Forum Rules and Decorum
Updated September 4th, 2006
Preamble:
Well, we've gone almost two years without a set of standing rules, but I figured that in light of some recent personal conflicts I've heard about (on a different set of forums, but by people who are also users here) I figure it's time to outline my iron fisted rules. Keep in mind, these are flexable in the sense that I treat ever user and situation as unique, and individual. They are inflexable in the sense that I do NOT make exceptions for friends, 'emotional trauma' (I've yet to see someone who can top me in that department), or 'jokes'. You don't have to offend anyone on the forums; all that is necessary is for me to be offended or think it's out of line for you to get in trouble.
Behavior:
I expect everyone on the forums to act civilly. Personal issues do not belong on these forums. Bigotry, Intollerance (of any kind) and tempers will not be tolerated. Should a personal issue arrise, the correct manner of dealing with it is with pm's, e-mails, im's, etc off the forums. Do not involve me, or anyone else, if it can be avoided. If you would like me to interceed on your behalf, simply pm me, explain the situation, explain what you and the other person have done to attempt to resolve it, and then I will either accept or decline. Do not ask for my help a second time.
Should a personal issue appear on the forums, this is how it will be handled.
1) I will pm which ever party seems to be out of line, and explain why they are out of line.
2) Should posts be offensive, or deragotry, they will be deleted, and/or the post will be locked, and possible read access will be removed for everyone but admins. The thread may be split, depending on topic, and my mood.
3) If users continue to let their personal problems appear on the forums, I will ban both parties for 3 days.
4) If that has not remove the issue, I will perma ban both users, and delete their accounts.
Once things get to #4, the only way to ever be a member of these forums again is for you to write an appology to myself, the forum members, and to the other party, explain what you did wrong, why you felt you could ignore my warnings, and why it won't happen again in the future. This must be a minimum of 150 words. I will post it publically, and I will consult some, or all of the admins before allowing you back in. This is on a per user basis. Just because one party did it doesn't mean I will unban both. Appologies must also be unique, and can't be copy/pasted.
Post Quality:
There are a good number of people on this forum who cannot spell. Myself included. However, if I[/i] can catch your spelling mistakes, then there is a problem. Generally so long as it's not too far off, I'm fine, but do not post any posts that look like this:
Omg, leik teh ohter day wen i was wolkingb past teh maryott hotil, i saw a sine for a gam3rz0rz con! ti w4s leik soooooooooooooopp tptalie awsum. i bet thair are leik CS grils n' shti. if tere R any grils tere i w4nt to doo thum. brb, n33de mt. dew.
Posts like the above will earn you my scorn, and I will make fun of you for it (in a single post). Everyone on the forums will also be allowed one post making fun of your post (within reason). After 24 hours, the thread will be locked, pm sent to you, and I will also send you a few sites about why net speak, and spelling are good. I might even let Contingencyplan explain in painful detail why good grammar is appreciated.
Post content is also important. Should you post about objectional material, I will deal with you in whatever way I feel is most appropriate. (How I deal with you is up to me. This is a carte blanche for me, so be wary. If you are unsure, pm me, or another admin, and ask. If an admin says it's ok, and I feel it's not, I'll be polite to you, and chew out the admin.
Final Comments:
If you don't feel this policy is fair, please, leave. I refuse to let any bullshit ruin these forums for the people who visit them. I will be fair, and if you don't feel i'm being fair, tell me. I'm a rational human being. This may sound like I'm being a hard ass, or am angry, I'm not. Honestly, I want these rules to sound threatening, and scary. If they don't then there's a chance they will get broken, and that's what I want to avoid. Seriously, all of these rules have been in plave for the last two years, they just haven't been listed. If you've not had a problem up till now, you will not have a problem in the future. So far, none of these rules have had to be used, and I want to keep it that way.
Oh, a final comment. All admins have the right to follow these policies the same as if they were me. I do, however, retain the right to overturn any decision made by any admin. Also, admins must consult me before taking any action such as temp or perma bans, or even post deletions. Nothing permanant can be done without my authorization.
--Morgul