- Multiple Accounts
- Using the search engine to prevent redundant posts
- Reviving old topics
- Increasing your post count
- Links in posts
- Quoting other messages
- Political and/or religious content in posts
- Signatures
- Avatars
- Discrimination
- Respecting your fellow forum members
- Shouting in posts
- Internet or 133t speak
- Solicitation
- Copyrights
- Sexual content in posts
- Discussion of open "relationships"
- Spamming
Please note that the guidelines contained herein may change at my discretion.
Multiple Accounts
Each user is permitted only one (1) account. If, at any time, you would like to change your username, send me a PM and I will update it for you.
Using the search engine to prevent redundant posts
Please use the search function to make sure the question/topic you would like to post has not already been brought-up on the forums. This will help save on space and bandwidth. I realize there are times when topics will overlap or you might be unsure if your idea is different enough to create a new topic. Therefore, this general guideline must have some flexibility. If you’re uncertain, please take the time to search for your topic idea in past posts.
Reviving old topics
See an old topic you’d like to add contributions to, but not sure, because it’s been ‘dead’ for a long time? Feel free to post in these topics. That’s why they exist!
Increasing your post count
Do not create messages for the sole purpose of increasing your post count. This is another form of spamming and is unacceptable.
Example:
I’m posting this message to make my post total an even 200. Only 150 to go!
Links in posts
You may post links to your own web site, so long as it isn't used for commercial purposes and doesn’t contain objectionable material (including, but not limited to: pornographic content, copyrighted works, or anything that would constitute as slanderous against another person or group of people).
Quoting other messages
When using quotes, please keep the following in mind:
1.) When replying to a post directly above the one you’re writing, there’s no need to use quotes. People should be able to figure out which post you’re referencing. If you’re concerned that they won’t, just write something like “re: gadgetfreak84” (replacing that with the person’s alias) before the contents of your message.
2.) When responding in topics, please don’t copy a member’s entire post into quotes. Only cite enough of the person’s post that we can get the gist of what (s)he is saying. This will help keep the forums uncluttered.
Political and/or religious content in posts
Objective political/religious topics/posts are permissible. However, since these are divisive issues that can lead to heated arguments, please follow these general guidelines:.
1.) Whether or not you agree with others' religious and political viewpoints, always be polite, civil, and respectful. A good rule of thumb is; when in doubt, leave it out.
2.) Under no circumstance is name-calling ever acceptable. Doing so is grounds for immediate banning.
I intend to keep this forum civil and friendly. If I see any abuses, I may reconsider my stance on these issues.
Signatures
Same basic rules apply to signatures as do topics/posts. Text is limited to 500 characters. You may use up to one (1) externally-linked image in your signature. It can be no larger than 640*200 pixels and the size must be 20kb or less. Up to three (3) links are permissible, so long as they are to your own personal web site (including social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace) and contain no pornographic or commercial material.
Avatars
You may upload your own avatar, keeping in mind the following rules:
1.) Images may be no larger than 128*128 pixels with a size of less than 25KB. Acceptable formats include: .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, and .png.
2.) You may not post any pornographic or objectionable pictures.
Discrimination
Discrimination of any kind (racial, religious, political, sexual, etc.) is strictly prohibited and constitutes grounds for immediate banning.
Respecting your fellow board members
Please respect your fellow forum members. Do not talk to them in a way that is demeaning, disrespectful, or downright rude. Disagreements can always be handled in a civilized manner. This should be a given, but is worth stating anyway.
Shouting in posts
DO NOT SHOUT! This means that there are no circumstances where it is necessary to use ALL CAPS. If you want to stress something use underlining, italics, or bold-faced text.
Internet or 133t speak
I don't care if you're 13 or 53, use common, everyday English in your posts. Avoid using excessive internet acronyms. More specifically, I'm referring to using shortened phrases/words, such as LOL (laugh out loud), thx (thanks), and plz (please) after every sentence. Doing so will keep this forum fresh and informative for all age groups. If you can't put the effort into sounding like an intelligent being please don't bother posting here.
Example:
I can haz cheezburger, 2? LoLz.
ur 2 kewl n ah lUff U~~Solicitation
This is not a dating forum! As such, you may not use the forum or personal message system to solicit or meet-up with other users. Any violation of this rule is grounds for immediate banning.
Copyrights
Posting copyrighted material or anything that infringes on one's copyrights is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to links to or discussions about anything that is pirated (music, movies, books, software). In addition, when referencing anything that was posted elsewhere, always cite your source (including URL, title, and author)!
Sexual content in posts
Topics of a sexual nature are not permissible. This includes, but is not limited to: solicitation, pornographic material (both verbal and visual), and topics about sexual activities. This forum is intended for multiple age groups, so keep it clean!
Discussion of open "relationships"
Discussion of open "relationships" is not permissible anywhere in this forum. ASGF operates under the belief that a relationship is between two people (man + woman, man + man, woman + woman).
Spamming
Do not spam. This includes solicitation or responding to your own posts in rapid succession.
Example:
:P Oh no! I furgot that smiley in my post b4.
If you think of something (important, not like the example above) that you want to add to your post, please use the edit button.
