Tundra
August 4th, 2005, 06:43 PM
and wash it down with a steaming hot cup of rules…
Forum Rules and Guidelines
Here are the rules and guidelines for the board. Violations of these rules will result in bad things happening.
At our high school, the only real rule was “Respect”. I actually thought this was a fairly clever rule, (except the one about Respect your own property… it meant no cool stickers on your diary) but I think I’ll need to spell it out a little more than that. Read on.
Copyright: All posted extracts remain the property of the writer.
Behaviour: If you're nice, people are much more likely to be nice you to in return. (this isn’t to say you aren’t allowed to have friendly teasing, or
debates. But it’s up to me and the mods to decide when it’s gone too far, and take action) Act like an adult, and please try to be civil. Everyone is
entitled to their opinion. But try not to get personal with it.
Also, try not to be too insulting, graphic, or ‘adult’. I’m not saying that you have to be G rated all the time and only talk about sunshine lollipops and rainbows, (in fact that would be pretty gosh darn boring!) but sometimes adultness can go over the top. I’m sure we’ve all seen examples of this around the place. I haven’t banned anyone before, and I don’t intend to start now. Don’t let me down, I’m trusting you all here, to help me make a fun and/or informative community not a flamefest or ‘adult chat’.
NiH is secular. This means please avoid religious debates.
Do not deliberately try to annoy members either. Ie, no trolling, and no fake identities.
Also, it's pretty obvious that you do not steal peoples ideas or worse, writings!
If you're new: Check out the Introductions section. Read a few things before you post, particularly in long threads. If you read a bit, you won’t stand out as much as being new. Introduce yourselves to us! We're more of a helpful community here than anything else, and we all get curious about who new members are. We want to get to know you.
I discourage you from using numbers in your username. Definitely do not use it as your WHOLE username. The reasons for it are this: we are a small forum, and we like to be able to talk about members without having to remember a code, and also because we are a small forum, there aren't that many names that are already taken. It's just a little silly to have numbers after a username, unless it is for a specific reason. Also, do not pick an offensive username. Offensive usernames must be changed.
Also, if your username is too long, I will ask you to pick another one.
If you're not new: Newbies may not know the rules yet. Be patient with them. If they act like ‘N00Bs’ ie, total idiots, you can do whatever with them,
within reason, but don’t treat them badly simply because they’re new. There’s a difference between N00Bs and new members. And, we were all new
once!
Experience There will be people who do things differently to you. (eg, writing or drawing techniques/styles) They may be more or less experienced, or simply 'different'. I do not want any snobbery about this. You may give opinions of course, but don't scare or guilt anyone away from their creative outlet.
Forums: Post in an appropriate forum, if your topic is in the wrong forum, it may be moved without warning. This is mainly to try and keep things neat.
Spam and older posts: I sure don't have a problem with you bringing up old topics! But don't bring them up just to say something like "yeah" etc.
That's just pointless, and makes me think you're simply trying to get your post count up. I actually encourage you to add to older conversations, if you have something to say! Unneccessary double posting counts as spam. If you're adding to it a day later or so, or after a lot of people have already read your message and people won't see it if you edit, that's different.
Avatars: Yes, you are allowed avatars. At the moment avatars are 100 x 100 pixels in size. I’d prefer it if you used remote avatars (avatars linked to from another site), but its okay if you have to upload. I do not want to see any offensive avatars such as ones involving gore or pornography, or very offensive language/messages. They’re just icky. If you really want an animated avatar, try not to make it too annoying, won’t you. If it gets on my nerves, I’ll ask you to change it. Some of them can be VERY distracting, and I don’t like that.
Signatures: Yep, we have signatures. You’re allowed to link to your site/s in your sig, as long as it doesn’t lead to something offensive, and please don’t have animations, large pictures or banners in/as your sig. That’s pretty annoying, and I’ll ask you to remove it, or do it myself.
Spam and Links: As said before, you’re allowed to have links in your signatures, but do not spam the general forums with links. Any threads that are spam will either be deleted or moved to the links forum. I think it’s pretty obvious we don’t want to see links to illegal activities, weaponry, or to offensive sites anywhere on the boards. (and preferably not purely profit making/completely and utterly irrelevant links either) Remember there are people who are underage on this forum, and also people who might not want to see things like that. If I see a link that I am not happy with it will be deleted, even if it’s not technically ‘bad’.
