Comments are in blue.
These are the forum rules you agreed upon when you join the site.
Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below.
Although the administrators and moderators of All Anime Forums 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, and neither the owners of All Anime Forums, nor Zetaboards will be held responsible for the content of any message.
By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violate of any laws. The layout of this is confusing. Why are you saying this when it is reiterated further down?
The owners of All Anime forums reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.
Here at All Anime, we do our best to provide a professional and mature atmosphere for all our users, of any age. Posting here is as simple as can be if you follow these few rules.
1. No swearing or using derogatory terms of any kind. Being ethnocentric can lead to being racist and we do not tolerate this at all in any form here at All Anime. Please leave this out when you come online. Using these inappropriate terms can lead to a warning, then temporary ban.
This can be summed up in: ''Do not use inappropriate language.''
2. No spamming. This includes double posting, advertising your website, and flooding. There is a specific section of our forums for this, and please leave in only in that specific section. Spamming will result in a warning and then a temporary ban.
Do you need to reiterate the exact punishment at the end of each point? Why not have a section when you explain the disciplinary code (warnings, post bans, temp bans and permabans + whatever else you have)
3. Posts and threads should go in their appropriate places in the forum, otherwise they will be moved and inappropriate posts will be removed.
4. If for some reason a thread gets out of hand and gets locked, DO NOT start threads about locked or deleted topics.
Can members not make a support thread (assuming you have a support board) asking why their topics were deleted? This will solve hassle for you in the long run.
5. Circumventing filtered words by spacing out the letters in the word (or similar tricks) is not allowed. Each instance of such circumvention will result in a one day ban.
Just a comment about the severity of the punishment here. Swearing occurs in all walks of life. I for one find filters annoying.
6. Do not pass on messages from banned members, if you do so you may be considered an extension of that person and you may be banned immediately.
Why is this even a rule? People like to gossip and should be allowed to gossip as long as it does not offend other people.
7. Be respectful of others. Understand that there may be some users on this board who use English as a second language, and may not have mastered it yet. Be patient with these users, just as you would like if you were learning a second language.
This seems a little over the top. Why not make a simple statement asking your members to resect one another? This covers all situations.
8. Keep personal communications in Private Messages, do not use the forum for one on one conversations. Offensive or threatening Private Messages will get you banned.
9. If you are placed on a temporary ban, do not come back to the forums using another account. If you attempt to post while being banned, all your user accounts will then be placed on a permanent ban.
About the layout, this should really be at the top. Given that the users registering will have to read this, make it as relevant to them as possible.
10. Do not give anyone else access to your account. If you do so, you will be responsible for the actions of the other user. Further, if you are lending your account to someone else for the purpose of evading a rule, the two of you will be banned. For example, do not give your account to a banned member or you will be banned also.
Again, this can be summed up as ''do not share accounts''. Word efficiency.
11. If you have an issue, question, or problem with a mod or admin, handle it in private. Do not attempt to make a public show of it. Do NOT create topics/posts asking why another topic/post was deleted or moved. Do NOT create topics regarding a ban of another user (don't ask about it in public, period). Swearing at or posting deragatory or inflammatory comments about admins and mods will result in at least a one week ban. Same goes for questioning or attacking the integrity of admins. In short: if you have a problem with how the forum is run, either leave the forum or discuss your issue in private with an admin/mod. Anything besides that is not allowed.
This deals with multiple issues. Break it up. Also, your members can learn from the mistakes of others. That is why most forums have a support board. I also love to get feedback form my members.
12. Swearing at or posting derogatory or inflammatory comments about admins and mods will result in at least a one week ban.
This can be merged with point seven in ''respect other members''. You also addressed swearing before. Why not make a general statement about flaming? After all that is what it is.
13. Spamming the boards for any reason will result in you being banned or at the least a long temporary suspension from the forum. Repeated offenses will get you banned.
Already in point two.
14. Threads or posts will not be deleted based on user discretion, meaning the admins or mods will not delete posts or threads because you don't like the turn they took since you posted or started. It will only be done if we judge it necessary.
Does this need to be here? Just say that threads and posts that break the rules will be deleted. About the discretion, you will never be able to prepare for every eventuality, therefore discretion is a good thing. That paragraph should be in the staff rules.
