- This is a public forum that allows members to post as they please. Some topics may address subjects not suitable for readers under the age of 16. All messages posted express the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the owners and administrators of this site. Whatever you post is your own responsibility!
- Don’t post messages that are obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or that violate any laws. We will permanently ban all users who do so.
- If we receive a complaint that a post violates the law (such as copyright or defamation laws), we will delete the post, if we agree with the complainant. However, please don’t cry libel if someone is merely stating an opinion. Remember that libel only applies to statements presented as fact.
- No postings of a commercial nature are allowed, unless approved in advance by the administrators of the site.
- Don’t write your posts in all CAPITAL LETTERS. This is considered shouting. Also, standard English spelling and grammar are preferred, though not required.
- Don’t use the forum as a private chatroom. If you have a message that’s intended for only one other person, please send it via private message. (Note: Members are free to chat with each other in the off-topic chit chat area. This rule is intended to deter people who might be tempted to log on, chat exclusively with their friend, and never participate in any way with other forum members.)
- Write informative titles that let other readers know what your post is about. For instance, “Cool link” or “Check this out” are not informative titles.
- Please cite your sources. If posting about a news story in the “In the news” section, provide a link to the story, if possible. Saying “I’ll find a link later” is not helpful. Also, provide a brief summary of what the story is about. Simply posting a link is not informative (especially if the link later goes dead).
- Before posting a new topic, check to see if a similar topic already exists. Use the search function! Duplicate posts will be deleted.
- Try to stay on-topic within a thread. If the conversation moves to another subject, start a new thread.
- This forum is categorized. Please post new topics in the appropriate section.
- To avoid appearing self-absorbed, try to respond to topics started by others more often than starting topics of your own.
- Avoid lashing back at a poorly behaving member or participating in a flame war; instead, notify the moderators of the event.
- When quoting a previous post, only include the relevant portion of that post. Keep in mind that everyone else can likely still see the message you’re quoting on the same screen and can read it again if need be.
- Keep your signature to a reasonable length, in order to avoid screen clutter. A maximum height of 100 pixels is appropriate.
- We reserve the right to remove, edit, or move any messages whenever it seems necessary to do so.
- Multiple accounts are not allowed. (If you think you have a legitimate reason to have more than one account, please contact a moderator to discuss it.)
- Just because a form of behavior is not specifically forbidden by the above rules, does not necessarily mean that it’s allowed. In ambiguous situations, the moderators will collectively determine what should be done and will provide guidance. In the meantime, please use your common sense and think of other users before posting.
