Forum Behaviour - List of Site Rules, and FAQs

[Emerald]

Once again, our forum has dissolved into a bunch of bickering an inappropriate discussions that make many users uncomfy and unhappy. I do realize that not all of our users have taken part in this behaviour, and this topic is not meant to lay blame (so please don't post any "she did it" or "it wasn't me" type responses).

So as a refresher, I will post a list of unacceptable behaviour here. Over the next while I will be keeping very close watch on the forum, any new posts that don't follow these guidelines will earn the poster a 1 day ban. There will be no warnings. If I have to ban you again, it will be a 1 week ban. If I need to do it a third time, it will become a permanent ban. I am sorry to go to this much of an extreme, but the situation calls for it at this point.


Emerald Activities Forum Rules:

-No sharing of personal information (ages, real names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, etc...)
-All posts must be child-friendly (no sexual discussion or imagery and no extreme violence).
-No spam (that goes for advertising unrelated products/services, or posting things over and over like "come to roleplay" etc...).
-Please refrain from posting gibberish or constructing quote pyramids.
-Also, please limit your use of little signature pets and such (keep it to one or two reasonably sized pets).
-No rudeness, nonconstructive critisizm, mean spirited, hurtful, or insulting posts.
-As long as people are being polite and staying on topic, anyone can post in any unlocked thread.
-No discrimination based on membership, beliefs, race, age, or any other reason!
-No political or religious debates
-Please do not make mutiple accounts (or delete your account to make a new one).
-Post only in the correct boards. (Keep your cat/dragon selves in roleplay, your pets in pets, and your stories in storytelling.)
-No typing all in caps (yelling).
-No swearing, or creative swearing (like changing letters for numbers).
-No name calling. It doesn't matter if the name is made up or not.
-No mean faces (if used in a way that is mean).
-No posts with words like hate, kill, suicide, murder, when referring to real life.
-No taking sides against each other.
-No fighting/bickering/bullying.
-Only Emerald Activities moderators may enforce these rules.


Posting in our forum is not a "Right". The Forum and our site are privileges, and if you abuse them we will take appropriate action.This forum is moderated and the moderators may take any or all of the following measures with any unsuitable content, as they see fit.
 
-Deleting/Removing Posts
-Editing/Modifying Posts
-Locking Topics
-Removing Topics
-Banning users
-E-mailing warnings to users
-Posting warnings to users
-Deleting accounts and/or images


There are no excuses for inapproriate behaviour. (Having a bad day, or a crazy home, too much sugar, a death in the family, a bad day at school, etc...) If you are have having a bad day, then try to have some friendly conversation to make yourself feel better. Its always a good idea to seek out help from the adults in your life (parents, teachers, family friends) when you are feeling stressed or having troubles. They can't always help (and I know you won't always want them to help), but if they know whats going on they might be able to be a bit more supportive when you need it most.


Other Site Policies and FAQs

What if someone is being mean/inappropriate?

If you feel as if you are being singled out by someone and/or someone is being mean to you, please try the following:
-Report the posts where the problem occured to a moderator
-Privately e-mail a Booradley or Emerald with your concerns

Do not:
-Start a fight
-Retailiate with "crying", "yelling", "namecalling"
-Threaten the forum with leaving
-Talk about how awful the other person is
-Talk about how no one understands you

What if you stop posting to that person but they read it and post to you to make you mad or get you in trouble?

-The best thing to do is to report the newest of the offending posts, with an explanation of the situation. There are so many posts on here we don't always see stuff right away. Then just ignore that thread until one of us has gotten on and spoken to the person in question. I know its hard not to get angry, but it is never constructive to just says something back when you are angry. With every new post that is added, things escalate further out of control.

What if someone copies me?

-If you don't want anyone to mimic your work, you really can't put it online. Its one of the things about the internet, everything is shared, traded, copied, and built upon until it is something altogether new. I am constantly finding my work in weird places, grabbed by people who didn't even sign the old guest book, lol. It does no good to get upset about it. Letting people share your images and become inspired by you will get you more friends and your work seen by more people in the long run.

Thats why we embrace the "copying is the sincerest form of flattery" policy. That way someone can look and your image and make something fabulous inspired by it, and then you can look at mine and do the same. If someone is putting up exactly your images please bring it to my attention, but otherwise just thank then for admiring your work.

Also keep in mind that not everyone has tons of good ideas. Some people need a little help to get their creativity going...

What if someone takes over my roleplay topic?

-It is only fair that everyone gets their chance to guide their own topic. Some people are completely unafraid to jump in and put their own twist on things, that can be a good thing... but it can also be hard if you are trying to guide a story or idea a certain way. Your best reponse is to try and explain your own position clearly and calmly. If you can't work things out, then message a moderator to help out.

If you don't like the idea that the creator of the role play topic has, then please split off and start your own topic with your take on the idea rather than ignoring their wishes. The threads might be similar at first, but over time I am sure it will become its own unique story.

I want to help, what can I do?

-Say hello and welcome to every new person you see.
-If there is a disagreement don't take a side, offer potential solutions instead.
-If you see a post that you think is a problem that you can't solve, report it to us.
-If someone is having a bad day, let them know that you care.
-Try your best to be positive about things that you read, don't always just look for the negative.
-Offer compromises.
-If you see a misunderstanding starting, then fix it.
-If someone says that your don't understand, have a conversation and find out why things are bothering them.
-Don't take offense to things others say
-If you see a problem starting, then please report the post!

If you are 18 or over, and interested in helping out by becoming a volunteer moderator on the forum, then please contact Emerald (Heather Harvey) at heather@emeraldactivities.com. We would love to hear from you

[felineequine12]

I agree to all of this. You have done right by re-posting the rules, and I believe many will benefit from it. Thanks, Emerald!

[ducky123]

YES MAM!!!


and i had a bad day and i SWEAR on the Holy-Book NEVER to do it again!!!

[felineequine12]

Don't swear on the bible. Just don't. Please.

[horsie.lover99]

I agree to the rules *salutes*

[Ramoth]

This was needed, I've seen enough fights on the site, and i hope there will be no more.

Let the fighting stop now!

[etcheson99]

Agree!Bible....uh...0_0 but I agree!!!!!!!!!

[sandduner]

yes. im sick of it. it mostly happens on Rp bexcause people get ignored, then it turns into a 'o o dont leave!' topic. This was needed. I will obey these rules

[felineequine12]

So will I. *God Bless America song* *salutes* You are our leader, Emerald, and if we ever mess up, then just tell us! Our feelings will not be hurt, because in probability, they are already hurt by whoever we were fighting with! XD

[horsie.lover99]

We respect your rules Em! *Salutes and stares at the sky*

[sandduner]

* salutres then marches around like a soldier*

[felineequine12]

Yah. I think she gets it.

[horsie.lover99]

XD

[felineequine12]

LOL

[horsie.lover99]

ROFL!! XD XD XD