Objectivism Online Site News

new ObjectivismOnline page on Google+

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:34:30 +0000

Add it to your circles:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/105379189620166717252/105379189620166717252

Forum domain changed to .COM

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:00:49 +0000

I've decided to try .com as it is easier for people to remember. Please let me know what you think of this change.

If you have issues logging in, you can email me directly: heroic@gmail.com

ObjectivismOnline Image Gallery is back

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:09:22 +0000

The image gallery for this site is back: http://www.objectivismonline.net/gallery/

Currently it's hosting club fliers uploaded by members. If you have any other creative use for it, feel free to do so.

PSA on OO.net chat for new users

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:42:43 +0000

Over here in chat-land, we are actually quite nice and friendly. But there are a couple guidelines that the newer generation of internet users ought to know about internet chat rooms. The first is, that you may not necessarily be walking into an interesting conversation. The second is, that you may not necessarily receive a greeting or response within the first few minutes. This isn't because we don't like you, it's because we have other tabs open. So I humbly entreat you, please stay at least 5 minutes before X'ing out the oochat window.

(18:27:48) ObjectiBot: [some new guy] logs into the Chat.
(18:28:58) 2046: sup
(18:29:44) Bogomilist: hey newblood
(18:30:46) ObjectiBot: [some new guy] has been logged out (Timeout).

In this example, the new user closed the window almost as quickly as it was opened, and the connection timed out some time after messages were sent to him.

Jonathan13's concern with the moderators

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:23:16 +0000

* * Mod Note: Split from separate topic per user report * *

Jonathan13, on 28 September 2011 - 09:42 AM, said:
If I publicly request that others send me copies of the most insulting and abusive messages that they've received from moderators, will the owners and moderators here give me permission to post them publicly?

softwareNerd, on 28 September 2011 - 02:58 PM, said:

No, of course not!

Yeah, that's what I thought. From what I've seen, it's quite understandable why moderators here wouldn't want evidence of their behavior made public.

J

Ideas for increasing participation in ObjectivismOnline

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:44:23 +0000

Let's brainstorm some ideas for increasing participation on this website.

What can we/I do promote the website and make it more attractive to people?

Google Adwords manager needed

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:39:32 +0000

The Google Adwords account for Objectivism Online has been stale lately and I could use someone to manage it.

Suggestion: Simplify to Fewer Subforums

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:45:12 +0000

I really enjoy oo.net and it's the only Objectivism forum I will visit. Even though I don't post a whole lot I enjoy reading much of the posts. And while I'm at it I'll say I really like the new updated skin style, it's a lot more sleak and easy on the eyes.

Something that has always bothered me though is the huge amount of highly niche subforums. Some of which overlap in their category. Just trying to figure out where is best to post a new topic can be confusing. I think that the main "philosophy" sections and its forums are fine. But for example, the "current events" subforums are all very closely related and might benefit from just becoming "news" or something similar.

Just a suggestion which might streamline things a bit and leave less untouched subforums.

Debate Forum

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:24:08 +0000

Hello, all. I just want to inform everyone that we've decided to make some changes to the Debate Forum. Starting now, posts will not appear in the Debate Forum until they've been approved by a moderator, no matter who posts them. The reason for this is that we want to introduce some sort of structure and purpose to the debates instead of simply being a free-for-all. So, if you want to initiate a debate, keep in mind that you must have a definite position that you wish to debate.

Responses to a debate will also be moderated, and must also stay within the topic and structure of a debate. Posts that make no new point or contain personal comments will be deleted.

Performance Update

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:31:19 +0000

I've configured this website to run on CloudFlare. Please let me know if you find any issues.

Are contrary arguments against forum rules?

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:38:38 +0000

I intend to make a sustained argument for the existence of a god on this forum. Would this go better in Metaphysics or Debates?

I ask because I understand that Debates allows posts that attempt to proselytize for different worldviews, but on the other hand I'm not sure if just presenting an argument for a god counts as proselytizing for a different worldview. Hence the question.

Dr. Peikoff: "Bureaucrats vs. Doctors"

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:48:54 +0000

There's another excerpt from Dr. Peikoff's radio show available, temporarily, on one's "Registered User" page at the Ayn Rand Institute, "Bureaucrats vs. Doctors"

Enjoy!

Objectivism Online Facebook Page?

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:55:10 +0000

I've been updating my Facebook page today, and while listing my favorite things in the info section, I noticed there was no Objectivism Online page.

