Acceptable Content

[Jennifer]

I have read the terms concerning my account with FutureQuest, and I also asked some questions before signing up about content. But I would like to know if it's possible to link adult sites without violating the contract? What about erotic fiction sites, although they may have adult images or images with frontal nudity? What if a site I link that doesn't have such material on it later publishes adult material? I was told my adult fan fiction is ok, so I'm assuming erotica is ok. But I'd like to be able to link to adult sites as references for some things I wish to publish, or material I wish to review. Nothing I'm talking about is illegal; I'm not talking about bestiality, necrophilia, or pedophilia. I'd like to be clear about what's permissable and what isn't. Thank you.

[Deb]

It's extremely difficult (the attorney favors impossible) to draw a hard line between acceptable and not acceptable in this area. There are too many "what ifs" and "what about's" involved. We could write a book defining each area of adult content allowed and not allowed and there would still be sites in the "undefined" area....

If we say clearly "no frontal nudity" that cuts out many breast cancer awareness sites or puberty education etc... We have no problem servicing educational web sites....

What we are trying to avoid is blatant X-rated porn and sites placed on the web for the purpose of arousing the viewer sexually.

Your site is most likely a site that rides the fine line and linking to porn related sites would likely push it over the edge. If we were to start seeing the site "go over the edge" we would send you a TOS Notice first ... unless it was simply out-of-control, giving you the opportunity to correct the situation and/or seek out a host that is a bit more lax in the area.

Deb
- Would you show it to your 10 yr old?

[Monty]

sometimes, someone just simply hits the nail on the head, and gets right to what really matters.

Deb, my hat is off to you.

Would you show it to your 10 yr old?

That helps me so much with what I have spent 3 days trying to get across to someone. Not only do you have to be a parent to understand, you have to understand something that's a little more difficult to put into play.

Mont

...tomorrow, my princess turns seven... they sure grow up fast.

[Binky]

I beg to differ. If we all took 10-year-olds as the standard for what was acceptable we'd live in a world fit for ten-year-olds.

Brian
- It's just my opinion, even if it's right.

[Terra]

Binky:
The comment Deb made was a response to a specific question posed by Jennifer...

I agree with your comment, for society in general, but since FutureQuest, Inc. is a private family owned business - we try to keep the lines of acceptance as uncomplicated as possible...

If one of my 3 children (10, 12, 13) are offended or disgusted by a particular site, then we will discuss why they found it offensive... If it is lack of understanding, or lack of maturity - then we will educate them...

If it is purely in bad taste and offense that no amount of explanation can overcome - then the content is not acceptable...

--
Terra
--Even the Supreme Court gets confused sometimes--
FutureQuest

[chilihorse]

Kudos to all. Jennifer for realizing that some of the material related to her site might offend, to FutrueQuest as an organization and as the individuals that make up that entity for seizing perceived moral ground and holding it, Monty for his princess and Binky for bluntly but politely pointing out that a standard applied to all works for no one. At least, that is my read.

The beauty in all this is that Jennifer has enough respect for the FutureQuest community and ownership to ask rather than sneaking stuff by and everyone who has commented is discussing the issue rather than bleating or bellowing.

In my often black and white version of the world, FutureQuest has the right and duty to determine what goes on in their back yard.Those of us hosting our sites here are playing in FQ's playpen so we either agree to the rules or find another yard to host in. If we disagree, whether it be billing or content, keep it civil and move on on. Free choice is a great equalizer.

In the long run we all win.

[Deb]

I see this thread going from one end of the spectrum to the next like a loose rubber ball in a sealed rubber room ;) If we disagree, whether it be billing or content, keep it civil and move on. Free choice is a great equalizer.

In the long run we all win This comment is one worth highlighting!

These forums are ancient in "Internet Years". They've been through a lot over the past as people have come and gone and disagreements have entered and disappeared into the archives... I've operated _many_ public forums in the past concerning many different "main topics" and of them all I have rarely seen a forum that has lasted as long as the FutureQuest Community Forums have without being split and hostile in one form or another.

It's been my experience, with my own forums in the past, as well as observing the forums of others over the years, that with just about every one there are fights that become so heated the forums are split beyond repair. The primary site struggles to stay alive as each opposing side moves on to start it's own forums that follow its own "views" on the topic that started the whole mess. As time goes on these smaller forums find themselves in the middle of new arguments that repeats the cycle all over again.... Some survive... many do not. It's this scenario that can make it so scary for a business to entertain the idea of open forums.

To date... this community has been nothing short of amazing! Sure it has scars from old battles but few long-term injuries. Those that were here in the beginning were able to lay down a foundation that is still holding us up today. I've never had to go through the processing of "Posting New Rules" or "assigning better moderators" etc...

As the forums grew the older members have welcomed the newer members and together they continue to reinforce the foundation.

I've seen hecklers ignored rather than encouraged, flames greeted with buckets of water rather than torches, hurt feelings healed, and lost developers found. People are learning new things constantly here and they appear to appreciate those that help them to do so. So much so that they return later to help another.

The true test is when confrontation arises. Many communities could learn some valuable lessons from the community all of you have created here. It may be impossible for everyone to walk away satisfied with the outcome of a disagreement but it is vital that everyone is able to walk back into the room and openly enjoy the next topic after the previous is laid to rest. That's something I've seen happen time and time again within this community. It's something each of us that participate should be able to pat ourselves on the back for and take a moment to reflect upon.

Even those of you who read but never post... it's often more difficult to remain quiet in a heated discussion than it is to post and sometimes that silence is the best policy as it works like water on a fire... so though you're quiet... this compliment is yours as well ;)

What all of you have created here is simply amazing. chilihorse horse noticed it and I couldn't resist expanding on it.
Andrew and I receive many compliments about "our forums"... "Oh you've done a great job there! What's your secret? I wish my forums would have worked like yours!" and we've seen many hosts try to duplicate what all of you have created here, and you betcha FutureQuest markets this community as an excellent benefit to hosting with us :) but the bottom line is that it's each of you making it what it is. A group of people who want these forums to be all they are cracked up to be and as such you have ensured that's exactly what they remain.

It's said occasionally but not often enough.....

THANK YOU!!! Thank you for being a part of THE Community and for treating it, and us, as you do!

You're an awesome bunch!

Deb
- Ohhh Com'er... Group Hug!!

[Jennifer]

Thanks to Deb and Everyone, for your replies. Most especially, thank you, ChiliHorse, for the kudos. I did ask before I signed up about such issues, but I found I had more questions afterwards, and as you said, I asked because I didn't want to violate any of FutureQuest's rules. I may be switching because I found I don't like the free adult hosts out there (I was going to simply post any adult stuff there, but not link to it from my FQ site; I'd just tell friends who wanted to go there). Nevertheless, I LOVE FutureQuest, and will gladly recommend them to anyone looking for a great host. I don't want to leave, but it's a matter of money (if I could, I'd keep my FQ account and get another account for adult content). FQ is truly the best!

Since joining FQ a few months ago, I've had no problems whatsoever, and my questions have been quickly and clearly answered. I respect FQ's policy, and also understand the risks web hosts take when allowing adult content on their servers. As a believer in free speech, I am thankful, however, for those hosts willing to stand up for that; this is not to criticize family-oriented hosts who are morally against such content...I'm talking about those who would allow it if it weren't for the risks.

It's always possible I'll return to FQ. In fact, if I don't have need for an adult host, I most certainly will. Again, I'll gladly recommend FQ to my friends. Thank you, FQ, and to those members who replied to the originating message of this thread. :)