RulesWe are sorry these are so lengthy - each rule itself is in
BOLD PURPLE and the text beneath it is explanation of each rule. If you don't have the patience to read the whole thread please at least read the rules themselves even if you don't read the rest of the information.
1. You must be 13 or over to join. If you are under 13 you will not be able to join- It's the law, we'd let you if we could but we can't. If you are going to be 13 soon in a few days or weeks and you want the right username; E-mail a staff member and they will reserve it for you so when you become 13 you can use it and other guests won't be able to sign up using your username before then. (You will have to e-mail us again when you turn 13 so we can unrestrict your name so you can use it to sign up).
2. Please do not insult anyone in the forum. Obviously fun and mild teasing are allowed but if things get out of hand you'll end up in trouble. Play nice. Abusive behaviour towards members and staff will not be tolerated and you risk losing your account and being banned permanently if you act in an offensive manner. This includes abuse by e-mail, instant messenger (e.g MSN), PM or in posts.
3. Please do not join just to email/PM something to everyone in the forum. If you do this you will be deleted as this is spam and it is not allowed. If you persist in doing so complaints will be made to your Internet Service Provider and to the host of the website you are advertising. Use the advertising section ONLY to advertise on this site. You may only use other methods of advertising with permission from an administrator.
4. Please do not spam or flood the forum with useless posts, advertisments etc.The same as for 3., if you do so you will be banned and further action may be taken. This includes posting links to sites containing petitions / quizzes unless allowed in the board you are post in.
Spam is defined as: ~ Posting usolicited adverts (usually in the form of links to a site) around the forum or PMing/e-mailing unsolicited advertisements to site members without permission.
There are also several other definitions that are categorized as 'spam' on this site:
~ Multiple consecutive posting (aka double posting): Posting 2 or more posts consecutively) in any thread is not allowed unless specificlly stated in the board/thread. (Use the Modify button on your posts to add anything you forgot or correct errors/typos).
~ Excessive 'bumping': You may only 'bump' (post in a thread to raise it up the page listings) if it has been unanswered for 28 hours.
~ Pointlessly reviving old topics: If the last reply to a thread is more than 14 days old do not post in it unless you have something of value to add. If you just post 'I agree' etc. the thread will be locked and your post count will be reduced accordingly.
5. Please don't just join and post nothing or do nothing. If you wish to leave you can delete your account from the profile page. If you want to stay please post at least once so we know you do. Sorry but it's really annoying when like alot of people sign up and only a few post.
6. You must have permission to use an image that is not yours or to link it directly from where you found it. It is best to go to a website
www.photobucket.com or
www.imageshack.com and upload it to your own account. Hotlinking directly is theft and will result in punishment as will breach of copyright. Do NOT use material that is copyrighted without permission.
7. Discussion of piracy (including hacking, cracks, warez, keygens, serial number sharing, illegal downloads, copying protected software etc.) and any other illegal activity is strictly forbidden. If you do so your post will be removed, you will receive a warning and a second offence will result in your account being banned.
8. Posting "HELLO I AM NEW HERE" threads is not allowed outside the Introductions Board. Posting these threads anywhere other than the Introductions Board will result in your thread being locked. Similarly posting other threads in the Introductions Board will possibly result and a thread locking and definately a thread move.
9. Read the stickies in each board before posting there and read the Announcements before posting anywhere.The stickies/announcements are there to help you and tell you important things. If you ignore them you will probably end up getting into trouble.. Most boards only have two or three stickies, and if one of them says "Rules", "Must Read" or "Read Before Posting", I'd read at least that one if you're too lazy or illiterate to read the others. If there is a table with rules or guidelines at the top of the page in a board, you'd best read that too.
GuidelinesThese are useful tips on getting on round the site. It is advised you read these.
1. PostingPosting a New TopicTopic Location - Where to put your topicBefore making a topic, make sure you are going to be posting in the correct board. It should be fairly easy to see where to post, each board has a description.
