Mellifluous
08-25-2007, 12:36 PM
OK, here are my rules. I have done some of the things listed here before but will strive to follow my own rules from here on out. Notice that I already ditched my animated avatar. These are rules from another forum that I enjoy. I tweaked them a bit to fit better here.
Executive summary
•Don't be a jerk.
•Don't share user accounts or create sockpuppet accounts (another account for yourself).
•Don't spam, astroturf, troll, try to convert non-believers, or post illegal content.
•Don't make ad hominem attacks; flame ideas, not people.
•Avoid post padding and low-content posts.
•Avoid offensive and non-safe-for-work posts, images, links and user profile fields.
•Post your thread in the correct forum with a meaningful title.
•Don't steal bandwidth by hotlinking images from sites that don't allow it.
•Don't maliciously hack the board or the site.
•Respect copyright and intellectual property rights.
These rules are general guidelines and are very flexible, as is their enforcement and amendment. Please do not try to cleverly circumvent them. I am not going to spell out the rules in legalese or cover every possible interpretation or situation.
1 Users and accounts
________________________________________
User profile details
1.1 Avatars and profile pictures:
• Avatar images must be non-animated, ≤80 pixels in any dimension, and ≤3 KB.
1.2 Signatures:
•Text signatures should be short; preferably four lines or less. Font size must be ≤3.
•Signature and userbar images are strongly discouraged. If a signature image is used, it must be tasteful, small, and not animated; one image only, ≤10,000 pixels total, ≤32 pixels vertical, ≤350 pixels horizontal.
Signatures are meant to make a statement without detracting from the discussion in the thread. If your signature is too long or distracting, staff may ask you to change it and/or change it for you.
1.3Profile details in general: Avatars, titles, locations and other profile details must not be misleading, offensive or inflammatory.
2 Posting
________________________________________
2.1 Language
2.1.1 Posts should be intelligible, so moderators can read and understand them.
2.1.2 OMG mor rulz 4 u!!!1!: Posts should not include chatspeak, leetspeak, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, all lowercase letters or StUdLycApS, except in a humorous context.
2.2 Thread titles
Thread titles must be descriptive and meaningful. Thread titles must not be ambiguous or misleading. "Teaser" titles are not permitted, except in the General Chit Chat forum.
2.3 Threads and interactivity
New threads should elicit member participation and discussion. New threads started with posts that are intended as one-way announcements are strongly discouraged outside of the General Chit Chat or the Sales forum.
2.4 On-topic posts and threads
Threads should be started in the forum most appropriate for the topic. Followup posts should remain somewhat on-topic.
2.5 Multiposting / crossposting
A new message or thread may be posted only once, in one forum. Crossposting in multiple threads or forums is not permitted.
2.6 Post padding / low content posts
Post padding, considered making a post with no real purpose or content, out of laziness or just to increase post count stats, is not permitted. Post padding includes, but isn't limited to:
•Counting, "roll call," "last poster wins", and "control-v"- type threads.
•A URL alone with little or no commentary.
•Double/consecutive posting in a thread to reflect one train of thought.
•Short followup messages that contribute nothing to a thread; e.g. "Me too", "O RLY?",
If you need to make an addition shortly after posting, edit the message instead of making a new post.
2.7 Bumping
Threads may only be bumped once, and only if they have no replies and are no longer visible on the first page of the forum.
2.9 Advertising and spam
For sale ads need to be listed in an appropriate manner in the Sales forum.
Otherwise, advertising is not permitted. This includes:
•Spam and general advertisements.
•Guerilla marketing, stealth marketing, and astroturfing.
•Black hat search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, including link spam, profile spam, and SEO contest keywords.
•Chain letters and pyramid schemes.
•Personal ads.
Users posting inappropriate advertising will be banned.
2.10 Heated discussion and flaming
•Threads about sensitive topics may get heated. Users are free to express their views in a forceful manner, provided they remain composed, civil and respectful, even with topics they are passionate about.
•Flaming, name-calling or making ad hominem attacks against other users is not permitted; unless the subjected user is being a true jerk. Criticize ideas, not people.
•Libel and slander are not acceptable under any circumstances.
•Constructive criticism is acceptable if it is tactful and sincere. Belittling or condescending attitudes are unacceptable.
•Swarming, piling on or badgering users who express a viewpoint that is unpopular or which runs counter to prevailing ideology among a group is strongly discouraged, unless they are being a jerk.
2.11 Single issue posters / one-trick ponies
The Forums are not intended to furnish people with a venue for single-mindedly promoting their personal agenda. Staff may ask users to limit or refrain from posting on a certain topic.
The intent of the rule isn't to stifle discussion and debate, but to keep people from derailing or hijacking threads by constantly posting about their pet topic.
