Official no-link-to-DN policy?

[TheDukester]

I know we like to roll with few rules here, which I (almost always) agree with completely.

But I'll throw this one out there and see what happens: should Jacurutu actively discourage and/or prohibit linking to DuneNovels?

It's something to think about. It only takes some basic SEO knowledge and a rudimentary grasp of how Google works to understand that we are essentially doing them a massive favor every time we link them up.

And why would we do them a favor, ever? This is a place that:

* Is actively, openly hostile to the OH movement and to this site. Mentioning Jacurutu is not allowed; linking to here is certainly not allowed; and I'm pretty sure that the term "Jacurutu" isn't allowed, even in the context of discussing FH's writing.

* Stopped having any relevant Dune discussion at least 18 months ago. The same group of seven preek retards spouting mysticism at each other does not constitute discussing literature.

* Is run by the biggest shit-eating spineless coward in the history of bad internet admins.

* Would have about one-eighth the activity it currently does if not for posts from non-banned OHers and the dozens of Jacurutu sock-puppets stumbling all over each other.

* Is good only for a few lulz regarding just how incredibly stupid the seven preek retards are. But we don't need to link to their stupidity. Anyone who needs a laugh can just head over there on their own time and have a nice read-only look at any thread they choose.

I'll just stop there. But I'm curious to see what others here think. There's been talk lately of "recruiting" from over there, but that addresses the symptom and not the disease. Jacurutu would be easier to find and DN would be less noticeable if we stopped giving them a huge push in search results.

[merkin muffley]

I am not going to link to, or participate in, their stupid-ass forum any more. Which I'm sure they're very happy to hear.

I think this is worth trying, because I actually do think that most of their activity comes from people who've been banned and re-registered. I would be very interested to see what happens to them.



EDIT:
I'm choosing to do this. I'm not sure it should be an official policy, although I would think not linking is the least people can do. Just paste the shit, if you have to. There's no reason to link to it... Maybe it should an official policy.

Matter of fact, FUCK them. I think it'd be great if everybody turned their backs on that place.

[A Thing of Eternity]

Un-enforced rule sounds like the plan to me. Every once in a while it might be appropriate to link, but we should all certainly aim to do it as little as possible.

[Mandy]

Prohibit? No, it just doesn't matter.

[TheDukester]

... but we should all certainly aim to do it as little as possible.

Peer pressure is an interesting angle. A short, crisp "We don't like to link to DN here" note from an admin would be a real eye-opener, especially to a newcomer. Getting told to fuck off by Chiggie will also get your attention pretty quick.

OTOH, at what point are you telling people how to use the internet? That's a slippery slope. On the other other hand, this is a private site and can make up its own rules. There's lots of fan sites out there that set limits for all kinds of good and not-so-good reasons.

For now, I guess everyone will continue on doing what they do. As a personal decision, I know that I will never, ever link to that shithole again, and I totally regret the times in the past I have done so.

(In fact, I'm going to delete any of my links that I can find. Fight the power!)

[A Thing of Eternity]

I'm all for telling people how to use the internet, or do anything else for that matter - we all talk a big talk about freedom, but none of us actually believes in or wants absolute freedom (even if one thinks they believe in/want it). Nothing at all wrong with telling people what is or isn't acceptable. Slippery slope is a missleading term - it implies that there's any way of doing things that ISN'T a slippery slope (name one and I'll destroy it!).

I don't think we have a specific rule here about not spouting racist garbage for example, but we still booted Sloey for it (if I recall correctly), it's kinda just a given.

Anyone who posts here would not want to help the HLP, even RBP said that website was a waste of time I think. As such, a simple request not to link to DN I think is just as effective as an actual rule, without having that pushy/freedom-infringing (or whatever) quality to it.

[Mandy]

Just encourage people to put links to that site inside the code tags. I wouldn't even suggest having an admin send people who don't comply a pm about it, it's kinda stupid.

Fan sites that set rules for not so good reasons, are usually dead fan sites. This site was created with the idea that people could post much more freely than they can at DN, making this site more like DN doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

[A Thing of Eternity]

That's how I feel too. There's been all kinds of talk lately about elaborate rules, and joining ranks and such, all to make this place less attractive to new members or something.

Now, this no-linking thing I fully support, I like anything that takes DN down a notch. But it should be each person's contribution to the end of DN that makes people stop linking, not some rule.

So yeah, I agree that it should just be general members reminding people of this "convention" (better than rule or policy).

[Eyes High]

...
Now, this no-linking thing I fully support, I like anything that takes DN down a notch. But it should be each person's contribution to the end of DN that makes people stop linking, not some rule.
...

You took the words out of my mouth (how did you do so far away) no rule needed, just let's agree not to do it anymore

[Lundse]

No rule, but a reminder of how the web/google works, and an informal suggestion not to do it from the admins would be fine.

