[meta] Bots' Rights

[meta] Bots' Rights
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Posted: 14 Aug 2016 03:03 PM PDT

As many of you are aware we have a few bots running around free-range on the sub. Thus far moderation policy have dictated that these bots have free reign insofar that they are not outright abusive.

Of note is /u/parenthesis-bot and its ~~boring~~ less quirky ~~copycat~~ iteration /u/fast-parenthesis-bot. Initially /u/parenthesis-bot garnered a fair amount of adoration with few detractors, but that balance seems to have been shifting for a while now, hence this meta-discussion.

So I have a few options to start with which are by no means exhaustive, sorted roughly by degree of severity:

We don't serve bots: all bots are forbidden and will be banned as they are identified.
Come when called: all bots must be explicitly invoked. This covers bots such as /u/CompileBot.
Those who serve: all bots must be explicitly invoked, but some bots are allowed based on overall usefulness as decided by Friend Computer. Examples would be /u/CompileBot and /u/TotesMessenger. This would exclude joke and novelty bots.
Just ban /u/fast-parenthesis-bot and /u/parenthesis-bot!
Just ban /u/fast-parenthesis-bot, the poser!
Just ban /u/parenthesis-bot, the slowpoke!
This is fine: things are going to be okay. Don't alter protocol nor ban any bots.

Before making any decision I want to hear what the community thinks, both how they feel and any practical suggestions for moderation policy that they may come up with.

Edit: Shoutout to /r/botsrights. I'm so, so, sorry.

submitted by /u/tskaiser
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Programmer dating problems

Posted: 14 Aug 2016 03:01 PM PDT