Acrobat User Community Blog Guidelines

One of the goals of the Acrobat User Community is to enable richer online forums for users to interact with one another around their usage of Acrobat and PDF. Blogging is a valuable component in achieving this goal. These guidelines are intended to address the legal implications of blogging and recommend best practices to follow when posting your blog.

Legal

Personal liability
As a blogger on AcrobatUsers.com, you are accepting a level of personal responsibility. Use good judgment and act professionally.

Whether publishing your own blog or participating in someone else’s, make it clear that what you post represents your own views and opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of Adobe.

You should include the following standard legal disclaimer language: “The views expressed in this blog are the views and beliefs of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adobe Systems Incorporated.  Your use and/or participation in the Adobe Acrobat User Community Website, including without any limitation, any blogs, are subject to the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Blog Guidelines.”

Note, however, that such a disclaimer may not be effective if, in fact, you then go on to post what appears to be Adobe’s positions, views, strategies, or opinions.

Other parties’ legal rights
Do not use, post, or copy third party materials protected by copyright laws. If you believe that “fair use” rights may allow for such use, posting, or copying, it is your responsibility to be sure before making such use. Do not use third-party trademarks, logos, and slogans without the third party’s permission. Likewise for third-party trade secrets, do not disclose them without the third party’s permission.

Adobe confidential and proprietary information
Do not disclose or discuss Adobe confidential or proprietary information in an external blog. This includes all information covered under the Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Do not post questionable material or material that may be considered offensive or inflammatory by some
Sexually explicit material, images, stories, cartoons or jokes or links to websites containing or referencing these are inappropriate for Acrobat User Community blogs. The same applies to unwelcome propositions, sexual advances, requests for dates, and love letters. Do not post articles that contain discussions on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or religious or political beliefs, or that disparages others based on any of these. If in doubt, leave it out.

Best practices

Focus on Acrobat and PDF products
The purpose of Acrobat User Community blogs is to foster discussion about Acrobat and PDF and relevant technologies and trends.

Add value and strive to be interesting
Acrobat User Community blogs should add value to the Acrobat User Community. Strive to provide quality and to add value in your blogs and posts. Information on how to better utilize Acrobat and PDF can be especially valuable. Information that helps you and our members work more efficiently is also valued.

Write in the first person, be authentic and truthful
Use your own voice in sharing your views and expertise with others. Be authentic and truthful; honesty and transparency are hallmarks of good blogging. Use your real name – not a nickname or handle – identify your relationship with Adobe when appropriate, and do not use blogging for personal marketing, advertising, or public relations. If you have a vested interest in a topic you’re discussing, be upfront and the first to point it out.

Since blogs have wide distribution and can live on indefinitely, be careful in what you write, and think about how it will be perceived by others.

Know your fellow bloggers
Be aware of what’s happening in the blogosphere, know what others are saying about the topics, and reference and link to them as appropriate.

Monitor your own posts
Keep in mind that you have sole responsibility for what you choose to post. You are responsible for monitoring posts on your blogs and for promptly deleting inappropriate material; however, Adobe reserves the right to decide who can contribute to an Acrobat User Community blog and to take down inappropriate content, if necessary.

Keep your blog current
When updating existing content, indicate clearly when and how you have changed the content. Indicate to your readers if you will be absent from your blog for a period of time. Review comments in a timely fashion. Never back date your blog entries to make it appear that you wrote something last week or yesterday or so on.

Be the first to respond to your own mistakes
If you make an error while blogging, acknowledge and promptly correct it. If you modify an earlier post, make it clear that you have done so.