Diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but it can also lead to communication problems and unhappiness. That’s why we have a few ground rules that we ask people to follow. These apply equally to founders, mentors and those seeking help and guidance.

This is not an exhaustive list of rules that you can’t do. Rather, it’s a guide that, if you grasp its power, will make it easier to enrich all of us and the technical communities we participate in.

Be friendly and patient.
Be tolerant.
We strive to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to, any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, social and economic class, education level, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, family status, political opinion, religion, mental and physical ability.

Be understanding.
Your work will be used by other people and you will be dependent on the work of others. Every decision you make will affect users and coworkers. You should consider these consequences when making decisions. Remember that we are a worldwide community, you may not be communicating with someone in their native language.

Be respectful.
We will not always agree, but disagreement is not an excuse for poor behavior and attitudes. We can all experience tension at any time, but we can’t let that tension turn into a personal attack. It is important to remember that a community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not productive. Members of the Hellospace community should be respectful of other members, as well as those outside the Hellospace community.

When we disagree, try to understand why.
Differences of opinion happen, both social and technical, and Hellospace is no exception. The important thing is that we resolve these disagreements and different opinions in a constructive way. Remember that we are all different. The strength of Hellospace comes from people from different communities, from a wide range of backgrounds. Different people have different perspectives on issues. Just because you can’t understand why someone has that view doesn’t mean they are wrong. Remember that people make mistakes and blaming each other will get us nowhere. Instead, focus on helping solve problems and learning from mistakes.