Open Projects Lab is a small community built around free software: a text chat room, profiles, and people helping each other. This code says what we expect here, and what we won’t tolerate. It applies to every community space — the chat, profiles, shared ideas.
By joining the member area, you agree to this code.
The spirit
We’re here to build and help each other, not to judge. Many members are just starting out. Kindness, patience and respect aren’t optional — they’re what keeps a mutual-help community alive.
What we expect from you
- Be respectful and patient. There’s no such thing as a “dumb” question.
- Stay in the spirit of the place: software, free/open source, mutual help.
- Share what you know, and ask your questions without fear.
- Respect others’ privacy — never post personal information about anyone without their consent (yours included: think before you share).
- Write clearly. French and English are the community’s languages.
What won’t be tolerated
This content and behaviour leads to immediate removal and, depending on severity, a sanction (see below):
- Harassment, insults, threats, intimidation.
- Hateful or discriminatory speech — based on origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age or appearance.
- Sexual, violent or shocking content, or anything clearly inappropriate.
- Spam, advertising, scams, chain messages, commercial solicitation.
- Malicious links (phishing, malware).
- Impersonation and disclosure of others’ personal data (“doxxing”).
- Copyright infringement (sharing pirated works or software).
- Any activity that is illegal under French law.
A technical note, and it’s a safety choice: the chat is text only — no attachments, no private messages, no link previews. It keeps the space simple, manageable by one person, and safer.
Moderation
- The community is moderated by the Open Projects Lab team (today, a single person — please be patient about response times).
- A message that breaks this code may be removed without notice.
- Depending on severity and repetition, the possible steps are, gradually: a warning → content removal → temporary account suspension → permanent ban.
- The goal is to protect the community, not to punish. A good-faith mistake isn’t treated as malice.
- Who moderates, how the role is given and taken away, and how to appeal a decision: that is what the moderation charter covers.
Reporting a problem
- A “report” button on each message lets you alert us — it’s the fastest way.
- Otherwise, by email at the address given in the legal notice.
- Every report is looked at. We can’t always reply individually, but nothing is ignored.
- Clearly illegal content is removed promptly — that’s also a legal obligation (host, French LCEN).
This code may change
It will be adjusted with the community and with experience. The dated online version prevails. Any significant change is announced.
Thanks for making this lab a place worth coming back to.