We do not have a separate code of conduct for WWC. Instead we operate under the IndieWeb Code of Conduct. The code of conduct listed on this page are therefore an addenda to the IndieWeb Code of Conduct, and like the IndieWeb Code of Conduct this is a living document. We encourage our members to propose additions and modifications by getting in touch with one of our organisers.

Reporting violations If you would like to raise a potential violation of the code of conduct, please get in touch with one of our organisers or reach out to a moderator on our forum. Anyone found in violation of our code of conduct will be removed from the collective. However, not all reports will result in removal, and all reports must go through our moderators and/or organisers. For more details see §7.

Scope Our code of conduct extends to this website, to our Signal group and to our forum. It also applies to any projects that originate in WWC spaces in any capacity, as well as wherever an expectation may reasonably exist of the involvement of WWC itself or of one of its organisers and any unofficial spaces where there is a reasonable expectation of association with WWC. Collectively, we call these WWC spaces, and they may be either online or offline or both.

1. Confidentiality and privacy

1.1.

Writing can be an intimate topic: discussing things like writers block, ideas we’re developing, and much more can make us feel vulnerable. No discussions that take place in the WWC Signal chat, which is private, or any areas of the forum marked private, should be discussed publicly.

1.2.

You can, however, mention the essence of a discussion, i.e. mentioning a discussion as inspiration for a blog post you are writing, provided doing so is appropriate and will not reveal anyone’s identity or displace credit due to them. If you wish to quote someone, unless it is obvious that they intended their words publicly (e.g. they have previously said as much on their own website), please seek their permission first.

1.3.

We require that all discussions in the Signal group and in areas of our forum marked private are kept confidential so that everyone feels comfortable to share freely what they are thinking in terms of writing.

1.4.

Do not share screenshots, recordings or other means of capturing WWC activity publicly unless doing so has been previously agreed upon by the community or is from an event or space that was already public.

1.5.

A member’s explicit request for privacy will override all other allowances.

1.6.

If you feel someone has shared something publicly that you expected would be kept private please contact one of our organisers.

1.7.

Publicly sharing anything from that was originally discussed in the WWC Signal chat or on areas of our forum marked private will be treated as a violation of our community guidelines.

2. Promotion

2.1.

WWC is a place to talk about the culture of writing on the web. It is not a place to promote products, services, or projects. Generally, therefore, please avoid using this space primarily as a platform for promotions. At the very least, contribute more than you promote.

2.2.

You are welcome to share your blog posts and drafts. Please avoid sharing too many of your own blog posts: sharing to WWC shouldn’t be on your mental checklist when you publish a blog post, unless you think the post would be especially interesting to the group and be likely to start a discussion.

2.3.

We do not encourage or permit commercial arrangements for promotions or commercially-targeted promotions of any kind.

3. Technical and unrelated topics

3.1.

It would be hard for us to accommodate both technical and non-technical writing at the moment. This may change in future. If you have discussions about technical writing, we recommend seeking other communities¹ or see §3.3.

3.2.

While we enjoy talking occasionally about features on our personal website, if you are looking for sustained discussions on these themes please seek other communities² or see §3.3.

3.3.

In order to foster a strong sense of community we offer spaces where our members can have discussions on topics not directly related to WWC, such as on our forum. Please feel free to use those spaces especially if you prefer not to join another community for that reason alone.

4. NSFW content and legality

4.1.

We do not allow any content on WWC spaces that may be deemed Not Safe For Work (NSFW). This includes sharing or discussing pornography, sexual acts, gratuitous or off-topic sexual text or imagery, fetish farming, the sexualization of non-sexual content, and graphic violence, real or fictional.

4.2.

Adding a disclaimer does not change our restrictions on NSFW content.

4.3.

This section applies to everything shared on WWC spaces, including direct posts on our forums, messages on our Signal group and any of your own work that you may share on WWC.

4.4.

Members may be removed from the collective for sharing NSFW content intentionally and/or repeatedly.

4.5.

Where it may not be clear whether something qualifies as NSFW, our organisers reserve the right to decide on allowing or disallowing said content.

4.6.

WWC allows sharing NSFW content incidentally, i.e. when such content is not the topic of discussion. We also allow linking to NSFW content on an external site so long as the link clarifies that the content that will subsequently load qualifies as NSFW by our definition in §4.1.

