Edit: latest version is here: http://www.terrypratchettbooks.org/article186.html

This is my take on things regarding rules, thought I may as well have a go at it then we can add to it, take stuff away, or implement it into something else. It's mostly taken from ideas on another message board I've been involved in for a very long time, not all my own work in other words.

I like the idea of calling it 'Code of Conduct' better than 'posting rules' or anything with rules in the titles, I think Code of Conduct has more of an ambience of respect about it? Whatever we end up using in the end we can have linked to from the forums and make it the sign up agreement when you join, that thing no one ever reads and just ticks yes - but is kind of legally binding nonetheless.


[b:b62601c85c]Terry Pratchett Unseen Message Board
Code of Conduct[/b:b62601c85c]

Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below.

Although the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, the owners and other members of this forum will not be held responsible for the content of any message.

[b:b62601c85c]Signatures & Avatars [/b:b62601c85c]
We do not have any specific set of rules regarding signatures. However, we do ask you that it will not be offensive to others and the length of signatures will not exceed 500x100. If you desire to have a custom avatar, it must be 150x150 pixels or less, NOT animated and NO adult, drug related or racist content please.

[b:b62601c85c]Nudity/Porn[/b:b62601c85c]

Please remember that this board is a PUBLIC forum. There are 12 year olds here just as there are 50 year olds. Nudity and porn is prohibited for obvious reasons.

[b:b62601c85c]Impersonating Other Users / Accessing Another User's Account [/b:b62601c85c]

You may not impersonate another board member or create an account specifically for the purpose of provoking other users. Also, accessing or using someone else's account or attempting to access another poster's account is strictly prohibited. You will be banned.

[b:b62601c85c]Copyrighted Material [/b:b62601c85c]
All board users agree not to post any material that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner(s) of said copyright, trademark or other proprietary right. Especially portraying such work as your own. This is otherwise known as, "RIPPING". Rippers are not permitted here, and if you are caught stealing others work you could be banned without warning.

By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violating of any laws.

[b:b62601c85c]General Conduct[/b:b62601c85c]
Respect your fellow forum users. If you want to take issue with what they say then do so by sticking to the point, not by using 1337 5p34k, childish outbursts or threatening language.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated, if you use the forums to wage virtual war you aren't just a very sad person, you will also not be welcome here.

If you need help ask for it, but search the forums first in case your query has been asked before. Oh and make sure you post your question / plea for help in the right forum, if you don't then you'll get moaned at.

If someone shares a little personal information then please respect this and don't make fun of them for doing so.

[b:b62601c85c]Posting Messages[/b:b62601c85c]
Posting should be done in English. Drunken English is also permitted so long as we can make sense of it. Using so called 133t speak or text message style writing (other than a stray LOL) is NOT welcome in any way shape or form.

Strong language is okay in moderation, but swearing all the time for the sake of swearing will get you into trouble.

Racism and extreme political views are not welcome here.

We permit image posting but use your common sense - vulgar, obscene or graphically pornographic images are not okay.

Posts that are generally harassing, offensive, abusive – especially those aimed at sexual orientation, gender, race, colour, religious views, national origin or disability – will not be tolerated.

Spamming is evil because it clogs up our forum with needless messages and eats away at our bandwidth. Spam and you will be smote from on high and could be subject to an instant, permanent banning.

Copyrighted music, film or other similar material is not permitted to be posted on our forums, neither are links to such files or links / details of methods of obtaining such material via online or offline means.

Don't post your or anyone else's email address in the forums. If you want to share your email address make it available in your profile or ask people to send you a private message. If you DO share it, the dregs of the web will probably arrange for a thousand years of spam to arrive in your inbox for eternity.

Don't say things to people on this forum that you wouldn't say to their face, and that's not a challenge to the macho arseholes out there to prove themselves. Sin and be banned probably for good. If you're nasty and unpleasant, you are not wanted.


Do not try and sell ANYTHING on these forums, or sign up merely to posts a link to another website.


DO NOT posts adult material of any kind.

Please no childish or coy flirting with other members in public threads; if you really must declare your feelings for Rincewind, please do it via Private Message (clacks)

Edit: to remove the we will hurt you bit from the posting your email address.