15. Do not repost something that has been deleted. We will only delete something if we deem it necessary.
If a post is deleted, I assume it has broken the rules and the user has been warned/contacted about it. If the user is warned then why would he be posting it again?
16. Do not post/use someone else's photo in a negative way. For example, creating a thread to criticize the way someone looks.
This comes down under flaming and respect.
17. PMing staff: Staff members are not required to answer any PMs sent to them, same goes with Emails.
This is a rules page, not a general guide on how to behave on the forum.
18. Don't ask for illegal content, discuss cheating devices or cheat codes
This includes episode downloads, Gameshark, Action Replay, ROMs, etc.
19. Stay on topic within threads. If you want to talk about something completely different, make a new thread or use the search button to find the right one.
These rules appear quite disorganised at this point. Try keeping rules regarding user accounts and profiles together, as with posting and threads, signatures and avatars and the PM system
20. Don't minimod. This means posting simply to say something along the lines of "This should be closed." or "UserA, you spammed."
21. Don't advertise other sites in posts/threads. Put the links in your signature.
22. Signatures Should be kept to a decent length, any signature that seems to be too large will be removed by an administrator. Read the signature rules thread for further information and rules.
23. You will be held liable for actions you take on other websites or internet services if its directed at the forums or forum members. For example, posting derogatory statements on a different forum with the intention to embarrass/harass members.
I hate forums that do this. If it's not on your fourm, it's not your business. If the dispute is taken onto your forum, then it is your business.
24a. NO NUDITY is allowed on the forums. This includes nudes and semi-nude pictures. Any threads with revealing (but non-nude) pictures *must* come with a work warning. Posting links to nude or pornographic images are also not permitted. Members not following this rule will be banned without notice. A temporary ban may be enforced at the discretion of the Administrators or the Moderators. A member who continues to violate this rule will be banned permanently.
24b. If you would like a video or picture that contains nudity of any sort, you must show the owner of the site, which is Sportastephanie. You may do this via the PM system and it will looked at. Please provide a link to the picture or video as well as the video or picture in bbcode if possible.
25. If you run across, hear about, or are otherwise made known of a loophole or glitch on All Anime, you are required to immediately let the staff know either through a PM. If you are aware of a loophole or glitch, and continue to take advantage of the loophole/glitch, or let others know about it, you may lose your privileges on the site. Never report or post about loopholes/glitches on public boards -- always report them to the staff privately.
I don't understand this. Does this have to do with loopholes in the rules? If so, I cannot understand why support threads are not permitted.
26. While we want everyone to make friends on All Anime, it is not to be used as a forum to play out romances online -- in public OR private forums, including fictional stories. This includes expressions of kissing and any other expressions the staff considers inappropriate, even if you know the other member and are romantically involved in real life. Many members of AC World are very young, and this will be taken seriously and dealt with aggressively. If anyone sends such inappropriate comments to you through PM, report it immediately using the Report a Problem button in that PM.
Kissing is inappropriate? Wow...
Note: These rules are here as a guide. To make your stay pleasant please refer to and comply with these. More rules will be added as we see a fit or a need for them arises. Keep in mind that that the list of the rules is not meant to be exhaustive but rather form a structure to outline what types of actions are allowed and what type are not allowed. The excuse of "but it's not in the rules" will not be accepted.
These are general behaviour guidelines which may earn you minor warnings (of varying levels depending on severity) if broken in excess.
a. Spelling, grammar and punctuation should be good enough to be easily readable and understandable.
b. Chatspeak (u, 2, b and various other chatroom shorthand) is frowned upon.
c. Follow the rules and remember them. If in doubt about whether what you are going to post is legitimate, ask a moderator or administrator - don't just post "I'm sorry if this is breaking the rules, but..."
d. Read the individual forum guidelines (the threads stickied at the very top some forums) carefully before posting in that forum.
e. When tagging threads, follow the tagging guidelines presented here.
f. Do not ask or imply that you want to be a moderator. You will be a moderator only if you show the maturity and ability to, and if anything, asking for it will decrease your chances.
g. Listen to what the moderators and administrators say, whether you choose to agree with it or not.
h. After being warned, consider yourself warned and be more careful.
