Over the last few weeks, the moderators have been discussing a set of forum/site rules.
Up until now, we've felt that things are a little bit too ad-hoc here and although almost everyone behaves, we get the occasional user that is just a little too hard to decide what to do with.
We also feel that the forum would benefit from setting out some requests that we'd like to make, to try and help keep the forum tidy
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smiley.gif)
After some discussion, we have come up with the following, and would appreciate any thoughts you have. We have tried to keep the rules both short and simple.
At the same time, we propose modifying the Knewbie/regular user system to being more human-controlled. Rather than the current system, which requires a certain number of posts to be made before losing Knewbie status, a moderator would remove the status when they are convinced that the user is genuine. We expect this would occur after most users' first post.
Rules
- No unsolicited advertising. If you genuinely believe that a product or service is likely to be of interest to the community, it should be submitted to the main site. It should not be posted to the forum (via a post or a signature).
- No harassing, disruptive or abusive behaviour. This is an open community in which people should be able to freely contribute without bullying.
- No duplicate accounts. One account per person. If you are having trouble logging into your account, contact the administrators for help (unless you've been banned, in which case, we'd rather you didn't).
- Start a new thread wherever possible
- Be clear and specific in your thread titles
- Keep on topic
- Post in the relevant part of the forum
- Do not solicit or request copyrighted material
- No trolling
- Knewbies who break the rules will have their accounts removed and all posts deleted.
- Other users will have the offending post (if any) removed and will be warned.
- 3 warnings in 3 months results in the account being permanently banned.
- Posts that fail to follow our requests are liable to be deleted or moved.
- Knowingly repeatedly failing to following our requests constitutes disruptive behaviour.
- Other sanctions may be used as and when deemed to be necessary for the good of the forum.