Author Topic: Forum Rules and Guidelines  (Read 11782 times)

Offline The Gate Keeper

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Forum Rules and Guidelines
« on: June 08, 2005, 02:26:49 PM »
The primary goal of this forum is to provide a place for honest, educational, civil, and fun debate on the topic of origins. Given the diverse nature of the paranormal debate, this is not an easy goal to achieve so we will require members to follow the stringent set of guidelines as listed here. To make life easier for the moderators, our goal is to weed-out the troublemakers early, which should also lessen interaction from moderators. We want to have as little editing or deleting of posts as possible, so instead we will seek to edit “people”.

Rules

1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence. (ie. illicit drug use, threats of suicide or self-injury, or threatened or intended physical harm). 

2. No use of explicit, obscene or vulgar language or images and/or messages.

3. No threats, racist remarks, or other type of posts that attack, insult, "flame", or abuse members or guests. This includes but is not limited to racial comments, religious comments and comments that relate to sexual preference. No harassment - We have zero tolerance for those who harass or victimise other members in any way; racism, hatred related posts, retaliation, the spreading of rumours or harassing members via e-mail or private messenger.

4. No advertising or links to advertising or "Spam" is permitted (including signatures). Advertising or Spam is defined as the selling of products, solicitations, fundraising or any other commercial activity, including efforts to promote other online forums, groups whether of paranormal or non paranormal intent or web sites.

5. No links to any web site or use of any username that fits into rules # 1-4 above.

6. No posts of copyrighted material.  Information copyrighted or owned by any individual or entity other than the person posting should not be posted on the message boards without the consent of the owner. No plagiarism - Do not copy other people's work, either from this site or from another site, without properly acknowledging the original source or author; passing off other people's work as your own is plagiarism and will not be tolerated on the forum.

7. No 'leet speak' - Please use proper English, most of us can't understand '1337' speak so don't use it here. l33t syndrome: A common disease that infects children, usually male, between the ages of 13 and 17. Symptoms include a propensity to use numbers and misspellings (as well as mispunctuation) in place of proper 'net English, a terrible need to prove oneself, and many other annoying habits that only script kiddies and l33t h4x0R boys (and girls) have.

8. Please stay on topic - Please try to post in the correct board sections, the forum is divided into different boards so that discussions can be grouped based on their subjects, the moderators will move threads that are inappropriate to the category in which they have been started. It is also encouraged for users to stay on topic within specific threads as well, if a thread has gone totally off topic then it is likely to end up being locked.

9. Do not crosspost (post the same message in more than one forum)

10. Members and guests shall not privately organise or approach other users with the intent of accessing venues or places for the intent of curiousity or investigation. All investigations and canvassing of areas will be conducted through official forum communications. No forum users will attempt to solicit forum members of paranormal.com.au to form similar groups whether online or in person.

11. On joining all new people are expected to introduce themselves in the Welcome area. This is a great way to break the ice and get to know everyone. You must introduce yourself in the forum welcome area before you spend more than 2 hours online. This is part of your registration agreement obligation. It is not only good manners, it prevents lurkers from browsing the forum and never contributing anything.

12. If you register or attempt to register a new account while on a ban, you will be permanently banned. You were obviously banned for a reason and that reason still remains.

13. 3. Account names may not contain profanity, or be obviously offensive or have negative connotations.  The board staff will give 24 hours  for the user to give change of account name to a moderator.  If request is ignored, then the Board Staff reserves the right to change any vulgar or offensive name to whatever name they deem fit without notice to offending violator. Violation will result in a Warning.

14. Fighting between members in public topics is strictly prohibited.   Topics that end up in fights will be locked and given a reason for the lock by the board staff, and the involved members will receive penalties.  Locked posts may be moved after a 24-hour period.  Violation will result in a Warning.

15. Do not advertise products, similar websites or services in posts, avatars, profiles, or signatures without explicit permission from the forum staff members.  A moderator or administrator, without notification, will edit out advertising.  Violation will result in a Warning.

16. If Warnings are issued as a result of public arguing, please do not contact or ask a MOD or ADMIN as to whether or not a poster, other than yourself, received disciplinary actions. All Administrative relations with forum members are deemed confidential, and will not be shared with other forum members, unless we receive consent to do so. Additionally, any threats made against the Administrative Staff with respect to discipline may result in further warnings, and/or bannings.

17. Posts or behaviour you feel is offensive should be reported to the moderators. Report offending posts by selecting the "Report to Moderator" function on the bottom right hand side of the post. We will address the issue with urgency. Matters must be brought to the attention of the moderators or forum owners as a matter of courtesy at the very least, before talking about grievances elsewhere.

18. Lurking is not allowed. If everyone just lurked there would be nothing for anyone to read. If you are going to come here and read our work, submit your own for us to read also.



