[M:977802]
Post by Qwerty on May 22, 2010 19:42:12 GMT
The following is a summary of the rules below. Reading past this is optional. You are not required to have the rules memorized, but you are required to follow them. Don't worry about the textwall, it's just details.
[spoiler=Posting Etiquette]
Double Posting
Risk: 5%
There's a modify button, people. Multi-Posting isn't allowed. Modify button located at the top right corner of your post. Double posting ain't allowed.
Posting in wrong board
Risk: 5% and thread moving
Keep the right stuff in the right boards. 'Nuff said.
Posts without Active Contribution
Risk: 5% warning and post count modification
A post must actively contribute to the discussion within its thread. Posts that add no extra significance to the thread, such as laughing out loud or agreeing to/rejecting a previous argument without giving reasoning, violate this rule. Polls are an exception. If you are a repeat-offender, your post count may be reduced by two for each useless post.
Reviving an old Thread or Topic
Risk: 5% warning
There are exceptions. "Old" is defined as the last post being one month or more ago. There is leniency on this rule in Serious Debate and the Story board, and in all on-going discussions in which new information may come up, but it still should be followed.
The struck-out rule is temporarily suspended. That doesn't mean you can bump threads a few years back at will, but we won't warn people for bumps from more recent times, or only a couple from awhile ago so long as the post contributes.
Smiley Overuse
Risk: 5% warning
A few are fine, but don't over do it. Smileys are located in posts, and can be made via Quick replies too. Overusing them results in modification/post deletion and 5% added to your Warning level. Believe me, you'll know when there are too many.
Overuse 1337 Speak or Chat Talk
Risk: 5-10%
Use your words. Nobody's rushing you, so take the time to spell things out. Bad spelling or grammar aren't penalized, just don't go around saying 'lol i ttly pwnd u guise olololo'. 1337 is leet speak, like saying '|\|0085 4r3 cr4p!' A little is fine, as long as you translate it.
Advertising Other Websites
Risk: 10% warning
Please be careful with posting other forums and websites unless they are to help people.
We do not like competition and we would rather you not try to steal members from this forum. We do not need a competition with another site. If you wish to affiliate with us, it is another matter entirely, and you could PM an Administrator or Owner. See the "Staff" link at the bottom of the page.
Starting a Thread titled "IDEA!" or "HELP!"
Risk: Thread deletion and 10% warning
There is an idea thread (a few, actually). There is a help board. Use them. 'Nuff said.
Topic Hi-jacking
Risk: 10%
Make your own topic, don't ruin someone else's. Hi-Jacking a topic is if someone asks a question/idea, then you post asking your own question/idea. Not allowed/tolerated. Bad. The exception is in the Powder Game idea threads.
Overuse Of Swearing
Risk: 20%
We don't mind the occasional swear, but don't overdo it. 'Nuff said. If a staff member warns you that you are beginning to break this rule, give it a rest. Note that this is only about swears not directed at a person (Belgium, my computer broke). Swears directed at a person (You're a belgium) count as flaming and/or trolling and are much more severe.
Revealing others' personal info / pictures
Risk: Post deletion and one-week ban
Safety is a good thing. This includes live chat. Big no-no. You have no right to put others at risk.
Posting nudity/hentai
Risk: Post deletion, Permanent ban.
NO. Hentai is Anime porn, which is nudity, which is bad. Big no-no. This includes porn/nudity in ASCII form.
Advertising Illegal Sites/Illegal Activity
Risk: IP BAN
Don't advertise Illegal sites, WE don't care about them nor do we want them. The staff do not want to suffer for others' actions.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Respect]
Flaming
Risk: Can Vary
Try to avoid forum wars. Flaming is anything deemed harassing, demeaning, or insulting. Don't flame. Any flaming caught, and the warning level/ban length will be judged on how serious it is. If done in the Serious Debate board, will result in loss of Debate Badge privileges. Note that flaming against Powder Toy specifically will NOT be permitted, on this forum or on their forum. The admins of both do cooperate, and any flaming will result in a ban on both forums.
Backseat Moderating
Risk: 10%, refusal of staff applications
Don't go around acting like staff when you aren't. Quite frankly, users and real staff alike find it annoying. Handing out punishments is for the staff to decide and for other staff to accept or debate (although users may give input), not for an individual user to despotically decree. Backseat moderating also shows that you are not willing to work with others, plan to do things on your own figurative watch, and expect your rulings to be final. These are not the qualities of staff, and breaking this rule only tells staff not to hire you when a vacancy in staff opens.
