Post by ~T.D. Myrick ♥ on Jun 30, 2009 20:54:47 GMT -5
These are, of course, the rules and guidelines that apply to the entire forum rather than the individual boards. Most of these things are common sense and yet they are still broken all the time.
(1) Post in the correct board
This is really not too much to ask. If you are new please look through all the boards first before blindly and randomly posting in the first board you click on, as I've seen done so many times. You should be able to figure out which board to post in by simply looking through the boards and their descriptions, but for those who lack the patience for that, there is "Where Should I Post?", a sticky in this section also.
(2) READ the stickies in each board before posting there
The stickies are there to help you. If you ignore them you will end up with a warning more often than not. Most boards only have two or three stickies, and if one of them says "Rules", "Must Read" or "Read Before Posting", I'd read at least that one if you're too lazy or illiterate to read the others.
(3) Do not PM staff members with trivial questions
Only PM staff if you have a private matter to discuss with them that cannot be placed on the board, they have asked you too, or you have some other valid reason for doing so.
(4) Advertising/"spamvertising" or recruiting are not allowed anywhere
This includes the PM system. Linking to external boards is considered advertising. You can have banners in your signature, but read the next rule concerning images. Referral links of any type are not permitted anywhere including signatures. If you want to become and affiliate, fill out the form in the "Member Requests/Suggestions" section in The Support Board and prior to that you will be sent an extending SHORT application to get your advertisement up and running.
(5) Do not stretch the board with large images...
In your signature or in a post. Images that a large vertically are not a problem, It's those that are large horizontally. If your siggy or post images stretch the board's width then you should re-size it immediately.
(6) Originality is key
Poems. stories, screenplays, even banners and siggies. All I ask is for originality and creativity. I've had a problem with one of my previous sites and I was blamed for copying someone else's work. Even though it was one of my members the other board felt it was me. Why, I don't know. Only use someone else's creations of banners, sigs, avatars, etc. if you have permission to or if it's made for you. Posting or using them here without permission will now result in a warning.
(7) NO ONE goes unrecognized
This is not a post and bump site like most writing forums you come across. Our website recognizes those who go above and beyond. "The Hall of Fame" page of the site recognizes the Writer of the Week, Member of the Month, and the winners of the competitions on the site. Do your best to fall under any of these categories.
8) Formats
I don't ask for much as the formats up here go. Just keep it neat and readable. Make is look like the real deal (A real book and/or script).
9) Completed Stories
When you have finished a story on the site, you have 2 weeks to notify me upon completion. This way you have enough time to review the ending commentaries from others. If we don't receive a notification PM, your story will be deleted from the site. Keep in mind that this 2 weeks will start after YOU have made your last post to the story. This should also motivate you to save your work to your computer so that it doesn't get lost forever. I would hate to delete someone's work and not have them save it for themselves.
In addition to the above, obey the truly common sense rules that apply to all of the ProBoards Forums. Don't post anything that breaks the Terms of Service. Don't rip codes or images. Don't spam. Don't flame or harass other users. Don't use excessive foul language. Use the modify button instead of pointless double- or triple-posting. Respect the staff members. You must be 13 years old to be a member, etc., etc.