If you're interested in getting more exposure for this site (which deserves it, imo) starting up an FB page is one of the best free ways to go about getting it. Setting it up will take probably no more than an hour, then it's only a matter of posting the link here for the member of this site to "Like". I imagine most of us have FB pages and that a lot of us are involved in the Objectivist FB community. The great thing about FB is that when someone chooses to "Like" something, it's broadcast to everyone on their friends list. I can't think of a better way to get some free publicity and bring in some new members.

Alex

Bring back the "Block User" button

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:47:38 +0000

Before the software upgrade it was possible to block the appearance of all posts by a user. This feature is no longer visible. Can it be brought back? I thought it was a good conflict management tool.

Quoting in replies

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:29:39 +0000

There is an occasional tendency to overquote in replies, by including an entire post and then adding a relatively trivial reply like "I agree". Participants should remember the forum rule on quoting:

Participants agree to keep responses short by minimally quoting earlier posts or other, outside sources. Quote only the particular passage you are targeting with your comments--and no more (the snapback arrow within the quotation allows your readers to go back to see the full context in an earlier post). If replying to multiple people/topics, split up your response into multiple posts.

Please only quote the minimum amount required.

Chat rules

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:04:30 +0000

Everybody, newcomers as well as "old-timers", should feel welcome to discuss Objectivism, philosophy, horses, women, or whatever they want.

Unfortunately many newcomers leave the chat, never to return, because they have been badly treated or because it sometimes just seems impossible to have a civilized discussion.

Therefore we need some basic rules. The premise for my rules is: what promotes a civilized discussion?

What is a civilized discussion? It is a benevolent and polite discussion. Not necessarily a *rational* discussion, a discussion where everybody only say true things or make rational arguments.

It is true that in any heated discussion people will get emotional and they will therefore say things that hurt other people's emotions. This is a natural part of any discussion. I will, within reason, show tolerance for this.

So far there is only one rule:

• No trolling. What is it? To write things *for the sole purpose of provoking people*; things to make people mad, sad, hurt, offended, etc. To merely say something that some people *may* find provoking is not enough.

Example: "Why are all of you Objectivists cultists? Can't you think independently?" vs "Premise 1, 2 and 3. Therefore are you irrational."

The former comment is obviously made for the purpose of provoking. This will not be tolerated.

The latter comment may offend, but it was not said for the purpose of offending anybody. Remember also that it is virtually impossible to say anything without offending somebody. This will, therefore, be tolerated.

Do not worry. There will be room for jokes and humorous comments. Context will determine how these rules apply.

For the sake of simplicity I will try to limit the number of rules as much as possible. I hope there will never be more than three simple rules. Those who break the rules will get kicked. If you repeatedly, over a long period of time, break the rules, when it is obvious that you are just a troll and nothing else, then you will be banned.

If you got any objections to the rules, then please let me know.

Hiring Moderators

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:26:36 +0000

If you would like to be a moderator of this forum, please let me know. If you are not happy with the way this forum is run, this is your chance to influence it.

Website design

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:58:21 +0000

Is there a reason why the forum looks identical to the ObjectivistLiving forum (other than using the same software) - is one copying the other? Can we try to get away from that design? Particularly: change the favicon (next to the URL) back to the flag, or something else, and change the coloring a bit?

I am not familiar with that forum, but reading through their posts regarding David Harriman's book, they seem to live in some fantasy world where philosophy does not serve as the base of knowledge. It's hard to believe these folks read the same books I have.

Rules for chat moderators:

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:19:05 +0000

(I am making this public so non-moderators know what to expect.)

I want to outline some rules for chat moderators.  (I expect this of forum moderators too.)

1.)  Your position of authority comes with responsibilities.  When you are acting in your capacity as moderator, you must take those responsibilities seriously.
2.) You may joke, express emotions, curse and even insult (to a degree) when you are not acting as a moderator.  In your capacity as moderator, you may not do any of these things.
3.) You must provide reasons for your actions, citing specific examples for all moderation activity.
4.) I would like to be able to prohibit moderators from acting against users they have a personal disagreement with, but that is not practical for chat.  Chronic (persistent) cases however, should be taken to the moderator forum or given to another moderator.

To concretize the correct attitude, just imagine that you are a judge in a court room.  That's the kind of professionalism you should exert as a moderator.

I hope this post is sufficient explanation.

Patron Membership Update

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:05:20 +0000

The new forum version I installed in June does not have subscription payment support at this time.

Until it is enabled, I have added a "subscribe" button to the bottom of the forum. One of the new features of this option is a free one month trial for all new subscriptions.

For more information on Patron membership, read the original announcement.

Basically it's a way to pay for my expenses incurred in hosting and advertising the site in exchange for recognition and upgraded access and account privileges, such as lower messaging limits and free email/blog accounts.

At least 100% (I match a percentage of donations) of your payment will go towards supporting and promoting the site.