i. Do not attempt to get moderators and administrators biased towards you by "sucking up" (i.e. blindly supporting or admiring them in order to cause them to like you).
j. Do not just repeat what somebody else has already said in different words.
k. Generally, posts should be longer than one sentence. Short posts are technically allowed, but of course they must not be spam, and you should post plenty of long posts to weigh against them.
l. If you do not thoroughly know a subject, don't pretend to.
m. Do not claim to be your brother/cousin/friend/etc. or tell the moderators or administrators after breaking a rule that your brother/cousin/friend/etc. got into your account and was the one who broke the rule rather than you. Generally the philosophy here is that if your account is not safe from troublemaking relatives and acquaintances, we will be forced to warn and ban it based on just how much trouble the relative/acquaintance makes anyway. We recommend that you make sure to have a secure password and log out of your account when leaving the forums before your brother/cousin/friend/etc. gets you in trouble. Not that said brothers/cousins/friends usually exist in the first place.
n. If you are found to be "trolling", i.e. deliberately attempting to make trouble, your account may be banned even if all your rulebreaking is borderline.
Moderators are of course not exempt from the rules and will be demodded if they are seen breaking them.
You are going a way to deep into it here. Just say that warnings will be given for minor offenses, post bans for more serious ones/repeat offenses, temp bans for serious offenses/repeat offenses and bans as a final action.
Things to keep in mind:
#1 Don't use a ton of smilies in your posts please
#2 Try not to quote really huge posts
#3 Don't ask staff how to become a mod. We will contact you if we find you're suitable.
#4 Being new does not give you a temporary immunity to the rules.
#5 If you wish to contest an infraction(warning) or complain about a member or moderator, contact a Moderator or an Admin. Don't make threads to whine about it, that doesn't help or solve anything.
#6 Visitor messages on member profiles are not to be abused and should abide to these general rules.
#7 Make sure to read the rules of certain forums/subforums. They may contain their own unique rules.
You have stated all of the above in some form or another. The only exception that stands out to me is point 5.
These are the rules for your signatures:
1. Keep pictures 200x200 pixels or Smaller.
200 * 200 is a damned big file, you don't need anymore than this, and you are being given TWO of these images. As long as the two edges do not exceed a total of 200*200 the picture is fine, anything exceeding it will be removed.
You can, use both your image files to make one large image, by using both images right next to each other.
SINCE THIS IS STILL CONFUSING PEOPLE, LET ME EXPLAIN. YOU PUT TWO IMAGES NEXT TO EACH OTHER. 200*200/200*200. YOU DO NOT MAKE A 400*200 IMAGE. 2 IMAGES, NEXT TO EACH OTHER, MAKES IT LOOK LIKE ONE. GOT IT??
If you have an image that is too big, and have no way of resizing the image your self use these tags to force it down in size
[img200] image link [/img200]
Since this only shrinks one edge, and not both, I suggest you use some kind of screen grab (Print Screen on PC, Shift+Command+3 on a Mac) to check the actual size of the image as it appears.
2. No more than 3 outside pictures.
Images that you add from the Serebii.net archive, such as episode guide images, or sprites from the avatar list, will not be counted in this, as they come directly from the site server anyway. These 3 outside links obviously make up your image and banner limit.
NOTE: Using the same image more than once in a signature counts as using multiple images. The same image twice counts as two images, for example. Simply put, you have as many images in your sig as you have tags.
2a. Give credit where it is due
Art theft is no longer tolerated on the boards. If you have images in your signature that you are taking from web-sites, that are not made by yourself, you must give credit to whoever created them. This includes any images that have been made for you in the Fan Art forums.
3. No more than 6 links. (Does not includes All Anime Forum ones)
Having too many links wont get your sig deleted, but you will receive a PM warning you to change it. If it's not changed, then it will be edited and random links removed until there are only three. This includes using pictures and banners as links.
[color=#0000FF]How does excess links harm other users in any way?[/color]
You are allowed 6 links, but an unlimited amount of Serebii.net or Serebiiforums links. Just don't go overboard and abuse this.
