After viewing the recent additions to the Poser members gallery I have to say I was shocked. Keep in mind I do not approve of censorship but I do believe that we should have a little restraint. Some of the images in the gallery you would have to pay to see on another site. What I'm trying to say is keep in mind this is not an adult site. I hope I don't offend anyone to badly but I felt the need to speak my mind.

How its been working lately is this, just email or post that you find a particular image to cross the line, and someone will probaby pull it. Please note the specific images, Thanks!

hmm... you guys gonna work on some actual concrete guidelines now? :) not to bug you, but it really would be best for all concerned. waiting til somebody 'complains' is kinda one of those 'close the barn door after your horse runs away' deals. not to mention the potential situation where every individual's (in)tolerances, combined, leaves us with no pictures whatsoever. whatever you decide, whenever you get around to it. :)

It is this type of lack of decision that will drive people away from this site. Also, if the guidelines are too strict, it will do the same. Don't let the Puritans ruin it.

Puritanism has nothing to do with it, really. This site IS accessed by the younger set, so a little restraint with regards to sensual (or outright sexual) themes is needed. Unless, of course, an age check program is used, which, IMHO, would REALLY ruin this site. My 3 1/2 cents Canadian. :) Greywolf Starkiller

I agree that there needs to be restraints. I just don't want to see this site end up not allowing any kind of freedom of expression.

I didn't see the pic in question, so can't comment on that. But I do think we need some solid guidelines done and stuck too. We do need to keep this site a 'clean' site, and I feel that some of those pics up at the gallery do cross over the line. I haven't said anything cause, well, everyone's letting their hair down so to speak and trying to relax. So lets all help the admin out till they can get a working set of guidelines out by using our own brains and thinking before we post. A good rule I've found on many mailings lists etc is this: If your going to post something your unsure about, go away for a while and come back to it, if your still unsure about it, don't post it. Ali

I saw the images in question and they didn't offend me personally, but I guess I can think of a short list of guidelines right here: 1) No extreme violence such as rape or torture should be depicted. 2) No Hardcore Sexuality such as Penetration, Genital contact or arousal. Like I said, I don't have a problem with these kinds of images, but others might including advertisers. This isn't the official policy of the forum it just my idea of what might work as a guidline. -JH.

Here's the bottom line: If my boss Tim can't look our board of directors in the eye and justify an image as a piece of art, its going to be pulled. There is no lack of decision here, there's just always going to be a judgement call on someone's behalf when an artist walks the line.

Since we don't have an age rating maybe we should consider either having one, psoting a Parental warning, and/or think if you want this images viewed by a 10 year old. There is one in the other forum who comes over here to view images. Sensitivity is the key, not censership. IMHO Boni

hmmm... the problem as i see it, fur, is you didn't give us a 'line' to walk. i think it's only fair to tell us, the artists, up front: THESE are the things we wont accept, these are things we will. you say 'if we can't call it "art"...' well, now what you're telling us is, you (individually or the edgenet group) are judging what is art, and what is worthy. further, you're sorta giving yourself license to say 'we dont like this, so we will delete it' on ANY piece of art. this just makes me uncomfortable. now, okay, its your place, and you can decide what you want on it.... but i think it would be more fair if you told everybody up front what it is you will not allow. if you're not sure if guidelines will be too restrictive, or drive people away... hey, we can do a poll on them. meanwhile, this forum (traditionally) has not been a venue for the more extreme art. i like it that way, and i think most people do as well. there IS a venue for extreme art: it is the poser underground; and it is a forum much like this one, with helpful pointers and stuff, but it has no image restrictions whatsoever. http://members.tripod.com/~DrLegume/PoserUnderground.html (this is dr legume's gateway to the message board.)

I have to agree that some type of guidelines should be set as there does seem to be an increase of explicit sexual and violent content in some of the pictures posted recently. I am not a fan of censorship but even in a public art gallery warnings are posted when work which may offend the public at large are exhibited. Common sense in establishing these guidelines is all that should be necessary as I don't believe that anyone wishes to offend either those who create or those who view the art posted in the galleries. If the intention is to offend then do we really want the person with those type of intentions to post on this site? I also agree with bloodsong that it puts us in an uncomfortable position in regards to what you may like or dislike and leaves you open to criticism and accusations of unfairness when it comes to deleting a picture you find offensive without a set of guidelines.

I'm all for freedom of expression, and am not personally offended by any of the images I've seen here. But... it would not take a huge leap for me to see how some of these pictures could be seen as a bit degrading towards women or improper for children. I think that most of us have been around long enough to know that Poser is very capable of making nudes and posing them in any way you can conceive. I suppose what I'm saying is that people should be free to post whatever they want (if they themselves consider it art...), but that it would sure be an inspiration to see people move off in some new directions. After seeing god knows how many bare-chested Poser ladies taking over the screen, I find myself hoping for something a little more thought out. Just my opinion, though... no offense intended to anyone.

I agree too.. Guidelines would solve a lot of the problems. By leaving it open as you have you have opened the door for everyone to post what they consider art. either that or open another gallery with a standard adult site disclaimer and let people post the "controversial" and extreme images there. The disclaimer covers your asses and puts the responsibility back where it belongs on the parents. without the need for age check. my 2cents Stormrage