If you wish to punish a rule breaker, report the user to staff and let them take care of justice.
Complaining/Trolling
Risk: Post deletion, and 10%
Complaining (fine if done respectfully):
Do not complain about these forums, the staff have worked and are working very hard, and they aren't going to be happy if you're saying garbage like "Dan-Ball SUX i culd ttaly make a bttr forum hen this Crap". Such is not only complaining, but also spam and flaming. If you really have beef with these forums or anything on them, put it in About The Site, and keep a civil tongue there. Point out the problem, and share a possible solution that will help the forums, if you have one.
Trolling:
Just as bad, even worse, than complaining. Trolling means whining excessively about everything, and acting like everything is horrible and everyone is so mean to you. DON'T TROLL. It's not getting you anywhere, and you're just making yourself look like a baby. Failure to avoid Trolling will result in post deletion and 10% added to your Warning level. This is also whining, complaining, etc. just to get attention.
When you try to start heated arguments it is also usually considered trolling. Yes, that includes the debate board. Minor trolling, when mixed with spamming, could trigger the "Pest Troll" motion and result in a punishment.
Chat Color:
Please make your text clearly visible in chat, on both the mini-chat and the main chat. That means no white text and no light brown text. You will get one warning and then a ban until you agree to change it.
Use of Social Groups as an Insult or derogatory term
Risk: 20% warning for every 3 infractions
Using any social group as an insult towards a person, whether jokingly or otherwise will be punished. That includes calling someone gay, retarded, or "black". Use of these words as insults or derogatory terms offends all members of said party. We are willing to be lenient in the use of such terms when not used to describe people as they are commonly used and it is a hard habit to get rid of, but using it multiple times regardless of warnings will result in disciplinary action. This applies on both the forums and chat. This DOES include words intended to dodge this rule with an obvious meaning, such as "fgt".
Breaking rules on Neutral Discussion Chat
Risk: Triple usual punishment
This chat was designed without any moderators and no admin for a reason. Just because you can break rules without being banned or having your posts deleted does NOT mean you will get away with it.
Image Theft
Risk: 50/80% and removal of image or images/shop deletion
1. Please do not steal images from peoples' shops. You MUST pay for them unless they are said to be free. People worked hard to create those images. DON'T STEAL!!!
2. If you own a shop, all items must be made by you. If a staff member catches you selling stolen images, a 50% warning is in place as well as shop deletion.
Unnecessary Flagban Attempt
Risk: Hour ban if unsuccessful, day ban if successful.
Flagbans are when someone is banned shortly via popular vote on the chat. When you flagban, it should be for a valid reason. Never ask other people to flagban someone unnecessarily. If you have been flagbanned unnecessarily, please take a screenshot of the context and post in the ban request board.
Intentionally Abusing Rule Loopholes
Risk: Full punishment of the rule abused.
Don't go doing things to push the limits of the rules. Likewise, don't explain loopholes in them or their wording. It is up to the moderator to decide whether or not something breaks the rules, and the decision is (somewhat) final. If you feel this rule has been abused, simply post (or have someone post for you) in the ban appeal board.
Unauthorized release of Board Passwords
Risk: 50% warning for a releaser, same for an asker but with one warning.[/u]
When boards are passworded, it is for a reason. You cannot go and tell everyone the password, or ask people. For the SR hack board, you need to buy it in the dan-ball shop. For the ban board, you have to be a chat moderator. This seems obvious, but apparently a rule is necessary.
Sexual Harassment
Risk: Varies
Sexual harassment is anything to sexually insult another member. We know of this behavior and we don't tolerate it. Minor offenses may receive verbal warnings, and major offenses will result in 25% warning and a one week ban.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Account Related]
Multiple Accounts
Risk: Deletion of each extra, 50% each.
One is enough for anybody. No extra accounts. If you want to change your display name, contact a staff member.
Multiple Chat Accounts (Conditions Apply)
Risk: After one warning, permanent ban of alternate chat account; For successive offenses, increasing temporary bans of main chat account.
Do not make or use 'look-alike' accounts that resemble someone else's. Multiple accounts are ONLY allowed if they have a name that resembles yours and makes it obvious who you are. What constitutes a 'look-alike' and 'obvious' is at the discretion of the staff.
