CONSTITUTION OF THE UV--Version Number 42
The following are rules for posting on the UV message-boards. The purpose of these rules are to provide a hassle-free environment where people can post, talk, have fun, display creativity etc. We aim to provide a pleasant environment to all users. Posts and threads that don’t comply to the rules are subject to deletion. Usually the Admins will inform in the event of a deletion and state a reason why a thread was cut. Also, posting on the UV message boards signifies agreement to these posting rules. Ignorance of the rules is not accepted as a valid excuse if you break them.
Our system is very simple. For minor offenses such as excessive use of foul language, an Admin will warn that person. For major offences after breaking the rules once an offender gets a strict warning. If the offender breaks the rules a second time, another warning is issued. If a poster commits a major violation a third time, then they will receive a final warning and there will be a motion to banning that person. It should be noted that only major offenses (such as the posting of unsuitable material like porn) will typically warrant a ban, but anyone that continuously causes trouble will have the Admins paying special attention to the offender until such time as they demonstrate that they do not have to watched over. If a poster proves they cannot behave, they will be asked to leave the village or removed if necessary. If the offense is serious enough, such as posting a transcript of a private conversation without the consent of all parties involved, that person will be banned immediately.
Any complaints about Admin decisions should be kept off the main board and instead addressed via private message or E-mail to one or all of the Staff. Alternately you can complain in the debate forum, but don't expect the Administration to take anything you say under advisement should you coose that route.
Admin Staff:
Hoopy Frood – Senior Network Admin
SwashBlade – Network Admin
Zon - Network Admin
Chucara - Network Tech
Moderator Staff:
Pipboy 2000 - Gaming Forum Mod
Tenzing - Arts Forum Mod
Other Staff:
BlueCross - Old Fart Who Gets the Fun Responsibility of Maintaining the Unwashed.org Domain and Communicating With the Board Hosts
Mahogany Desk - Hulking Monstrosity Left By Petrarch Back When His Power Armor Was Fully Charged Which Just Sits There As Some Legacy to Petrarch's Tenure Simply 'Cause None of the Staff Can Move It
Staff of Ra - When Combined With Headpiece and Brought to the Map Room at the Right Time of Day and Placed in the Correct Position Will Reveal the Location of the Well of the Souls and the Missing Ark of the Covenant
Staphylococcus Aureus - Spherical Bacterium
Please note: The Debate forum functions under a different rule structure to the rest of the Network – please consult the Debate forum for a copy of it’s rules.
Staff Structure :
Hoopy's job as Senior Admin is to walk around with the shiny Senior Admin badge looking all important while in reality most of his time is occupied by secretly sorting through his stash of the flotsam left behind by Petrarch and Turjan and keeping/consuming what is worthwhile (e.g. Turjan's tea and cake stash) and selling the rest on eBay (e.g. Petrarch's coffee stash) with all proceeds eventually winding up in the coffers of the UV Bastard Bar. Oh, and he also gets to update the board rules when needed. Being that he has willingly chosen to be an admin, this is a good indication that Hoopy is a sick, sad man. However, he's mostly harmless, so if you should encounter him just humor him by nodding your head and pretending to know what he's talking about. Then when the opportunity first arises, run very quickly the other way, dropping mugs of ale to distract him.
SwashBlade's job is basically to answer most questions by saying "Yarr!" and waving a cutlass around while drinking grog from a battered pewter tankard.
Zon's job is to bring a young, hip new face to the administration so it is more easily relatable to Generation X, and to generally refresh the online users list at a weirdly frequent pace.
Being network admins basically means these 3 will head up the network, get blamed for everything, and are expected to fix it themselves. Or at the very least get someone else that can, because they’re lazy like that sometimes.
As our Network Tech and resident Forums Guru, Chucara is the man that makes sure everything ticks over nicely and that the forum script doesn’t foul up. To preclude that possibility, Chucara is the only one that is permitted to access the boards source coding. Essentially, he's the only one on the Admin staff who actually has to do any real work. We laugh at him for that. Chucara spends most of his time in his cage in the file room. We occasionally let him out to see the sun, but we have to leash him due to his tendency to run off and roll around in things that don't smell very good.
Additionally if you require something uploaded to the web space, it will require the staff to evaluate its suitability to be included, as FTP access to the server is restricted to Admins only.
Moderators look after individual forums in order for the network to maintained as efficiently as possible. If you have a query about a certain forum, it should be directed to the appropriate moderator for attention.
BlueCross's job is to look befuddled and confused. Even before we made him part of the staff, this was his job. He's very good at it. Probably the best we've seen.
