Startrektalk.com - Star Trek Talk Online

STARTREKMEDIA.COM - STAR TREK TALK ONLINE > Policy/Forums Rules

If you visit the Forums you agree with this rules:

Startrektalk.com Forums Policy/Rules

This is the official Startrektalk.com Forums policy for moderators & admins. It lists what members are and are not allowed to do, and the measures moderators and admins can take to keep Startrektalk.com Forums good working and fun for everyone!

Admin & Moderator

1.1 Powers

Moderators and admins should set an example for the rest of the Forums. They should never flame anyone, and always try to keep their temper. They should also refrain from discussing any of their Forums admin actions in threads other than the Moderator Forums, again in order to set an example for the rest of the Forums. Having a thicker skin than usual is a requirement to be a mod or an admin. In case a moderator or admin does not do this, other moderators have a right and a duty to also issue warnings to fellow mods and admins, just as they would do with regular members. Any warning handed out to moderators or admins will count as two warnings.

Only Senior Moderators can delete posts, normal moderators can only contact seniors or higher to let them be deleted. Moderators can close topics.

1.2 Procedure Moderators

In case a moderator acts on an offence, he/she should do the following:

- Take action by closing a post (but reply at last with that the post is closed and why). Then report it to the Senior Moderator or Higher.

- In case of a needed warning/ban, notify a Senior Moderator or Higher, but never warn the member youself.

1.3 Procedure Senior Moderators

In case a senior moderator acts on an offence, he/she should do the following:

- Take the required action.

- Post an explanation of why this happened in the thread.

- In case of a warning/ban, notify the person banned via email, or post a warning in 'The Brig'

1.4 Deleting posts and/or members

An Admin/Moderator can delete posts and/or members always if he/she thinks that it must be done. There is always needed a reason. The Admin/Moderator has always the last word.

1.5 Privacy

An Admin is not allowed to share information about members with other people. Admins are able to read PM's but the Admin is not allowed to share the content. An Admin may read PM's if he has a good reason, without telling the person where the PM belongs too.

We are not respossible for the email address used on the forums, if an email address is in use and correct we can't do anything against it.

General

2. 1 Things That Are Allowed

Criticism of elements of Star Trek will be allowed. You're free to say a certain aspect of Star Trek is bad, as long as you don't also insult the other posters who have a different opinion. On the other hand, simply jumping into a thread and noting that 'Voyager sucks' is not something we will tolerate, and if repeated will give you an official warning. The idea is that you are allowed to say that certain elements of Star Trek, well, 'suck', but that numerous posts with the express purpose of saying 'Voyager sucks' is not what we want. Also allowed will be the posting of multiple threads. New episodes are usually the biggest news happenings of the week, and we do not believe it is realistic to restrict discussion to just a few threads. Threads should only ever be closed because they violate Forums rules, or because they are identical duplicates (double posting).

2.2 Registering a Username - Rules:

Members are not allowed to register using usernames which may contain profanity or other distasteful material. If a member registers with such a nickname, their account will be deleted and another one assigned. Their proper post count and rank will also be restored. This is the only means of doing this since members cannot change their own nicknames. (only on request the Admins can change a name).

2. 3 Spamming

Do not spam. Spam is defined as posting the same thing over and over in the same thread, forum or in all the forums. Also, it is posting excessively in a short time with posts that normally are only one or two sentences or words. In some cases, it is even posting too many threads. Spamming will result in an official warning.

2.4 Flaming

Flaming will, of course, not be allowed. Do not insult people on the board, period. You're free to post negative comments about someone's opinion, but never actually about that someone him/herself. In general, a flame can be defined as being aimed at one particular person or group of persons, and of an insulting or malicious nature. If you do not agree with someone or feel that a person has not studied the subject at hand carefully enough, for instance, it would not be in order to question someone's intellectual capabilities or post derogative remarks. Using strong language in relation to someone else should also not be done. Flames are also counted as such if they are directed at people involved in creating the show, who are not able to defend themselves here. It is okay to criticize their work, but please also treat them with respect. Flaming someone will give you an official warning, unless it's a very serious flame, in which case it will count as three official warnings. The moderator will edit the message containing the flame to include an official warning and a link to the Brig if the admin action needs to be discussed, and the flame itself should not be discussed in the original thread itself. If the flame is of an especially strong nature that could strongly disrupt the peace of the Forums, the moderator can remove it at his/her discretion, provided he/she retains a copy of the flame for future reference. If you are flamed, do not respond in kind. Saying you were only defending yourself will not cut it anymore, and your return flames will be dealt with just as severely. Instead, you should take the high road and either not react or post a message saying this was uncalled for, but never respond by flaming yourself. Always contact a moderator. If you are a moderator or admin and are flamed, do not react to it - it is the job of other moderators to handle it, and you should not pressure them into doing so. The reason you shouldn't discuss the flame or the admin action following on it in the thread is that otherwise the thread will just degenerate into a flame war / off-topic discussion.

2.5 Trolling

Trolling is defined as posting remarks intended to anger another poster and or start an argument or flame war. Trolling will be edited or deleted at the Administrators' discretion. Do not respond to trolling aimed at you. Contact an Administrator/Moderator. Trolling will result in a warning or, in extreme cases, the troll will be banned. Because the definition of "trolling" is still rather subjective, only administrators can give out warnings for trolling. This includes, in extreme cases and at the request of the moderator, warnings in all forums.

