In some cases people will make misuse of information gotten from communities or they just tell untrue stories.\n\nAre there any rules or social control that prevents those from coming? How does the process run?\n\nPS I am doing a paper on online communities. Thank you your help in advance.\n\nBob
135023
Online communities are a great new paradigm which has just begun to cross the chasm. Just as there are many benefits to online communities (e.g. increased interaction of people from around the globle), there also exist many disadvantages. One such downside of online communities are the fakers and charlatans. The fakers can be harmless, however, there are many that are dangerous. The danger may be intentional (e.g. Cyber stalking) or not (e.g. some poor advice).\n\nNo controls for the fakers is complete, however, some can be put into place to mitigate the problem. Most controls would need to specialize to the group itself (e.g. an 'Adult' community can deter non-adults via adult verification methods).\n\nThere exist some more universal methods for detering some fakers.\n\nNeed to make an account -- Someone faking for fun may not bother if they have to go through a signup process. This would only filter a few since the inconvienece is trivial; however, it will get some and serious members won't be detered.\n\nRules of Conduct -- This is best achieved as a social control rather than a technological one. This works best as an informal set of rules that serious members adhere to by thier own will and expect others to follow. The punishment for breaking the informal rules tends to be warnings by other members and chastising if the behavior persists. The administrator of the community should have the means to deal with any member that other members deam "out of control".\n\nWarning -- Not everyone is savvy as to what information they should give out on the internet or how seriously they should take information that is given to them; some of the malicious fakers can be mitigated by educating the users. It may be difficult to find a proper location to give such a warning on the site.\n\nNo Solicitation -- Unless the community is for collectors (or other communities where the purpose is to buy/trade items), you can stop the 'snakeoil salesmen' with a no solicitation policy.\n\nReward Serious Members -- The serious members should be rewarded by giving them some control on the community. If the administrator ives them a way to regulate themselves, they should be able to do it well. The few that gain this privilage should come up naturally as unofficial leaders of the community. Keep an eye out for who these are so that they can be nominated for the position, or even have a vote among members; the important parts is that the members need to be happy with the choice. The administrator should still have the control to do adminstrative duties (and overthrow a poor choice if need be), however, the bulk of the community should self-regulate.\n\nHope this helps a little.
447015
You're not the only person to have this complaint. I think the Yahoo Answers Team has varying standards and depending on who reviews the questions / answers determines what stays and what goes. I've seen people post things with vulgar language, racist overtones, etc. in direct violation of community standards, but nothing happens..... the Q or A remains. I've even asked Y!A about this and never got a response.  Go figure.\n\nplrr
337235
Yes, several people have asked questions to get public opinion.\nYes, sometimes there is some form of retaliation against various opinions.  Usually, however, it is the exact same thing I do.  I ask a question to get an idea of what people think and then, if I really don't like someone's answer, I chew them out for being an idiot.\n\nI would imagine that would be the extent of most "retaliation."\n\nIn a few cases, there are federal agents posing as children or dealers trying to get information on criminals to arrest.  That, however, is more than just "retaliation for voicing" opinions, but collecting evidence of crime.\n\nIn some rare cases, since I've noticed that (supposedly) Tom Cruise was on this site, that there may likewise be people in positions of power that might be tempermental and abuse their positions of power vindictively against people whose answers or questions they didn't like.  Conspiracy?  No.  Childish behavior?  Anyone for a cigar with the intern?  Let's not be naive.  It can happen.\n\nGetting a real feel for real public opions here?\nIt's not a great site for that.  I've seen survey sites that have this down to an art.  Sure, someone might try to be a cheapskate and avoid paying a survey company their fees, but if you look at how many sarcastic and joke responses I've seen here, I'd have to say that this isn't the most reliable site for honest opinions.  That makes being vindictive all the more childish and any potential conspiracy so much more of a waste of time.\n\nMy guess would be, if you have a real plan for acts of terrorism and are sharing it online, you will upset someone and that someone will report you and that reporting will result in some action from the government.  Someone that's just angry though... Hell, we have LOTS of those.\n\nI notice that most questions here appear to be to and from Americans.  I've seen a few questions about India and a few other countries, but mostly the USA.\n\nCertain cites censored themselves in China.  Could Y!A be one of those blocked sites?  Are we providing the world with "too much information" here?  THAT I think could be a very plausible "conspiracy."
519270
I don't see how they can, because they pull some perfectly innocent Q & A's.\n\nHere's an idea, I'm on level 5 and I've got points to throw away, Why don't some of you good folk report this answer, for any reason you like, and we'll see what sort of violation report I get!
402577
Awww that's so sweet honey!! I think that it's easy for people to dismiss the validity of others in cyberspace....but at the other end of the computer is a human being, I think it's perfectly sweet that you think of your YA friends.  I have met some fantastic people on here and I don't count them as less valuable because it's the internet.  (((((hug)))))
499581
It hasn't happened to me but I've seen what you are talking about.  These are usually the same people who suggest when someone wants to make a website to use geocities or "just make a myspace."  The second part really annoys me though, because if someone wants a website, MySpace isn't going to do anything to get them what they want.  It's a crowded social networking site that doesn't even always work!  The least that they could do is try actually searching for what the person is looking for themselves before answering with sites that might not have anything or may not be of any help what so ever.