Overuse of Numbers or Obscure Symbols in name
Risk: 15%
Please do not overdo it, a few is alright but half (or more) of your name isn't. Like having 'Nick182737733' is bad, change it immediately.
Impersonating
Risk: 50%
This is another big no-no. We WILL find out so don't even TRY it. We can track IPs.
Karma Spam
Risk: 5%, along with 1% per smite/exalt, and the loss of however many karma you took (0 if no smites were made).
The smite button is to be used ONCE per infraction. ONCE. Don't overdo it. Likewise, the exalt button is to be used ONCE per good deed or friendship. ONCE. Don't overdo it.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chatbot Rules]
First time reaching 100% warning level:
One week ban
Second offense:
Three week ban
Third offense:
One month ban
Fourth offense:
One year ban
Fifth offense:
Permanent IP ban
Thread name: Summary of problem
Name:
Details of problem:
Possible solution to problem (if applicable):
To have a warning removed, ask a staff member after at least two weeks have passed since your last broken rule. Do not lie, we can see the dates of your warnings. If you feel a warning was unfair, PM a staff member.
If at any time you become engaged in argument, please go to the neutral chat here: neutraldanball.chatango.com/. There are no moderators whatsoever, and the administrator account has purposely been given a random password which cannot be easily remembered or accessed. Do not break the neutrality of this chat or take advantage of it's neutral status.
=======
Thanks to:
Frogmaster for making the original rules.
Shirogake for making this.
TheListo for suggesting the 'No complaining' rule.
The Shadow Lord for 'organizing' thread, adding the 'Image Stealing' rule, and the 'Multiple Chat Accounts' rule.
An anonymous staff member for setting up the neutral grounds.
General Veers / Natasha Bedingfield (in conjunction with Pickleman, QwertyuiopThePie, Shirogake, et al.) for categorizing, sorting, and modifying the rules.
Many more staff members for constant revision over time.
- Be respectful. Don't insult other members or treat them badly. Making fun of someone's work is also a no-no, as is "trolling".
- Be appropriate. Behave well, do not post offending content, such as nudity, excessive swearing, or excessive gore.
- Be honest. Do not claim someone elses work as your own, or say you're a famous actor when you aren't.
- Be grammatically correct-ish. We're fine if English isn't your first language, or you don't spell very well, but don't "typ lik dis", as this is not a chat room, with the exception of the chat room, which is a chat room. We would still appreciate decent grammar there as well.
[spoiler=Posting Etiquette]
Double Posting
Risk: 5%
There's a modify button, people. Multi-Posting isn't allowed. Modify button located at the top right corner of your post. Double posting ain't allowed.
Posting in wrong board
Risk: 5% and thread moving
Keep the right stuff in the right boards. 'Nuff said.
Posts without Active Contribution
Risk: 5% warning and post count modification
A post must actively contribute to the discussion within its thread. Posts that add no extra significance to the thread, such as laughing out loud or agreeing to/rejecting a previous argument without giving reasoning, violate this rule. Polls are an exception. If you are a repeat-offender, your post count may be reduced by two for each useless post.
Risk: 5% warning
There are exceptions. "Old" is defined as the last post being one month or more ago. There is leniency on this rule in Serious Debate and the Story board, and in all on-going discussions in which new information may come up, but it still should be followed.
The struck-out rule is temporarily suspended. That doesn't mean you can bump threads a few years back at will, but we won't warn people for bumps from more recent times, or only a couple from awhile ago so long as the post contributes.
Smiley Overuse
Risk: 5% warning
A few are fine, but don't over do it. Smileys are located in posts, and can be made via Quick replies too. Overusing them results in modification/post deletion and 5% added to your Warning level. Believe me, you'll know when there are too many.
Overuse 1337 Speak or Chat Talk
Risk: 5-10%
Use your words. Nobody's rushing you, so take the time to spell things out. Bad spelling or grammar aren't penalized, just don't go around saying 'lol i ttly pwnd u guise olololo'. 1337 is leet speak, like saying '|\|0085 4r3 cr4p!' A little is fine, as long as you translate it.
Advertising Other Websites
Risk: 10% warning
Please be careful with posting other forums and websites unless they are to help people.
We do not like competition and we would rather you not try to steal members from this forum. We do not need a competition with another site. If you wish to affiliate with us, it is another matter entirely, and you could PM an Administrator or Owner. See the "Staff" link at the bottom of the page.
