Launchpad etiquette document/code of conduct

[Vid Ayer]

Hello Steve,

On 5/23/07, Steve Alexander <steve at canonical.com> wrote:
>
> 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.

I found a document created by Matthew Garrett on the wiki and made a spec here :
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu-women.org/+spec/coc-dispute-resolution

Another spec of a draft I created (some based on my experience and
from what I have seen happen to others) is here :
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu-women.org/+spec/coc-etiquette-guidelines

Although both are not specifically related to LP, it should provide
some insight to the problems and how we can find ways to solve it.


> = 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.

That sounds like a positive step, something I was asking for on the UW
list. I am glad that someone was listening.


> = 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.

... trying to harass The sabdfl ? I guess people are smarter than that
:-)  But what about the volunteers ...is it possible to extend such
priviledges to them?


> 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.

The thing I find annoying is : googling for a name used on LP throws
it out very prominently. Is there any way to avoid this ?



> 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.

Not necessarily.  People can reveal their real name and still harass a
woman online simply because "they _can_ get away with it" with no
absolutely zero consequences.


> So, I want us to encourage a community where people reveal their
> names, and are held responsible for their actions.

Sorry, I disagree. Revealing my real name (thereby gender+country) has
led to the harassment in the first place. Prior to Ubuntu (and even
after joining) I was happily using a nick all along and never had any
problems. It all started with me founding UW and thereby having to
reveal my real name, location, etc if I wanted to be taken seriously.


> 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.

There is a lacunae here, what is to prevent a person who has signed
the CoC from harassing another person who has not signed the CoC.
Even if a team member takes the trouble to go to the CC and spends
time proving that he/she was harassed the whole thing is pretty much a
grey area since there are no consequences and they can pretty much
continue doing whatever....

Thanks for taking this further.
-- 
Vid
http://wiki.ubuntu-women.org/VidAyer