Reading messages
All visitors to the Biz Blabber area of Woking Works are able to view posted messages. The contributions are listed in topics with the most recent topic listed first. Visitors can view the topic discussion by clicking on the topic title. The most recent addition to the strand is always listed last so that readers can follow the discussion through from beginning to end.
Posting new messages
In order to post messages up on Biz Blabber, visitors first need to register. This can be done by clicking on the Register a new account link and supplying a screen name, and a working email address. A password will then be sent to the new user so that they can start posting messages to Biz Blabber.
When a contributor has finished writing a message, there is an opportunity to preview the message, check it and change it if necessary before posting it to the live site. Once this process is complete, the message will appear immediately - there is no moderation on Biz Blabber at the current time.
Monitoring messages
Although Biz Blabber does not have a moderator, it does have a monitor who regularly checks the messages and ensures that standards are maintained. The monitor's role is to remove offensive and inappropriate messages, and to join in discussions where appropriate.
The monitor's role does not involve editing messages and reposting them - if a message contains offensive or inappropriate content, the entire message will be removed.
Acceptable content
Biz Blabber is to be used for the following purposes:
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Discussing local business issues.
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Exchanging information about local business issues, places, events, etc.
The Woking Works Support Team encourages healthy discussion about issues that matter to local people and accepts that Biz Blabber is likely to provoke different points of view.
Users are welcome to ask questions about the website itself and, where possible, the Woking Works Support Team (`Support') will try and provide the answers. However, it should be noted that Support is not obliged to respond to Forum messages.
Unacceptable content
Biz Blabber is not to be used for the following purposes:
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Swearing - whilst we understand that some issues may be frustrating, no swear words will be tolerated on the site and messages will be removed if they are found to contain such words.
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Posting libelous or malicious material - comments that are defamatory of individuals expose both the contributor and Woking Works to the risk of legal action. Support will therefore not hesitate to remove any messages that it believes may contain libelous content.
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Distributing information on behalf of a political party - Biz Blabber is not an arena for promoting the ideals and objectives of any political party. Further information about Woking's local councillors can be found on Window on Woking.
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Posting offensive messages about individuals. Offensive messages can cause distress and anxiety and all contributors are asked to refrain from making personal remarks about individuals.
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Revealing the name and contact details of individuals who would otherwise prefer to remain anonymous.
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Posting offensive messages about groups - racism or any other attacks on any community groups will not be tolerated on Biz Blabber. In many cases, these messages will be forwarded to the police for further investigation.
Support regularly reviews new messages and will remove any that fit the descriptions given above. If Support has to remove three messages from the same user, that user will automatically be banned from using Biz Blabber again.
Messages are removed at Support's discretion and the decision to do so (and ultimately ban a user from Biz Blabber) is final. In becoming a Biz Blabber contributor, individuals are asked to acknowledge and accept this.
The future
Usage of Biz Blabber will be monitored and these procedures could be reviewed at any time.