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**Phases** · October 20th, 2008, 10:29 AM

Infraction System, etc.

The purpose of this post is to express a couple things that everyone should be on the same page about. The date of the last update will be reflected in the title. Members will be expected to be familiar with this post so please do take a look at it when updates are made.

Please observe the following rules/guidelines as a member here:

General Conduct: Admittedly, I'm probably a little more anal about this topic than some. I have very little tolerance for uncalled for disrespect. With that said.. read on. Please treat other members with respect. These forums were put together for Android fans to come together and help each other, collaborate and discuss in a positive way – not bash on someone because you don't like their idea, or because they don't share the same views as you. We are big into the free speech idea here. So you're free to say what you think – but do it in a constructive, positive, 'add to the conversation' kinda way – not the condescending 'I don't like what you're saying so you suck' kinda way. We encourage mature debates – discourage childish arguments.

Also while the search feature on forums is great, and hopefully will be utilized - if someone comes here and asks a question, either answer it or don't. If you're going to suggest the search feature, be polite about it. Nothing irks me more than when I go to a forum, (and use the search!), then ask a question because I want some one-on-one with my problem, and get a simple "Use the search." reply. Suggesting it is encouraged, but don't withhold the answer because they don't.

Please don't make pointless rude/nonconstructive replies. "This thread sucks," etc.

Also - do not take it upon yourself to play Grammar Nazi. If someone's post is literally so bad you cannot understand it, fine - ask them to rephrase. But do not nitpick and ruin threads just to show how high-n-mighty-like you can be.

Strong Language: Language is fine to a common sense degree. Say what you gotta say, how ya gotta say it, when it's in a positive or neutral tone. If someone expresses offense to terms you're using, please respect them enough to at the very least NOT respond with “get over it this is the internet blah blah” crap. It IS the internet – but it's also in a forum where you're expected to respect your fellow members. If you're in the midst of a 'friendly' debate – use extra caution when using terms that may cause you to project a certain aura that you hopefully don't desire to have.

Examples:

“Damn, that's the shit!” .....That's fine.
“Go **** yourself.” .... That's not fine. Starred out or not. On a couple levels.

Terms to NOT use: There are a few terms I ask you don't use. I'm going to have to space through them here for the purpose of this post, but otherwise they will be filtered. Do not go around them.

One being "g_ay". Don't call something g_ay. Does it bother me? No, I do the same thing, too, in private. I know it's not meant derogatory to that particular lifestyle when *I* use it (again, in private). It's just habit. Does it bother my g_ay brother, who also uses the the term in the same manner? No. But it does bother a lot of people and I'll tell ya, I've worked at a lot of forums out there and there's nothing that gives me a harder time than whether or not it's okay to call something g_ay. So this one's getting nipped in the bud. Keep that, "f_ag", and even "r_etarded" and "s_pazz" outa your posts. As well as obviously offensive things that serve no other real purpose, like "c#nt" - and racial slurs. Also, F_uck has been complained about enough to be added to this list.

Creating Multiple or New Accounts: This is more of a clear-cut rule than the above two guidelines. Creating a second (or more) account on here will most likely get all - including your original - accounts banned. People usually do this for less than desirable purposes, which may include but aren't limited to:

-Have an alter ego to say how they really feel
-Gain numbers in arguments
-Spam
-Just plain create trouble

Deleting your current account and creating a new one to start "fresh" is also not permitted. Staff need your history to make the best decisions, and wiping the slate clean makes fair moderation impossible. If there is a reason other than this that you need to delete/remake an account, please contact me.

Language - English only: Please use English only on Androidforums. If you need, you can use a translating service to help with this. This assumes, of course, that you can even read this message! http://translate.google.com/

Links on first post (or first couple if you're being slick) to your own site: If it's a competing website, not okay. If it's say.. a blog entry you're referring to, or... you're a developer and want to link to your site when you announce an app, that's alright. Bottom line - Don't come here to pimp your site – come here to be a member.

Links to your own site, in general: Toss 'em in your signature, that's fine. Linking when referencing something relevant and stuff is fine too. Just be a contributing member, not a spammer.

Linking to pirated/illegal software: It's a shame I actually have to touch on this. Don't do it. It will be removed and repeat offenses will result in a ban.

Do not post the following, or links to (including but not limited to): Porn, Drugs, Hate, Terrorism or anything else you imagine should be listed here. People can do what they want elsewhere, but we're not looking to provide direction to these things.

Infraction System: There is an infraction system in place to help us keep this place clean. I don't want to go into too many details - but just know it is there. So many points you will be marked as 'on probation', and so many more you will lose posting rights for some time. This system is used to help mods keep track of what they as a team are doing, and serve as a history for user behavior.

In regards to all of this.. Moderators will handle situations at their discretion – using this thread (and guidelines given to them in the moderator forum) as a starting point. If you have a problem with a member or a post here, report it. Mods will see it. If you have a problem with a moderators actions or how they handle a situation, feel free to PM or email me. phases at phandroid dot com. Not happy with my decision? Hit up Rob. There's a link at the bottom of the site, "View Staff and Premium Members" - you can find ways to contact him there.

Username Changes: We will take username change requests on a case-by-case basis. We may or may not allow it - depending. Up till now we have allowed all requests. However if you choose to request it - please make sure you know what you want. To have it changed a second time will take some extra convincing on your part. This is not something we particularly love to do. If you would like your username changed, PM me.

Thread title Changes, poll option edits, Social Group title and description changes, and moving threads: Guides can fill these requests for you in addition to the moderators. You may contact Guides/Mods individually for these, or click the "Report Post" button on the post you need modified and request it that way. Note that reported posts are only seen by Moderators - but are published for all moderators to see.. immediately.

Signatures: Until further notice, signature privileges have been removed for those with less than 25 posts. This is to combat the growing signature-spamming trend.

Referral Links: Please limit the use of referral links to within threads designated for such.

Tethering without required plans, working the system to return devices you broke, etc:

Account Deletions: We periodically get requests to delete an account. This was previously not allowed. You now have the following options:

1) We can drop you into a "Disabled" usergroup that does just that - locks the account down completely. This makes it unusable. However, the beauty here is if a user changes their mind it can easily be recovered.

2) We can "delete" your account. The vbulletin delete function removes the account completely, email association, etc. However it *does* leave all your posts in tact. It grays out the username attached to the posts and changes your title to "guest". So, all your posts are still in tact for the sake of conversation flow but the account is in fact deleted. This cannot be reversed. This option will require a "are you sure?" confirmation if you have any posts at all and once you say yes - we will do it. If you wish you hadn't requested it some time in the future.. bummer.

A complete purge (as in delete your account and all posts/pms/etc) is not allowed. It will mess with the flow of conversation and we like to keep what all is put on this forum for record. However should you have a special case you need to make to me, you're welcome to. If I see reason that a full purge is in fact necessary I will run it by Rob. Side note: All posts you delete or edit in your history to work around this can and will be reverted to whichever version of edit history we choose.