The Rules for the UV are as Follows:
No Flaming
Flaming is defined as verbally attacking another poster. This is not tolerated on our boards and flame posts are subject to deletion. If the flame is severe enough a banning without prior warning is warranted. In general, swearing can be overlooked, as long as it’s being used in a constructive way and kept out of the subject header of the message, and is not being used for the sheer sake of it. Remember, we may have underage people visiting the boards.
No Spamming
Spamming is defined as posts that have no relevance to the subject of the message boards and are likely to annoy people or simply waste their time. Also, posts written fully in caps may be deleted. Multiple posts (in any other manner than a script/browser error) are also considered spam. The posting of fake or deceptive information etc. is also considered as spam.
No Personal Info
The Privacy policy is both loose and strict – while there isn’t much of a problem if you call someone by their real name, you may not repost their picture without their consent, and above all else you are not to give out any information that is private and was given in confidence unless you have been given permission to do so.
Threads and posts that break this rule will copied, deleted and passed on to the person who was the subject of the post.
Under NO Circumstances are you to post transcripts of Private ICQ, IRC, PM conversations etc onto the forum without the express consent of all parties involved. Breaking this rule WILL cause an immediate banning with no exceptions. This particular section of the rule is Zero Tolerance.
No Personal Vendettas
Anyone who engages in a vendetta, hate campaign or otherwise tries to destroy, harm or slander the reputation and character of another member will be banned. Similarly, if you're going to make accusations of wrong-doing against someone, you'd better have the proof to back it up. If you have that serious a problem with a member, then take it outside.
No Advertising
We do not condone advertising on our boards. This includes advertising for, but not limited to, the following:
Websites
Companies
Products
Any site connected with Warez
Pyramid schemes and “make money fast” type schemes.
It should be noted this only prohibits the posting of links for advertising purposes, not for informational purposes. Personal homepages are exempt from this rule. Links to warez sites are prohibited for any reason.
No Warez, Porn or Inappropriate Material
Warez and porn are considered unacceptable. Inappropriate Material is somewhat vague, but most people understand themselves what is acceptable and what is not.
No Disruptive Behaviour Disruptive behaviour might also be counted as spam or trolling. It is defined as being annoying or disruptive towards others. This is kind of vague, but most of the people who have been on message boards know what this means. Anyone that regularly proves to be disruptive will be asked to leave.
Reprimands:
In the event of the above rules being violated, then the following are the reprimands used to punish disruptive behaviour/users. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, then one or any combination of the below will be used to enforce the rules.
- Verbal Warning
- Post count Reset
- Probationary Period (Results in loss of all privileges except for the ability to post)
- Restricted Access to the Forum Network
- Account Ban (Temp Ban)
- IP Ban (Lifetime Ban)
Misc.
Bannings
In the case of outside spammers etc, they are generally banned immediately. Should the need arise where a member is under threat of being banned, then the staff will meet and discuss any action if necessary. If at least 2 of the Admin Staff agree that a banning is warranted, it shall be carried out. Moderators, while not making the actual decision, are asked and encourage to give their opinions on the matter, and this does factor into arriving at a decision. If the staff decide a banning is not necessary, or the motion to ban does not carry, the offender will be placed on probation until they can prove they no longer need to be watched over. As mentioned previously, offences that are serious enough may warrant a banning straight away. All members, regardless of who they are and how long they have been in the UV are subject to this. Even if the person is one of the oldest Members in the UV or a Staff member, this will not afford them any kind of protection against a banning if it is necessary.
Admin/Mod Appointments
From time to time, it will be become necessary to appoint new Admins or moderators, either by a serving member leaving his/her position, by the number of posters growing too large for current staff to effectively manage, or the opening of a new sub-forum. Appointments are not a popularity contest. They are based solely on conduct, behaviour, merit, and maturity. Typically the network runs on a crew comprised of 3 Admins, a Tech and 2 - 3 Moderators. When a new admin is to be appointed, or a new moderator is required, an announcement indicating the position is vacant will be made.
In order to make things easier, only those people that volunteer their services and interest for the job will be considered. Please note however that the final decision on staff appointments is in the hands of the network staff.
The Rules may seem strict in places, but they are there for your Protection and the protection of other posters. Admins/Moderators are also subject to the same rules as everyone else, and they can be removed from service if it is proved beyond doubt that they are unable to adhere to the rules. We want to provide a clean, fun, friendly environment where people can come and have fun. Staffers are Firm but Fair, and its hoped that they can be as lenient as possible.
But above all, we must insist that the following rule is Obeyed: Have Fun!
