terms and conditions for posting?

[davidlallen]

Hi,

Forums generally have "terms and conditions", and a user can be banned for breaking them. I have searched for the t&c for this forum and cannot find it. I searched "terms", "conditions" in the top level FAQ; I read through the top level FAQ anyway; there is no mention of t&c in the email I received to confirm my membership. I also searched for "ban" and "banned" in all forums but that gives dozens of posts like "look out or you will be banned", or "ha! so-and-so user just got banned!" There was no mention I could find of the actual t&c itself.

I recently saw another user get banned for "multiple signups" and also (same user) for "excessive crossposting". I want to make sure I understand the rules. I don't want to PM the moderator who did the banning, since that moderator had previously answered a PM of mine and specifically told me to ask questions of general interest in public instead of via PM.

Where can I read the terms and conditions for the forum?

[JJBliss]

We generally ascribe to standard forum netiquette.

Some examples:

http://mystworlds.ubi.com/us/ururules.html
(see items 4 and 6)

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/aus.php
(see item 1 and 12 and Trolls Beware)

http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/faq.php
(see item 5 and 7)

http://www.spogg.com/pages/rules.php

Feel free to use google to search for the multitude of other forums that have the same general rules that you saw someone get banned for here.

In addition to the generally accepted forum rules that you can imagine we have here, we also do not discuss service theft, things that are illegal in nature and show swapping. While we generally allow and encourage free speech, trolling, more specifically attacks on the management of the forum and the way it is run is usually grounds for banning as welll. Constructive critisicm with possible solutions (not just complaining) are welcome, but tread lightly. This is a private forum and membership is "at will".

I can't think of any other significant rules, but one of the Moderators can add on anything I forgot.

[davidlallen]

You're banned (bet you're not shocked) for the following reason:
- Multiple Accounts (thanks for letting me know)



In addition to the generally accepted forum rules that you can imagine we have here

OK, I hope you don't think this is better off in PM ... I have never encountered a forum which considered multiple accounts an automatic reason for banning. I have certainly read other "generally accepted" forum rules. My question was about the specific rules for this forum, as opposed to something I could imagine.

Are there specific rules for this forum? Or is moderator's discretion the only rule?

[fixn278]

OK, I hope you don't think this is better off in PM ... I have never encountered a forum which considered multiple accounts an automatic reason for banning. I have certainly read other "generally accepted" forum rules. My question was about the specific rules for this forum, as opposed to something I could imagine.

Are there specific rules for this forum? Or is moderator's discretion the only rule?

Here's a good rule of thumb...

If you are questioning your next action, don't do it.

There are probably individuals with multiple accounts that never get banned. The ones that were banned, probably did something wrong to draw attention to themselves in the first place. I can think of no reason an individual "needs" multiple accounts since this forum does not discuss anything illegal.

Just use your head and remember you are a guest in someone else's house. Treat it accordingly.

FYI... When a new member of the forum starts asking what the rules are so they don't break them, it makes people wonder what their intentions are and what kind of trouble they may be expecting...

[davidlallen]

FYI... When a new member of the forum starts asking what the rules are so they don't break them, it makes people wonder what their intentions are and what kind of trouble they may be expecting...


Thanks for the tip. Don't worry. The reason I asked is that a poster in a thread I started got banned, for a reason I wouldn't have expected.

[captain_video]

A user will get banned for having multiple accounts if he uses a 2nd account to circumvent a temporary suspension of the first account. The mods are among the most active contributors here so the best rule of thumb is not to piss them off (i.e., don't bite the hands that feed you). Research your question before you post and you'll get all kinds of help (unless the question has been asked hundreds of times before and you didn't search very hard). Above all, this is a self-help forum for those that want to learn about hacking a Tivo. If you put forth the time and effort to learn then help will be abundant to you. Don't start complaining about anything and stir up a flame war because that will get your posts moved to the sewer or worse. Remember that this is a privately owned and operated forum, not a democracy. We're all just guests here at the grace of the owner.

[JJBliss]

The reason I asked is that a poster in a thread I started got banned, for a reason I wouldn't have expected.
You don't think he should have gotten banned for his comments? What about his derogatory remarks regarding ME? What about the fact that he ADMITTED to having multiple accounts, and that he knowingly cross posted in an effort to flagrantly disregard forum rules?

To answer your other question: Moderator discretion is indeed the only rule worth remembering.

Don't worry so much about the rules. Most of the 10,000+ users here don't get banned, EVER. Others are outliers.

[davidlallen]

The question I asked was if the terms and conditions were written down somewhere, and I see the answer is "no". That is all I needed to know. Thanks for your help.

[captain_video]

Actually, the answer is yes, sort of. There have been several attempts at posting specific guidelines for these forums but it seems to have gone by the wayside. Basic forum eitquette, as described in the posts above, are pretty much universal. Specific rules vary from forum to forum so the best policy for any newbie is to lurk for a bit and get a feel for how things work. I would like to point out that we appreciate that you asked as many just jump right in and insert foot in mouth and then wonder what happened after the dust settles. ;)

[alldeadhomiez]

Forums generally have "terms and conditions", and a user can be banned for breaking them.

Disruptive users generally seek out "terms and conditions," and attempt to be as annoying as possible without breaking the rules.

Most forums, including this one, won't permanently ban you unless you're trying really hard to be a pest.