====== MelonLand Guidelines ======

The MelonLand guidelines are a set of ideals and rules that apply to all MelonLand sites to make sure that they give everyone visiting MelonLand the best possible experience!

  - Active fair moderation to ensure spaces are safe and positive!
  - Emphasis on kindness and respect to all people, and a promotion of knowledge <3
  - Respect for others and appreciation of their differences; we are inclusive to all forms of existence.
  - Avoid of excessive data collection and analytics $$
  - Do the best to make every connection out of MelonLand a good one :^)

===== How to Participate: =====
Creative rules for engaging with others, making cool stuff and staying positive; you are in a creative space, and it's important to understand how that works and how your presence can support it <3

  - Trust yourself and learn to trust others.
  - Learn as much as you can and ask infinite questions, leave your ego at the entrance.
  - Teach as much as you can and offer infinite support, leave your ego at the entrance.
  - Everything is experimental, everything is temporary, everything can be broken and fixed.
  - Creation is a group effort, your actions are the world; take initiative and make things happen.
  - There are no winners, goals, or mistakes, there is only the web, and the web is all art.
  - Everyone is doing their best and putting in effort, kindness is being genuine, open and having fun too.
  - Make things, move on, and then make more things!

===== MelonLand Wide Rules: =====
The serious and site-wide rules that you should expect from __everyone__ interacting here ~ these apply to sites/media linked on MelonLand sites as well.
  - No harassment, misanthropy, racism, sexism, queer/transphobia or other forms of inhumanity towards individuals or groups.
  - No promotion of violence, conspiracies or misinformation - Avoid references or devils advocates.
  - No content depicting or referencing illegal material, or material that could be harmful to yourself or others.
  - Try to provide appropriate warnings before entering a space that contains adult content or upsetting themes.
//(Key: “No” and “Don't” are strict; “Avoid”, “Try” or “Remember” means things are lenient to particular situations)//

===== Forum Unique Guidelines: =====

  - Ask yourself if you're genuinely hearing someone before responding, and be sincere in your response.
  - Try to keep the forum casual but on-point, and keep things organised and on topic.
  - Avoid memes, in-jokes, or content that requires external social knowledge to understand.
  - Try to keep topic titles and subjects neutral and descriptive - avoid clickbait phrasing.
  - Avoid topics that are non-constructive or purely negative - look for opportunities to create.
  - Assume the best; don’t self promote; participation is voluntary; and don't panic!
( There is also expanded posting advice here - [[https://wiki.melonland.net/proper_posting_guide|Posting Etiquette]] - also consider the [[https://wiki.melonland.net/etiquette|Unofficial Etiquette Guide]] when you feel grumpy :^] )

Check [[https://forum.melonland.net/index.php?topic=839.0|this page]] to learn how to report issues to the moderator!

===== Art Hub Unique  Rules: =====

  - Artistic nudity, sexual references, blood and unsettling themes etc should be flagged as mature.
  - No explicit sexual depictions.

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===== References & Additional Reading: =====

Some extra links and guides to interacting online that me and the moderators referenced, enjoy or recommend you look at for tips on interacting online and in creative spaces:

  * [[https://wiki.melonland.net/manifestos|Manifestos of the Web Revival]]
  * [[https://www.hackersanddesigners.nl/code-of-conduct|Hackers and Designers Code of Conduct]]
  * [[https://www.recurse.com/social-rules|Recurse Social Guides]]
  * [[https://yesterweb.org/#social-etiquette|The Yesterweb Social Etiquette Guide]]
  * [[https://www.jotdown.es/2014/09/corita-kent-la-monja-pop/|Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules circa 1967]] <3
  * [[https://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu57.html|Lao Tzu’s Rules of Rules]]
  * [[https://forum.melonland.net/index.php?topic=1314|Rainbow Family Gathering Structure]]
  * [[https://art.art/blog/10-bauhaus-principles-that-still-apply-today|Bauhaus Art Principals]]
  * [[https://forum.melonland.net/index.php?action=agreement|The MelonLand Forum/Account Terms and Policies]] :-P