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Policy of Use

This Discussion Forum is intended as a space for academics, activists, community members, policy makers, labour organizers, students, and others to discuss progressive alternatives to “privatization.” It is meant as a place where people can learn, share research experiences, debate opinions on existing alternatives, and suggest new models. We encourage members of the online community to express their perspectives and experiences in an informed, thoughtful, and constructive way.

We ask that participants save critiques of privatization and other forms of commercialization for other venues. What makes this forum unique is that it is dedicated strictly to a discussion of alternatives.  While ongoing debates around the changing character of privatization remain critically important, the purpose of this forum is to explore new possibilities for moving forward, whether it be community driven initiatives, labour cooperatives, renewed state-ownership models or other variants of progressive service delivery reform that do not involve the private sector.

Member Profiles

Member Profiles are intended to give background information about participants and context to the discussions and conversations within the forum. Each participant is asked to create a profile outlining their organizational affiliation (if any), their geographical location and interests in the study of alternatives to privatization. Information included in member profiles is made available to the public (excluding email addresses).  We ask members to only include information they are comfortable sharing.  You are welcome to edit or remove information from your profile at any time, as long as the required fields, indicated with an asterisk (*) remain completed.

Etiquette

As a member you must agree that you will not use the Discussion Forum to post any material that is knowingly false and/or defamatory.   You agree to refrain from personal attacks and focus discussion on ideas, not individuals.  You will not post material that is inaccurate, hateful or harassing or that is invasive of another person’s privacy or that in some way violates any law.  We ask that members do not use racist, sexist or xenophobic comments or concepts.

You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold MSP and its staff harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s) and your use of this service. You agree not to post any copyrighted work unless you own the right to the material. Short quotes, accompanied by both links and references to such material are acceptable.

Members who do not abide by these principles will be warned and asked to remove their post. If problems persist, individuals may be removed from the MSP online community following warnings.  Continued participation in the forum is at the sole discretion of the moderators and staff of the MSP.  While we make a strong attempt to review all posts made on the discussion forum, we are not responsible for the content of any messages posted. The messages express the views of the author, not necessarily the views of MSP.  MSP staff reserve the right to delete any thread or message without notification to the author or explanation.

We reserve the right to revise this policy at any time in the future. Should people have comments or concerns about the forum or the behavior of members, please contact mspadmin@queensu.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a forum, thread and post?

  • Forum: A place for discussion that contains issues.
  • Threads: A collection of posts on a similar discussion question.
  • Posts: single replies by a MSP Discussion Forum member.

2.  How do I post a reply to an existing thread?

Once inside the thread to which you want to reply, you can post two ways:

  1. To reply without quoting the previous poster, click the “post reply” button on the bottom left of the page.
  2. If you would like to reply quoting the original poster, click the “quote” button on the upper right hand corner of the member’s post. This means your post will include the text of the original poster.

After typing your replies, either quoted or not quoted, you can either click “Post” under the edit box, or “Preview” to see how your comment would look if posted. If you choose “Preview” you will have to choose “Post” after you are satisfied with the way your reply will look.

3.  How do I start a new thread?

Follow these steps:

  1. Choose which section of the Forum your question or comment will best fit.
  2. After you have chosen the topic, click on it, and you will see the listing of all existing threads being posted on that particular issue. Take your time and make sure that the topic you wish to start a new thread about is not already covered, or is not covered well. Make sure that your new thread will complement or add value to the existing discussions on that topic
  3. To post a new thread, click “New Thread” on the top right corner of the page. Make sure to specify a subject and the body of your post. Remember, your post cannot exceed the world limit. Then post the new thread by clicking on the “Post” button under the edit box or “Preview” if you would like to see what your post will look like before it is submitted.  

4.  How do I learn more about a member who has made a post?

To find out more about a member that has posted, click on the “Profile” button under his/her post. This will take you to the MSP member’s profile page.

5.  How do I edit or delete my post?

First make sure you are logged into the site using your username and password. Next, go to your post that you would like to edit/delete. On the bottom right side of your post you will see two links: “edit” and “delete”. Clicking on these links you can either edit and repost or delete your previously posted comment. Remember, only MSP moderators can edit and delete other members’ posts.

6. What if a specific post offends me or if I think it is offensive in general?

If you see an insulting, offensive or otherwise abnormal comment which contravenes the MSP Discussion Forum Policy, you are encouraged to contact us. The member who posted the offensive comment will NOT receive any notification that his/her post has been reported.