Launchpad etiquette document/code of conduct

[Steve Alexander]

Hi everyone,

This is Steve Alexander.  I work for Canonical, and I'm part of the
management of the Launchpad project.

I have a number of comments on this thread.  First, I'd like to thank
everyone who contributed for keeping it on-topic and heading in a
positive direction.

It's tough putting together a good code of conduct that sets a high
standard for how we collaborate with one another, and that embodies
respect for a community member's technical contributions, and also
respect for their humanity.  I appreciate the comments that have been
made on this thread, to help us work in that direction.

I have comments on the general issue of harassment and inappropriate
behaviour, and also on the issue of using real names.  I'm interested in
hearing some further discussion on this issue, and after that I'll be
working with Matthew Revell and other members of the Launchpad team on
making a draft code of conduct.


= Harassment and inappropriate behaviour =

I want to form a Launchpad community team to be a point of contact for
community problems such as harassment and inappropriate behaviour via
Launchpad.  We'll agree a process for nominating and accepting people
onto this team.  I want the team to be diverse in its membership.  In
particular, I'd like to see both women and men on the team.  This is
important so that someone who is being harassed related to their gender
can feel comfortable seeking help.  This team will have a direct contact
with senior people on the Launchpad team, so we can effectively and
fairly deal with problems as they occur.

We shall have a policy saying something like the following:

If you're being harassed via Launchpad, you should contact one of the
following people:

 - A member of the Launchpad community team (with a link to that team)

 - A Launchpad administrator (with a link to the list of admins)

Once you've contacted a member of that team, we'll take the situation
seriously, look into it, and take appropriate action.

We'll figure out how this should work, and write it up so that Launchpad
community members know what to expect.


= Using real names =

The Launchpad code of conduct should say "I won't misrepresent myself
through my name or nickname."

So, a nickname like sadbfl (a typo of sabdfl) would not be allowed.

Calling yourself "Bill Gates" is not on, unless that is actually your
name.  The same goes for using a false description as the name, like
"Ubuntu administrator", when you are not in fact an Ubuntu Administrator.

I think it's fine to use a made-up name, so long as it is your own
made-up name, and you're not trying to mislead people through using it.

For Launchpad purposes, we require you to use your real names if you're
going to be a Launchpad beta tester.  Being a beta tester means taking
on a particular responsibility, and making an agreement with the
Launchpad team about that.  I want to know someone's name when I enter
into an agreement with them.  So, we'll require real names for Launchpad
beta testers.

Although we require real names only in some very specific situations, I
think that revealing names and identities leads to a better community
overall.  I've read through a number of accounts of harassment online,
including some of those on the ubuntu-women mailing list.  I noticed
that the worst harassment is done by people who do not reveal their
names.  So, I want us to encourage a community where people reveal their
names, and are held responsible for their actions.

So, we have a tension between offering anonymity to those who fear being
harassed and encouraging people to use real names.

We will consider technical solutions to this problem, such as asking for
real names that are visible only to Launchpad administrators, or only to
other Launchpad community members who have signed the code of conduct.
Please tell me what you think of this idea.


= GPG keys =

You can use GPG, and be part of the web of trust, without directly
revealing your real name.  Here's how.

1. Create two GPG keys.  One has your real name on it.  The other has
your nickname and a private email address.

2. You associate the GPG key with your nickname to your Launchpad account.

3. When you meet people in person, and show them your state issued
identity document or whatever, they will sign the GPG key with your real
name on it, as that is the name that appears on your identity document.

4. You use your "real name" key to sign your "nickname" key.  That way,
your "nickname" key appears in the web of trust.


We should get this written up somewhere with more concrete instructions
for people who want to use GPG with Launchpad, but not publicly reveal
their full real name.

-- 
Steve Alexander


Sarah Hobbs wrote:
>
> I've been wondering for a while, as to whether to respond to this
> thread...I'm not sure what trouble it will cause for me.
> 
> Being one of the more well known women developers of Ubuntu, and on irc
> a lot, I face these kind of issues all the time.
> 
> My take on this is that, by using a real name, and therefore admitting
> that you're a woman, you're acknowledging that you may get harassed, hit
> on, etc, as a result.
> 
> Now, I don't think that launchpad has any right to make that kind of
> decision for its users.  I don't think that anyone has the right to make
> that kind of decision except the user themselves.
> 
> Yes, knowing who you're talking to *is* important - UDS is great for
> this - but it should not happen at the expense of denying someone the
> above right to stay anonymous.
> 
> 
>> I'm saddened to hear that women need to use neutral nicknames in order
>> to contribute to FLOSS. Clearly if someone wishes to remain anonymous
>> (for whatever reason), that is something that needs to be available to
>> them. I wouldn't suggest that giving real names become a "requirement"
>> as opposed to a "guideline".
> 
> GPG Keys seem to have problems with this - you're required to use your
> real name in almost all circumstances, as the real name is on your ID.
> 
>> I'd like to understand more (even if I'm drifting off topic in this part
>> of the email). Do you feel more comfortable using your real name when
>> sending emails to public mailing lists than when using Launchpad (for
>> example)? If so, what's the reason for that?
> 
> You have to go looking further to get a particular female's email
> address off a mailing list - whereas on launchpad, if you know their
> alias, they're far quicker to find - one search away.  That being said,
> i don't have much to say on that particular question.
> 
> Sarah Hobbs (aka Hobbsee)