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Active Rain Community Guidelines

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Tann Starr & Associates, Inc.

I answered a question regarding the ActiveRain Community Guidelines and was asked to make it a blog post.

Okay. Here it is: Here's a short set of fave ActiveRain quotes that I spend a lot of time writing and chatting about when I'm not playing in the Rain:

"Being a part of any community requires a certain level of trust. Don't abuse the site or your fellow members. By joining the ActiveRain community you are given a platform to present your ideas and opinions to a large number of people. We trust you to be responsible with that platform; thousands of other ActiveRain members are also counting on your trustworthiness.

* The ActiveRain community and real estate industry as a whole will only be respected to the degree of character represented by the actions of it's professionals. Do not conduct yourself in a way that disgraces your fellow member's on this network.

* Do not take malicious action against the network.

* Do not advertise yourself or your services in the comment section of another members blog post.

* Do not personally attack another person.

* Do not slander another person.

* Do not send unsolicited emails, or faxes, or make unsolicited phone calls to another member."

Group Founders, Administrators and Moderators who are serious about their responsibilities and active in their groups take the community rules of the network very seriously. We love ActiveRain and when we form groups and work across the blogosphere together to advance our concerns and causes, we spend a lot of time recreational reading to monitor where our group dynamics are going. Comment spam is always annoying to deal with... Sometimes it is accidental and people don't understand what it is, so they put their spin on why it is okay when it is not and we have to work twice as hard to educate them why it's wrong.

If the owner of the post gives permission for a link to be there, or if the link is to further enhance the conversation, it is not the same as people who run around blatantly advertising their stuff at the expense of another writer. All links are not comment spam and randomly accusing writers of it is always offensive to the writer who is not engaging in the practice. I say practice because a lot of people do this and will immediately point to someone else doing it as an example as to why it is okay.

Members need to read the community guidelines and the examples and explanations given by ActiveRain rather than make up their own definitions. Just because I trade links with my friends doesn't mean I trade links with everyone. The relationships people cultivate here will determine the permissive will of the writers. Some people like links and will actually ask for them (like I do at times) and others wont tolerate a single one, even if it is to help explain the answer to a question, because they feel it takes traffic away from their post. Their post is about advertising their business and ideology.

Each writer must moderate their blog and determine what is best for them.

Each founder must moderate their group and determine its purpose and membership criteria.

I hope this explanation has been useful to you. Gotta get back to the Club Chaos members only par-tay here and here (LOL).

Enjoy your day in the Rain. Regards, C. :-)

ClubChaosAgents.com

(LMAO) I love irony... ;-)

Comments(15)

Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

C~very good! As the numbers increase it is so easy for all this to go haywire. We must each become aware of the guidelines...thank you.

Deb

Jun 28, 2009 03:31 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Deb, I agree. It can go haywire at any moment. We have to help each other and look out for each other and try to do the best we can with what we have. The digital dynamic is very fluid and instant so the community guidelines are there to help maintain order. Joining groups and making friends is pretty useful, but a group's philosophy or individuals personal opinion does not change the fact that we all have to abide by the Community Guidelines. As members grow in the Rain they will begin to understand the various group dynamics and what is acceptable and not acceptable to the members and the community a large. The goal is to keep this a safe place for all members to communicate and navigate.

Jun 28, 2009 04:49 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

C - you should be required to take a 15 question multiple choice exam before blogging here.

Jun 28, 2009 05:56 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Greg if they let me create the questions no one would join. Either that or I'd attract the quirky people (LOL) ;-)

Jun 28, 2009 05:58 AM
Liz Loadholt
Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC
Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

C --- this is great --- also, I just went back to the party that started yesterday with the high-jacking.

Mama Liz's Signature

Jun 28, 2009 06:13 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Hi Liz. Awesome. It's a great get together. We're going to have three birthday celebrations tonight. Will send out a group invitation later with the multiple links. :-)

Jun 28, 2009 06:21 AM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

C - I'm just anal enough to give a big thumbs up to rules on a social network. Somehow I work better knowing there are rules. :) 

Jun 28, 2009 11:09 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

C-

Thanks for informing everyone who might still be learning the "rules" and might occasionally step on someones virtual foot!

Jun 28, 2009 12:45 PM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Claude, when you are a bend the rules once in a while kinda pal you like to know just how far you can go (LOL). I like knowing there are rules too. Rules are good. They give me comfort. :-)

Sheila, it's nice to remind yourself while reminding others. Blogging is fun, but it can become an extreme sport if you hook up with the wrong people (LOL).

 

Jun 28, 2009 02:17 PM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Well done C - wow not bad for being up all week-end at the par-tays!

Jun 29, 2009 04:25 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

LOL!!! That is too funny. ;-) Thank you Lee and Pamela. BTW, the par-tay is still in full swing. I love this place! :-D

Jun 29, 2009 05:22 AM
Marianne Snygg
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Monument, CO
ABR, ASP, GRI, SFR

Always good to get a refreshers on the regulations. Thanks.

Jun 29, 2009 11:18 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

You are welcome, Marianne.

Jun 29, 2009 03:49 PM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

C - Simple and direct, thats best!  Thanks for a great post, you mke it very clear!

Jul 04, 2009 04:51 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Lisa, you are very welcome. :-)

Jul 04, 2009 05:47 AM