[Python-ideas] applying the PSF Code of Conduct to this mailing list

[Nick Coghlan]

On 6 June 2013 13:38, Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> wrote:

> On 06/06/13 08:49, Ethan Furman wrote:
>
>> On 06/05/2013 03:44 PM, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> But even if I am wrong, and Brett and Titus are owners in the sense that
>>> they, and they alone, get to decide what
>>> happens with this list, it is hardly open, respectful or considerate to
>>> impose this sort of sort of policy change on the
>>> list without giving members the opportunity to express their thoughts on
>>> the matter first.
>>>
>>
>> This list is not a democracy.
>>
>
> Please read my comment again. Even if Brett and Titus are dictators
> entitled to do whatever they like with this mailing list, shut it down or
> put it behind a paywall or censor emails or evict people on a whim or
> retroactively change the terms and conditions of being a member, doing so
> *is not open, respectful or considerate* -- the three things which the CoC
> is supposed to enforce.


Brett & Titus have always had the power to ban anyone they wanted on any
grounds they chose. While it's been a close call on at least one occasion,
they have to date chosen not to ban anyone. However, choosing not to
exercise a power isn't the same thing as not having it.

All this announcement means is that rather than leaving the expected
standards of behaviour completely unwritten (which is the status quo), they
have chosen to use the PSF's template CoC as an accurate description of the
*way the list already operates*.

To put it another way, the expected standards of behaviour on this list
*haven't changed*. The only thing that has changed is that they're actually
written down somewhere, rather than people having to pick them up by
lurking on the list for a while.

Cheers,
Nick.

-- 
Nick Coghlan   |   ncoghlan at gmail.com   |   Brisbane, Australia
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