2.12 Cranks
Users that consistently exhibit crank-like or kook-like behavior (posting about conspiracy and tinfoil hat theories, ludicrous beliefs, and so on) may be suspended or banned.
2.13 Bigotry and hate speech
Hate speech, race baiting, and demonstrations of bigotry are not permitted. This includes inflammatory comments directed at a particular race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.
This rule are not intended to stifle sincere and civil discussion and debate of issues related to race, gender, religion, class, sexual orientation, subculture and so on.
2.14 Dissenting opinions
There are some people that register not to participate, but to disrupt civil discourse and promote a personal agenda. Posts phrased in a confrontational manner ("All paso fino trainers and owners are abusive crack heads and should be hung.”) are not permitted. Users with a history of making such posts, even on other message boards or Usenet, may be banned.
These rules are not intended to stifle sincere "devil's advocate" type discussions.
2.15 Trolling
Trolling is posting with the intent to incite controversy or cause offense. Trolling is not permitted. Polemic and devil's advocacy are welcome, but discussions should not deteriorate into Usenet-style shouting matches.
2.16 Profanity
Foul and offensive language in posts and thread titles is not permitted.
2.17 Sexual content
Explicit or pornographic text is not permitted. The veterinarian approach is okay, the Penthouse Letters approach is not.
2.18 Religion, proselytizing and witnessing
Discussion and debate of religion and personal spiritual beliefs are welcome. Proselytizing, preaching and evangelism are not permitted.
2.19 Illegal activities
Material intended to clearly provide means, instructions, or guidelines for violating the laws of the United States or Canada is not permitted.
2.20 Message board invasions and e-mail campaigns
• Starting or encouraging a malicious message board invasion, or email or phone campaign, is not permitted.
2.21 Personal information
The privacy of other users must be respected. Personal information of another user (real name, employer, email address, etc.) cannot be revealed unless they made the information public. Content of -mail or private messages must not be revealed without consent of the sender.
2.22 Linky linky
2.22.1 NSFW sites: Direct links to potentially not-safe-for-work (NSFW) content is not permitted. The URL of the NSFW content with no hypertext link, or a link to a page that provides another link to the NSFW content, is permitted. A warning about any NSFW content is required.
2.22.2 Intrusive sites: Links to pages with sound and/or pop-up windows must include a courtesy warning.
2.22.3 Prohibited links: Links to the following types of Web sites are not permitted.
•Sites featuring primarily racist content, or operated by racist and hate organizations.
•Screamer or shock sites.
•Warez sites, or sites spreading viruses and/or malware.
3 Images
________________________________________
3.1 Attached images
Images may be attached in a post. Attached images may be 500 pixels or less in any dimension, and 50 KB or less. Attached images will be deleted after the thread has been inactive for more than three months.
3.2 Hotlinked/leeched images
3.2.1 Hotlinked images (displayed with the vBcode [ img ] tag) should be smaller than 800 pixels horizontal.
3.2.2 Hotlinked images should be hosted on Web space controlled by the user, or an image hosting service that allows hotlinking. If not, the Web site hosting the images must allow leeching, or permission to leech from that site's owner must be granted. Without permission, the [ url ] tag must be used instead of the [ img ] tag, so an image does not load every time the thread is read.
3.2.3 Hotlinks to Web bugs are not permitted.
We do not approve of bandwidth leeching and forcing other people to pay for bandwidth consumed by images in your post. Imageshack, Photobucket and other free services should be used instead of leeching.
3.4 Animation
Animated images are not permitted.
3.5 Work-safe images
All images displayed in posts must be safe for work (SFW). Images not safe for work (NSFW) in the typical workplace are not permitted. This includes nudity, adult themes, graphic and macabre content, and inflammatory content. Goatse, Tubgirl, or similar images in a message or profile field, whether intentional or accidental, will result in immediate long-term suspension or banning.
4 General behavio(u)r
________________________________________
4.1 HaCk0rZiNg!!!!!1!!!one
Hacking, flooding, vandalizing, or otherwise screwing around with APF.com will not be tolerated. Malicious hackers will be banned, and reported to their Internet service provider and local law enforcement agency.
4.2 Harassment
Harassing other users through email, instant or private private messages, cyberstalking or other means will not be tolerated.
4.3 Scamming
Scamming or deceiving other users, phishing, or persuading another user to reveal their password for any reason is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.4 Misrepresentation
Impersonating or fraudulently representing another user, person, or party is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.5 Spam outside of posts
Sending spam (unsolicited multiple commercial and non-commercial advertising, announcements, and other one-way messages akin to broadcasting) to other Forums users through private messages, or email targeted to other Forums users, is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.6 Creating an inclusive community
4.6.1 Be friendly and inviting to new users of the Forums. Give them a reason to stay and become “top posters.”
4.6.2 Cliques are natural, but should not intimidate new users or make others feel like they're "on the outside looking in." Popularity contests and similar posts that may make some feel like "less of a APFer" than others are strongly discouraged.
