Live Stream Chat
Guidelines
for the “Stereo Dust Particles” Network of Shows
The following text is an effort to provide an official description of some previously unwritten guidelines applied to various live streaming shows. Please read it at least once. The idea here is not to prevent anyone from being who they are, or to stifle anyone's freedom of expression. Rather, we are trying to avoid unpleasant situations and topics that only serve to cause trouble. A few too many bad experiences are the reason for this document's existence.
It is in no way my intention (and yes, this document was supposed to clearly state so, but it didn't) to speak for anyone other than myself. These "guidelines" are something from which any broadcaster can pick and choose, if they opt to do anything. (Yes, you can be a part of SDP and have a show with NO rules at all, if you like. Some people do!) And of course, your feedback and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome. Contact me (or any other SDP broadcaster) with them.
In a hurry? Perhaps the short form will be of interest to you.
These guidelines aren't meant for "trolls". Trolls don't care about any of that stuff, and are "equal opportunity" troublemakers.
General Rules
Absolutely
no disrespect to a broadcaster will be tolerated under any
circumstances.
Though constructive criticism of a show or its host are generally
welcome, such commentary is usually best directed through a
private message to the person responsible for a given show. Rude
or hateful commentary (“this show is horrible”, “the sound quality
sucks”, “so-and-so is a Nazi”, et cetera”) is grounds for an
immediate and possibly permanent ban. Making negative or
inappropriate comments about someone behind their back is
cowardly, bully-like behavior that will not
ever be
tolerated. It's never a good idea to assume that your
remarks will not be seen, and presented to the person to whom they
were directed. If
you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it at all.
No bullying. Broadcasters and chatters come from many different walks of life and backgrounds. Harassing someone because of their race, gender, sexual orientation or a handicap of any kind is not allowed, period. Don't even go there.
No “Spamming” or repeated advertising of another person's live stream is allowed while another broadcaster's show is currently in progress. It's OK to tell fellow chatters that another show will be starting when the current show ends, and to provide a link to that show. It is not OK to repeatedly post a link to another show, to “beg” for people to watch your/another show, or to disrupt a current broadcast by advertising another show.
Chat Rules
Many people from different walks of life participate in the chat. I'm personally aware of people as young as six having watched certain live shows. Please consider that you are addressing a diverse audience when you make a comment in the chat.
In general, it is expected that the chat will be kept at a PG/PG-13 level on average. It is understood that excursions occasionally take place, and they are generally tolerated.
Exception: shows and chats that take place late at night for most viewers are subject to a somewhat relaxed standard.
Certain controversial subjects are
best avoided in the chat. Topics of religion, politics and even
sexuality have a bad way of turning people who are friends into
bitter enemies and causing terrible fights. We're here to have
fun, not to fight each other tooth and nail. Please check these
topics at the door.
Please note that this is not an infringement of your right to
free speech. Those planning to make such an argument are
reminded that with great power comes even greater
responsibility. Plenty of more appropriate forums exist for
controversial subjects that you may wish to discuss. Furthermore,
you are a guest in our "house", and therefore expected
to behave as we request!
Chatting is optional, and you don't have to participate in the chat if you don't want to.
Don't “stir the pot”. Many people come to these live shows to unwind after a stressful or even bad day. The last thing they want is more tension and upset. If you make trouble, you will be subject to a time out or even a ban depending upon the severity of the incident.
Use your common sense. If you think a topic is likely to cause problems for some or all members of the chat, it's probably best not to bring it up.
Excessive swearing is not allowed.
Not everyone has the same comfort level when it comes to certain topics of discussion. As one example, some people are very enthusiastic about guns, while others are afraid of them. You might be very comfortable about the discussion of sexuality and relationships between people, while someone else may find such topics uneasy and awkward to discuss. Just because someone is not comfortable discussing certain things and may ask that they not be discussed does make them a “hater”.
Moderation
ABSOLUTELY NO PUBLIC COMMENTARY OR DISCUSSION IS ALLOWED CONCERNING MODERATION ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE CHAT. If you have any issue with a chat moderator or operator, take it up PRIVATELY with the show host or the moderator in question. Be prepared to provide proof through chat transcripts of what took place, and present your case in a rational, reasoned manner. Or, just avoid the chat altogether if you feel that you cannot get along with someone.
Moderation staff are selected by show hosts. You cannot be a moderator by asking. Other moderators should generally not promote other users in the chat to moderator status unless they have cleared it with the broadcaster.
Moderation actions are final. If you receive a “time out”, a “kick” or are “banned” from a channel, do not shift to a different user name and return to the chat. Users doing this are subject to permanent bans upon discovery or reasonable suspicion.
Moderators act of their own free will. Though there are standards about what is and is not welcome in the chat, all moderators operate under their own guidance. What's OK or tolerable by one moderator may not be with another.
Moderators can make mistakes. We all make mistakes from time to time...a slip of the mouse or an errant selection of a command can happen very easily. Please don't take it personally if this happens.
Moderators are not “gods”. The purpose of having moderators in the chat is to maintain order. If you believe that you have been harassed by a moderator, please discuss it with the moderator in question or the show host. All claims of moderator harassment require proof. Show hosts are often not able to see much of the chat as it happens since they are concentrating on keeping their show running smoothly.
Broadcasters
Shows broadcast as part of the Stereo Dust Particles “network” are generally expected to be family-friendly, though there is no “hard” requirement governing the content of a show.
Content of a show is purely the choice and responsibility of the broadcaster.
Shows conducted late at night are generally considered to have “looser” rules than those conducted during daytime or early evening hours for most of the viewers.
It is generally considered courteous to let listeners know when you will be playing a song that contains adult themes or mature language.
Requests
Not every broadcaster takes requests for songs or other media to be featured on a show. Some broadcasters may not take requests at certain times or during special shows.
Make your request ONCE. If you don't believe the broadcaster has seen it, wait a while and try again. Sometimes it will happen that a request may not be seen.
Making requests via private chats, and opening private chats to a broadcaster in general may be frowned upon.