Starting a Thread titled "IDEA!" or "HELP!"
Risk: Thread deletion and 10% warning
There is an idea thread (a few, actually). There is a help board. Use them. 'Nuff said.
Topic Hi-jacking
Risk: 10%
Make your own topic, don't ruin someone else's. Hi-Jacking a topic is if someone asks a question/idea, then you post asking your own question/idea. Not allowed/tolerated. Bad. The exception is in the Powder Game idea threads.
Overuse Of Swearing
Risk: 20%
We don't mind the occasional swear, but don't overdo it. 'Nuff said. If a staff member warns you that you are beginning to break this rule, give it a rest. Note that this is only about swears not directed at a person (Belgium, my computer broke). Swears directed at a person (You're a belgium) count as flaming and/or trolling and are much more severe.
Revealing others' personal info / pictures
Risk: Post deletion and one-week ban
Safety is a good thing. This includes live chat. Big no-no. You have no right to put others at risk.
Posting nudity/hentai
Risk: Post deletion, Permanent ban.
NO. Hentai is Anime porn, which is nudity, which is bad. Big no-no. This includes porn/nudity in ASCII form.
Advertising Illegal Sites/Illegal Activity
Risk: IP BAN
Don't advertise Illegal sites, WE don't care about them nor do we want them. The staff do not want to suffer for others' actions.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Respect]
Flaming
Risk: Can Vary
Try to avoid forum wars. Flaming is anything deemed harassing, demeaning, or insulting. Don't flame. Any flaming caught, and the warning level/ban length will be judged on how serious it is. If done in the Serious Debate board, will result in loss of Debate Badge privileges. Note that flaming against Powder Toy specifically will NOT be permitted, on this forum or on their forum. The admins of both do cooperate, and any flaming will result in a ban on both forums.
Backseat Moderating
Risk: 10%, refusal of staff applications
Don't go around acting like staff when you aren't. Quite frankly, users and real staff alike find it annoying. Handing out punishments is for the staff to decide and for other staff to accept or debate (although users may give input), not for an individual user to despotically decree. Backseat moderating also shows that you are not willing to work with others, plan to do things on your own figurative watch, and expect your rulings to be final. These are not the qualities of staff, and breaking this rule only tells staff not to hire you when a vacancy in staff opens.
If you wish to punish a rule breaker, report the user to staff and let them take care of justice.
Complaining/Trolling
Risk: Post deletion, and 10%
Complaining (fine if done respectfully):
Do not complain about these forums, the staff have worked and are working very hard, and they aren't going to be happy if you're saying garbage like "Dan-Ball SUX i culd ttaly make a bttr forum hen this Crap". Such is not only complaining, but also spam and flaming. If you really have beef with these forums or anything on them, put it in About The Site, and keep a civil tongue there. Point out the problem, and share a possible solution that will help the forums, if you have one.
Trolling:
Just as bad, even worse, than complaining. Trolling means whining excessively about everything, and acting like everything is horrible and everyone is so mean to you. DON'T TROLL. It's not getting you anywhere, and you're just making yourself look like a baby. Failure to avoid Trolling will result in post deletion and 10% added to your Warning level. This is also whining, complaining, etc. just to get attention.
When you try to start heated arguments it is also usually considered trolling. Yes, that includes the debate board. Minor trolling, when mixed with spamming, could trigger the "Pest Troll" motion and result in a punishment.
Chat Color:
Please make your text clearly visible in chat, on both the mini-chat and the main chat. That means no white text and no light brown text. You will get one warning and then a ban until you agree to change it.
Use of Social Groups as an Insult or derogatory term
Risk: 20% warning for every 3 infractions
Using any social group as an insult towards a person, whether jokingly or otherwise will be punished. That includes calling someone gay, retarded, or "black". Use of these words as insults or derogatory terms offends all members of said party. We are willing to be lenient in the use of such terms when not used to describe people as they are commonly used and it is a hard habit to get rid of, but using it multiple times regardless of warnings will result in disciplinary action. This applies on both the forums and chat. This DOES include words intended to dodge this rule with an obvious meaning, such as "fgt".
Breaking rules on Neutral Discussion Chat
Risk: Triple usual punishment
This chat was designed without any moderators and no admin for a reason. Just because you can break rules without being banned or having your posts deleted does NOT mean you will get away with it.
