How everything works on DU3:

Can everyone see the column at the far left of the page? At the top, under DU Home, there's a list of forums and topics.

Under MAIN there is a Help & Meta-discussion forum. That's where many questions will be answered.

Also under MAIN there is a Forum & Group Hosts forum. It has a red folder next to it. You can only see this folder if you're a host. That's where our Hosts can ask questions and see what issues other hosts have been having and how those are resolved. If you're a host but cannot see the red folder, it's a glitch, so contact Admin.

Contacting Hosts:

To contact a BOG Host, click *more info* in the center top of the page, under where it says "This is a Group...". In the More Info section is a list of all Group Hosts. Click their names and you can DU mail them. This way, you can let us know if there are problems or issues that need to be addressed. We welcome input.

How Hosting Is Done:

As much as possible, our Hosts will communicate with each other when something has to be addressed. Sometimes a quick decision will have to be made. Not all decisions will be popular with every BOG member. Just remember that actions can also be undone.

Blocking a poster:

We hope this never has to be used. We'd rather not have to block anyone. But, in case we have to, blocking is not the same as banning from DU, which banned the member from the entire site. Not so here. If a person is blocked from a group they can still post on the rest of the site, assuming they're not blocked there as well. Sometimes we will have to block a poster from this group because they don't fit the Statement of Purpose and it has become obvious. But blocking can also be undone here, in some circumstances. For example, a poster could be blocked just to end a very contentious argument, and then reinstated if further information becomes available. One host may know the poster and know that the offense was intended as sarcasm, while another Host may not. To avoid confusion, please try to make your intent clear. That will make it easier on everyone, especially since the BOG has so much traffic. A host may have to make unilateral decisions on occasion, simply because he/she is the only one online at the time. Please don't rake them over the coals. Communicate with them instead. They are acting in good faith and doing their best. Remember, we are all learning this new system at the same time.

DU3 is designed for more control within the groups, so we can determine our own destiny. First and foremost, the BOG is a safe haven for Obama supporters. Keep that in mind as you post, and everything should be okay.

That's my 2 cents. Have fun!