Proposed final cut.
(Got too many interruptions. Will come back to this. Comments and suggestions for change/improvement welcome. Please use the "report to moderator" link, or send comments via the email system)
This forum has its roots steeped in the tradition of another similar forum. That forum had many knowledgeable contributors, however it basically lost direction and imploded due (in part) to a lack of clear direction and guidelines.
Many of those who created and/or help maintain this forum spent many years in doing similar tasks elsewhere and bring their considerable experience here.
The following is meant to be a guide so everyone - user, moderator and administrator alike - have clear guidance of what they can expect from this forum, and what this forum expects from them.
Please note that this is expected to be a "work in progress". A "living document". It will adapt and evolve over time as the world, our members, our needs and expectations and dare I say it - the laws - change.
Legal stuff. The stuff that will get people in trouble. The stuff that doesn't have "wiggle room".
Linking to, posting, quoting or in any way encouraging illegal activity is forbidden. Forbidden content will be deleted or quarantined by a moderator or administrator immediately they become aware of it. If you see such content, please report it.
Linking to or posting of material that infringes someone elses copyright material is illegal. See above.
Discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, height, age etc is illegal. See above.
Laws change, and different countries have different laws. Just because something is legal in your country, today, doesn't mean it will be elsewhere, or tomorrow!
Some examples:
- Linking to *UNOFFICIAL YouTube (or similar)* music videos
- Linking to or posting ANY works (video, still picture, audio, text, diagram etc) for which you do not have explicit or implied permission to use. (Any content you have personally created carries your implied permission when you post it)
- Linking to pirate or similar file sharing sites that distribute copyright or illegal material.
The operators of this site have legal obligations to co-operate with appropriate law enforcement agencies where illegal activities are proven or seem likely. In such circumstances, access to your IP address(es), dates and times of access, email address, name and any other information as may reasonably be sought or available may be provided.
Considerations not pertaining to the law.
Please do not link to commercial sites unless it is significantly relevant to the discussion.
If you have less than 10-15 posts, we ask that you include a brief explanation of why you feel it has value to the discussion. Posts with irrelevant or inappropriate links to commercial sites are almost guaranteed to be removed.
Users with an established history may be given some leeway in this regard.
If linking to sites that require registration or have other requirements in order to view the content should have this stated in the post.
Links to large files (over about 1Mb, but use discretion), files that require special plugins or are operating-system specific should include a warning or notice to this effect.
This site is meant as an open pleasant "family friendly" environment
It is the task of moderators to keep it this way.
Almost all that come, or will come here, know how to present themselves in a civil and appropriate manner.
However the day will come when someone will cross the line either unintentionally or deliberately.
We hope that ANY such incidents - when pointed out - can be civilly remedied in an appropriate manner.
Nobody benefits from a public quarrel, and a moderator may intervene in a manner they consider appropriate.
We STRIVE for openness and free speech.
We even plan to defend such, within legal boundaries, or until it becomes detrimental to other users and/ or this site
A note about moderators.
Moderators are expected to generally conform to the same standards of behavior and fair play as every other user.
Moderators are charged with the responsibility of maintaining some semblance of order here. In order to achieve this, moderators have some additional privileges - like the ability to move, modify or delete posts.
Moderators are expected to be on the lookout for "problem content". This includes (but is not limited to):
- links to inappropriate content (illegal, breach of copyright, offensive, etc)
- inclusion of inappropriate content
- posts of unnecessarily vulgar, argumentative, commercial or otherwise inappropriate nature
Moderators are expected to delete or move to a quarantine area, such posts. Some discretion will be exercised - for example a known and respected user with multiple posts may get away with a link to a slightly off-topic or commercial-but-relevant site, but a new user with few posts would probably have the same link removed.
Moderators ARE ordinary users, they ARE permitted to have (and to express) their views and opinions - just like any other user, but they're specifically NOT permitted to abuse their privileges to (for example) delete someone elses post just because they express a different view.
Moderators are also human. It is inevitable (but regrettable) that on occasion there will be a bad call, error in judgement, or communication misunderstanding. If you see one, or are involved in such a case, use the "Report to moderator" link in the offending post. Be polite but clear in your note. All moderators will get your message and someone else will investigate the post. If something needs done (including giving the offending moderator a virtual kick in the butt) it will be.
Remember - this place is meant to be fun and informative. Keep it friendly, respect others and their views. You can disagree without being offensive.