For example if you want to talk about a particular movie you post in Movies & Books, if you need help with the site post in the support board. You get the idea....it is so very frustrating when people constantly post in the wrong boards - we have tried to make it as simple as possible.
Topic Content - Tips on posting good threadsBefore posting a topic, please ask yourself the following question:
"Am I making a post which is funny, witty, informative, or interesting on any level?"
If you can answer "yes" to this, then please post. If you cannot, just don't post it.
Please also make sure that your topic does not already exist. If it has already been talked about then use the existing thread rather than starting yet another.
Give your topic a good title! Give people some clue what your topic is about.
Please remember this site is a family site and all material should be kept PG-13.
If you are unsure whether it is OK to post a link to another site or not PM the Moderator in charge of that section (Staff List is HERE).
Do NOT post a link to a site saying 'go here to vote in a poll/sign a petition/see some fantastic news'. If the news is so fantastic copy it into the post box and credit it to the website you found it at.
Replying to an Existing TopicReplies - Tips for replying to existing threadsBefore replying to an existing topic, please ask yourself the following:
"Does my reply offer any significant advice, information, humour or help contribute to the conversation in any fashion?"
If you can answer "yes" then feel free to reply. If you cannot, then refrain from replying. Make your posts worthwhile reading. Don't just go into a topic and post something like "What?" or "I don't care." Try to make your posts longer than one or two words. Stay ON TOPIC when posting too unless it is specificlly stated you may talk about anything.
Please do not constantly post in CAPS. Caps is considered 'SHOUTING' online and you should use it sparingly. The same goes for for l33t ("0mFg! i @m l13k t3h l33t!!!11one!!1...f4g!") and 'text talk' ("wot u mean? expln 2 me plz!") . Please attempt to use proper English with punctuation and grammar to make your posts legible.
Other Rules on PostingRules for ALL Posts - Rules that apply to ALL posts whether starting a new topic or replying to an existing oneThe following are not allowed:
~ Multiple consecutive posting (aka double posting): Posting 2 or more posts consecutively) in any thread is not allowed unless specificlly stated. (Use the Modify button on your posts to add anything you forgot or correct errors/typos).
~ Excessive 'bumping': You may only 'bump' (post in a thread to raise it up the page listings) if it has been unanswered for 28 hours.
~ Pointlessly reviving old topics: If the last reply to a thread is more than 14 days old do not post in it unless you have something of value to add. If you just post 'I agree' etc. the thread will be locked and your post count will be reduced accordingly.
~ Discussion of illegal activites is strictly forbidden in all parts of this site..
2. BehaviourIf a thread of yours has been locked or deleted, it has been locked or deleted for a reason. Recreating it or complaining about it will probably get you in trouble. If you have a problem, contact a staff member via PM (preferably the one responsible for the issue). If you still have a complaint take it to an administrator.
Complaining about a banning in the forums will result in post deletion and suspension of your double account or IP address. If you have been banned and wish to object take it up with the staff member who banned you or an administrator.
If you complain about what you feel are faults of the current staff constantly, you will most likely be banned - constructive criticsim is fine, but don't keep on about it. Staff are here to do a job for free, we do not get paid. If you'd like to complain about a staff member's actions contact an administrator. Abuse towards the staff will result in a ban.
Impersonating staff members and other regulars is forbidden. This means don't create another account and use a capital I instead of a lowercase l or attempt to impersonate us on MSN or by e-mail. If you attempt this you will be banned permanently and complaints will be made to your ISP / e-mail provider.
Essentially just be respectful to others. If you keep these rules you will have a fun time and allow other members to have a fun time too as well as make the staff's lives much easier. People who break the rules must expect to be punished. We will ban anybody attempting to circumvent any rule; it is not funny, it is not clever. We want everyone to have a fun time here so don't spoil it for yourself or for others. If you have any queries about the rules post in the support board or contact a staff member and they will be happy to help.