(I'm going to keep this announcement as a sticky topic for a few days. So you'll probably see it a few times. Sorry about that, but I want to make sure all users get a chance to read it.)
As I mentioned back when upgrading the forum software, there will be a new section based on an invite-only principle.
I've fixed most of the initial bugs and the software seems to be running more-or-less smoothly. So it's time to roll out the new changes.
The new section is called
Invite-Only Discussions.
You'll find it on the Home page, Newest Topics, Active Topics and in the Digest.
Initially, all users who posted something on OPP during the last 60 days are given access, regardless of their past conduct in the Main section.
Those who post insults or profanity will have their posting access for this invite-only section removed. So eventually (probably pretty soon) we should end up with a place for civilized political discussion.
The Main section still remains as before. So when creating a new topic, you now have a choice of whether to place your new topic in Main or in Invite-Only Discussions. That will largely govern how the topic unfolds. Simply pick Invite-Only Discussions when creating a new topic. The rest of the process is the same as with the Main section.
This is a quote from the rules of the new section:
Quote:
This section is for political discussions, just like Main. But unlike Main, this section is by invitation only.
The core idea of this section is to provide a place to discuss politics without the associated nastiness that often plagues such discussions.
In this section, it is against the rules to use foul language or insult other users. Also, please take it easy on the political figures being discussed. You can disagree with someone's politics without resorting to name-calling. Generally, just keep it civil.
In the Main section, we've been lenient on that for the sake of providing the users with a place to communicate freely. Sadly, some people just can't control themselves and turn from political debates to insulting others. So the Invite-Only Discussions section is meant to address that.
Access to this section does not depend on your political views or affiliations But you must be able to control yourself when debating with the other users.
If you are able to discuss politics in a civilized manner, then you are welcome here, regardless of your opinion on any particular matter. If not, then your account will be stripped of the posting access to this section. If some user starts insulting others or posting profanity, then access permissions are removed and the user is no longer able to post in this section.
New users are not granted access to this section by default. This is done to prevent trolls from creating fake accounts just to flood the section.
If you are a newish user and would like to participate in this section, then please send a private message to Admin and request access to the Invite-Only Discussions section. When requesting posting access to this section, you can't be a brand new user. You need some posting history in the Main section.
You can also access the Invite-Only Discussions section rules
here.
If you don't currently have access to the new section for some reason, then please send me a PM and I'll look into it.