SdB+PM Forum Code of Conduct V 1.0

1. Why a CoC?

1.1. Ensure a friendly atmosphere to our forum members

1.2. Ensure the privacy of our members and that of others

1.3. Comply with existing laws

1.4. Encourage responsible use of our forum and discourage activities which disrupt our community

1.5. Encourage the freedom of expression and exchange of information in a mature and responsible manner

2. General rule

Use of our forums constitutes acceptance and agreement to our Forum Code of Conduct and Forum user Agreement. If you violate the Code of Conduct or User Agreement, we reserve the right to terminate all your accounts without prior notice. We prefer to advise members of inappropriate behavior, however, flagrant and repeated violations of our CoC will result in an immediate ban. Our failure to enforce this policy, for whatever reason, shall not be construed as a waiver of our right to do so at any time.

3. Violations of the Code of Conduct

3.1. Spamming

3.1.1. You may not spam. Spam includes, but is not limited to, the following:

3.1.2. Excessive off-topic threads

3.1.3. Posting nonsensical messages

3.1.4. "Flooding" the forum with similar meaning messages

3.1.5. No posting subject lines that do not misrepresent the content of the e-mail

3.1.6. Inciting a forum war or riot

3.1.7. No links to irrelevant web sites

3.1.8. Blatant advertising

3.1.9. Messages without content

3.1.10. Fraudulent activity (Pyramid schemes, chain letters, etc.)

3.1.11. Free-____ links (i.e. Free iPods, Free PSP, etc. etc.)

3.2. Advertising

3.2.1. We want to avoid spam generated by promotion teams, public-relations campaigns or any other traffic-hungry webmasters.

3.2.2. Promotional posting - Rules

3.2.3. Promotional posts will be allowed on ONLY on specified discussion boards. These will be marked as allowing certain types of promotional or commercial content. No promotional posting is allowed on any other message boards. If in doubt about where to post a particular message, contact a board moderator.

3.2.4. If your posting falls outside of these rules, you will be contacted personally by a moderator and your message may be deleted from the forums.

3.3. Harassment

3.3.1. We have no tolerance for personal attacks, as determined by forum moderators, towards members.

3.3.2. You may not use terms or audio/visual materials referring to ethnic/national origin, ideological/religious beliefs, gender, or sexual preference in a demeaning context.

3.3.3. We have no tolerance for discrimination. You are in violation of this rule if the nature of your post discriminates, promotes hate, promotes violence or advocates hatred or discrimination against individuals, groups, races, cultures or organizations because of their ethnic/national origin, skin color or culture.

3.4. DEROGATORY TERMS

3.4.1. If you use any terms in an offensive context against a person, race, culture, group or organization, as determined by our moderators, you are in violation of this rule.

3.4.2. Please note that words carry different meanings in different cultures, and that while a word may be acceptable use in one part of the world, it may not be in another. In addition, any one can invent their own derogatory terms, unfortunately. Because of those factors, we will evaluate the context in which the term was used to determine whether a violation has occurred.

3.5. Porn/Sexually Offensive Materials

You may not post or link to pornography or sexually offensive materials. If you are unsure whether what you wish to post may be in violation of this rule, please consult a moderator first before posting.

3.6. Offensive Images / Shock Sites

You may not post or link to shock sites (i.e. goatse), or any such excessively obscene material. If you are unsure whether what you wish to post may be in violation of this rule, please consult a moderator first before posting.

3.7. Illegal Use

You may not use our forums for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or encourage conduct that would constitute a criminal offense. Such activities will guarantee a ban. We reserve the right to cooperate with legal authorities and/or injured third parties in the investigation of any suspected crime or civil wrongdoing.

3.8. Privacy

3.8.1. You may not post any form of real life information of a user unless the user has first permitted it by express consent. Examples of real life information include name, address, IP addresses, and phone numbers.

3.8.2. You may not distribute any form of real life information, email address, private/email Messages, and Instant Messenger messages ("Chatlogs") with intent to harass or in any demeaning manner as determined by a moderator, regardless of consent.

3.8.3. You may not disclose a user's unpublicized email address unless the user has first permitted it, either by actual consent or previously releasing said information.

3.8.4. Official Language

3.8.5. English is the official language of our forums because it is the common language between our moderators and users. Because we can not moderate conversations in a foreign language, you may not hold a conversation in the forums in language other than English.

3.9. Miscellaneous

3.9.1. Do not post negative posts and discussions that are repeated over and over and over with no other purpose than to disrupt conversation. If you feel the need to say something, say it once and then move on. Do not disrupt multiple threads in order to get your view out.

3.9.2. You may not bait/troll users. Bait / Trolling is defined as posting with a clear intent to provoke anger, incendiary posts, and behavior that results in other users violating the CoC.

3.9.3. You may not post graphically-disturbing images as inline images (such that the images are displayed when users view your post). However, you can link to the images with a warning stating that the images are graphically disturbing

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