This section was submitted by famed guitarist and ET member LeFever who has had a lot of experience with Internet forums. Thank you, LeFever, for volunteering your time to write this!
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Welcome to the Escape Tyranny Forum! We're glad to have you here, so thanks for joining! This is just the standard information. We know it looks like a lot, but it really isn't. And most of it is for your own protection. Please take a few minutes to read this information. It will make your experience more effective.
COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE:
When you register, consider filling out your profile as completely as you can so we can get to know you. If you list your hometown you may find a new friend when some like-minded individual from your area sees where you live.
REGISTERED EMAIL ADDRESS:
Please keep your current working e-mail address up to date on your profile. The board software uses this address to send you notices that you request – such as when a Private Message has arrived, or someone has responded to one of your posts.
USE CORRECT FORUM BOARDS:
Whenever possible, try to post your comments in the appropriate board or thread. Or start your own thread, if you have something new to share.
OFF-LIMIT SUBJECTS/FORUM DO'S AND DON'TS:
Don't use this forum to do anything illegal. ESCAPE TYRANNY isn't responsible for anything you post on the site or for anything that happens because of what you post; you alone are responsible.
Don't use inappropriate language. This includes profane words and phrases, hate speech (including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal drugs/controlled substances, pornographic, or illegal activities. Please don't use profanities or use #@%$!^ instead of profanities. That's considered passé on the Internet. If you must swear then go post somewhere else where that kind of thing is considered cool.
Don't distribute, post, or discuss obscene or other unlawful materials such as child pornography or illegal drugs.
Don't make personal attacks against, harass, abuse, threaten, flame, stalk, or spam other users. Always respect other Forum members' opinions even if they clash with your own.
Don't defend yourself against profane attacks with profanity as you will be treated in the same manner as the original offender.
Don't create a forum or chat name with any profanity, sexually explicit language, sexual innuendo, or racial, ethnic, or religious slurs in it. We reserve the right to ban any such name.
Don't publish, post, or disseminate defamatory, infringing, obscene, sexual, or other unlawful material including images, audio, or text.
Don't post links to materials that could harm other users' computers or would allow others to inappropriately access software or websites.
Don't impersonate other people, whether famous or unknown. In cases where this is called into question two valid forms of photo identity must be faxed to the Forum Administrator in order to prove identity.
Avoid EXCESSIVE SHOUTING (use of all-caps) or flooding (continuous posting of repetitive text).
TROLLING:
As in trolling for a fight. This is easy to see, but harder to explain.
Posting an opposite opinion, in a determined stubborn way simply to start a fight. Here's an example: "Who should I vote for?" The troll would respond, "He's an idiot; you're stupid to vote for him." Opposite opinions are NOT against the rules and are encouraged, but trolling for disagreement and arguments is against the rules and can get you banned.
COMMERCIAL/FOR SALE POSTS OR LINKS:
Other than in the Classified Ads section (which is free), you must have the express approval of the Forum Administrator of this website before you can post anything of a commercial nature, whether items for sale or links to any commercial site.
CONTESTS/FUND RAISING/CHARITIES OR ANY OTHER PERSONAL USES:
You cannot use the Forum to stage a contest or to request donations for any charity, or use the Forum for any "personal" use that you may think of. This includes posting links to websites requesting charitable donations.
This includes asking people to donate money or purchase items you are selling here or elsewhere to fund needs of any kind for family, friends, neighbors, pets, other members or anyone. You cannot use this Forum to stage a contest for any purpose without first getting express approval.
MEDICAL/QUASI-MEDICAL OR HOMEOPATHIC DRUGS/SUPPLEMENTS:
You cannot use this Forum to provide advice for others to use specific drugs or supplements. Offering specific medical advice and/or the recommendation of specific doctors, treatments, drugs, or supplements exposes you and the Forum to legal liability and will be removed.
BANNING AND ACTIONS:
If you violate the Code of Conduct or the Terms of Use, action may be taken against your account. We are not obligated to warn you before taking these actions.
The Escape Tyranny Forum is not obligated to monitor every post, but we have the right to remove any post or take action against any poster; we reserve the right to remove at any time, without notice, any user-created content; we reserve the right to immediately terminate or suspend a user for violations; we can contact any Internet Service Provider and provide the ISP with information on illegal activities. Some offenses warrant an immediate permanent ban, including severe racial remarks, profane usernames, attempting to post viruses or posting URLs/links to viruses.
REPORT ABUSE:
If you see something that you think is illegal or wrong, you may catch it before we do, so we encourage you to let us know. Help us to better serve you.
Enjoy your stay here, post much, and come back often. And have fun. Be sure to tell your friends about us! |