4. No more than 1 banner in a signature, no bigger than 468x100 pixels.
As long as the total number of pixels does not exceed 46800 (the multiple sum of both standard edges) the banner is fine, anything exceeding it will be removed. In the case of having no other images (i.e, no 200*200 images, no sprites, etc) you can have another banner. But only one.
To surmise:
* 1 banner, 2 images - OR -
* 2 banners, no other images
[color=#0000FF]If you need to surmise anything then it generally means that you explained it badly in the first place. I am still baffled after reading all of that... Even after you surmising it.[/color]
When does an image count as a banner?
An image counts as a banner when it's over 40000 pixels big (multiply the sum of both edges) and has a ratio of at least 2:1.
All images under 40000 pixels will not be counted as banners, no matter which ratio they have.
Excessively long banners, that try to exploit a 'loophole' by having a tiny height and massive length, will be removed under the rule of stacking (horizontal stacking).
5. No signatures with MORE THAN TWENTY (20) purely capital letters; no text berating any person or any site or anything.
Insulting a member, group of members, moderators, admins, the webmaster, whatever, will get your sig removed and depending on the severity, a warning.
[color=#0000FF]Remember what I said about respect before?[/color]
Adding to the rule of not having purely capital letters, you may have only uppercase letters as long as the total number of letters is equal to or less than TWENTY (20) characters. What I mean is that if you have uppercase text WITH some lowercase ones, it's fine in terms of the text. However, if you happen to want only purely uppercase letters, it will now be fine up to TWENTY (20) letters. Numbers, symbols, punctuation do not count.
6. A limit on colour.
If you can't find a colour that's right for you use this HTML True Type Colour Chart.
[color=#0000FF]That should not be in the rules as it is not a rule.[/color]
Use a maximum of FIVE colours, and remember that not all colours are visible on all styles. The default colour counts as well.
[color=#0000FF]How does large ranges of colours bother other members?[/color]
7. No ridiculous size of text.
Size 1 - This is allowed.
Size 2 - This is allowed.
Size 3 - This is allowed.
Size 4 - This is allowed in a very small amount, such as a name at the top of your signature.
Size 5 and above - This is not allowed.
[color=#004000]Just say that size four+ should not be allowed.[/color]
8. No more than 8 smilies or forum avatars
If you want to put smilies or avatars in your signature, you need to find their exact URL and use IMG tags to put them in. You are limited to a total of 8 COMBINED (for example 4 smilies, 4 avatars). If you want to list more than one team, then do it the old fashioned way. Make a banner or write their names down.
9. No images saved in bitmap (BMP) Format. No large animated GIFs
Bitmaps are massive files, and on dialup, a killer in loading time. Please save any images you intend to use in your sig as JPEG, PNG or GIF. Programs such as Paint, which save jpegs as low quality, should use PNG format instead.
Large animated GIFs, approximately 500k or above, will also be removed. This includes those rip-offs from anime which are very common in signatures. This also means that a total amount of animated gifs cannot reach over 500kbs. If you are unsure, find out the file size of each gif and add them together. If it's over 500, then it's too much.
10. No unnecessary stacking
By this we mean putting lots of information in your signature, with lots of space and new lines so it spreads out and fills lots of space needlessly. Put small images next to each other one one line, and don't make lists when you can use commas to separate words in a sentence.
The maximum height allowed is 420 pixels (based on a screen resolution of 1024x768); this should allow plenty of room for whatever you place in your signature. Reference:
This now also includes horizontal stacking. This basically means lining up long image next to each other one one line, or trying to exploit a banner loophole to create an excessively long banner. Signatures that cause the forum screen to scroll across unnecessarily will be deleted.
11. Only one spoiler is allowed in your signature
Also, keep in mind that anything under the spoiler counts as adding to "stacking," so if your signature is over the height limit with the spoiler clicked/opened, it's still against the rules.
12. If you are unsure, CHECK FIRST
Use the PM System to send your signature to a staff member to check it. If your signature is rule-breaking and you ignore an authorised checker's proposition twice, it will be removed forcefully.
[color=#0000FF]Your signature rules are far to long and confusing. I can't even make enough sense out of them to make a suggestion. Just scrap them completely as they are and make a new set of rules. State how many lines of text and how many images should be allowed and what dimensions. Simplicity is key. Don't go too deep into it.[/color]
[i]13. What will happen to your signature when you break these rules
Strike 1 - Partial signature deletion where the part breaking the rules is deleted, and a warning will be issued.
