No, it’s not still April Fools Day, tech publishing mogul Tim O’Reilly really did propose that bloggers display a Blogging Code of Conduct badge on their websites in the wake of the Kathy Sierra situation. While O’Reilly’s original code of conduct post was well thought out and in the spirit of a saner Internet, the new talk of badges (that look like sheriff badges from cowboy westerns) isn’t attracting many early adopters. In addition to the badge, O’Reilly offers up an Anything Goes icon for sites deemed “free-for-all zones.” The warning that will accompany the icon (which is literally a lit stick of dynamite) reads, “This is an open, uncensored forum. We are not responsible for the comments of any poster, and when discussions get heated, crude language, insults and other ‘off color’ comments may be encountered. Participate in this site at your own risk.” No word yet on whether there is a “slightly racy language” category coming (perhaps represented by a plank with a nail on the end of it), but we’ll keep you updated.
Photo: Duncan Davidson
