Should there be stricter guidelines for this forum?
347649
This is NOT a freedom of speech issue. No one has the right to publish on Answers. It would be like sending an article to a newspaper and demanding that they print it because you think that's "free speech." The newspaper has the right to refuse to publish obscene, racist, vile, reprehensible material -- as well as any other material. Yahoo! owns this site and has the right to decide what stays and what goes. If you want true freedom of speech, create your own web site.\n\nBut, that said, I don't think Yahoo! does a good enough job of monitoring this site and enforcing the guidelines they do have. Until they can maintain the current guidelines, which are really the bare minimum for civil discourse, I don't think they should be stricter.
233105
It is not ok. There are other forums for that sort of thing.
43316
the one and only forum you should conscidere is phpbb. It is free, and widely used all over the world..argh and did i mentionned a piece of cake to install :)
142094
Sometimes immature questions lead to mature discussions. \n\nI've found that although some people on here can be awfully immature, you can find so many others who actually have something worthwhile to say. I think keeping religion and politics on here is a must, nevertheless, people will continue to ask religious and political questions--- but just have no where to put them. \n\nThey may be 'hot buttons' or some such, but they are some of the biggest and most necessary topics to discuss, it would be doing a disservice to everyone to remove the categories simply because of a few morons who add nothing to the forum. I think it's helped out a lot of people who find solace in others who have the same ideals, or others who have good advice for them to get through a tough time or understand a certian verse a little better. And although there is a lot of hatred around here, just think that maybe one person will change their mind because of something someone else said (although unlikely haha). I'm just out here to be the logical, unbelieving voice in a sea of very religious people. And if I can make just one person realize that atheisim is just as viable a choice as Christianity, Islam, what have you, then I've done my job. And if I can help stick up for the Muslims or whomever else continuously being put down by ignorant or misled people, then I feel that I have done some service. \n\nIt's a necessary evil to trudge through the junk to get to the real jewels of the forum, but that can be said for everything. Let's not get rid of something only because we're afraid it may offend someone. :)
1017152
I couldn't agree with you more.  I mean, have you seen some of the screen names Yahoo allows the members to have?  That alone is enough to ban my kids from this and I haven't even started on some of the questions that get posted.  And who cares about being able to report something as abuse.  In a matter of seconds, inappropriate questions have already had their effect on kids probably on the site just looking for homework help.  Horrible.  Yahoo needs to install a language monitor so if a question has certain words, it is reviewed before it is posted.
880958
rules?\nnone of those old, overused ones...
1042226
No, it is a commitment to the quality of this site.\nI support the rules.  If you don't like the rules make your own site\nwith different rules.  Just like I support rules against child molestation and stealing and driving too fast or running red lights.  I think the world is a better place with rules, enforced.
833016
think you picked the wrong forum\nto post your question.
154701
My rule tends to be that if I don't have something worthwhile to contribute to the answers already posted, I do not answer.  That's the only way for the "noise" factor to be defeated on a site like this one.  Answer what you know, learn what you do not, and ask intelligent questions.  That's the formula for a great community at Yahoo! Answers.
317756
Why is it, after reading Yahoo's Community Guidelines (as you should've done), people still post questions like this?
132212
Without seeing the specific questions, it's hard to say.  Have you asked Yahoo directly?  I would check the guidelines again.
412714
I think its a good idea to see an age just so some of us old guys who are on here dont get friendly with the kids. If I know Im talking to a kid I stop sometimes you dont know its a kid, there are adults on here too.\n I even went as far as going to the bottom of the answers page and asked them to consider a room for us older people.Yahoo has a suggestion link. \n I see your point cause there are weirdo's out there....but for me, if I know its a kid,,,I dont get involved\n ALSO IF THERE ARE ANYMORE people out therewho are older it would not hurt to send a comment to yahoo asking for a old people place. Adults and kids both would be happy if they had it
578163
The Yahoo! Answers Team cares very much about these things. They have worked very hard on making this site the very best that it can be.\n\nUnfortunately, there is always someone to spoil the party. Over-all this IS a fantastic site. With that said, yes, we all know that it does have its problems, and you have certainly identified one of the biggest ones.\n\nThe Yahoo! Answers Team is currently working on solving this problem. As some else in this thread already mentioned, abusers often open a new account as soon as they are suspended and continue the violating behavior.\n\nThe best that we can do at the moment is use the "Report Abuse" button whenever you see this violation, or any other of the Community Guidelines. This is a way that e can all assist the Y!AT in combating this problem.\n\nThere have also been discussions going on in the Forum (link at the top of every page), about the use of "Volunteer User Moderators".  They are currently trying to work out a way to insure that it will work out properly.\n\nPlease, rest assured, that the Y!AT DOES care very much!
689998
I DEFINITELY feel you should tell Yahoo Answers they need to be more on the ball with zapping the objectionable & outright stupid questions. My solution is the simplest and most obvious- give moderator abilities to those who reach level 5 or higher- it's obvious they've been around enough, accumulating points, and care about the system, so who better than to police the board while they're answering questions?\n\nAnd even if they don't make every level 5+ moderators, they should at least let ME wipe out moron questions. They drive me crazy & I spend at least 1/2 my time reporting abuse.
1031826
Great Q,,,thank you so much. I came here initially to learn, teach, advise, help, and fit into something with more possible, hoped for, value than a usual chat room.  I still follow that premise,,,although admittedly, I do on occassion add insult to inane questions asked.\n\n   That said however. I have researched this "forum" and find that statistically, the majority of visitors are young, some seeking attention, some very needy, some who just want to share or vent,,,but in general,,,no one should have to endure people who come here to taunt, insult, defame,,,others. It is however,,,PUBLIC.\n\n    I suggest to you, that in your greatest freedom,,,that being CHOICE,,,you disregard IQ's that seem to be 80 or less. Comments or answers, that are only here to PLAY, and just focus on any and all experiences, in any category that enlighten you, in a way you wish that to be the case.\n\n    The situation is like this. We come here, perhaps wanting some definitive, honest, decent answers,,, OR offer them,,,while at the same time having an  audience of Multiple Millions,,,who may not be here for the same reasons.\n\n    Certainly I respect many who have Q's that seem inane to me, but might be critical to them,,, IE: MY B Friend is with someone else,,,,What do I do?"   In my case, I pass them over, most often, because, very likely, I cannot truly offer anything that might actually resolve their issue, though to them, it may be VERY valid.\n\nRev. Steven
330135
No, it shouldn't.  It also shouldn't be used as a forum for teenagers vulgarity and sexual play but it is.
187024
Would be nice to have moderators (like a typical forum).  That way irrelevant Q&As could be removed (or automagically re-posted to the appropriate category).\n\n----\nEdit:  After a little over a week on YA, I realize it would be nice to have an IGNORE button so we don't have to be subjected to certain people's questions and answers.  Like on Yahoo Chat.  If you ingore a certain person you don't have to deal with their statements in the chatroom.   That would be so kick butt! :)  I'm sure it can be done. ;)