Strike 2 - Complete signature deletion, second warning.
Strike 3 - Complete signature deletion and a week ban.
Further breaking after the ban will result in longer bans.[/i]
[color=#0000FF]This is unnecessary. Users do not need to know what will happen to them when their signature breaks the rules. Put that in the staff rules.[/color]
Chatroom rules
[color=#0000FF]Put Chatroom rules in a separate page.[/color]
Note: #animemasterz is an E-rated channel, which means it is suitable for all.
Users should:
1. Follow all the forum rules.
2. Be a good conversationalist
3. Be helpful and respectful to and of other members
4. Use proper english and common sense
We want to provide the same mature atmosphere in here as we do on the forums. If you have any doubt that something is inappropriate, then do not do it. Do not enter a confrontation with another user, it hurts the environment of the channel. If you do have an issue with another user, then please bring it up in a PM or feel free to ask for some assistance from a operator. We are here to enforce the rules, do not try to enforce them for us by mini-moding. If staff members do not appear to be acting on something, then send of a PM or say our names.
Due to the wide variety of content on the web, please do not post links to places such as youtube, 4chan, and myspace. This is because the channel ops cannot always check these links to make sure that are content ok. If you really want a link to these places, then PM a channel op and they will check it for you. If it is ok, then they will post it in the channel for you. Failure to comply to this rule is a kick, then next time a ban.
Bans, warnings, and kicks: If you are punished for breaking the rules, then do not come back in and start questioning the rules. Same applies if you think another member's punishment was unjust. Staff members will always explain why a member was punished, but not get into an argument if it was fair.
Staff will:
1. Uphold all member rules.
2. Give reasons for punishment and warnings.
[color=#0000FF]Members do not need to see this. Leave them in the staff rules.[/color]
If staff members deem you to be acting with inappropriate behavior, then you will receive a friendly warning. If you continue to act in such a way, you will be kicked and then banned for 3 days, then a week, and then 2 weeks. If you continue after that, a permanent ban will be placed on you.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE GUIDELINES, STAFF RESERVE THE RIGHT TO KICK/BAN AS THEY SEE FIT IF SOMETHING ARISES THAT IS NOT EXPLICITLY COVERED IN THE ABOVE LISTED GUIDELINES. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Offline Board:
If for any reason the board is offline, you will see a displaying message stating why the board is offline. There will be some scheduled maintenance times for the board each month, Usually 12-6am on the first day of the month. This will be when the newsletter will be posted. The board can be placed offline for multiple reasons, these include but are not limited to:
1. A hacking attempt on another board (Affiliate or not)
2. Maintenance cleaning on the board
3. A hacking attempt or major threat to the board
4. Installation of some new features that require the board to be offline
5. Any other reason not listed here
[color=#0000FF]Why are these even in the rules? They are not rules. If you must impart this information do it elsewhere.[/color]
Thank you for reading the forum rules.
[color=#0000FF]Addendum: These rule need some serious restructuring. The rules themselves are grand, but you have packed your rules page with stuff [i]that simply are not rules[/i]
I prefer like this layout a lot:
Introduction: Statement that upon signup you agree to follow the rules
First part: Registration, accounts, profiles. Anything related to those three.
Second part: Posting and threads. (Flaming, spamming, double posts, duplicate threads...)
Third part: Signatures and avatars. (Simplify this part hugely)
Fourth part: PM System.
Fifth part: General statement on respecting other members and members of staff at all times in all places on the board.
Sixth part: Disciplinary statement explained. Explain each punishment but do not specify what warrants what except in the most general terms.
Seventh part: Legal. This includes COPPA and a privacy policy if you have one.
Eighth part: Agreement to follow any updates to the rules.
You should also put your chatroom rules in a different page and link to them. No one enjoys reading a long list of rules to any forum, only to be forced to read an only slightly longer list of chatroom rules. (They will be only slightly longer when you cut the length of the forum rules down and restructure them)[/color]
[i]Those are my views. While you are not obliged by any means to agree with them, I hope you will take something out of them as that took me over an hour to write. [/i]:lol:
