Post by markbyron on Dec 17, 2013 16:31:40 GMT
These are forum specific guidelines that you should follow to ensure a positive experience and to avoid sanctions and/or having your posts deleted. These guidelines are in addition to the Proboards Terms of Service community guidelines at www.proboards.com/community-guidelines and the server conduct rules as noted at totalfreedom.boards.net/thread/21065 plus admin rules of respect. If you believe a forum post violates the guidelines, please flag the post. Of note, posts that promotes intolerance with respect to race, sex, national origin, age, religion, or orientation are subject to moderation and possible sanction. The rules also apply when using the shoutbox (mainly rules 1 & 2, 15) and the Proboards Community Guidelines applies to PMs as well; if you receive a PM that violates the guidelines, forward it to @creeperseth or Finest .
1. Personal attacks and flame wars. Attacking other members personally, esp. when combined with juvenile profanities will result in your post being deleted with potential sanctions. You can disagree with another member's post but keep it respectful, and debate the point being made as opposed to attacking the person making the point. Also, do not respond in kind to personal attacks - simply flag the offending post. If you respond to a personal attack with a personal attack, your post will be deleted and you will be subject to sanctions.
2. Power-Posting. Power-posting is over-posting or posting empty, non-sensical, or other useless messages/polls. Such posts are subject to being moved to spam boards or deleted. If you like a post, use the like button as opposed to creating a one word reply and avoid one word response messages that don't add anything (e.g. ok, lol, xD, etc.).
3. Bumping. Posting a single word or useless message to bring new attention to a thread. This is allowed by owner and admins for official purposes to call attention to previous server rule threads, changed policies, etc. On the other hand, if you're just bumping to get attention to a post that didn't get attention to begin with, the bump message and/or the thread is subject to being deleted. Also, if you notice somebody has violated this rule, don't post another message - just PM the person and ask them to remove the post. (If the thread is stickied, and you have something to contribute to it, then you may post in it)
4. Necro-Bumping. Posting a message on an old discussion topic. For example, there's a discussion about Redstone that ended 90 days ago and a post is added to continue the discussion. Instead of necro-bumping, make a new thread about Redstone. Necro-bumping may result in the message or old thread being deleted. As for normal bumping, the owner and admins may necro-bump for official purposes. Also, if you notice somebody has violated this rule, don't post another message - just PM the person and ask them to remove the post. (If the thread is stickied, and you have something to contribute to it, then you may post in it)
5. Thread Hijacking. This is where somebody replies to an existing thread with a different topic. For example, somebody posts an admin application on a topic that's not for that purpose. The message is subject to being deleted or moved.
6. Misplaced Posts. Place your posts in the correct board for the topic. For example, don't post a question about building in the developers section. Also, while the general discussion category can be for anything, if there's a specific board that fits your topic, use it. Misplaced posts may be moved or deleted.
7. Cross-Posting/Duplicate Posts: Cross-posting is posting the same message in multiple boards and duplicate posts are self-explanatory. Such messages may be moved or deleted.
8. Your forum display name must be alpha-numeric characters although you can use a non-alpha/numeric at the beginning or end of the name (e.g. ^HappyPerson^). You can also use one underscore in the middle of the name (e.g. ^Happy_Person^). Avoid use of fonts that are difficult to read or otherwise annoying (e.g. backwards). If you don't follow the policy, you may find your display name gets adjusted to comply. For admins and admin applicants, if your forum name does not match your minecraft name, you MUST include your Minecraft In-Game-Name (IGN) in your profile (there's a field for IGN) and if you change your IGN, post a message noting the old & new plus include your old IGN as well (there's a field for it).
9. Oversized or Annoying Signature Blocks & Avatars. While this is subjective guideline, an over-sized signature block, an animated GIF/video, or a blinking /scrolling / flashing signature block /avatar are very annoying to most other members or even potentially dangerous for those with epilepsy. If your signature block is tall with multiple links, please put in a spoiler. The forum administrators can make changes to your profile without notice for violations of this rule.
