Board Conduct and Rules - Updated 6/5/08

[Sparky]

The following are the rules in place for these boards. Rules are subject to change. Rules were last updated on 6-5-08.

Note: As the years go by this list just gets longer and longer! Therefore let me point out some of the "insta-ban" offenses you should avoid, just to pound them into your skull. But please do read all the rules as well, I just want to make sure y'all understand the stuff that will likely get you banned if you do them. The rest might not get you banned, though it'd still be Naughty.

• Do NOT EVER create multiple accounts. If you already hold an account here and you create another, you will be banned if you don’t have a really good excuse. If you lose your password and cannot retrieve it or just want a new username, creating a new account is not the solution. Use the Contact Us link on the forum homepage and we'll help you. (Oh and, doing it because you want to pretend to be someone we don't know isn’t a good enough reason to break this rule.)
• Don't put in a false birthdate. Honestly, the important part about that is, we need to KNOW that you are 13 or over. If someone under 13 holds an account here, it can be a liability. I don’t have a lawyer, and I can't afford to be fined. This site WILL get shut down if I get fined. I can't quite understand the selfishness of people who are willing to risk this entire site being shut down so they can be a member. Really, I'm flattered y'all like my website, but, please.
• Don’t be a jerk. No, really. And that doesn't mean "you're not allowed to express your opinion" it just means don't be a jerk for no reason. I know, it's self-explainatory. This includes the number one rule in the main list below, "heed the mods and admin." Because if you don't, you're pretty much being a jerk.
• Don't post advertisements to products; this isn’t something the ordinary members would do, but we get people (and bots) who sign up just to do that.
• Don't swear or post anything pornographic. 'Cause...yeah.
• Don't post BFAHP codes without spoiler tags. It's not even important anymore, it's just become a sort of IQ test around here. If you do it, you're REALLY either not paying attention or...you're breaking the "no jerks" rule above, and we don’t want you here.

Okay now, please give the list below a quick read.

General Rules

• Heed the mods and admin.
• Respect your fellow board members. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Flaming (such as namecalling and defaming of one's character) is not allowed on the boards. Period.
• Drama is for Turner Network Television. Keep it off of the boards, and don't be a troll. Also, self-pitying or depressing posts are NOT ACCEPTABLE. They will be deleted and you will receive a warning.
• Take the time to read all "sticky" threads once.
• No cross-posting: Do not post the same reply in multiple forums simultaneously.
• Do NOT post back-to-back; if you have something additional to say after posting (within ten minutes or so if there have been no further replies), use the modify feature to edit your last post. This keeps the thread organized and less cluttered (especially if you have a large signature) and it's only polite. There may be exceptions to this rule, such as posting multiple story chapters, multiple pieces of artwork, essays, or perhaps large screenshots. But definitely don't post back-to-back if you're just making short comments. (It is not "back-to-back posting" if its been longer than ten or fifteen minutes.) Try to use the Multiple Quoting feature to reply to multiple people in the same post rather than quoting people separately, resulting in multiple posts.
• Make an effort to see if a topic has already been covered before starting a new thread. It’s not a bannable offense or anything if you start a thread with a topic that’s been covered elsewhere (we can always merge the threads), but if a single user does this repeatedly we will get Annoyed, as we will then know that you are Lazy. You don’t want us to be Annoyed at you. So don’t be Lazy.
• Do not “spam” people’s PM boxes. Never ever randomly send non-conversational PMs to people. Examples include asking for files or BFAHP secret codes, or so-called “chain letters”, unless the recipient has agreed to it. Everyone is encouraged to notify me if they have received unsolicited, disruptive, or of course offensive PMs. (Hang on to the PM in case I request to see it.)
• You may not have more than one account. Users caught with multiple accounts will be banned.
• To avoid legal issues, I cannot allow members who are under 13 years of age. Guest posting has been disabled (because there's no point in not allowing people under 13 to register but allowing them to post anyways).