156986
Censoring isn't the answer. People need to somehow (that is the key) learn to believe what they believe while respecting what others believe.
87179
I don't like that statement! I feel there are plenty of "good" people, and good people to chat with. You just seem to run into the cocky ones. But it's true, everyone does act alittle more cocky and annoying on the internet, than in real person, just because their identity is hidden!
343678
You DO have a point...\n\n...but I think people like you are the answer - staying in to "engage" those people who DO want to hear from someone who thinks (even if we don't agree).\n\nThere are Points Hunters and Givers (some do both, and I suppose it's O.K., though one is better) in any group, in any place.\n\nStill, it's your call - but PLEASE don't stay away TOO long!
421045
Some people use yahoo answers like a chat room where they are only soliciting opinions rather than hard facts.\n\nAdditionally, even though most questions can be answered by google, many people enjoy the repartee and comradery that is artificially created via the YA medium.
385679
Some people on this site need to let things go and "get over" themselves. I have been reported unfairly too. It is a shame that people cant seem to handle the truth about things and them reporting your Friend, me and anybody gives them a sense of control, they can delete your questions, however they cannot erase real life and so what if its chatty I have seen things on this site that would make a longshoreman blush and nothing is said.\nLike I stated before some  people REALLY need to get over themselves.
451905
Sure does, your opinion is being heard.  Why else would people's questions and answers keep getting deleted? This section of y/a is becoming a mini civil rights movement. People post, others delete them because they don't like the question or answer because it doesn't agree with their thinking. It's freedom of speech trying to be strangled by a small slice of small minded people. It appears bigotry is alive and well in this section. Does deleting people's remarks really matter? Other than losing points, it won't stop me from responding to outrageous questions filled with either lies, half-truths, or completely inaccurate statements.
497439
you can't be sure that information is true unless it is from an important site.\nIf you need facts, go to lots of sites and use the most common answer.\nBut it shouldn't matter whether a person says they are really who they are, because if you want to talk to someone it's not safe to do so on some random site.
645043
it's called google bombing. people made links in their websites and blogs, and encouraged others to make the same links, so when you type failure, liar, whatever, it gives you the link they want you to see.
7553
Searching the Community Guidlines, I can find no specific prohibition of these topics.  There is a mention in the Usage catagory about prohibiting anything that angers or incites users.  Perhaps they feel those topics are just too polarizing to the public.\n\nIt's also possible (but probably unlikely) that the questioners themselves deleted the questions.  I've included a link to the Community Guidelines for you to review.
614067
Great topic!\n\nI am amazed that there are so many adults who do not consider some of the things they say or do not say, as a lie. For instance: sometimes people make up stories and tell it for fun. It may be a hunting story, fishing story, etc. This is done as a fantasy. The important thing to remember is that if you tell the story...you and the others must identify it is not really true....or it is a lie. Another example of a lie people do not always admit as lying is...when someone states something they think is true and then discover later that it is not true. The person really should then rectify the situation and admit they said something and found out it was not the truth. When a purposeful untruth is told, it is an outright lie. It is meant to deceive. This leads to disappointing others, others never really belive you and they eventually stop trusting you.  Then the time may come and you may be telling the truth...but too late...others don't believe you even when you do tell the truth. Some people actually believe that the only way a lie is told is in that manner. Not true! You can lie with your actions. You may cause a person to believe something not true by acting a certain way. (Example; child breaks a vase and throws it out and pretends not to know anything about it.) A lie can be done by being silent. You may cause someone to believe something by saying nothing. (Example: a mother asks the children who broke a window, and all the children know, but no-one tellls anything).The cycle of lying usually continues when one lies. The next thing one knows is they lie to cover another lie and so on. Most intelligent people, know when someone is lying to them. It doesn't change anything...except the credibility of the one who lies. Another form of lying is not telling a complete truth. Any form of not telling a complete truth or an admission of a complete truth in words or actions is a lie. \nI honestly do not intentionally lie. However, about two weeks ago we had company and this person asked me something and I did not want to go into it so I lied. When the company left. my husband said to me ..."why did you lie?" I reallly had to stop and think about it. I am a woman of value. I work hard to practice what I believe in. I am an honest person. I try hard to use tact and not lie. I usually would reply to someone who asked a personal question that I did not feel like answering with something like...why do you ask? I usually try to find an answer that will not offend the other person, but will also allow me to keep my personal life personal without lying. Sometimes, I like everyone find myself in a place I don't like to be. I feel dirty or shamed when I do that. Long story short...I felt guilty and called the person up and explained it. No one is perfect. There is not a sole alive who has not told a lie at one time or another. I can honestly say I do not lie on a daily basis, but sometimes I do find myself bordering the ethical line. I want people to trust me, I strive to be honest and keep integrity....but it is a daily struggle to be in tune with complete and open honesty!
177131
I'm the type of person who truly believes in people respecting the privacy of others, and in minding their own business.\n\nI, too, have read negative comments on various cultures and religions, and some of them are very cruel.  I would  prefer to learn about the activities of others, rather than go with negative thoughts about things which I have no knowledge.\n\nWhat's making it hard for people on this site, is that they are made to feel that they have to "defend themselves" from all the negative, and bigoted questions and answers.