Guidelines:
 
1. Respect others. This is a community. That means that we are many different people making up a single entity. Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun off, or insult another member.  Decisions about beliefs and well-being are highly personal, individual choices.  "Flaming" and insults, however, will not be tolerated. Agree to disagree. This applies to both the forums and chat. Treat fellow posters as valued neighbors. Do not antagonise your neighbors. Please be respectful of each other and each other's threads. If what someone has posted angers you, take a break, calm down and remember it's just the internet before you respond. Thinking before posting is a lesson we all learn and re-learn. Tone is difficult to convey in a message forum and English is not everyone's first language. Please make it clear when you are joking (that's what the smilies are for) or being sarcastic.
 
2. This is a public, family-friendly forum. If it shouldn’t be viewed by minors, then it shouldn’t be posted to the forums or chat rooms.  In addition, if something would not be considered “work safe” (to a boss or co-worker), then it shouldn’t be posted here either. If you wouldn’t want your respected peers to read it leave it off the forum.
 
3. Check for open topics.  Before posting a new topic, please check to see if there is already a topic open on the subject.
 
4. Treat leaders and moderators with respect in both the forums and any private communications. Moderators are volunteers that donate many hours of their own time to help in the forums and chat rooms.
 
5. Please refrain from SHOUTING.  Remember, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in print is considered yelling and rude, plus it is difficult to read.
 
6. Ignore bothersome members.  If there is someone on the forum that bothers you, please notify a moderator, do not respond negatively to them on the forum. Some people inflame others for kicks.
 
7. Report posts that violate the rules and guidelines  and we will act on the report as quickly as we can.  Do not reply to the offending post as that typically only encourages the poster.
 
8. Keep "personal" information personal

•   Think before you post personal information. Do you really want to put your home address or telephone number on the public message board?  Personal email addresses will be delted. Please make use of the private message system on the forum.
•   We encourage you modify your personal to set privacy settings on your email address and other personal information. 
•   Do not ask for personal information from others.  Posts soliciting personal information will be removed.

9. Do not post duplicate messages. To delete accidental duplicate posts, login first, then open the message you want to delete, then select the Delete Post button on the top right hand corner of the message box.
 
10. Keep posts relevant. Posts which are not relevant to the forum topic may be removed at the moderator's discretion.
 
11. Use good judgement. NEVER rely on information or opinions exchanged via the message forums to replace necessary, personal consultation(s) with qualified health or medical professionals to meet your individual health, well being or medical needs.  Remember that what's right or has worked for one person may not be what's right for you.
 
12. Lend a helping hand. A bit of compassion can go a long way toward helping people with life's challenges and reaching out can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. We're all different, but we're really all the same. At sometime or another, we all need or want help or simply someone with whom we can share our burdens or successes.
 
13.  Don't be afraid to share. If you're feeling alone or hurting, don't be afraid to share your fears and tears. If you're rejoicing about the results of a recent medical test or treatment, share that too.
 
14.  Welcome new members. When newcomers arrive, say "hi" and welcome them. Help new folks "learn the ropes" about how to find information and resources, save time, and how to get involved.
 
15.  Use descriptive titles for new posts. Avoid "generic" post subjects like "Help" or "Question".  You will receive a better response to your posts by being more descriptive about the content of your post.

16. Think twice before you post your personal stories. If something goes pear shaped and you want it removed you might be dissappointed.  As a general rule, do not post words you are not prepared to have stay on the internet FOREVER.


Thanks everyone. We want to make this the best most friendly paranormal forum on the web so your co-operation is appreciated.

The Gate Keeper
« Last Edit: November 04, 2013, 01:21:14 PM by Christine »
“If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow. I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall.”

Offline Christine

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Re: Forum Rules and Guidelines
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2013, 01:19:22 PM »
I added this today due to a recent situation that was mentioned on Facebook without me or any of the moderators being made aware of it first. I believe that behaviour is very unfair. Even if we are not mentioned by name, if you think you have a problem, do us the courtesy of talking to us about it first before you seek attention on FB.

17. Offending posts or behaviour should be reported to the moderators. Report offending posts by selecting the "Report to Moderator" function on the bottom right hand side of the post. We will address the issue with urgency. Matters must be brought to the attention of the moderators or forum owners as a matter of courtesy at the very least, before talking about grievances elsewhere.

18. Lurking is not allowed. If everyone just lurked there would be nothing for anyone to read. If you are going to come here and read our work, submit your own for us to read also.
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
Douglas Adams


Offline catseyes

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Re: Forum Rules and Guidelines
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2013, 01:33:57 PM »
I think that is fair


Offline Christine

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Re: Forum Rules and Guidelines
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2013, 01:39:36 PM »
Thanks
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
Douglas Adams


Offline Christine

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Re: Forum Rules and Guidelines
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2013, 01:41:19 PM »
To be honest I just don't want to be reading your sad or negative facebook post and wondering if you are meaning it about the forum, which is what happened to me this week. Especially if I couldn't honestly find anything offensive in the way this person did, in the thread they thought it about. I was really hurt they wouldn't come to me first to be honest.
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
Douglas Adams


Offline catseyes

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Re: Forum Rules and Guidelines
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2013, 02:54:53 PM »
Sometimes I think I must be a psychopath, lol.   I really have trouble with what does and doesn't offend people.  I'm often left wondering what did I say, lol.   On the rare occasions I am offended it is never something that someone else would be offended by.....sigh!


 


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