House Rules

Revision 2007.10.30

The House Rules are designed to protect all members of The Ignored Board—whether regular or staff—rather than imprison them. Membership to The Ignored Board is subject to the acceptance of the House Rules.

Rules you've heard before
1. Membership to The Ignored Board is a privilege.
  The Administrator and/or moderators reserve the right to deny anyone membership, provided the reason is for the best interests of the site and its members.
2. Two strikes and you're out!
  Members who willfully break these rules will be warned only once before being banned, either temporarily or permanently.
3. Offences that will result in an instant ban include (but are not limited to) the following:
  - Providing false and/or misleading information in your profile, where the information is stated as required;
  - Impersonating any person or entity, or otherwise misrepresenting your affiliation with a person or entity;
  - Disrupting or interfering with the running of The Ignored Board by means of attack, hacking or excessive spamming;
  - Threatening or harassing another member, depending on the severity of the case.
  All other offences result in warnings or a ban, at the discretion of staff.
4. The Administrator's decisions are final.
  Where issues within The Ignored Board cannot be resolved by members or staff, the decision of the Administrator is taken as final. No correspondence will be entered into following Administrator's decisions once made.
Respecting each other
1. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and so are you.
  You are free to agree or disagree with a raised issue, but disrespecting or targeting someone for having a differing opinion, belief or point of view to yours is considered abusive and will be taken seriously.
2. Treat others how you'd like to be treated.
  Remember, what goes around comes around.
3. Ignorant and abusive comments are not welcome.
  Ignorant and abusive comments are not welcome anywhere on The Ignored Board - that's exactly what we're trying to get away from, and we also take those very seriously.
4. Refrain from giving unwarranted and unqualified advice.
  Very few people are actually qualified doctors or therapists, and even fewer have been in exactly the person's position, so these kinds of advice are usually based on wild assumptions. If someone wants your advice on personal matters, let them ask for it directly!
  All threads specifically asking for help and advice must be made in the allocated category and board.
Membership
1. Please use only genuine profile information.
  Member safety is extremely important. False or misleading required information entered in a profile will result in a ban. Filler text in optional fields is deemed misleading, which will be removed without notice or result in a warning.
2. Impersonating any entity, or otherwise misrepresenting your affiliation with an entity, is grounds for an instant ban.
3. Multiple identities
  Registering on The Ignored Board with multiple accounts is prohibited.
4. Disclosure of private information
  Never disclose personal information about other members or any other party, including the contents of private messages.
5. Removal of content
  Moderators reserve the right to edit or remove content—in profiles, threads, posts, signatures and avatars—that violate the House Rules.
6. Using the Ignore feature
  The Ignore feature is to be used only for avoiding members who cause a legitimate concern for your safety or well being. It must not be used to exclude members based on physical appearance, physical ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or differing opinions.
Posting on The Ignored Board
1. There is no such thing as a stupid topic for a thread.
  Report anyone who tells you otherwise. If you really want to know something, ask!
2. Please search for relevant threads before creating a new one.
  Thought it may be difficult, please try to find a relevant thread started about your subject, as someone may have discussed it already.
3. Create new threads in the right category.
  If you're unsure of where to start your thread, make the best guess you can. If necessary a staff member will move the thread to an appropriate place.
4. Use specific, descriptive thread titles.
  Examples of good thread titles:
  - "Has anyone seen Lord of the Rings?"
  - "The new design"
  - "Search results in jokesearch.com"
  Examples of bad thread titles:
  - "Help please!!!!!"
  - "OMG L@@K AT THIS"
  - "I have a problem"
  Moderators and staff members reserve the right to rename or delete such threads.
5. Thread bumping is not allowed.
  Thread bumping is where a useless post is made to a thread, so that it is moved to the top of the list in a board. Offenders will be given a warning.
6. Always give credit or reference to any resources used.
  By posting an item without crediting a source, you are assuming ownership of the content, which—if false—could lead to claims of plagiarism and/or copyright infringement. Always credit the original source, even if to say the content came from an e-mail.
7. Advertising is not allowed within boards on The Ignored Board, with the exception of non-profit organisations and personal web sites. All links must be submitted to the links database.
  Referral links are allowed in posts, but only when clearly indicated as referral links and given a truthful description. Failing to declare referral links in the main body of a post, or lying about the outcome of visiting it (and we will check!), will result in a warning.
Use of images
1. Think several times before using photos of yourself.
  It is strongly recommended not to post a photograph of yourself on The Ignored Board, whether as an avatar, a link or an attachment. This is one of the reasons why The Ignored Board was founded: to take the focus away from looks and put it on what people are actually saying. If you really want to exchange pictures, do so outside of the community or through private messaging.
  If someone either demands or harasses you for a photograph of any kind, report them immediately.
2. Keep any posted images clean and tasteful.
  The use of images depicting or alluding to sexual, violent or otherwise indecent themes is strictly prohibited. Any found will be removed immediately, and the member given a warning.
3. No animated graphics!
  No animated graphics are allowed anywhere on The Ignored Board, with the exception of the provided emoticons. Animated graphics found either as avatars or in signatures or posts will be removed.
Rules for Moderators and Staff
1. Applying for moderator/staff status: These are positions of great responsibility, and involve a great level of trust. These positions will go to those who demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness, as well as competence in the skills required.
  If you want to apply for a vacant spot, please send a PM to an Administrator.
2. Staff members must uphold the House Rules.
  All moderators and staff members must make sure the House Rules are being followed.
3. Never abuse your staff or moderation powers.
  Abuse of power includes (but is not limited to):
  - silencing or attacking people whose opinions you disagree with;
  - harassing or threatening other members.
4. Always state specifically your reasons for performing an action.
  In the case of threads started on previously covered areas, post a link to the discussion.
  In addition, there, is no need to announce the locking of a thread.
5. Act with tact!
  As tempting as it might be to give someone a tongue-lashing or flaunt your authority, remember that you have a responsibility to remain professional; do your utmost to treat other members with respect.
Issues involving other members
1. Always attempt to resolve personal matters privately.
  If no resolution results, immediately contact a moderator or administrator.
2. Never call people or entities out in public threads.
  This applies especially when the person or entity is another member!
  If you must describe a gripe or a bad experience you've had, make an effort to protect identities or raise your point in good taste. Offenders might face a warning or ban.
3. Members must report ALL offenders.
  Please don't be scared to report any member you find breaking the rules, whether they are regular, popular, staff or moderator. The only kind of person unwelcome at The Ignored Board is a callous one.
Liability
1. All posts express the views of their respective author.
  While the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to remove or edit any objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message. Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.
2. You are responsible for your posts and conduct.
  You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any material that may violate any applicable laws. In addition to a ban, your Internet service provider and any relevant authority will be informed.
3. The IP addresses of all visitors and members are recorded for security purposes.
4. Files downloaded from The Ignored Board
  You must not upload or attach:
  - files that contain viruses, spyware or any software designed to compromise a system;
  - software or other material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy of publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents.
  As such, The Ignored Board cannot be held responsible for questionable files being downloaded.
5. Respect others' rights.
  You agree not to violate the rights of others, such as content which infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or violate any right of privacy or publicity, or otherwise violates any applicable law or reputation.