Guidelines or rules, what's the difference?

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Dear geekmaster,
[...] If you have anything to say in general about MObileRead, use the Feedback Forum.

If you have questions about moderating decisions, raise them with a PM to a moderator you like, or by reporting one of your posts and commenting in the message box.
[...]
Paul Durrant

This seems the best place at this site to get some of my confusion cleared up, especially when recommended by a moderator. I am not talking about specific actions here; just asking GENERAL questions about how the "rules" work around here.

I hope somebody can help me understand some things. I use words literally. Words mean things. What is not written and not spoken is not communicated. I need all the words, in order, to be understood. Literally. This is how I (and others like me) communicate, and part of why we understand computers and technology so well. Most geeks are like me, and communicate like me, literally.

I have great difficulty understanding policies and procedures, who is to follow them, and when. Not just here, but everywhere. Social conventions are a complete mystery. They do not have an Operating System. It seems that some persons in positions of authority follow different rules (perhaps ring zero). And what we have at this forum is called a set of GUIDELINES, not a set of RULES (at least not by the title on the page that contains them).

Please correct me (gently and with tolerance) is I am wrong, but I believe that according to the rules (not guidelines) of English language and grammar, enforcement is enabled by rules, not by guidelines. It is the language used that enables enforcement of the rules. For example:

Originally Posted by What are the differences between guidelines and rules?

Rules are commands that are binding on those subject to them, e.g., "no smoking is allowed in this building." In other words, rules must be followed, and there will be a negative consequence associated with noncompliance.

Guidelines are recommended best practices that aim to set standards in the future, e.g., "employees are encouraged to keep their offices clean." There's nothing here that says I must keep my office clean, and the definition of "clean" is highly subjective, making this difficult to enforce, though it is clear that the drafter wants people to keep their offices clean.

Perhaps something in the "guidelines", policies and procedures, needs rethinking and rewording to avoid confusion, for folks like me? I know that I am not alone.

I have asked questions in PMs to moderators, and I have reported my posts and asked in those message boxes, and also in website "contact us" forms, many times over recent years (especially recently). I am still waiting for answers, so this post right here will hopefully get a friendly discussion started that will help me (and others like me) not receive treatment that we do not understand to make any logical sense.

I cannot see how this post can violate any "rules" (actually, guidelines as published). I viewed them many times, and I follow them to the best of my understanding. There is much I do not understand. Enlightenment is welcome. PMs *could* be a great medium, but that seems to not work so well for me. I wonder if messages are getting lost in the system.

I have always lived by one rule. The Golden Rule. All else follows from that. Rote memorization has never worked for me. I literally invent (or re-invent) stuff as I need it, which is how computer programming worked before we had the cut-and-past internet (which gives us piles of "tutorial" code snippets in production code, which is mysteriously missing too many return-code safety checks, leaving a gaping security attack surface everywhere).

I understand that rules are needed, especially for people who need rules. But if they are rules, they should be posted as rules (always mandatory), and not as guidelines (always optional). I only want to make the world a better place, and I cannot do that in a world that does not want me. I am extremely confused by recent events, because of my confusion with the "guidelines", and how they are applied. I love coloring outside the lines. That is art, not evil.

Again, let's keep this to a GENERAL discussion, as the guidelines SUGGEST.

[meeera]

The overarching rule of a privately-run forum is that the moderators can delete anything they like at any time. With that in mind, in my opinion, it's worth following all guidelines as if they were rules. Makes things simple!

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by meeera

The overarching rule of a privately-run forum is that the moderators can delete anything they like at any time. With that in mind, in my opinion, it's worth following all guidelines as if they were rules. Makes things simple!

GENERAL DISCUSSION about FUTURE policy:

Deletions are not a major concern -- just an annoyance. My concern is the "doubling" of suspension length (3,7,???), with no opportunity to communicate during a suspension, and no idea why or how to avoid the next one. I feel like I am in a trap, and it stifles my technical development progress in the Kindle Developer's Corner where I hang out. We have our own (not green) forum moderators there, and they do a good job patrolling and keeping it clean. I prefer the local police knocking on my door over the military dropping a silent bomb on my head (an analogy).

NOT a discussion about specific moderator actions that may have occurred -- just (perhaps unintended) consequences about policy and procedure. Cutting communications lines (a side-effect of suspension) PREVENTS fixing problems. To avoid these problems, a little communication would go a long way before any triggers are pulled. Suspensions just raise more questions...

EDIT: I just received a PM answering some questions (sort of). Being told that taking a vacation would be a good idea was apparently considered a warning. I am not good with hints, and I (mis)perceived it as an unwarranted aggressive challenge, automatically triggering my self-defense. Sorry. Aspies in general have different social cues and social boundaries, as if from another planet. It is thought that most geniuses throughout history were aspies. In current media, think "Sheldon Cooper".

[pdurrant]

If we want to play dictionary definitions

Mirriam-Webster
"a rule or instruction that shows or tells how something should be done"

Oxford Dictionaries
"A general rule, principle, or piece of advice"

Collins Dictionary
"a principle put forward to set standards or determine a course of action"

The main difference between a rule and a guideline is that a guideline usually requires some interpretation. And that it precisely why (IMO) the term was used for the rules of this forum.

And if we want to go back to the original meaning, if you don't follow a guideline, you're liable to get lost or fall of a cliff.

The most important guideline at mobileread is the first one. That's why it's first.

"1. Discuss Things Politely"

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

If we want to play dictionary definitions

Mirriam-Webster
"a rule or instruction that shows or tells how something should be done"

Oxford Dictionaries
"A general rule, principle, or piece of advice"

Collins Dictionary
"a principle put forward to set standards or determine a course of action"

The main difference between a rule and a guideline is that a guideline usually requires some interpretation. And that it precisely why (IMO) the term was used for the rules of this forum.

And if we want to go back to the original meaning, if you don't follow a guideline, you're liable to get lost or fall of a cliff.

The most important guideline at mobileread is the first one. That's why it's first.

"1. Discuss Things Politely"

Thanks. For me, dictionary definitions are my only connection with society. I carried a dictionary (American Collegiate) with me everywhere in my youth. I read it many times. A geek thing, I suppose...

[snip discussion of person circumstances]

[theducks]

My Definition

Guideline: A soft rule. One that does not have a clear boundary for enforcement. A rule of thumb policy.
Whatever the boss says