Of course, if someone starts using jacurutu for link-spamming, that is another matter - but it can be dealt with using existing no-trolling, no-spamming, discuss stuff or get stuffed-rules.

[DuneFishUK]

I doubt we'll unseat DN anytime soon - hate it or loathe it, they are the official site, so they get linkbacks from all and sundry. They have a MASSIVE lead (and I still don't entirely see why people getting an eyeful of that embarrassing shitpile is entirely a bad thing)

However... If there's a chance in hell, then I'm up for it In place of links just put directions in the form of DN>SubForum>Thread - it's simple enough to then see the stupidity for yourself.

(Though I agree with Mandy etc - this is not something that should ever be enforced or codified... Maybe have a sign-up sheet somewhere )

[D Pope]

...

This site was created with the idea that people could post much more freely than they can at DN, making this site more like DN doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

Now, this no-linking thing I fully support, I like anything that takes DN down a notch. But it should be each person's contribution to the end of DN that makes people stop linking, not some rule.
...

You took the words out of my mouth (how did you do so far away) no rule needed, just let's agree not to do it anymore

And what Lunse said too! (i'm at my limit for quote ziggurats) As Frank wrote, "Balanced judgement...(is better than)...written laws."
We all know what we're doing and why. There may come a time, members who have yet to join, when we might ask not to link- 'come on mate, out of courtesey,' or,'it's really bad form to link there.'
Unless someone is really trying to be a jerk there's no need for a stick & carrot mindset, and rules wouldn't matter then anyway.

[Mandy]

Personally, I rarely ever click the links to see what's going on at DN, I just don't give a shit. I don't have an account over there.. commercial websites usually suck, so I never expected that one to be any different. I do get a big kick out of some stuff people like merkin muffley does over there (I fucking love that screen name, cracks me up every time I see it). As long as people are having fun stirring up shit over there, I think they should keep on doing it. The internet is not srs bsns.

[Nekhrun]

I do get a big kick out of some stuff people like merkin muffley does over there (I fucking love that screen name, cracks me up every time I see it). As long as people are having fun stirring up shit over there, I think they should keep on doing it. The internet is not srs bsns.

Agreed. I think people should continue to post whatever funny shit they want to over there. I like Many's idea of putting the link in code tags if it needs to be referenced. That would take care of the problem and would still allow us to direct people to their stupidity.

[Shaitan]

I agree that the simple solution is to post URLs un-linked so that we can still reference amusing/horrifying/idiotic posts without passing on the SE link juice to DN.

[merkin muffley]

As long as people are having fun stirring up shit over there, I think they should keep on doing it.

Thanks, Mandy. I definitely don't think there needs to be any kind of rule, but I am going to stop posting over there. I actually do think that most of the activity comes from OH people who've been banned and re-registered. I think the only person over there that gives a shit about DN is Arnoldo.

If everyone from Jacurutu stopped posting at Dunenovels, it would kill all discussion over there and it would isolate Arnoldo. What would he do with himself if he didn't have anyone to bait anymore? They're nothing without us correcting them.

[SandChigger]

The little fuck would probably just start posting more over on FED2k.

Which would probably please them to no end, since posting over there has fallen off considerably since they upgraded their boardware. (A lot of people aren't happy with the new version.)

[SandRider]

this is all horseshit.

[Freakzilla]

this is all horseshit.

Thank you, I'll take that under advisement.

[merkin muffley]

this is all horseshit.

Thank you, I'll take that under advisement.

Nihilists.

[Ampoliros]

I think the "how google works" reason is the only reason not to post links.

But heck, shouldn't we make that site more visible? Its (un-)living proof of how the HLP has handled this situation. The only damage would be in directing more fanboy pulp eaters to the site, anyone who loves Real Dune isn't going to last there.

[TheDukester]

Fuck it; sorry I brought it up.

By all means, link away.

I'll get the party started. This one leads to the fabulous Dune Cookbook:

http://forum.dunenovels.com/phpBB2/view ... 052db2eec5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Freakzilla]

I agree with you Dukester, let's not post any more new links and I'll try to find time to delete the old ones.

I don't think it needs to be a rule, though. We have too many of those as it is.

[merkin muffley]

I don't need to look at it. You just add cinnamon to everything.

[TheDukester]

I don't think it needs to be a rule, though.

I totally agree. I really never said it should; I was hoping more for discouragement.

I'm not too sure it really matters that much, although anything that hurts DN even slightly is okay by me. They will probably always come up first in search queries ... or at least search queries written by people who have been on the internet for more than a week.

It also might not matter because that place is looking worse than ever now. I just had my first look in quite a while, and it looks like there is no activity to speak of, not even between the preek retards. Most of the "most recent" entries are from November or even before. Some of the McDune entries date to last summer. It's a ghost town.

+++++

Edit: Whoops, I did mention "and/or prohibited." That's definitely a little strong. I was going for more of a "why would anyone want to link there?" vibe.