Welcome to the site! We hope you'll be able to use this site in whatever way you choose. Most importantly, though (to us), we hope that you will make new friends, and re-unite with old ones. We hope you will find this a place where you can be yourself. Where you can be who you are, or who you want to be. Of course, in order for this to actually happen, there need to be some guidelines. No-one on this site should ever be made to feel alienated, or judged, or marginalised. And that is what these rules are about. So here goes...
First off, moderators and administrators would like to enjoy this site and the accompanying IRC server as much as everyone else. However, when a moderator or administrator posts something in Red, they are wearing their "official cap". When you see text posted in a forum, on the IRC server, or in a private message, that is red, you are to take the contents extremely seriously. To this end, please refrain from posting text in red font unless you are an administrator or moderator. Of course, I'm not going to post this entire article in red. Please assume that I am wearing the "offical cap" by posting this article.
Note that the list of current administrators and moderators can always be displayed by clicking the team link from the main board index. If you have any questions about these rules, please feel free to PM one of the administrators. Administrators should be adhered to at all times, regardless of the forum currently being viewed. Moderators are not allowed to use their "official cap" outside of the forums for which they are the designated moderators.
What follows is a list of things that are not allowed on this forum. Again, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Please use your common sense. Note that where appropriate, all these rules also apply to the IRC server, and "forum" can generally be substituted for "channel". Likewise, "post" can be substituted for "anything you say on IRC".
Individual Forum Rules
Each individual forum will have special rules that need to be adhered to. These rules are in addition to the ones you are reading. While we try and leave individual forums to their own devices (And let the moderator(s) of the forum in question decide what to do with you), breaking of certain rules may necessitate administrator action. This will be decided on a case by case basis.
Language Use
Please try to keep your posts on this board to either English or Afrikaans. This is not because we as moderators want to marginalise anyone. It is simply because those are the languages that the administrators of this board can understand. Forums dedicated to a particular language other than these might be permitted on a case by case basis, but that would be a priviledge, and not a right.
Also, it is important to understand when posting, that others need to read what you write. Please refrain whenever possible from using 1337 speak or other such language. Before posting, please take a moment to proof read your post. If necessary, use the Preview feature supplied by the board software.
Profanity and Other Taboo
Unless otherwise specified, the default age restriction on these forums shall be PG13. Please refrain from using profanity in your posts. Likewise, please keep sexual material to a minimum. There may be forums created specifically for the purpose of discussing these topics. These forums will be clearly marked, and it is the moderator(s)'s responsibility to ensure that underage members are not permitted on forums dedicated to discussing taboo issues.
Topics or posts promoting or endorsing any activity which is currently illegal in the Republic of South Africa (Unless such talk is specifically related to a fantasy setting, such as a computer game), or that would violate anyone's rights under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, will never be permitted. Period.
Spamming and/or Responding to Spam
We do not tolerate posts whose sole purpose is advertising of a commercial product or service. We make every effort possible to ensure that we nip cases of these in the bud as soon as they appear, but sometimes, instances slip through the cracks for awhile. If you see a post that you believe to be spam, do not respond to it! Responding merely validates the spammer (best case) or tips him off to your existance (worst case), so that he can put you on his list to spam. Rather use the Report Post feature on the boards, or PM an administrator to notify them of the problem.
Flaming
Flaming is defined as any post that attempts to openly attack, insult, belittle or abuse anybody else. It is perfectly acceptable to attack another person's point of view in a debate. It is not acceptable to attack the person who holds that point of view! Always remember that the person you are talking to is a real person. How would you feel if you were tret that way? Flaming will be dealt with in the severist possible way.
Specific things that might be construed as "attacking the person" include (But are not limited to):
Telling a poster to shut up or to stop posting in the current topic Name calling Passive-agressive insults, such as "Anyone who believes that is an idiot," or "I'd call you an idiot, but it's against the rules." Harassment of other posters, such as repeatedly following them from topic to topic (Or forum to forum) to dispute them, personally Responding in kind to a person who has flamed you. These kinds of "he started it!" arguments are childish, and not to be tolerated. If you believe someone has flamed you, PM a moderator of the forum you are on. If you get no joy, please feel free to PM an administratorWell, that's all I can think of right now. I realise that the list is rather extensive, and I really hope you'll understand why it is important. As stated above, we want all users of this board and IRC server to feel as at home and welcome as possible. Thanks for listening, and enjoy your stay!
Kind Regards,
Graham
On behalf of communicate.za.net
