Thread: Might as well update the rules

Since there is tendency for banning for some different reasons, I think rules should be updated and be more accurate.

For example in my case, I (maybe) somehow posted an inappropriate link under my sig - but most of people doesn't know what's is "appropriate" or "inappropriate". Since my link (this link --> gh.ffshrine.org?r=33915 - lack of ten post makes me unable to put it's full form) had connection to anime and manga (and that tends to be topic on this forum) one might not find it inappropriate.

Basically speaking, using vague descriptions and then permanently banning accounts makes more confusion than it should.

This has been discussed at great length already (and I mean GREAT length), but i think its generally felt (the topic has not been brought up again recently in the mod forum) among the staff that (providing the user has a bit of common sense) the current rules are for the most part satisfactory.

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Here's a draft I saved (suggested punishments have been removed):

1. Search before asking.
Seaching means checking for an existing topic in the top three pages of the sub-forum. If the topic is not there, you may create your own. An exception may be made if the existing topic was locked and your question was not answered.

2. No spam.
Spam is defined as (but not limited to) a post/s that contain no useful content, content that doesn't add to the topic, pointless post.

3. No excesive swearing, no attacking other members.
Swearing is allowed when kept to moderate levels and not aimed maliciously at other members or mods.

4. No manga requests.
Manga should not be requested outside the download request forum (where specific rules apply). Requests for manga to be uploaded to his site should also not be made.

5. No spoilers.
See: http://www.stoptazmo.com/showthread.php?t=19559
(I gave this link as a suggestion, we didn't actually decide on spoiler rules)

6. Download issues.
Users should NOT PM mods or admin about dowload issues, PMs will be ignored. Users should post about download issues in the help sub-forum, and must follow the given guidelines for posting. Failure to do so, may result in punishment.

7. No offensive media.
Offensive media includes but is not limited to: sex, nudity, violence, gore and religion.

8. No deliberate double posting.
A double post is when a user deliberately creates two or more posts in a row.

9. No multiple threads.
If a similar topic already exists, don't create a new thread. This rule includes cross posting in other sections.

10. No off topic posts.
Users should not change the topic of a thread. Exceptions are given in chit chat where specific rules apply.

11. Don't post in the wrong section.
Please look at the description of each section and think carefull about where it should go.

12. No complaint threads.
Threads complaining about locked topics, bans and actions of a moderator should not be created. If you have an issue, please PM a mod.

13. Do not answer a topic that shouldn't be there.
If a topic has been posted in the wrong section, do not answer the OP's request. If they get an answer from breaking the rules, it only encourages them to do it more.

14. Sig size.
Signatures should not excede 650 pixels accross by 250 pixels high. This includes all images and text.

15. Do not necro/bump/gravedig old threads.
Unless you have something important to add to a topic, do not bump threads.

16. Do not quote pictures.
When quoting someone, remove the image from the quote, if posiible, replace it with the url of the image instead.

17. No multiple accounts.
You may only have one account (this is your primary account), you may change to a diferent primary account, but the original primary will be banned. If your primary account is banned, creating another account is classed as ban dodging and the account will be banned. When you are banned, it is you who is abnned not your account, so you will have to wait until the ban on your primary acount expires.

18. No trolling.
Trolling includes (but is not limited to): flame baiting, aggravating another member or mod and creating a thread or post that is intended to trap or entice another member into saying or doing something that they do not wish to.

19. No advertising.
Users may advertise their website in the web ads sub-forum, but no where else. Users may not advertise products of any sort anywhere. Users may not advertise scams, unless they are warning others.

20. No warez.
Warez is defined as any software which the user does not have the rights to use. For example an ilegally downloaded game or copy of photoshop.
Users are not allowed to post links to warez or suggest that another user downloads warez. The only exception is in the games sub-forum, where users are allowed to discuss roms but are not allowed to post any links.

These rules were never fully agreed on, nor are they complete. Rules may be superceded by section specific rules.
The main reason I wrote this draft, was to clarify the rules (agreeing on standard punishments so as to avoid abuse of power was a secondary objective).

Like I've already said, with a bit of common sense, these rules should be obvious and easy to follow even without in depth descriptions.

EDIT: I think there was a better draft, but this is the one I have saved on my comp, and I'm not going to go copy pasting stuff from the mod forum (I probably shouldn't even be posting this).

Link had a ref id number to it.
Same as any free iPod/PSP/PS3/Viagra link.

The draft is good, although it differs from the rules you can find here (stoptazmo.com/showthread.php?t=17531). Personally, I find your draft more understandable.
The spoiler rule is.. you know - there are threads where they don't have [spoiler] mark on it and you just discuss some theory or something. For argumentation, some people tend to referr to latest chapters (not raws) ,but that might be spoiler for those who download only from stoptazmo.com (some series are uploaded here faster or slower - I understand it can't be quickened and I don't ask for that). Is posting information about chapter which wasn't posted on this site is a spoiler or nor ?

Lot's of double posting is born from the fact that people don't know they can edit their posts (there is lost's of forum engines which doesn't give you such ability). I think you could insert the information about "edit button" in it (especially for people who are posting for the first time in forum - they are confused about variety of options and codes and get easily discouraged when told they broke a rule they don't understand).

Originally Posted by Jyuu

Link had a ref id number to it.
Same as any free iPod/PSP/PS3/Viagra link.

I have completely no idea what does that mean.

Actually, maybe we should be concerned about that double-posting rule. Thanks to the five-day rule, edits aren't really possible anymore, so if someone wants to add something later...

Most forums have an edit button, though, so I don't think we need to add something. Most double-posts that I've seen are either computer errors (often edited, with a message about being scared/deletion), requests, or a person replying to two different posts (and I can see why they would use two separate posts themselves if they didn't know about the rule - which they SHOULD, but...)

As for the spoilers, I believe posting information that hasn't been revealed in scanlated chapters is a spoiler. People in School Rumble are generally good about spoilers, though. ^_^

Originally Posted by Digital_Eon

Actually, maybe we should be concerned about that double-posting rule. Thanks to the five-day rule, edits aren't really possible anymore, so if someone wants to add something later...

Most forums have an edit button, though, so I don't think we need to add something. Most double-posts that I've seen are either computer errors (often edited, with a message about being scared/deletion), requests, or a person replying to two different posts (and I can see why they would use two separate posts themselves if they didn't know about the rule - which they SHOULD, but...)

As for the spoilers, I believe posting information that hasn't been revealed in scanlated chapters is a spoiler. People in School Rumble are generally good about spoilers, though. ^_^

Like I said, its a draft, and was not completed.