2.6 Hacking/Warez

Startrektalk.com Forums does not permit discussions on these topics. Startrektalk.com Forums will also not tolerate any attempts to hack our website and/or discussion board. Any individuals caught to be doing so or attempting so will be immediately banned / and in extreme circumstances, legal action will be taken.

2.7 Dual Usernames

Please only register one account at this Forums. Deliberately trying to mislead people with two distinct "identities" posting at the same time, will not be tolerated, and may lead to an immediate ban.

2.8 Plagiarism/Pirating/Privacy

Please do not post material on the board you do not have a right to post. This includes, but is not limited to, ICQ logs, pictures, or other private details. Also do not post links to R or X-rated sites. This will result in an immediate ban, and the deletion of the offending material. As we have had problems with this in the past, do not allow your account to be used by someone else. Carefully guard your password and make sure other persons can not use it. Impersonating someone or allowing someone to use your account will lead to a warning.

2.9 No Discrimination

Discrimination against race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or of any other kind will not be tolerated on these Forums. What will happen if policy isn’t followed: Posts will be edited or deleted by Startrektalk.com Forums Staff and a warning placed in The Brig for flaming.

2.10 Signatures

Signatures are for fun and to edentify yourself, not for Promotion a website! It's not allowed to have a signature that contains heavy images (big).

If we find a Signature hat is against these rules will be edited out and a warning will be placed in the Brig. What will happen if policy isn’t followed: User will receive a warning for posting signatures which could lead to a temporary or possibly permanent ban if policy isn’t followed.

2.11 Bans

Note: Administrators, some Higher Officers and the Chief Moderator currently only hold the ability to ban other members. Members will be banned by the Administrator/Higher Officers/Chief Moderator in charge of the Forum where the offence has occurred. 2 official warnings will lead to an automatic 3-day ban. A further 2 (total 4, with the other standing 2) warnings will result in a 2-week-long ban and a further 2 (total 6) warnings will result in a month-long ban. Further 2 (total 8) warnings will result in a 1-year-long ban. Member bans can at any time be increased or decreased depending on the severity of the incident. Of course, if a member insists on causing trouble the whole time or does not show improvement, the Administrator/Higher Officers/Chief Moderator can at any time suspend the member's account. Bans should be announced in a thread in The Brig, as well as per email, if the member in question has their address listed. NOTE: The Administrator/Higher Officers/Chief Moderator retains the right to ban a member immediately and disregard warnings if their infraction is serious. The Administrator/Higher Officers/Chief Moderator can also do this if there is a risk of the incident getting out of hand or if there is no sign of it ceasing. A warning will last one whole year after the warning is bene given, and can be longer if needed. If a member behaves well warnings can be reduced by 1 at a time.

2.12 Etiquette

The following are not offences that are punishable by a warning, but it is recommended that everyone follow them in order to keep a pleasant atmosphere at Startrektalk.com Forums:

Credit the people you quote. Especially in longer threads, keeping track of whom said what can be extremely difficult if random quotes are taken. When referring to a member, please write their nick in Bold. Do not state your opinions as fact - doing this will get you into a lot of trouble with other members who disagree. A lot of flame wars start off by a person stating an opinion as fact. When starting a new thread, keep the title short - long titles often cause the posts in that topic to go over the page - especially at lower resolutions. If you feel the material you are posting is for more mature audiences, then please post a warning in the first post of the thread or even the title. Note on Moderators/Administrators: Moderators are assigned to one or more forums to ensure that forum rules are followed. They have the ability to act within ALL forums on the board but will usually stay in their assigned area. Administrators have the ability to ban members. If they respond to an offence before the assigned moderator does, they will take action. The Chief Moderator is the highest moderator.

2.13 Anonymous Login

We have disabled anonymous login, because every member has to be visible on the board. You have nothing to hide.

2.14 Website Promotion

Website promotion is allowed. Website promtion in you name, by URL is allowed, big picture's in size and filesize not. Joining our forums to promote only a website is not allowed. It's not allowed to promote a website over and over again if there is already a post. It's now allowed to post only something to promote your site or other things, meaning that your main reason is only to promote something and not to be a part of the forums as member or visitor.

2.15 Ranks:

All ranks on this board are automatically given out when a member makes more posts. As you go further up the rank ladder, you will notice that higher ranks require more posts. Members are asked not to post frivolous posts with the intention of gaining rank. This can be easily detected and will result in a warning. Frivolous posts can throw discussions off-topic.

We don't give just higher ranks below Fleet Captain when you have not the require posts. Ranks Above Fleet Captain will be give to: Staffmemebers or the Members who really post much and so deserve it, because they do a good job for the forums and are much active.

A list of ranks can be found on the ranks page.

Moderators have the rank commodore or higher.

2.16 Complaining about a Moderator/Administrator's Action:

If a member feels there was a mistake in any action taken against them by a Moderator/Administrator, they can complain about this or make an appeal for the incident to be reconsidered. The Administration will discuss this and if the Moderator acted in the wrong manner he/she will be given a warning and the member will be given an apology. If there was information unavailable to the Moderator/Administrator about the incident prior to his/her punishment been given, the Administration will take this into consideration when considering the appeal. Contact the Forums Owner or Chief Moderator.

NOTE:

The Administration retains the right, collectively and under extenuating circumstances, to overrule or disregard any part of this policy document. An administrator/Moderator cannot suspend the rules in this document without consulting with one or more other administrators/Moderators. It should be made clear that this can only be done in very rare extenuating circumstances. If you have any comments or queries on this policy, please contact us.