Welcome to the Stumbleupon and eBay group at Google.


Googlegroup, like surprisingly many discussion group providers, disables javascript, hence the need for this entry page - a place where one can post the SSNB code is needed. Not to worry, as you are only a click away from the group, and there is a clear path back to the ring. This is a good chance to ensure that those entering the group from Webring read the rules for the group, as I will be posting an additional copy of them here on this entry page, as I write them.

Let us understand each other clearly on one point - this is not a radical free speech forum, where anything goes, nor is it a democracy. It is a benevolent dictatorship in which the benevolent dictator reminds you that abusing your host's hospitality is a valid reason for him to withdraw that hospitality.

A few simple rules to start you out:

1. Common sense trumps all rules. The moderator decides what is or is not common sense. There is no appeal, but you can always found your own group if you feel that he has decided unjustly.




2. Please keep it clean, folks, with no R or X rated material submitted. This is a PG rated group.




3. This is not a commercial group, even though eBay is, obviously, a commercial site. Do not try to sell or buy anything while you are here. If you do feel the need to conduct a commercial transaction with your fellow members of this group, an associated marketplace group has been set up for that purpose, so please take any such business over there, or elsewhere, but do not pursue it on this group.
   
   
   
4. Do not lie about what others have said, or even what you, yourself have written. No lawyering or attempts to trap other users with this one - I understand that memories are not perfect. However, a good faith effort to abide by this rule is not merely expected, it is demanded. Those who ignore it will find that they and possibly their comments are gone.




5. Do not resort to the use of ad hominem arguments, "arguments against the man", in response to substantive commentary. However, note that if your own argument consists of nothing more than the offering of a gut reaction then comments on the man are reasonable, because by your own choice, the man has been made into the argument. Eg. If somebody says "I don't see why the bank in town needs police protection", mentioning the fact that he is a convicted bank robber is not an ad hominem, as that fact is more than slightly relevant under the circumstances. Note rule one.




6. Control your emotions. I will not respond gently to flammage or trolling, or to those who support either. If you absolutely must fight each other, take your fight over to the group flamepit, but stay polite while you're on the main group. Understand that while I may not always be present to intervene as soon as you or I would prefer, I will eventually log in and when I do, not only will I eject the person attacking you, but I will eject anybody who came to his support as well. Smile and bide your time, if you are in the right, knowing that I will almost certainly be there for you.




7. Any argument along the lines of "it's a free service, so what are you complaining about" is trolling. The statement that "whether a service is free or not, it should be run fairly and conscientiously" is dogma on this group, not even to be questioned, much less ignored.




8. Cyberstalking will not be tolerated. If you bring up a dispute that occured elsewhere onto this group, and it isn't a dispute that involves Stumbleupon or eBay, you'd better have a compellingly good reason to have done so.




9. Don't abuse the moderator's hospitality or test his patience. You are a guest in his virtual home, and while he will seek to be a gracious host, that graciousness is not an unconditionally given gift. It can be forfeited through uncivil conduct.