However, inoffensive links as part of conversation or as a conversation starter is perfectly fine with me, but we ultimately decide what is spam/offensive or not. This may not be consistent. If you are not sure about a link you want to share, you may pm me.
Images: Porn, gore, and other offensive material will get you in trouble, and if you’re a new member, it will probably get you removed from the forums. If you want to post pictures about that sort of thing, go elsewhere. This is not the place for it at all. Large images or several images should be linked to and not posted directly. Not being bitchy here, it’s another ‘respect’ thing. It mucks up the screen size for everyone, means we have to scroll, and also could mean it takes a long time to load.
Possibly offensive topics, needed for research: Okay, I'm a writer. And I know a lot of you are writers, or need information like this. If you are doing research, and you need information on gory, or sexual, things, (eg, what does such and such a wound look like, how do you write a sex scene) this is okay, I understand that sometimes you need this. But ground rules: 1. Put a warning in the post title. This is VITAL. 2. ONLY links, absolutely NO pictures. Put a WARNING before the link. The minute that the conversation starts getting gratuitous, then it will be deleted.
A similar treatment of "Nudes" in the art use of the word, will apply. Put a warning on it.
The PG-13 Status of The Forum: Clarification was needed, so here it is.
NiH is rated PG-13. However I allow M rated things behind whiting and linkage or in warned threads (but I still don't want any threads about your personal sex lives/problems, even with a warning, without permission first. This is not the forum for that), and R and even X rated things in an artistic (rather than personal life) context. Saying that NiH is family friendly does not mean that NiH is 'G' rated. We're aimed at being suitable for a normal 13 year old (not a highly sheltered one) and being worksafe, however, not aimed *at* 13 year olds (hence, PG's original meaning which is 'parental guidance'.). We also aim to make as many people comfortable as possible, and the link/whiting/warning system is the best for this. It is respectful to other members to consider that they may be at work, or have parents standing behind them, or just don't want to see it/talk about it.
NiH is designed to be a tolerant place, and that tolerance involves being tolerant of what people do and do not want to see. I feel I have struck a balance between being G rated and fluffy, and being completely adults only.
Language and Typing: Do not type in alternate capitals or all caps lock or all lowercase, or similar. I know not everyone is good at the English Language, but TRY please. Do NOT use too much leetspeak or text speak. Don’t get annoyed if you’re treated like a ‘N00B’ for typing like one deliberately. Read your posts before you click "submit".
Posts: All posts are posted at the risk of the poster. Lets see how many more times I can get that word into a sentence.
Non posting members: Members who have not made their first post within a month of membership will be removed. You will be reminded, and a week after the reminder, i will remove you. You are not 'banned', and you may join again anytime. This is to ensure that all members are members who actually
want to be here. I don't really want to have to worry about members who are not interested.
Professionals : Editors, publishers, and the like, are warned that this is not a site for publishing our work, this is all about the creative process. So please, don't solicit the members.
we love having professionals come around but this is an amateur group and although we appreciate your advice, don't be offended if we would rather have fun than look at this as a job, or if we do things differently. This group is about learning together, rather than being 'instructed'. :) So, check your egos at the door.
Young Members: I know we're really informal, and we're quite silly. But please, if you're a young member, do try to be mature and fun at the same time, not just plain silly. Under 13s- legally, you're not supposed to be here. I don't mind 12 year old members though, I know that you too need writing/creativity help, and want to hang out in forums, and that 12 year olds are people too, and that lots of you are fun to be around, and are capable of having proper discussions! Trust me, I know this, i had a hard time when I was 12.Don't worry, members here won't assume that you are all idiots simply because you were born only 12 years ago. But please remember that this is not a forum for children. Mature conversations will occur at times, and i maintain that it is not my responsibility, and that it is at your own risk/responsibility that you join, as this is not a forum for child members. Also, you staying here is totally reliant on your individual behaviour, same as any other member. I will not be making exceptions about behaviour because of your age. Please PM me if you have any concerns about what this means, or if you have concerns about a young member's behaviour.
By being a member in these forums, it implies that you hold the owners and staff of the forum free of liability brought on by any of your actions or
the actions of other members.
Complaints about members and other things: If you have any, contact a mod or an admin.
The Admin is Tundra, and the Moderator is AXJ
Staff reserves the right to delete, lock or move posts where they see fit,
without warning, and to remove or ban members where they see fit.
Community atmosphere: I’d really like this forum to be fun and close knit.
PM people, make friends! PM me or the other mods, we don’t bite!