Executive summary
•Don't be a jerk.
•Don't share user accounts or create sockpuppet accounts (another account for yourself).
•Don't spam, astroturf, troll, try to convert non-believers, or post illegal content.
•Don't make ad hominem attacks; flame ideas, not people.
•Avoid post padding and low-content posts.
•Avoid offensive and non-safe-for-work posts, images, links and user profile fields.
•Post your thread in the correct forum with a meaningful title.
•Don't steal bandwidth by hotlinking images from sites that don't allow it.
•Don't maliciously hack the board or the site.
•Respect copyright and intellectual property rights.
These rules are general guidelines and are very flexible, as is their enforcement and amendment. Please do not try to cleverly circumvent them. I am not going to spell out the rules in legalese or cover every possible interpretation or situation.
1 Users and accounts
________________________________________
User profile details
1.1 Avatars and profile pictures:
• Avatar images must be non-animated, ≤80 pixels in any dimension, and ≤3 KB.
1.2 Signatures:
•Text signatures should be short; preferably four lines or less. Font size must be ≤3.
•Signature and userbar images are strongly discouraged. If a signature image is used, it must be tasteful, small, and not animated; one image only, ≤10,000 pixels total, ≤32 pixels vertical, ≤350 pixels horizontal.
Signatures are meant to make a statement without detracting from the discussion in the thread. If your signature is too long or distracting, staff may ask you to change it and/or change it for you.
1.3Profile details in general: Avatars, titles, locations and other profile details must not be misleading, offensive or inflammatory.
2 Posting
________________________________________
2.1 Language
2.1.1 Posts should be intelligible, so moderators can read and understand them.
2.1.2 OMG mor rulz 4 u!!!1!: Posts should not include chatspeak, leetspeak, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, all lowercase letters or StUdLycApS, except in a humorous context.
2.2 Thread titles
Thread titles must be descriptive and meaningful. Thread titles must not be ambiguous or misleading. "Teaser" titles are not permitted, except in the General Chit Chat forum.
2.3 Threads and interactivity
New threads should elicit member participation and discussion. New threads started with posts that are intended as one-way announcements are strongly discouraged outside of the General Chit Chat or the Sales forum.
2.4 On-topic posts and threads
Threads should be started in the forum most appropriate for the topic. Followup posts should remain somewhat on-topic.
2.5 Multiposting / crossposting
A new message or thread may be posted only once, in one forum. Crossposting in multiple threads or forums is not permitted.
2.6 Post padding / low content posts
Post padding, considered making a post with no real purpose or content, out of laziness or just to increase post count stats, is not permitted. Post padding includes, but isn't limited to:
•Counting, "roll call," "last poster wins", and "control-v"- type threads.
•A URL alone with little or no commentary.
•Double/consecutive posting in a thread to reflect one train of thought.
•Short followup messages that contribute nothing to a thread; e.g. "Me too", "O RLY?",
If you need to make an addition shortly after posting, edit the message instead of making a new post.
2.7 Bumping
Threads may only be bumped once, and only if they have no replies and are no longer visible on the first page of the forum.
2.9 Advertising and spam
For sale ads need to be listed in an appropriate manner in the Sales forum.
Otherwise, advertising is not permitted. This includes:
•Spam and general advertisements.
•Guerilla marketing, stealth marketing, and astroturfing.
•Black hat search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, including link spam, profile spam, and SEO contest keywords.
•Chain letters and pyramid schemes.
•Personal ads.
Users posting inappropriate advertising will be banned.
2.10 Heated discussion and flaming
•Threads about sensitive topics may get heated. Users are free to express their views in a forceful manner, provided they remain composed, civil and respectful, even with topics they are passionate about.
•Flaming, name-calling or making ad hominem attacks against other users is not permitted; unless the subjected user is being a true jerk. Criticize ideas, not people.
•Libel and slander are not acceptable under any circumstances.
•Constructive criticism is acceptable if it is tactful and sincere. Belittling or condescending attitudes are unacceptable.
•Swarming, piling on or badgering users who express a viewpoint that is unpopular or which runs counter to prevailing ideology among a group is strongly discouraged, unless they are being a jerk.
2.11 Single issue posters / one-trick ponies
The Forums are not intended to furnish people with a venue for single-mindedly promoting their personal agenda. Staff may ask users to limit or refrain from posting on a certain topic.
The intent of the rule isn't to stifle discussion and debate, but to keep people from derailing or hijacking threads by constantly posting about their pet topic.
2.12 Cranks
Users that consistently exhibit crank-like or kook-like behavior (posting about conspiracy and tinfoil hat theories, ludicrous beliefs, and so on) may be suspended or banned.