Post Content

• If you are not in the Spam section, keep your posts generally on-topic. It's really okay to have a few off-topic conversational posts, but completely changing the subject, posting random images and/or links *not* related to the thread topic, or posting garbage/nonsense will be treated as spamming and/or trolling of the board. Spam in the Spam section, that's what it's there for; and if you wish to discuss something other than the topic at hand, start a new thread either in a Foster's-related area or Way Off Topic if it is not Foster's related.
• In that vein, Introduction and Happy Birthday threads are not for parties. They are for greetings and salutations, preferably one per member (a little chit chat isn't a big deal). But no "parties" or roleplaying. If you wish to start a party or game thread relating to an Introduction or Happy Birthday thread, do it in the Spam section and then post a link to that thread in the relevant thread.
• Also, do not post birthday threads for either members or Foster's crew members (including yourself) more than one day in advance of the actual date. An exception can be made if you are going to have no access to a computer on your actual birthday, you may then post it as far in advance as necessary (hopefully its no more than a few days). Yes, you may post your own birthday thread, there's nothing wrong with that. Especially if you have your birthday hidden in your profile, which would mean it would not appear on the forum's front page when the actual date comes around.
• Whether you mean it to be or not, typing in all-caps makes you look extremely rude, as if you are screaming. Do not type in all-caps in your posts unless you are merely emphasizing part of what you are saying (or if you are in the Spam section, you can get away with it in there!). And please please, for the love of Mike, no all-caps thread titles (again, with the exception of the Spam section). Your thread is no more important than anyone else’s, and typing the title in all-caps is arrogant and immature. I agree that all-caps can be humorous though (LIKEOMG) so an occasional all-caps outburst is okay if done for comedy. But that's all.
• Title threads appropriately, and if you can help it do not "piggyback" a new topic into an unrelated thread already in-progress; nor should you "hijack" a thread by changing the subject (yeah, basically the same thing). When people see the title of a thread it is up to them whether or not they wish to read and/or participate in the discussion (or read/view the fic or artwork within), so "surprising" people with an unrelated subject is not appropriate. Each and every discussion and question deserves and is entitled to its own thread - there cannot be "too many" threads. Use your own discretion however; certainly some discussions *are* related enough to share a thread.
• The Off-Topic board is for discussions not related to Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends. Discussions. As they say, "off-topic does not mean no topic." Is is not for chit-chat, or "I'm bored" type threads. You may do that in the Spam section.
• Swearing will not be tolerated on these boards. I have disabled the automatic censor, but I still need you to keep it clean. Asterisks may be used but I would STRONGLY prefer you avoid using harsh language altogether. Posts that I find offensive are subject to moderation.
• To expand on that: these boards are accessible to all ages. You may not hold conversations that are extremely adult in nature. I am sorry, but it is necessary.
• PLEASE try not to start subject-only threads. That means, no topic called "Madame Foster" containing the message "Everyone talk about Madame Foster." If you want people to talk about Madame Foster, launch the discussion yourself. It's not fair to ask everyone else to talk about something if you're not willing to start the discussion. Also, nothing like "Who's your favorite character?" without you actually stating who your favorite character is. If you're going to start a thread, your first post must contribute something to the conversation. And just posting a link to an article elsewhere isn’t good enough. Surely if you found something interesting enough to post a link you have something to say about it.
• On that note, if you are posting a story or artwork and wish to not receive negative feedback of any kind, say so in your first post (and its okay to do that!). Otherwise, be prepared for anything. Negative criticism will not be automatically treated as flaming if it is just that: negative criticism. Flaming is outlined above.
• If you want to start a thread and you're not sure if it would be allowed or where you should put it, it's okay to ask in the Customer Service Kiosk area. And if you do start a thread in the wrong place don't worry, we'll move it.
• Please avoid using non-English languages in your posts, signature (including images), profile (including personal text and custom user titles), and avatars. If you do it it's subject to being removed. Sorry but people have posted nasty things in foreign languages on here in the past figuring they could get away with it.

Profile Content

• Um, don't swear or post rude pictures. If you notice inappropriate content on your or someone else's journal, report it.

Thread Tagging

• We can see who posted what tags. So don't be a jerk and tag threads offensively or completely wrong.

Signatures, Avatars, Personal Text, and Custom Titles

• Obviously, keep your signature, avatar, personal text field, and custom title (if you have one) clean, mature, and G-Rated. Perhaps not-so-obviously, please do not hint at such "questionable" topics as sex (or anything that suggests sex) in any way in your sig, avatar, personal text or custom title. I would like to include pairings in that list as well, as there are many fans who object to the pairing of any characters in the fandom, let alone specific ones. These are topics that may be discussed on the forum itself, but if someone doesn't want to read that sort of conversation, they would have the choice not to click on such a thread. People do not have a choice of not looking at your sig, avatar, or personal text. Sparky is rather tolerant, so please report offensive avatars etc. If you see them to her in a PM. If you are notified that your avatar/sig is offending other users, you will be expected to change it/them or leave the boards.
• Try to keep the board neat by limiting your signature image's dimensions to 600 pixels wide and 100 pixels high. Those are the maximum dimensions your sig image may be. Animation is okay, but try to avoid anything seizure-inducing.

Please note that pairings should be kept out of usernames as well; and if one registers with a username promoting a pairing they will be asked to choose a new one. For example characternamexcharactername would not be allowed. But that's just an example, if any username is obviously promoting a pairing it will have to be changed.

Any and all posts that do not meet these requirements are subject to deletion/closure, with possible disciplinary action for the user responsible for the infraction.

All of these rules apply to PMs as well. PM boxes reside on the forum, therefore they are part of the forum. Do not break the rules while PMing. If you need to discuss something adult or to use rude language or something, use email.

Disciplinary Action
This is a privately-owned forum, created by a Foster's fan in no way affiliated with the show itself. Disobeying the rules as outlined above because the user did not read them or doesn't agree with them will not spare that user from disciplinary action. This forum uses a "warning level" system. If you break a rule or disrupt the boards, you will be disciplined, which can result in specific forum accesses being restricted for a certain number of days. Enough misbehavior can and will result in permanent banishment from the forum.

