# Rico, was there a radical rewrite of board rules I missed? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 3, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139 "2006-04-03T20:30:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/61 "2006-04-07T12:28:19Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > > [@SDMBUA](#): > > > > You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use the SDMB to post any material that [is] violative of U.S. law. By your strict interpretation of this rule, we cannot discuss (with accompanying possible thread titles): Prostitution (“Have you ever bought a hooker?” If they don’t mean Nevada, BOOM, thread closed.) Speeding (“What’s the fastest you’ve ever sped?”) Jaywalking (“Stupidest crime you’ve ever been ticketed for”) Homosexual acts (in several states) “Are you a Top or a Bottom?” Polygamy (umm…don’t have a thread angle on this, really) Adultery (still technically illegal in many states) (“Cheating on your spouse: did you feel guilty?”) Robbery (“Biggest thing you’ve ever stolen from an employer”) You’re going to have to suck it up, admit you were wrong, and broaden your focus … or close about 15%\* of the threads on the board. - From the Department of Half-Assed, Unresearched Statistics ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/62 "2006-04-07T13:05:10Z")
I am so frickin’ annoyed that this thread on [how to steal your neighbor’s bandwidth](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=366286) is still open but any thread on drugs will (according to **Rico** ) be closed. Talk about selectice moderating. (And yes, I did report it yesterday.) ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/63 "2006-04-07T13:52:34Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I am so frickin’ annoyed that this thread on [how to steal your neighbor’s bandwidth](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=366286) is still open but any thread on drugs will (according to **Rico** ) be closed. Talk about selectice moderating. (And yes, I did report it yesterday.) Well, in all fairness, that’s not a “how to” thread. The OP posts that, merely by turning on his equipment, he was able to freely access two neighbors wireless networks. While this skirts the rules of illegality, IMHO I think his real purpose is discussing the ease with which this happens and how to prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/64 "2006-04-07T16:36:20Z")
> [@Hamadryad](#): > > Polygamy (umm…don’t have a thread angle on this, really) No CS threads about the new HBO show, _Big Love_. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/65 "2006-04-07T16:50:17Z")
> [@Xploder](#): > > Guess you thought wrong huh? > > 😃 No, I still think it’ll happen, as soon as the thread comes to an admin’s attention. Can’t be arsed to email anyone myself, yet. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/66 "2006-04-07T17:10:35Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > No CS threads about the new HBO show, _Big Love_. No, I thought about that, but it’s FICTION. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/67 "2006-04-07T17:16:38Z")
> [@Hamadryad](#): > > No, I thought about that, but it’s FICTION. It still tells you a lot more about how to commit polygamy than finding out what coke tastes like tells you how to take drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/68 "2006-04-07T17:41:38Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Man, so, noone is going to fix these dumbass mistakes made by a mod? Why have mods and admins in the first place then? Probably not. I for one don’t tend to make a habit of overruling the thread-closing decisions of mods in other forums. Plus, that thread sucked. > [@](#): > > I can write them a bot that will randomly close threads without understanding the rules of the board or the content of the post. Heck, if I got a coffe mug for it, I would make it cruise the pit and explain itself badly. Can you give it a series of catchphrases, too? I suggest “that’s it for _you_, chump!” and “All riiiiiight!!” ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/69 "2006-04-07T18:03:17Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > I can write them a bot that will randomly close threads without understanding the rules of the board or the content of the post. Heck, if I got a coffe mug for it, I would make it cruise the pit and explain itself badly. > > Can you give it a series of catchphrases, too? I suggest “that’s it for you, chump!” and “All riiiiiight!!” I, for one, welcome our new bot masters. _:: d&r ::_ ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/70 "2006-04-07T18:10:57Z")
Heh. On another forum I moderate, we introduced the Intellifilter, an AI-driven profanity filter, last Saturday. [Bad idea](http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=173080). Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/71 "2006-04-07T18:15:12Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Probably not. Have the rules changed, then? Is there a specific reason it didn’t just die the death of other sucky theads? Would a hypothetical “Why, specifically, does some marijuana smell vaguely like a disturbed skunk?” thread get closed, while a thread about its effect on consciousness remains open until it dies the natural death of Cheet-ohs jokes? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/72 "2006-04-07T18:41:59Z")
