Forum Rules
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:46 pm
Welcome to the Housepets! Forums!
Minor Rules:
The following items are not appropriate for the board and will result in post deletion and/or thread closure.
Minor Rules:
- Do not derail a discussion thread. While it is acceptable to go off-topic for a post or two, it is much less so to overtly change the topic for an extended period.
- Don't stretch the page. It is completely unnecessary to write a long string of characters uninterrupted by spaces. Similarly, outside comic translations and the Media Median, there is no reason to post images more than 500 pixels wide.
- If you must resurrect a thread, please don't do so to immediately drive it off topic. Make sure any necromancy is both necessary and relevant.
- Keep it clean! The profanity filter has lots of words in it. Trying to evade the filter counts against you. To be safe, if you're going to self-censor, completely obliterate the word with asterisks.
- Make sure to report inappropriate posts. Talking about posts that break the rules does nothing to resolve the situation and may be construed as mini-modding. You can get more information about reporting posts here.
- No one-word or single-image responses. If you cannot contribute to one conversation, find another to participate in. (This rule does not apply to some forum games.)
- Please do not double-post. Every post you make has an edit button in the upper-right corner. If you need to add more information to a thread and nobody's posted since you, use that button instead. (This rule does not apply to 'updates' in threads where those are necessary.)
- Type coherently. Since we communicate entirely through the written word here, we have to be able to understand each other. This means, among other things, no chat speak.
- Come as you are. Outside of role playing, there's no reason for you to assume a false persona. Be honest about yourself. It should go without saying that this includes impersonation. This also includes sockpuppeting. Don't create multiple accounts to support a contrarian point of view.
- Do not evade bans. This is common sense. If you've been banned once, coming back with another account will only get you banned again. If your ban was originally temporary, it will be extended or made permanent.
- No Flaming. Do not openly attack, insult, belittle, or abuse another poster. You will be warned if this occurs; you will be banned on grounds of harassment if this appears to be chronic.
- No Mini-Modding. Attempting to call out a rule-breaker by citing the rules is annoying and derails the thread. You will be warned if this occurs. Remember to report any post in violation of the rules so a moderator can handle the problem.
- No Trolling. Any topic or response purposely intended to incite flames WILL result in a ban. Even if you attempt to have a "serious" conversation, and bend or tiptoe around the board rules as a result, this counts as trolling.
The following items are not appropriate for the board and will result in post deletion and/or thread closure.
- Current politics, religion, and other potentially controversial issues outside of the context of the comic, especially as far as it pertains to creating an environment in which to flame others for their viewpoints.
- Drugs or criminal activity, including obtaining mp3s, movies, or computer programs illegally.
- Shipping IS allowed with the following caveat: No threads specifically about shipping, as they can quickly degenerate into arguing and creepiness. Do not make threads discussing your favorite pairing. It is acceptable to discuss romantic couplings in the current comic thread and the role playing and fan fiction sections in the context of comic discussion, a role playing adventure, fan art, or fan fiction.
- No solicitation. Do not create a thread or post requesting donations. The boards are not here for you to advertise your products or services and while we can sympathize with those who are down on their luck, you should seek assistance elsewhere.
- Respect the moderators and their decisions. If you want to know why an action was taken, feel free to PM the moderator with any questions. If their answer doesn't satisfy you (or you think it's unfair), you may ask a global moderator for a second opinion. However, you should not make a big scene in public and disrupt the flow of conversation. Doing so will result in a warning.
- The rating of this forum is PG-13 at maximum. That means, while it is okay to mention sex, it is not okay to be explicit about it, nor to discuss it in context of specific characters, NOR is it okay to discuss explicit violence in the same manner. Talking about sites that deal with pornography is not allowed, and linking to them will result in a warning. Posting images with explicit sexual or violent content WILL result in a ban.
- None of the above can be discussed in any capacity on the forum, comment box, or any other board or chat room endorsed and moderated by this forum or a representative of this forum (to the extent they are acting within their capacity as a representative of this site), nor can discussion or arrangement of said activities be advertised within these areas or directly connected with Housepets in any manner.