User:AngelinaBelle/SMF team manual/Policies: Difference between revisions From Online Manual

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==Privacy and Discretion==
==Privacy and Discretion==
Remember that what is posted in the Team Boards is for Team Members only, and respect the privacy of all Simple Machines members.
If information is posted on private boards, do not share it with those who do not have access to these boards.
There are two reasons for this:
# Respect the privace of SMF team members,
# Help the team manage communication with the wider community to avoid misinterpretation.


Don’t spread everything we talk about, some times we need to manage the
==Advertising, Licensing, and Acceptable Use==
communications and avoid misinterpretation.
The SMF team does not handle questions of advertising, licensing, or acceptable use. These issues are handled by the SimpleMachines marketing team. All NPO members should be able to report these issues on the NPO's marketing board.
==Advertising==
==Licensing==
==Acceptable Use==
==Competitors==
==Competitors==
Treat our competitors and their products with respect. Do not make fun of them. We don’t have any desire to start up a board war.
Treat our competitors and their products with respect. Do not make fun of them. Do not get caught up in disputes with members of competitors' teams. We don’t have any desire to start up a board war.


There is nothing wrong with finding out more information about our competition. Feel free to install their software and let us know what they have and don’t have. This could provide us with good information on how to change SMF for the better.
There is nothing wrong with finding out more information about our competition. Feel free to install their software and let us know what they have and don’t have. This could provide us with good information on how to change SMF for the better.


==Recommending Service Providers==
==Recommending Service Providers==
Everything you do as a team member of SMF reflects on the credibility of the team. When you recommend an outside service provider, be sure to explain why, and any limitations. If you are part of a referral program for that provider, or receive a discount or referral fee from a provider, you must disclose this when you provide a referral.
Everything you do as a team member of SMF reflects on the credibility of the team. When you recommend an outside service provider, be sure to explain why and be sure to mention any limitations there might be. If you are part of a referral program for that provider, or receive a discount or referral fee from a provider, you must disclose this when you provide a referral.


==Paid SMF Work==
==Doing SMF-related work for pay==
"Moonlighting" is ok as long as it follows these guidelines
"Moonlighting" is acceptable. However, you should ALWAYS follow these guidelines.
* Don’t accept paid “side jobs” for efforts that are covered by Simple Machines as a paid service– this would be a conflict of interest
** Ok Services:
***installing or writing a mod,
***developing a custom theme,
***modifying an existing theme,
***custom configuration of boards & permissions,
***hosting a forum
***forum conversions
** Not Ok Services:
***installing SMF,
***upgrading SMF
* When advertising you services or responding to a request for paid help, be sure to indicate that your paid services are completely separate from the team support efforts


Keep in mind that any side jobs you take will reflect on the
*Don’t accept work and accept/expect payment for things that SMF offers as a free service. This would be a conflict of interests and would alienate other members of the team. <br/>Services for which payment can be expected and accepted:
team – even when you have the above disclaimer
**Creating a modification,
 
**Creating a custom theme.
Finally, keep in mind that providing free help is ALWAYS
**Modifying an existing theme.
ok and is NEVER frowned upon. Remember the Charter
**Hosting a forum.
Membership program isn’t a “you only get this help if you
**Forum conversions.
pay” program, it’s a “we look to help you first” program
*Services for which payment must neither be expected nor be accepted:
**Installing SMF.
**Upgrading SMF.
**General support work already offered by the support team and other members. It is not acceptable to post in a general support topic with an "I'll do this if you pay me" response.


If you wish to earn money by performing services that SMF offers, please resign from the team before embarking upon this new business. If you are already earning money by performing services that SMF offers, please decline any invitations to join the team.


*When advertising your services, or responding to a request for paid help, be sure to indicate that your paid services are completely separate from the team support efforts and SMF can accept no liability for any problems that may arise.
*Keep in mind that any work you do will reflect on the team, even when you have given the above disclaimer. So, treat your customer with the highest degree of respect, whether the work is paid or not.
*Providing free help is always preferable. You are a team member, and a volunteer.  This cannot be stressed enough.
*Remember that Charter Members should, where possible, be given a certain amount of preferential treatment. That's our way of saying thank you..