Oh, god, Daniel. Eric’s grandma must be having a hissyfit. (That said, I think Rico was wrong in this decision) ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/73 "2006-04-07T19:37:17Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > No, I still think it’ll happen, as soon as the thread comes to an admin’s attention. Can’t be arsed to email anyone myself, yet. Oh. Okay then. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/74 "2006-04-07T19:51:06Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Heh. On another forum I moderate, we introduced the Intellifilter, an AI-driven profanity filter, last Saturday. > > [Bad idea](http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=173080). > > Daniel Ha! Excellent. Much better than this board’s April Fools. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/75 "2006-04-07T19:52:07Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Oh, god, Daniel. > Eric’s grandma must be having a hissyfit. On the one hand, coming up with a list of ridiculously inoffensive words to filter (pee poo bra wee chest) made me feel like an eight-year-old, and not in a good way. On the other hand, there’s something curiously liberating about moderating in the guise of an insane AI. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/76 "2006-04-07T20:08:47Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Probably not. I for one don’t tend to make a habit of overruling the thread-closing decisions of mods in other forums. Can you tell us if there has been any serious discussion by the administration about the stated Posting Guidelines regarding illegal drugs, and **Rico’s** decision, which appears to me to clearly be in contradiction to them? If not, why not? I don’t make a habit of questioning the decision of moderators. And frankly, although I prefer the stated policy that discussion of the effects of illegal drugs is permitted, I don’t particularly care if the administration does decide such discussions are **not** permitted. Nor do I particulary care if that individual thread is reopened. My main concern is that, in the interest of the board, the stated Posting Guidelines be reasonably clear as to what is permitted and not permitted. If \*\*Rico’s \*\* interpretation is correct, then the Posting Guidelines are very unclear concerning what is permitted, and should be rewritten to clarify that. If the Posting Guidelines are in fact correct, then **Rico’s** decision was incorrect, and should be reversed. I know there are arguments for keeping certain rules intentionally vague, which I agree with. However, this doesn’t seem to be one of those cases. I can’t see why you wouldn’t want to clarify that rule, if in fact the policy is different from what it appears to say. Perhaps I am misunderstanding what the Guideline says myself, but I think you will agree that if I am misinterpreting it, then a lot of other people are likely to as well (as is evident in this thread). I think it is important that the administration address this question seriously, rather than continue to shrug it off. > [@](#): > > Plus, that thread sucked. By that token, you guys would close half the threads started every day. 😉 SD Staff **Colibri** ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/77 "2006-04-07T20:43:04Z")
Mother of Mercy! Is this the end of Rico? What? Somebody had to say it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/78 "2006-04-07T20:52:11Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > The thread closing was chickenshit, the rationale for closing it was bullshit, and the fact this this thread has called **Rico** on it and the thread in question has not been reopened is horseshit. Methinks this post is fertile ground for satire. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/79 "2006-04-07T22:21:32Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Can you tell us if there has been any serious discussion by the administration about the stated Posting Guidelines regarding illegal drugs, and **Rico’s** decision, which appears to me to clearly be in contradiction to them? If not, why not? There has not been. I don’t really expect there to be. Feel free to email an admin or start an ATMB thread if you feel this is a serious concern. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139/80 "2006-04-07T22:23:06Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > There has not been. I don’t really expect there to be. Feel free to email an admin or start an ATMB thread if you feel this is a serious concern. Buh? Threads expressing concern about moderator decisions now go in ATMB? Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rico-was-there-a-radical-rewrite-of-board-rules-i-missed/351139.md?page=5)