This is following a prompt from a few people in the post about the 2015 rules. A suggestion was made to provide the rules committee with a set of shorter and simplified rules fromt his community. Doug Milliken suggested a wiki, but I propose that we put together an edited document using these forums as a place for reasoned discussion.
Here are the guidelines that I propose:
1. We modify the rules with the sole intent of shortening and simplifying rules documentation.
2. We attempt to stay as close as possible to the intent of the 2015 rules.
3. Conceptual changes to the rules are permitted only on the basis of the following:
- The rule(s) fundamentally works against simplicity
- Rule is currently unenforceable
- Rule is overly subjective
4. Any proposed rule changes or additions are made with supporting calculations, simulations or real test data where possible.
Some limitations:
1. We will limit any attempt to make changes to the intent of the rules. This is not an attempt to undermine the rules committee, rather a way to provide editing feedback.
2. Try to avoid any abuse or ridicule of individuals here, event staff, or anyone associated with the rules committee. If you feel strongly about it do it somewhere else.
3. Where possible we will try to keep to the rough order of rules and use similar sections. Conceptually there may be better ways, but for a first pass consistency with older rule-sets will likely have less impact on the teams.
Deliverables:
1. A revised version of the 2015 rules to be sumbitted to the rules committee for consideration. A target length for the document is 100 pages with similar text formatting to the current rules. For reference the first rules with templates (2009) was 105 pages.
2. A document detailling which rules were altered and the justification for the changes.
Process:
I suggest using these forums to discuss potential areas of change. It will be difficult to gain 100% consensus on the items. To this end I believe a group of editors would be the best way of working. I believe these editors should be nominated, and supported by at least 2-3 others. I would expect a small group of maybe 4-6. They should be active members on these forums if possible.
The process is intended to be open, and only implementing changes or ideas suggested by the community. Regular updates to the documents would be made publically available and accessable from these forums. An attempt will be made to keep these documents current and complete at all times so they may be viewed by the rules committee at every stage of development. Current rules committee members are more than welcome to add suggestions or direction to the thread.
First stage documents are to be submitted to the Rules Committee by the end of the year to allow time to assess the suggestions prior to the release of the 2016 rules. Final documents for this process to be released by the end of 2016 in time for consideration for the next expected large change in 2017.
There is no expectation that any of the suggestions will be adopted. This process is purely a feedback mechanism, not a way to replace the current rules.
I will edit this front page if any guidelines are modified, or deliverables changed.
Kev