And yes if Sparky feels that the situation warrants it she reserves the right to skip the warnings and go straight to banning. It could happen. TO ALL MEMBERS please, if you are concerned about another user's actions on the board PM Sparky about it. She can be a weenie sometimes when it comes to doling out punishments. And then other times she can be a real hardnose. So keep on your toes and try to play nice.

If any user has any concerns with our rules please feel free to PM Sparky to discuss it. You may also speak to other members of Staff if you wish (Staff is listed in the forum FAQ thread and can also be viewed by clicking on "View Forum Leaders" at the bottom of the last board on the main page). Anyone and everyone who wishes to post on these boards must abide by these rules, and similarly anyone and everyone who disagrees with these boards' rules is free to go elsewhere.

By following these rules, you will help to make these boards a safe and fun community for all. Thank you for reading!

[Sparky]

I added a little note regarding PMs. I guess I should have mentioned before, PMs are part of this forum and I need people to at least more-or-less follow the rules when PMing. I realise that there's a difference between a private message and a public forum post, but I just need people to watch it. Please do not send rude/vulgar PMs, and if you want to discuss material not ordinarily allowed on the forum for being too adult, please move it elsewhere. No, I cannot read your PMs - now. But I CAN if I really really need to.

[Sparky]

Added another rule concerning PM abuse. It is NOT cool to send "unsolicited" non-conversational PMs. That's basically spam. I know *I* get more than my fair share of spam in my email box; I don't want to come to this forum and find spam in my PM box too. It's like when people were PMing people begging for BFAHP secret codes. Well now we've got people sending chain letters via PM. SO NOT COOL. I shouldn't even have to *tell* you guys that is bad manners. In the future, if you want to do something like that, ALL your recipients must give you permission, otherwise its as bad as that "lose weight now!" garbage I get in my email inbox every day. Please let me know if you ever get anything like this from anyone. For now, the people who have been sending chain PMs will receive a temporary suspension - if you have gotten one of these PMs do NOT send it along unless you're sending it to someone who has agreed to it. In the future, I may consider this a bannable offense.

[Sparky]

*sigh*

Sorry these are getting so long, guys. I just added two more things to the rules:

1) This isn't a hard and fast "rule" but I am asking people to try and make an effort to see if there is already a topic on something in existence before starting it again or asking the same question. This isn't like, a big problem, but I mostly wanted to say that when a single user repeatedly makes duplicate threads, that we talk about them in the Staff forum. Sarcastically. So if you don't want us to do that then just make a teeny effort to see if a thread already exists. Try the Search function (use the Advanced Search, I've always had good luck with that on vBulletin forums). This isn't a huge deal at all, it just does us a favor, else we have to go around merging threads. It also does yourself a favor if you're asking a question (yes I'm looking at the BFAHP players) because rather than waiting anxiously for an answer, you might be able to simply *find* the answer through a simple search, and be on your way. And even if you can't find the answer you need, you may find an appropriate existing thread to put it in rather than starting a new one. But really, if your question hasn't been addressed before and you don't see an appropriate place to put it, yes, start a new thread. Just remember to follow the following:

2) Knock off the all-caps thread titles (outside the Spam area). Again, I am primarily looking at the BFAHP players. I don't care how excited you are or how badly you need help. It just looks really bad. If I've done it myself outside the Spam section I don't recall but it's possible, and I won't do it in the future; please do the same. The no-typing-entire-posts-in-all-caps should be a given, I just wanted to put it in the rules so I can point *at* the Rules when I snark at people to quit typing in all-caps.

Thanks, guys.

[Sparky]

Just added a little thing about not using foreign languages on here. I mean, you can use SOME, really, but nothing...complicated. The point is to keep people from posting inappropriate things in foreign languages of course. If someone puts some Spanish in an Eduardo fanfic or in an Eduardo avatar or something it's okay, really! Um...as long as its clean. Just try not to randomly post stuff in other languages if you can. In general. The point is if you DO post something inappropriate and we catch you it can potentially be a bannable offense.

[Sparky]

Added the following:

Also, do not post birthday threads for either members or Foster's crew members (including yourself) more than one day in advance of the actual date. An exception can be made if you are going to have no access to a computer on your actual birthday, you may then post it as far in advance as necessary (hopefully its no more than a few days). Yes, you may post your own birthday thread, there's nothing wrong with that. Especially if you have your birthday hidden in your profile, which would mean it would not appear on the forum's front page when the actual date comes around.

Seriously, please quit starting birthday threads more than one day in advance. This week-plus stuff is unnecessary. Like I said, you may start your own birthday thread more than one day in advance if you're going to be away from your computer for a short period of time including your actual birthday, we can certainly make an exception for that. We just don't think that some people should "get" to have an early birthday thread while most don't. Let's just make it the norm to only start birthday threads on or maybe one day before the actual birthday, whether the person in question is a forum member or someone who works on the show.

No this isn't a big deal, its just one of those things that annoys the staff and forces them to spend time on the staff forum complaining. Anyways please don't do it.

[Sparky]

I added a few comments about all the new 3.7 features, such as the profile customizations and thread tagging, and said don't use them to post nasty stuff. I also put a short breakdown of the Worst Offenses at the top. It seemed necessary.