==Accepting Gifts==
==Accepting Gifts==
{{Did you know|above=Swag = Free Stuff
Community members sometimes offer gifts as a way of saying “thank you” to a team member. Here are the rules:
|text=From time to time Simple Machines has sent small gifts to team members. In the past, we’ve mostly done t-shirts}}<!--
 
-->Gifts are sometimes offered as a way of saying “thank you” to a team member. Here are the rules:
* Do not solicit gifts in any way.
* Do not solicit gifts in any way.
* Do not mention that users sometimes provide gifts, or that you have received them in the past
* Do not mention that users sometimes provide gifts, or that you have received them in the past
* If someone asks, “How can I thank you?” the correct answer is to point them to the SMF Donations page and/or the Charter Members signup page. Because they have not actually offered you a gift, pointing them to a wish list or a personal donation page would be soliciting a gift.
* If someone asks, “How can I thank you?” point them to the SMF Donations page and/or the Charter Members signup page. Because they have not actually offered you a gift, pointing them to a wish list or a personal donation page would be soliciting a gift.
* If someone asks, “May I send you a movie from Amazon as a thank you?” the correct answer is “Thank You”. Congratulations! Typically, this means you have gone above & beyond the call of duty.
* If someone asks, “May I send you a movie from Amazon as a thank you?” the correct answer is “Thank You”. Congratulations! Typically, this means you have gone above & beyond the call of duty.


Gifts are always nice to get, and we do not want to stand in the way of grateful users offering them to  team members. Similarly, we don’t want to neglect the other team members that assisted you in providing the support behind the scenes. And we do not want to see team members sticking their hands out to ask for a personal gift. That could be crass, and no one wants to be crass, after all.
Gifts are always nice to get, and we do not want to stand in the way of grateful users offering them to  team members. Similarly, we don’t want to neglect the other team members that assisted you in providing the support behind the scenes. And we do not want to see team members sticking their hands out to ask for a personal gift. That could be crass, and no one wants to be crass, after all.


==Attendance==
==Activity==
We realize that everyone on the team is a volunteer; however this doesn’t mean you can’t be
Everyone on the team is a volunteer, and "real life" comes first. If one doesn't have the time for the team, they may always take a break, go on hiatus or resign. When they have the time, talk to a team leader about returning.
around. It is expected that you visit the board on a regular basis. You must also remain active in
whatever team you are on. Attendance to the team mettings is also highly encouraged. If you
aren’t able to attend, read the minutes so that you can get caught up on what is going on.


==“Unwritten” Rules==
==General Guidelines==
*Enjoy what you do for SMF... HAVE FUN!
*Enjoy what you do for SMF... HAVE FUN!
*Just because something is in another team's child board doesn't mean your input is not important.  Feel free to get involved
*Remember that you represent SMF and behave accordingly.
*Make a post if you're going to be gone for any length of time that others will miss your presence. It is different for all members, some are here weekly others daily. If you're going to be gone long enough for others to notice (and worry) you should post first
*We are friends with all of the other forum packages - especially YaBB and open-source SMF forks.
*Try to make the best out of the time you're in the SMF team, as long as it's not at the expense of others
*Just because something is in another team's child board doesn't mean your input is not important.  Feel free to get involved.
* No fighting or personal attacks
*Everyone should feel free to get involved with the general affairs of SMF. Indeed, this is to be encouraged. But, you should always give due respect to other people's opinions, taking into account their roles and experience.
* Everyone should feel free to meddle with others affairs, but should respect each others opinions
*Whenever you are planning to be gone long enough for others to notice (and worry), post before you go.
* Make sure to mention it to others when you're planning a 6 months vacation
*Make sure to mention it to others when you're planning a 6 months vacation.
* We are friends with the other forum packages - especially YaBB
*Try to make the best out of the time you're in the SMF team, as long as it's not at the expense of others.
*Please use full words - saying "pls hlp me - ur da best" will not get you any help
*Please use full words - saying "pls hlp me - ur da best" will not get you any help.
*No swearing in public (It is offensive to some, and not professional.  Also, please keep it to a minimum in the private boards.)
*No swearing in public (It is offensive to some and not professional)And please keep it to a minimum in the private boards.
*Always show respect (fake it if necessary) to the members of the forum.  (They are the customer and without the customer, we have no need for the product.)
*Always show respect (fake it if necessary) and courtesy to the members of the forum.  They are the community and our customers.
*Remember you represent SMF and behave in accordance.
*No fighting or personal attacks.

Latest revision as of 03:05, 21 May 2012

Privacy and Discretion

If information is posted on private boards, do not share it with those who do not have access to these boards. There are two reasons for this:

  1. Respect the privace of SMF team members,
  2. Help the team manage communication with the wider community to avoid misinterpretation.

