Firstly, let me say that my favourite forum is…. Garbage Bin. There are some real gems in there.
Having said that, I must admit I do feel some level of compassion/empathy for a lot of the first time posters that end up in Garbage Bin. Some just don’t have a clue and others… well English may not be their primary language.
With all the publicity out there in the general media and internet, it does become difficult for the average consumer to distinguish between the KODI as represented by the XBMC Foundation, and the Kodi as advertised by profit motivated individuals/organisation.
It has been over three years since I registered, so I cannot remember what warnings are shown during the registration process. So I logged out and commenced a new registration. The only warning I saw prior to hitting Register was the below. (I don’t know what comes after as I never completed the process)
Current Agreement Wrote:Kodi Community Forum – Registration Agreement
Whilst we attempt to edit or remove any messages containing inappropriate, sexually orientated, abusive, hateful, slanderous, or threatening material that could be considered invasive of a persons privacy, or which otherwise violate any kind of law, it is impossible for us to review every message posted on this discussion system. For this reason you acknowledge that all messages posted on this discussion system express the views and opinions of the original message author and not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Therefore we take no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy and completeness of every message.By registering on this discussion system you agree that you will not post any material which is knowingly false, inaccurate, abusive, hateful, harassing, sexually orientated, threatening or invasive of a person’s privacy, or any other material which may violate any applicable laws.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the termination of your account, account suspension, or permanent ban of access to these forums. Your IP Address is recorded with each post you make on this discussion system and is retrievable by the forum staff if need-be. You agree that we have the ability and right to remove, edit, or lock any account or message at any time should it be seen fit. You also agree that any information you enter on this discussion system is stored in a database, and that “cookies” are stored on your computer to save your login information. Any information you provide on these forums will not be disclosed to any third party without your complete consent, although the staff cannot be held liable for any hacking attempt in which your data is compromised.
Read the Forum Rules, especially the part concerning piracy. The most common reason for posts from newly signed up users to be removed is a request for support involving add-on’s and/or add-on repositories on which discussion is banned. A list of banned add-ons is included in the Forum rules. This is not a comprehensive list, so even though a add-on may not be listed it may still be in violation of our Piracy Policy. Do not ask how to obtain copyrighted video on our forums.
By continuing with the sign up process you agree to have read both the Forum Rules and the rules specified above.
So I had a go at reading it. It is dry, bland and just like a big wall of words. For a lot of people, I can see the difficulty in reaching the end of the warning… and comprehending it. Especially those people with English as a second language. Even the Forum Rules link is not visible at first glance, and blends into the “wall of words”.
I believe the Registration Agreement should be amended. And there could be a two prong approach to further educate. There are no new requirements, so it would not affect existing users.
1. Amend the Registration Agreement
2. When a new user creates their first post and prior to submitting… a reminder page pops up that the user needs to accept. This reminder can be dedicated to Banned Add-ons.
The amended Registration Agreement could look something like this.
Proposed Registration Agreement…
Wrote:Kodi Community Forum – Registration AgreementBy continuing with the sign up process you agree to have to the following
1. You are responsibe to ensure that your post is civil and respectful to other individuals and societies.
2. Your post does not violate any kind of law
3. You have read, understood and will abide by the Forum Rules (link)
4. You have read, understood and will abide by our stance on Piracy and Banned Add-ons (link)
5. Your post expresses your views and opinions and not necessarily the views of this bulletin board.You also agree
6. we take no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any message posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy and completeness of every message
7. that we have the ability and right to remove, edit, or lock any account or message at any time should it be seen fit
8. that any information you enter on this discussion system is stored in a database, and that “cookies” are stored on your computer to save your login information
9. that your IP Address is recorded with each post you make on this discussion system and is retrievable by the forum staff if need-be
10.any information you provide on these forums will not be disclosed to any third party without your complete consent. We cannot be held liable for any hacking attempt in which your data is compromisedIf you did not download Kodi from this site or the Windows Store or Google Play, most likely you are at the wrong forum to obtain help, and your post may be ignored or deleted.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the termination of your account, account suspension, or permanent ban of access to these forums.
The second prong would be used on the first post by the user. When the user clicks Create Thread… it could be re-directed to a notice specifically on Pirated Content… such as this…
Quote:Notice
As this is your first post, we remind you of the Registration Agreement. In particular the following…1. If your post includes mention of banned add-ons, or alludes to the use of such, then your post will be binned
2. If your post includes request for assistance to obtain pirated content, your post will be binned
3. If an add-on provides an easy means of accessing content that would need to be paid for, then you are in violation of the forum rules
Any thoughts?