. However, as members of a diverse international community we all have lives and interests outside of Nova Roma. It is perfectly acceptable to discuss non-Roman topics here, though keep in mind that not everyone may share your interest in these topics. XII: The Praetors have the imperium to govern the list, but prefer to encourage positive interaction as opposed to punishing negative behaviour. In the case of a poster whose actions violate the above guidelines, the following course of escalation shall be followed:
04 February MMDCCLVII spt |