I am going to add to this as necessary, but just remember to help others,
and have fun!
Forum Rules and Guidelines
Here are the rules and guidelines for the board. Violations of these rules will result in bad things happening.
At our high school, the only real rule was “Respect”. I actually thought this was a fairly clever rule, (except the one about Respect your own property… it meant no cool stickers on your diary) but I think I’ll need to spell it out a little more than that. Read on.
Copyright: All posted extracts remain the property of the writer.
Behaviour: If you're nice, people are much more likely to be nice you to in return. (this isn’t to say you aren’t allowed to have friendly teasing, or
debates. But it’s up to me and the mods to decide when it’s gone too far, and take action) Act like an adult, and please try to be civil. Everyone is
entitled to their opinion. But try not to get personal with it.
Also, try not to be too insulting, graphic, or ‘adult’. I’m not saying that you have to be G rated all the time and only talk about sunshine lollipops and rainbows, (in fact that would be pretty gosh darn boring!) but sometimes adultness can go over the top. I’m sure we’ve all seen examples of this around the place. I haven’t banned anyone before, and I don’t intend to start now. Don’t let me down, I’m trusting you all here, to help me make a fun and/or informative community not a flamefest or ‘adult chat’.
NiH is secular. This means please avoid religious debates.
Do not deliberately try to annoy members either. Ie, no trolling, and no fake identities.
Also, it's pretty obvious that you do not steal peoples ideas or worse, writings!
If you're new: Check out the Introductions section. Read a few things before you post, particularly in long threads. If you read a bit, you won’t stand out as much as being new. Introduce yourselves to us! We're more of a helpful community here than anything else, and we all get curious about who new members are. We want to get to know you.
I discourage you from using numbers in your username. Definitely do not use it as your WHOLE username. The reasons for it are this: we are a small forum, and we like to be able to talk about members without having to remember a code, and also because we are a small forum, there aren't that many names that are already taken. It's just a little silly to have numbers after a username, unless it is for a specific reason. Also, do not pick an offensive username. Offensive usernames must be changed.
Also, if your username is too long, I will ask you to pick another one.
If you're not new: Newbies may not know the rules yet. Be patient with them. If they act like ‘N00Bs’ ie, total idiots, you can do whatever with them,
within reason, but don’t treat them badly simply because they’re new. There’s a difference between N00Bs and new members. And, we were all new
once!
Experience There will be people who do things differently to you. (eg, writing or drawing techniques/styles) They may be more or less experienced, or simply 'different'. I do not want any snobbery about this. You may give opinions of course, but don't scare or guilt anyone away from their creative outlet.
Forums: Post in an appropriate forum, if your topic is in the wrong forum, it may be moved without warning. This is mainly to try and keep things neat.
Spam and older posts: I sure don't have a problem with you bringing up old topics! But don't bring them up just to say something like "yeah" etc.
That's just pointless, and makes me think you're simply trying to get your post count up. I actually encourage you to add to older conversations, if you have something to say! Unneccessary double posting counts as spam. If you're adding to it a day later or so, or after a lot of people have already read your message and people won't see it if you edit, that's different.
Avatars: Yes, you are allowed avatars. At the moment avatars are 100 x 100 pixels in size. I’d prefer it if you used remote avatars (avatars linked to from another site), but its okay if you have to upload. I do not want to see any offensive avatars such as ones involving gore or pornography, or very offensive language/messages. They’re just icky. If you really want an animated avatar, try not to make it too annoying, won’t you. If it gets on my nerves, I’ll ask you to change it. Some of them can be VERY distracting, and I don’t like that.
Signatures: Yep, we have signatures. You’re allowed to link to your site/s in your sig, as long as it doesn’t lead to something offensive, and please don’t have animations, large pictures or banners in/as your sig. That’s pretty annoying, and I’ll ask you to remove it, or do it myself.
Spam and Links: As said before, you’re allowed to have links in your signatures, but do not spam the general forums with links. Any threads that are spam will either be deleted or moved to the links forum. I think it’s pretty obvious we don’t want to see links to illegal activities, weaponry, or to offensive sites anywhere on the boards. (and preferably not purely profit making/completely and utterly irrelevant links either) Remember there are people who are underage on this forum, and also people who might not want to see things like that. If I see a link that I am not happy with it will be deleted, even if it’s not technically ‘bad’.
However, inoffensive links as part of conversation or as a conversation starter is perfectly fine with me, but we ultimately decide what is spam/offensive or not. This may not be consistent. If you are not sure about a link you want to share, you may pm me.