2.13 Bigotry and hate speech
Hate speech, race baiting, and demonstrations of bigotry are not permitted. This includes inflammatory comments directed at a particular race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.
This rule are not intended to stifle sincere and civil discussion and debate of issues related to race, gender, religion, class, sexual orientation, subculture and so on.
2.14 Dissenting opinions
There are some people that register not to participate, but to disrupt civil discourse and promote a personal agenda. Posts phrased in a confrontational manner ("All paso fino trainers and owners are abusive crack heads and should be hung.”) are not permitted. Users with a history of making such posts, even on other message boards or Usenet, may be banned.
These rules are not intended to stifle sincere "devil's advocate" type discussions.
2.15 Trolling
Trolling is posting with the intent to incite controversy or cause offense. Trolling is not permitted. Polemic and devil's advocacy are welcome, but discussions should not deteriorate into Usenet-style shouting matches.
2.16 Profanity
Foul and offensive language in posts and thread titles is not permitted.
2.17 Sexual content
Explicit or pornographic text is not permitted. The veterinarian approach is okay, the Penthouse Letters approach is not.
2.18 Religion, proselytizing and witnessing
Discussion and debate of religion and personal spiritual beliefs are welcome. Proselytizing, preaching and evangelism are not permitted.
2.19 Illegal activities
Material intended to clearly provide means, instructions, or guidelines for violating the laws of the United States or Canada is not permitted.
2.20 Message board invasions and e-mail campaigns
• Starting or encouraging a malicious message board invasion, or email or phone campaign, is not permitted.
2.21 Personal information
The privacy of other users must be respected. Personal information of another user (real name, employer, email address, etc.) cannot be revealed unless they made the information public. Content of -mail or private messages must not be revealed without consent of the sender.
2.22 Linky linky
2.22.1 NSFW sites: Direct links to potentially not-safe-for-work (NSFW) content is not permitted. The URL of the NSFW content with no hypertext link, or a link to a page that provides another link to the NSFW content, is permitted. A warning about any NSFW content is required.
2.22.2 Intrusive sites: Links to pages with sound and/or pop-up windows must include a courtesy warning.
2.22.3 Prohibited links: Links to the following types of Web sites are not permitted.
•Sites featuring primarily racist content, or operated by racist and hate organizations.
•Screamer or shock sites.
•Warez sites, or sites spreading viruses and/or malware.
3 Images
________________________________________
3.1 Attached images
Images may be attached in a post. Attached images may be 500 pixels or less in any dimension, and 50 KB or less. Attached images will be deleted after the thread has been inactive for more than three months.
3.2 Hotlinked/leeched images
3.2.1 Hotlinked images (displayed with the vBcode [ img ] tag) should be smaller than 800 pixels horizontal.
3.2.2 Hotlinked images should be hosted on Web space controlled by the user, or an image hosting service that allows hotlinking. If not, the Web site hosting the images must allow leeching, or permission to leech from that site's owner must be granted. Without permission, the [ url ] tag must be used instead of the [ img ] tag, so an image does not load every time the thread is read.
3.2.3 Hotlinks to Web bugs are not permitted.
We do not approve of bandwidth leeching and forcing other people to pay for bandwidth consumed by images in your post. Imageshack, Photobucket and other free services should be used instead of leeching.
3.4 Animation
Animated images are not permitted.
3.5 Work-safe images
All images displayed in posts must be safe for work (SFW). Images not safe for work (NSFW) in the typical workplace are not permitted. This includes nudity, adult themes, graphic and macabre content, and inflammatory content. Goatse, Tubgirl, or similar images in a message or profile field, whether intentional or accidental, will result in immediate long-term suspension or banning.
4 General behavio(u)r
________________________________________
4.1 HaCk0rZiNg!!!!!1!!!one
Hacking, flooding, vandalizing, or otherwise screwing around with APF.com will not be tolerated. Malicious hackers will be banned, and reported to their Internet service provider and local law enforcement agency.
4.2 Harassment
Harassing other users through email, instant or private private messages, cyberstalking or other means will not be tolerated.
4.3 Scamming
Scamming or deceiving other users, phishing, or persuading another user to reveal their password for any reason is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.4 Misrepresentation
Impersonating or fraudulently representing another user, person, or party is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.5 Spam outside of posts
Sending spam (unsolicited multiple commercial and non-commercial advertising, announcements, and other one-way messages akin to broadcasting) to other Forums users through private messages, or email targeted to other Forums users, is prohibited and will result in immediate banning.
4.6 Creating an inclusive community
4.6.1 Be friendly and inviting to new users of the Forums. Give them a reason to stay and become “top posters.”
4.6.2 Cliques are natural, but should not intimidate new users or make others feel like they're "on the outside looking in." Popularity contests and similar posts that may make some feel like "less of a APFer" than others are strongly discouraged.