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Website Policy
and Practice
This policy describes the Website's objectives, contents, responsibilities and
freedoms, as well as the editing procedures.
Objectives
Autonomy
Content
Letters to the editor
Contribution Pieces
Photography & Maps
Writing Guidelines
Corrections - "Peer Review"
Copyright
Security
Feedback
Commercial/External Links
Objectives of the Website
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To ensure that there will never be an Australian
generation which cannot readily research, access and share in the
history of Arms;
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To give the
wider community a better understanding of the importance of knowledge,
expertise and skill retention involving Arms;
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To provide a
credible forum for the discussion of relevant issues for collectors of
Arms;
Autonomy
The Arms Collectors Forum Website
does not speak for any Club, Association, or Guild. It reflects the voices of particular individuals even though it may give the words of individual authors particular
attention at times.
Content
Content of
The Arms Collectors Guild Website is determined by the editor/webmaster - in consultation with
contributors - who aims for an overall balance of history, heritage, news,
personal interest and articles of continuing historical value.
There is no writing staff
dedicated full-time to the Website. Stories may be written
especially for it, or may be based on material written elsewhere.
The contributors must be available for peer review and comment.
Readers are encouraged to
express opinions and make suggestions on content to the Website, but
no-one is to expect space in the Website as a matter of right.
Persons seeking an opportunity for contrary opinions should be
accommodated at least by internet links from the articles commented upon.
Letters to the editor
The Website
welcomes letters to the editor. All letters will be considered for
publication as long as they are signed with affiliation identified; are of
moderate length; are relevant to Arms affairs or to articles that
have appeared in the Website; and are not libellous, or grossly offensive.
The editor reserves the right to select letters for publication and to
edit for grammar and length without changing the original meaning. Letters
will be selected to ensure balanced discussion of an issue. The editor
reserves the right to terminate a debate once the issues have been aired.
Contributions Pieces
Any contributor
may refer a piece for possible publication. The editor accepts or rejects
an opinion piece based on its provenance, relevance, and on its appeal to
the broader readership. A contribution may be rejected if it is considered
libellous.
The editor reserves the right to edit for grammar and length without
changing the original meaning. Contributors must expect "Peer Review" for
accuracy.
Photography & Drawings
When submitting
materials to illustrate a story, the editor will look for the most
visually interesting historic material to be used in the Website. The
editor reserves the right to reject submitted photographs or or diagrams.
Original materials should not be submitted "on loan" to the editor,
as they shall not be returned. Digital scans can be submitted without prior arrangements.
Writing guidelines
The Website
strives to be accurate and unbiased through observance of the following
standards and procedure:
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Contributors
must expect peer review for accuracy.
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It is the
contributor's responsibility to make sure that the submission is easily
understood by a general audience, and that unnecessary jargon is
avoided.
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If a serious
dispute over content arises between a contributor and a peer, the editor
shall consult with both persons.
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if subsequent
attempts at agreement between the contributor and peer fail, the story
will not be published on the website, or, may be published but with the
contested references removed or a qualifying editorial note appended.
Corrections - "Peer Review"
A website is not a
Club Newsletter. Because it is available worldwide, its accuracy needs to be enhanced beyond the efforts of its
editor and contributors to ensure accuracy and reliability. Any errors
should be brought to the editor's attention as soon as possible.
Readers who desire to question any issue of fact, or wish to challenge any
opinion, are urged to submit their comments for publication.
Anyone who feels unjustly treated by the publication
of an article should consult with the
editor to discuss the possibility of clarification, or space for rebuttal.
Contributor revision is encouraged.
Copyright
Information presented on this site is
generally copyright the respective authors, except for materials credited separately. Copyright is claimed
for the purpose of preventing unauthorised commercial use or blind links. A good relationship
with other websites and webmasters is encouraged, and permissions are
readily given for non-commercial use. Fair Dealing, including educational
purposes, will be allowed provided use of an appropriate byline/photo/image
credit is given to the copyright owner. We shall not be not unreasonable,
if you ask.
Security
For site management,
no active information is collected for analytical or statistical purposes. The
Website ISP may use software programs to create summary statistics, which
are used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and
least interest, determining technical design specifications, and
identifying system performance or problem areas. No software program is
to be used to determine individual readership identity and no "cookies"
are to be utilised.
Feedback
If you have any questions
or comments about the information presented here, please email the
Webmaster.
The Presence of
Commercial/External Links
The appearance of
hyperlinks to co-hosted pages or external sites does not constitute endorsement by the Guild of the
views, opinions, information, products or services contained therein. The
Forum does not exercise any editorial control over the information
you may find at these locations. Such links are provided
consistent with the stated purpose of the Forum.
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