Advertising, Licensing, and Acceptable Use

The SMF team does not handle questions of advertising, licensing, or acceptable use. These issues are handled by the SimpleMachines marketing team. All NPO members should be able to report these issues on the NPO's marketing board.

Competitors

Treat our competitors and their products with respect. Do not make fun of them. Do not get caught up in disputes with members of competitors' teams. We don’t have any desire to start up a board war.

There is nothing wrong with finding out more information about our competition. Feel free to install their software and let us know what they have and don’t have. This could provide us with good information on how to change SMF for the better.

Recommending Service Providers

Everything you do as a team member of SMF reflects on the credibility of the team. When you recommend an outside service provider, be sure to explain why and be sure to mention any limitations there might be. If you are part of a referral program for that provider, or receive a discount or referral fee from a provider, you must disclose this when you provide a referral.

Doing SMF-related work for pay

"Moonlighting" is acceptable. However, you should ALWAYS follow these guidelines.

  • Don’t accept work and accept/expect payment for things that SMF offers as a free service. This would be a conflict of interests and would alienate other members of the team.
    Services for which payment can be expected and accepted:
    • Creating a modification,
    • Creating a custom theme.
    • Modifying an existing theme.
    • Hosting a forum.
    • Forum conversions.
  • Services for which payment must neither be expected nor be accepted:
    • Installing SMF.
    • Upgrading SMF.
    • General support work already offered by the support team and other members. It is not acceptable to post in a general support topic with an "I'll do this if you pay me" response.

If you wish to earn money by performing services that SMF offers, please resign from the team before embarking upon this new business. If you are already earning money by performing services that SMF offers, please decline any invitations to join the team.

  • When advertising your services, or responding to a request for paid help, be sure to indicate that your paid services are completely separate from the team support efforts and SMF can accept no liability for any problems that may arise.
  • Keep in mind that any work you do will reflect on the team, even when you have given the above disclaimer. So, treat your customer with the highest degree of respect, whether the work is paid or not.
  • Providing free help is always preferable. You are a team member, and a volunteer. This cannot be stressed enough.
  • Remember that Charter Members should, where possible, be given a certain amount of preferential treatment. That's our way of saying thank you..

Accepting Gifts

Community members sometimes offer gifts as a way of saying “thank you” to a team member. Here are the rules:

  • Do not solicit gifts in any way.
  • Do not mention that users sometimes provide gifts, or that you have received them in the past
  • If someone asks, “How can I thank you?” point them to the SMF Donations page and/or the Charter Members signup page. Because they have not actually offered you a gift, pointing them to a wish list or a personal donation page would be soliciting a gift.
  • If someone asks, “May I send you a movie from Amazon as a thank you?” the correct answer is “Thank You”. Congratulations! Typically, this means you have gone above & beyond the call of duty.

Gifts are always nice to get, and we do not want to stand in the way of grateful users offering them to team members. Similarly, we don’t want to neglect the other team members that assisted you in providing the support behind the scenes. And we do not want to see team members sticking their hands out to ask for a personal gift. That could be crass, and no one wants to be crass, after all.

Activity

Everyone on the team is a volunteer, and "real life" comes first. If one doesn't have the time for the team, they may always take a break, go on hiatus or resign. When they have the time, talk to a team leader about returning.

General Guidelines

  • Enjoy what you do for SMF... HAVE FUN!
  • Remember that you represent SMF and behave accordingly.
  • We are friends with all of the other forum packages - especially YaBB and open-source SMF forks.
  • Just because something is in another team's child board doesn't mean your input is not important. Feel free to get involved.
  • Everyone should feel free to get involved with the general affairs of SMF. Indeed, this is to be encouraged. But, you should always give due respect to other people's opinions, taking into account their roles and experience.
  • Whenever you are planning to be gone long enough for others to notice (and worry), post before you go.
  • Make sure to mention it to others when you're planning a 6 months vacation.
  • Try to make the best out of the time you're in the SMF team, as long as it's not at the expense of others.
  • Please use full words - saying "pls hlp me - ur da best" will not get you any help.
  • No swearing in public (It is offensive to some and not professional). And please keep it to a minimum in the private boards.
  • Always show respect (fake it if necessary) and courtesy to the members of the forum. They are the community and our customers.
  • No fighting or personal attacks.


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