Image Theft
Risk: 50/80% and removal of image or images/shop deletion
1. Please do not steal images from peoples' shops. You MUST pay for them unless they are said to be free. People worked hard to create those images. DON'T STEAL!!!
2. If you own a shop, all items must be made by you. If a staff member catches you selling stolen images, a 50% warning is in place as well as shop deletion.
Unnecessary Flagban Attempt
Risk: Hour ban if unsuccessful, day ban if successful.
Flagbans are when someone is banned shortly via popular vote on the chat. When you flagban, it should be for a valid reason. Never ask other people to flagban someone unnecessarily. If you have been flagbanned unnecessarily, please take a screenshot of the context and post in the ban request board.
Intentionally Abusing Rule Loopholes
Risk: Full punishment of the rule abused.
Don't go doing things to push the limits of the rules. Likewise, don't explain loopholes in them or their wording. It is up to the moderator to decide whether or not something breaks the rules, and the decision is (somewhat) final. If you feel this rule has been abused, simply post (or have someone post for you) in the ban appeal board.
Unauthorized release of Board Passwords
Risk: 50% warning for a releaser, same for an asker but with one warning.[/u]
When boards are passworded, it is for a reason. You cannot go and tell everyone the password, or ask people. For the SR hack board, you need to buy it in the dan-ball shop. For the ban board, you have to be a chat moderator. This seems obvious, but apparently a rule is necessary.
Sexual Harassment
Risk: Varies
Sexual harassment is anything to sexually insult another member. We know of this behavior and we don't tolerate it. Minor offenses may receive verbal warnings, and major offenses will result in 25% warning and a one week ban.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Account Related]
Multiple Accounts
Risk: Deletion of each extra, 50% each.
One is enough for anybody. No extra accounts. If you want to change your display name, contact a staff member.
Multiple Chat Accounts (Conditions Apply)
Risk: After one warning, permanent ban of alternate chat account; For successive offenses, increasing temporary bans of main chat account.
Do not make or use 'look-alike' accounts that resemble someone else's. Multiple accounts are ONLY allowed if they have a name that resembles yours and makes it obvious who you are. What constitutes a 'look-alike' and 'obvious' is at the discretion of the staff.
Overuse of Numbers or Obscure Symbols in name
Risk: 15%
Please do not overdo it, a few is alright but half (or more) of your name isn't. Like having 'Nick182737733' is bad, change it immediately.
Impersonating
Risk: 50%
This is another big no-no. We WILL find out so don't even TRY it. We can track IPs.
Karma Spam
Risk: 5%, along with 1% per smite/exalt, and the loss of however many karma you took (0 if no smites were made).
The smite button is to be used ONCE per infraction. ONCE. Don't overdo it. Likewise, the exalt button is to be used ONCE per good deed or friendship. ONCE. Don't overdo it.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chatbot Rules]
- Anything said by a chat bot under your command is your responsibility.
- Anything said by a chat bot outside of all users' commands is the bot creator's responsibility.
- The presence of an inherently inappropriate command is the bot creator's responsibility, e.g. including "Nazi" or "Fap" commands.
- No flag or spam bots allowed unless flagging functionality is commented out.
- Don't spam bots. With any command.
First time reaching 100% warning level:
One week ban
Second offense:
Three week ban
Third offense:
One month ban
Fourth offense:
One year ban
Fifth offense:
Permanent IP ban
Complaint Format
Thread name: Summary of problem
Name:
Details of problem:
Possible solution to problem (if applicable):
To have a warning removed, ask a staff member after at least two weeks have passed since your last broken rule. Do not lie, we can see the dates of your warnings. If you feel a warning was unfair, PM a staff member.
If at any time you become engaged in argument, please go to the neutral chat here: neutraldanball.chatango.com/. There are no moderators whatsoever, and the administrator account has purposely been given a random password which cannot be easily remembered or accessed. Do not break the neutrality of this chat or take advantage of it's neutral status.
=======
Thanks to:
Frogmaster for making the original rules.
Shirogake for making this.
TheListo for suggesting the 'No complaining' rule.
The Shadow Lord for 'organizing' thread, adding the 'Image Stealing' rule, and the 'Multiple Chat Accounts' rule.
An anonymous staff member for setting up the neutral grounds.
General Veers / Natasha Bedingfield (in conjunction with Pickleman, QwertyuiopThePie, Shirogake, et al.) for categorizing, sorting, and modifying the rules.
Many more staff members for constant revision over time.