10. Plagiarizing. Numerous examples and such posts are subject to being deleted. One that's happens too frequently here on this forum is copying somebody else's admin application or the example application. Another example might be copying posts or stories from elsewhere without citation and if you do copy from elsewhere, post just a relevant quote from the story and link to the rest of it as needed.
11. Posting URLs to websites that contains viruses, malware, phishing or any link that could be used to secretly and purposely collect personal information which could be used to DOX or DDOS (e.g. hidden IP logger). This also includes URLs that might be placed in a signature block.
12. Forum Games: Allowed only on in the forum games section and posts in the section do not contribute to your post count. Attempts to spam or troll forum games are not allowed and offenders are subject to sanctions per this policy.
13. Forum Inactivity: Members who don't sign-in to the forum are subject to account purge after 4 months; there is no restriction on creating a new account if this happens. Those with no posts (zero posters) or just one post are subject to account deletion much sooner - typically a zero poster is deleted after 10 days. To avoid account removal, post an intro message on joining and at least one message every other month; doesn't have to a new thread - a reply will work just as well. Admins have additional activity requirements to maintain forum admin status - at least one forum post every 30 days but they can be readily reinstated upon return and posting.
14. Shoutbox Specific Guidance: In addition to no form of moving / flashing animation or other obnoxious and distracting formatting, please review totalfreedom.boards.net/thread/54708/shoutbox-guidelines
15. Other. Anything not covered above that is causing general annoyance and disruption. Examples (not all-inclusive): Fake quoting (falsely attributing a quote to somebody else), posting multiple correction messages instead of posting just one or editing the original, posting RL pics of other people or oneself unless obscured, trolling, obnoxious formatting in text or tile (e.g. using all-caps, using max size font for the entire post, difficult to read font or colors, etc), posting in languages other than English (use Google Translate if needed), tag spamming (only tag when essential), e-begging (legitimate charity requests excepted), inappropriate profile pics, spamming likes, and when quoting somebody else, don't include their pics or other media in the quote. As this is very subjective, the forum mod will normally PM to advise of the problem.
Those who violate the above guidelines are subject to a range of sanctions including warnings, deletion of offending posts without comment, temporary forum ban, purging of all posts and post count reset to zero, permanent forum ban, and admins who violate guidelines are subject to suspension in addition to other sanctions. If you receive a warning, take immediate steps to comply with these guidelines to avoid more permanent sanctions.
1. Personal attacks and flame wars. Attacking other members personally, esp. when combined with juvenile profanities will result in your post being deleted with potential sanctions. You can disagree with another member's post but keep it respectful, and debate the point being made as opposed to attacking the person making the point. Also, do not respond in kind to personal attacks - simply flag the offending post. If you respond to a personal attack with a personal attack, your post will be deleted and you will be subject to sanctions.
2. Power-Posting. Power-posting is over-posting or posting empty, non-sensical, or other useless messages/polls. Such posts are subject to being moved to spam boards or deleted. If you like a post, use the like button as opposed to creating a one word reply and avoid one word response messages that don't add anything (e.g. ok, lol, xD, etc.).
3. Bumping. Posting a single word or useless message to bring new attention to a thread. This is allowed by owner and admins for official purposes to call attention to previous server rule threads, changed policies, etc. On the other hand, if you're just bumping to get attention to a post that didn't get attention to begin with, the bump message and/or the thread is subject to being deleted. Also, if you notice somebody has violated this rule, don't post another message - just PM the person and ask them to remove the post. (If the thread is stickied, and you have something to contribute to it, then you may post in it)
4. Necro-Bumping. Posting a message on an old discussion topic. For example, there's a discussion about Redstone that ended 90 days ago and a post is added to continue the discussion. Instead of necro-bumping, make a new thread about Redstone. Necro-bumping may result in the message or old thread being deleted. As for normal bumping, the owner and admins may necro-bump for official purposes. Also, if you notice somebody has violated this rule, don't post another message - just PM the person and ask them to remove the post. (If the thread is stickied, and you have something to contribute to it, then you may post in it)
5. Thread Hijacking. This is where somebody replies to an existing thread with a different topic. For example, somebody posts an admin application on a topic that's not for that purpose. The message is subject to being deleted or moved.
