Ubuntu Forums

There is a major dispute going on between various participants of the Forums...

• There is still a dispute between a few members of the Ubuntu community about the Automatix project and a derivative of it. The following links are references to parts of the discussion.
  • Note: "Forum Staff" on the forums are not admins, even though the title suggests it.
  • The forum admins say project subforums are run by the leader of the project. I guess this means if they request something be done within their sub-forum they get it, no matter what.

  • Post deletions example: http://apqi.com/ubuntu/Automatix%20(Automated%20GUI%20installation%20script)%20-%20Page%2024%20-%20Ubuntu%20Forums.htm (thread with some non-deleted posts)

  • http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=66563&page=24 (same thread with deleted posts)

  • http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=98599

  • http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=94310 (thread moved to internal forums)[http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:xSdeR_3S9QwJ:ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php%3Ft%3D94310+&hl=en Google Cache]

  • and http://placelibre.ath.cx/keyes/index.php/2005/12/05/78-automatix-viole-la-gpl (french)

  • Summary of censorship: http://robotgeek.org/cc.html

  • Very pertinent thread. It is locked.: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=99553 (azz)

  • Reaction of forum staff to proper application of GPL: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=99866 (seth_k)

  • I was told by Ubuntu Geek that he will ban me from the forums if I continue to discuss the topics ongoing in the Site Discussion Forum: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=100069 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=100433 http://apqi.com/ubuntu/Ubuntu%20Forums%20-%20Re%20please%20read-1.htm and http://apqi.com/ubuntu/Ubuntu%20Forums%20-%20Re%20please%20read.htm (Personal Messages - AndrewZajac (azz))

  • Minutes later - and without posting on the forum again, I have been banned from the forums. (azz)
  • IRC Channel:
    • Additionally members who side with Amaranth, robotgeek, and the GPL are now being banned (I've been banned [Seth])
    • Kyral has been banned from #ubuntuforums for the same reason

    • Before banning Kyral, the forum staff member [http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=26 FLeiXiuS] said: [17:45] <FLeiXiuS> Were not under the CoC, nor do we give a shit about the CC in here..

  • The user agger had a good suggestion: all forum moderators should be Ubunteros (have signed the Code of Conduct). Perhaps in addition, all administrators should be full Ubuntu Members?
• Hosting of the forums.
  • If the forums are sustainable through advertising or other methods, that's great. It is a fine example of making money from the FLOSS ecosystem. However, does this affect the forum policies and has this been the reason for censorship and harsh reactions to controversial topics?
  • Is the forum profitable? Is that any of my/our/your business?

  • I was told not to bring up the topic of the hosting bill before being banned. (AndrewZajac)

• The future of the Ubuntu Forums, the increasing misunderstandings between the CC and the forum staff should be resolved.

  • Certain forum staff members seem to have differing opinions about what the spirit of Ubuntu is: (please see [http://sethkinast.com/ubuntu/ubuntuforums.txt these log excerpts]) *Bit removed for hindsight of causing more inflammatory comment than nessecary*

Comments

• (by ["mdke"]) Much progress has been made on [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=100069 this thread] to discuss, address and resolve the broader issues raised by the problems described above. The discussion was very productive and has included:

  • Read-only access to the Jail so that users can see all threads which have been moved (see [http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=555933&postcount=176 here]).

  • Revision of staff guidelines for deleting posts (which will be discouraged), and implementation of a new secure and trackable methods of editing and moving posts (same link as above).

  • Implementation of a Forum Resolution Team for handling disputes (see [http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=556112&postcount=180 here])

  • Very likely consideration will also be given to other proposals made: such as the signing of the code of conduct by staff.
  • I believe that the personal bickering described on this page is unlikely to end quickly, because people on both sides have become too personally involved in the arguments (in breach of the code of conduct), but the bigger picture for me is that things are happening which will ensure that the deeper problems highlighted by this situation will be resolved.

Comments

• (by ["RyanTroy"]

To address a few of the issues above and without repeating myself as Matthew East as been so kind as to provide everyone with a over view of the situation as it unfolds. I do need to address a few of the comments above.

• Mr. Zajac has so kindly pointed out a flaw in the forums template system that was showing one google banner ad to unregistered users on the postbit page. This was promptly fixed on 12/9/2005 at 9:00am EST.
• To address Mr. Zajac other comments about the forum hosting. It has been my intention to never display banner ads on the forums and will continue to be my intention I personally do not need any income from this forum and have happily funded it with help from Canonical.
• No the forums are not profitable as we do not display banner advertisements or sell services and will never do so. This unfortunate flaw in the template system has been found and removed however no income was generated from any clicks.
• You were not told to bring up the forum hosting bill, however after evaluating your posts three of them in a short amount of time targeting myself as not being cooperative with Canonical I used that as a reference in your PM.

Yet again we are in the same situation with the same people and as Matthew East has pointed out some individuals are unfortunately personally invested. I have personally addressed the issues at hand with forum staff and have worked very diligently in the past few days to implement new processes with will safe guard situations as which were brought up by the Automatix conflict.

I feel we are moving forward in a good manner and will continue to follow this path. While the unfortunate individual's will continue to combat forum policy and its administrative team it is our prerogative to continue to provide a clean and professional environment for the Ubuntu community.