4.7.

In case of content that is not prohibited by this community, where such content is nevertheless potentially troubling or may be perceived as NSFW, please consider using appropriate content warnings (e.g. sensitive topics or if you run a blog on erotica etc.). However, not using content warnings does not amount to a violation of this code of conduct.

4.8

Discussion of abuse and self-harm are strictly prohibited in accordance with the UK Online Safety Act.

4.9.

It should go without saying but we will say it anyway: please do not post illegal content.

5. Decency, respect and inclusion

5.1.

Everyone is welcome at WWC. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, expertise or experience, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status etc.

5.2.

We have a no tolerance policy towards harassment and discrimination. This includes, among other things, insults, intimidation, stalking, unwanted sexual attention, deliberate exclusion, discriminatory language, threats, intentionally and repeatedly misuins pronouns, name-calling and disruption.

5.3.

We all make mistakes. At WWC we expect responsiveness over perfection. If someone brings to your attention potential issues in your behaviour, please consider it earnestly. If someone requests you to stop a behaviour or conversation that is troubling to them, please do so.

6. Community culture

6.1.

Disagree respectfully. Debate ideas, not people. Do not assume ill intent; ask questions first. Where people have already stated disagreement, demonstrating your disagreement rarely adds to the discussion; steer towards solutions or prompt helpful discussions instead. Not all disagreements will be resolved.

6.2.

When offerring criticism, do so constructively with the aim of collectively making improvements and not merely demonstrating your own expertise.

6.3.

If you have made a mistake, own it gracefully; acknowledge mistakes, apologise where appropriate and move on.

6.4.

WWC is not a competitive community. We aim to be a safe space for everyone, at all stages of expertise: be patient with newcomers and people publishing or setting up a website for the first time, or generally with anyone asking beginner questions. Celebrate others’ successes and encourage participation rather than competition.

7. Moderation and reporting violations

7.1.

Report any concern promptly to one of our organisers rather than escalating arguments publicly. Report concerns about an organiser to a different organiser. You do not have to be the victim of a violation to report it and reporting does not guarantee that action will be taken against a member.

7.2.

Reports will be handled confidentially as far as possible. This confidentiality does not extend between organisers as organisers may discuss reports collaboratively as they work towards a decision.

7.3.

We extend complete protection to reporters of violations. Retaliation against people who report concerns will amount to a violation of our code of conduct.

7.4.

In some cases, especially on our forum, moderators may intervene before a formal breach occurs by, among other things, requesting members to change the course of their discussion or take a break. Such ‘soft moderation’ may occur as part of the daily running of WWC and will not go on record. It will also not amount to a warning for members. We do this to prevent constantly escalating incidents to a formal breach of our code of conduct, especially since we aim to be a largely self-organised, self-monitored community.

7.5.

In case no moderators are available during breach of our code of conduct, and where events cannot be resolved amicably between members, we request that such events be brought to the attention of one of our organisers.

7.6.

While moderators or organisers may respond to situations or choose to review incidents of their own cognisance, there will be no expectation that moderators or organisers will track all incidents and behaviours unless those are reported to them.

7.7.

On our forum, moderators’ decisions are final unless a majority of our organisers choose to review a decision. Members may request organisers to re-consider a moderator’s decision by getting in touch with one of our organisers.

7.8.

Only the following qualify as reporting to moderators/organisers:

• sending them an email
• using a contact form on their website (if explicitly preferred)
• direct messaging on Signal
• flagging a post on our forum

Please consult our organisers page for up-to-date information on what an organiser’s preferred means of contact are. Please do not ‘report’ anything publicly on social media – these may amount to a violation of §1. Forum posts and rants on WWC spaces do not amount to a report.

7.9.

The following are possible outcomes of a moderation report from most lenient to most punitive: no action is taken, members are reminded, members may be warned, members may be temporarily ‘silenced’ (read-only access), members may be temporarily suspended or members may be permanently removed. In addition, content associated with a moderation report may or may not be removed.

Credits Our community guidelines draw on the excellent work already present in the IndieWeb Code of Conduct, the 32-Bit Cafe code of conduct and forum rules, the Mozilla Community Participation Guidelines and the Contributor covenant.

Interesting in joining our community? Learn more about us.