6. Misplaced Posts. Place your posts in the correct board for the topic. For example, don't post a question about building in the developers section. Also, while the general discussion category can be for anything, if there's a specific board that fits your topic, use it. Misplaced posts may be moved or deleted.
7. Cross-Posting/Duplicate Posts: Cross-posting is posting the same message in multiple boards and duplicate posts are self-explanatory. Such messages may be moved or deleted.
8. Your forum display name must be alpha-numeric characters although you can use a non-alpha/numeric at the beginning or end of the name (e.g. ^HappyPerson^). You can also use one underscore in the middle of the name (e.g. ^Happy_Person^). Avoid use of fonts that are difficult to read or otherwise annoying (e.g. backwards). If you don't follow the policy, you may find your display name gets adjusted to comply. For admins and admin applicants, if your forum name does not match your minecraft name, you MUST include your Minecraft In-Game-Name (IGN) in your profile (there's a field for IGN) and if you change your IGN, post a message noting the old & new plus include your old IGN as well (there's a field for it).
9. Oversized or Annoying Signature Blocks & Avatars. While this is subjective guideline, an over-sized signature block, an animated GIF/video, or a blinking /scrolling / flashing signature block /avatar are very annoying to most other members or even potentially dangerous for those with epilepsy. If your signature block is tall with multiple links, please put in a spoiler. The forum administrators can make changes to your profile without notice for violations of this rule.
10. Plagiarizing. Numerous examples and such posts are subject to being deleted. One that's happens too frequently here on this forum is copying somebody else's admin application or the example application. Another example might be copying posts or stories from elsewhere without citation and if you do copy from elsewhere, post just a relevant quote from the story and link to the rest of it as needed.
11. Posting URLs to websites that contains viruses, malware, phishing or any link that could be used to secretly and purposely collect personal information which could be used to DOX or DDOS (e.g. hidden IP logger). This also includes URLs that might be placed in a signature block.
12. Forum Games: Allowed only on in the forum games section and posts in the section do not contribute to your post count. Attempts to spam or troll forum games are not allowed and offenders are subject to sanctions per this policy.
13. Forum Inactivity: Members who don't sign-in to the forum are subject to account purge after 4 months; there is no restriction on creating a new account if this happens. Those with no posts (zero posters) or just one post are subject to account deletion much sooner - typically a zero poster is deleted after 10 days. To avoid account removal, post an intro message on joining and at least one message every other month; doesn't have to a new thread - a reply will work just as well. Admins have additional activity requirements to maintain forum admin status - at least one forum post every 30 days but they can be readily reinstated upon return and posting.
14. Shoutbox Specific Guidance: In addition to no form of moving / flashing animation or other obnoxious and distracting formatting, please review totalfreedom.boards.net/thread/54708/shoutbox-guidelines
15. Other. Anything not covered above that is causing general annoyance and disruption. Examples (not all-inclusive): Fake quoting (falsely attributing a quote to somebody else), posting multiple correction messages instead of posting just one or editing the original, posting RL pics of other people or oneself unless obscured, trolling, obnoxious formatting in text or tile (e.g. using all-caps, using max size font for the entire post, difficult to read font or colors, etc), posting in languages other than English (use Google Translate if needed), tag spamming (only tag when essential), e-begging (legitimate charity requests excepted), inappropriate profile pics, spamming likes, and when quoting somebody else, don't include their pics or other media in the quote. As this is very subjective, the forum mod will normally PM to advise of the problem.
Those who violate the above guidelines are subject to a range of sanctions including warnings, deletion of offending posts without comment, temporary forum ban, purging of all posts and post count reset to zero, permanent forum ban, and admins who violate guidelines are subject to suspension in addition to other sanctions. If you receive a warning, take immediate steps to comply with these guidelines to avoid more permanent sanctions.
