New Forum Rules 4-25-10

[DeathCow]

For the moment I'll allow discussion on the new rules set.  I'm not interested in cleaning up the forums every time someone has a hissy fit.  These are the tentative new rules.  I'll be making changes to them and the layout of this post for a few days so that I have it clear.  If you feel that you could not possible abide by these newer stricter rules just let me know and I'll happily ban your account for you.  Until I make the final post on the 25th, the old forum rules will be the standard.

New rules.


These forums were created for the purpose of developing GreaterMud. Secondarily they support the players of GreaterMud by providing information and discussion about how to play the game. The following is the basic plan that moderators use to make sure that chaos and noise don't hinder the main purposes of these forums.

Be polite
Or at least civil. Remember that tone is hard to judge on the internet, so if you are not sure if what you post will sound offensive, err on the side of caution. Trolling or inciting flame wars may result in deletions, lockings, or bannings.

No profanity or obscenities
This includes irreverent references to Deity. The forums are intended to be friendly for all ages. Attempts to get around the censoring in any way will result in a ban.

Don't steal Ideas
This goes for all content as well. Posting Ideas and falsely claiming it as your own will result in banning.

If you post ideas...
Keep it appropriate. The developers are entrusted with making judgment calls about what is acceptable for inclusion in the game, however moderators have the right to raise concerns with them about what deserves to be displayed on the forum. So any idea deemed inappropriate may be removed at any time.

Thread Titles.
When making a thread, make sure that the title accurately conveys what the thread is about. Vague titles serve little purpose in attracting attention if you need help, have a question, or want an opinion on your work.

Write clearly.
No L33t-sp33k. No SHOUTING. If English isn't your first language, just do your best.

Smilies, Colors, Size and Capitalization.
If you must use smilies, use them sparingly. Excessive smilies will get deleted or your whole post deleted.  Do not make your text large or colored without a very good reason (making a list), and above all, do not make posts or thread titles in all caps.

Think and Read.
Read the entire thread before you post. And when you post, explain your reasons. Nonsense may be deleted without warning, especially in a working topic. Posting the same thing after it has been deleted will get you a warning. Doing it again will get you a ban.

No Spamming.
Post a single idea/question/comment in only one forum. Do not double post, edit your previous post if you have something new to add but no one has posted yet.

No meta-threads.
If something has been recently discussed or is still being discussed in another thread on this forum, every new thread about the same topic may be locked on sight. Revived locked thread will also be locked.

If you want help:

   * Provide concrete information about what you did and what exactly went wrong. Post full and complete caps of the event.
   * Ask, don't demand. Everyone here is a volunteer. They may choose not to help you if you make the process unpleasant.


If you have a idea:

   * Check the ideas form, Greatermud is a specific kind of game, and many features have been purposely excluded.
   * Do a quick search of the forums. Most "new" ideas already have threads.
   * Explain the advantages of your idea. Vague ideas seldom generate much interest.
   * Avoid realism-based arguments. Simplicity and gameplay trump realism every time. Changes which only increase realism will be rejected.

If you have a complaint against a GreaterMud server moderator or admin, please PM another moderator with your concern instead of bringing your complaints directly into a forum thread.  Current Moderators are Vitoc, DeathCow, TheCrazyAnimal, GardenDenver.  If you have been banned from the server you must contact the moderator who performed the ban.  All server moderators can ban you from the server until you have proven that you will not repeat the offending behavior again and no server moderator will second guess or circumvent another moderators decision.  

In Game Code of Conduct

What we expect you to do

   * Abide by common chat rules: Don't spam, write all in caps or be insulting to other players.
   * Be polite, especially with people you don't know.
   * Listen to the other players, often they are smart and friendly persons who want to help.
   * The Gossip Channels provides a simple chat interface. Use it to arrange quest runs and meeting locations but try not to use it for general or private chat. Instead, move this chat into broadcast channels.
   
What we expect you not to do

   * Don't use potentially offensive nicks, gang names,  or chat. This includes cursing/swearing, offensive religious references, racism, or sexism. We have seen some and we would like it to stop.
   * Don't cheat.
   * Don't abuse the server to market other realms or Mud games. It is not an advertising service.

Exception

There is one exception to the above: if you are absolutely sure that only people you know will encounter your behaviour and you know they will be ok with it, go ahead...

Sanctions

       * All mods are free to kick or ban players from the game. However that does not mean they're allowed to kick/ban players because they're losing/winning or other similar abusive acts. Use common sense and report violations since moderators won't be investigating otherwise.
   * All server moderators can ban you from the server until you have proven that you will not repeat the offending behavior again.

To get unbanned you need to contact the moderator that banned you in the first place and explain why s/he should unban you, but please make sure that s/he has a reason to do so, either by apology or by showing that you wont repeat your actions.

[kalus]

Heil!

[DeathCow]

Heil!

Thank you Godwin

[Fermouth]

I'm confused, can we not cuss on gossip now?  Cuz this is supposed to be Forum Rules. :(

[Zetetic]

   * The Gossip Channels provides a simple chat interface. Use it to arrange quest runs and meeting locations but try not to use it for general or private chat. Instead, move this chat into broadcast channels.

It seems to me that 'general' chat is precisely what gossip is for. Many is the pointless and irreverent conversation that I have had with people over gossip, with multiple people outside my own group joining in. There is a reason that you are able to turn gossip off, and those that don't like that kind of conversation are free to do so. Restricting or penalising people for being random on gossip seems like a shame. Where will Warbeast announce 420?

[schwagg]

In addition to these rules, fun is no longer allowed here.

[Dragon]

u can have fun. long as black ha ha

[Elpres]

I support the no swearing or irreverant use of Deity's name, whatever the religion. I think these sound fair.
I want access to what other people are talking about, I just don't want all the profanity and blasphemy. If I turn off gos how am I supposed to know who is forming a party to go kill something.

Chupon has been gossiping to move into a broadcast channel and I think that is the best idea.

It is not hard to stop using those words and think the rules that have been thought up is fair.