Images: Porn, gore, and other offensive material will get you in trouble, and if you’re a new member, it will probably get you removed from the forums. If you want to post pictures about that sort of thing, go elsewhere. This is not the place for it at all. Large images or several images should be linked to and not posted directly. Not being bitchy here, it’s another ‘respect’ thing. It mucks up the screen size for everyone, means we have to scroll, and also could mean it takes a long time to load.
Possibly offensive topics, needed for research: Okay, I'm a writer. And I know a lot of you are writers, or need information like this. If you are doing research, and you need information on gory, or sexual, things, (eg, what does such and such a wound look like, how do you write a sex scene) this is okay, I understand that sometimes you need this. But ground rules: 1. Put a warning in the post title. This is VITAL. 2. ONLY links, absolutely NO pictures. Put a WARNING before the link. The minute that the conversation starts getting gratuitous, then it will be deleted.
A similar treatment of "Nudes" in the art use of the word, will apply. Put a warning on it.
The PG-13 Status of The Forum: Clarification was needed, so here it is.
NiH is rated PG-13. However I allow M rated things behind whiting and linkage or in warned threads (but I still don't want any threads about your personal sex lives/problems, even with a warning, without permission first. This is not the forum for that), and R and even X rated things in an artistic (rather than personal life) context. Saying that NiH is family friendly does not mean that NiH is 'G' rated. We're aimed at being suitable for a normal 13 year old (not a highly sheltered one) and being worksafe, however, not aimed *at* 13 year olds (hence, PG's original meaning which is 'parental guidance'.). We also aim to make as many people comfortable as possible, and the link/whiting/warning system is the best for this. It is respectful to other members to consider that they may be at work, or have parents standing behind them, or just don't want to see it/talk about it.
NiH is designed to be a tolerant place, and that tolerance involves being tolerant of what people do and do not want to see. I feel I have struck a balance between being G rated and fluffy, and being completely adults only.
Language and Typing: Do not type in alternate capitals or all caps lock or all lowercase, or similar. I know not everyone is good at the English Language, but TRY please. Do NOT use too much leetspeak or text speak. Don’t get annoyed if you’re treated like a ‘N00B’ for typing like one deliberately. Read your posts before you click "submit".
Posts: All posts are posted at the risk of the poster. Lets see how many more times I can get that word into a sentence.
Non posting members: Members who have not made their first post within a month of membership will be removed. You will be reminded, and a week after the reminder, i will remove you. You are not 'banned', and you may join again anytime. This is to ensure that all members are members who actually
want to be here. I don't really want to have to worry about members who are not interested.
Professionals : Editors, publishers, and the like, are warned that this is not a site for publishing our work, this is all about the creative process. So please, don't solicit the members.
we love having professionals come around but this is an amateur group and although we appreciate your advice, don't be offended if we would rather have fun than look at this as a job, or if we do things differently. This group is about learning together, rather than being 'instructed'. :) So, check your egos at the door.
Young Members: I know we're really informal, and we're quite silly. But please, if you're a young member, do try to be mature and fun at the same time, not just plain silly. Under 13s- legally, you're not supposed to be here. I don't mind 12 year old members though, I know that you too need writing/creativity help, and want to hang out in forums, and that 12 year olds are people too, and that lots of you are fun to be around, and are capable of having proper discussions! Trust me, I know this, i had a hard time when I was 12.Don't worry, members here won't assume that you are all idiots simply because you were born only 12 years ago. But please remember that this is not a forum for children. Mature conversations will occur at times, and i maintain that it is not my responsibility, and that it is at your own risk/responsibility that you join, as this is not a forum for child members. Also, you staying here is totally reliant on your individual behaviour, same as any other member. I will not be making exceptions about behaviour because of your age. Please PM me if you have any concerns about what this means, or if you have concerns about a young member's behaviour.
By being a member in these forums, it implies that you hold the owners and staff of the forum free of liability brought on by any of your actions or
the actions of other members.
Complaints about members and other things: If you have any, contact a mod or an admin.
The Admin is Tundra, and the Moderator is AXJ
Staff reserves the right to delete, lock or move posts where they see fit,
without warning, and to remove or ban members where they see fit.
Community atmosphere: I’d really like this forum to be fun and close knit.
PM people, make friends! PM me or the other mods, we don’t bite!
I am going to add to this as necessary, but just remember to help others,
and have fun!