Forum Rules
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So that things don't get out of control on the PSB forums, you must agree to follow some simple rules to take part in this community. It's all common sense really, so play nice and nobody gets hurt.
If you do break these rules though, you'll get a warning depending on the violation. Collect enough of these and you'll trigger the auto ban-hammer. It starts at a single day to cool off, and builds up in longer periods of time. In short - don't break any rules and you won't get banned.
- Write in English [minor]
As this is an English board, we request that all posts are written in English. You won't be penalised for writing in bad English if it's not your first language, but you must at least try. Besides, writing on forums is one way to improve your English skills if you're not already fluent.
- Signatures [minor]
You are allowed one image in your signature. If it's too wide, the auto-resizer will shrink it down. I'm sure you don't want a resize-bar above your sig, so keep it below 580 x 250 pixels. Text is allowed, and we're not going to put a fixed limit on lines - but if your signature is longer than most of your posts, you know there's something wrong, and a moderator may step in. Feel free to place a single text link to your own website here, but do not spam links and do not change the font size external links.
- Spam [moderate]
As a general rule of thumb, posts should be at least ten words long. They should be constructive and add something to the thread, not just something like "yeah I agree." All posts that aren't in an off topic section should contain mostly relevant material. Basically, you can go slightly off-topic, as long as you're mostly on-topic.
This rule is going to be moderated sensibly. We won't be swinging the ban-hammer around like crazed robots, but do your part and keep the spam to its own forum.
- Duplicate threads and necromancy [moderate]
Most forums will tell you to run a simple search before you post a thread, to make sure you're not filling the boards up with duplicates. We go one step further by doing that search for you. When you enter a title for a thread, and then start writing out your post, you'll automatically see a list of possible duplicates. If it is a duplicate, post in the current discussion instead of making a new one.
However, if the thread has died out long ago and has had no recent posts, do not revive or bump that thread unless you have something that is, in our opinion, of value to contribute to that discussion and it is still relevant and topical. If you add a post of no value to an old, dead thread, the necromancy will be treated as spam.
- Trolling [moderate]
Trolling is what a lot of sad people use the internet for. It's effectively spamming with an aim to bait people into a pointless arguement or flame war. Don't do it, and don't fall for it.
- Advertising [moderate]
Don't make an advertising post or thread in any forums or sub-forums. It's morally wrong and you will go to hell. Fearless atheists may also be banned, and agnostics on the fence will, well, probably get sore gonads from always being on the fence. You're only allowed to link to your site in your signature using a text-link and the default font.
- Flaming [major]
We understand that some debates get heated, and that's fine. When you're arguing with someone, or a group of people, remember never to make it personal. When that happens, people start flaming, making personally offensive remarks, and shattering the quality and atmosphere of this community. Flamers, much like trolls, will be removed.
- Adult pornographic material [major]
As this forum can be freely accessed and viewed by anyone on the internet, and we encourage an audience of all ages, pornographic images and videos are prohibited from the forums, and posting such will result in an instant ban. Keep it clean.
A note on swearing: As the majority of this forum's users are adults, or teenagers who would swear anyway, there isn't a swear filter on the forums. Nor are we moderating against users casually swearing. If you go over the top though, a moderator may choose to edit your post(s), and if you keep swearing excessively in your posts and/or the Chatbox, you may be warned or banned. Swearing can sometimes be used well for effect, but if you overdo it, you'll look like a twat.
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