These rules are for ALL FORUMS. You must additionally read the rules set out by mods for every forum, though in most not a lot has been changed. You've been warned!

In an effort to not be a festering pile of AOLisms and flamewars like 99% of the Internet, we have a few simple rules we ask our members to comply with. The Explosm Forum rules can basically be summed up by the phrase 'Don't be a jerk.'
If you are naturally a jerk, or if you just want the specifics, here's a nice concrete list of rules:


1. Write like a reasonably intelligent person
Your posts are going to be on this forum for the world to see. Don't make people struggle to read them. if u write like this u mite find urself in srs trouble LOL

2. Try to contribute to threads
Before you reply, ask yourself if what you're posting adds anything to the discussion. Don't just post 'OK', 'I agree', or 'lol'. No single smiley replies.

3. Mark all Not-Safe-For-Work images 'NSFW' and link to them
Never post a pornographic/offensive picture in any of the forums. Link to it and give a warning.

4. Don't ask for or offer illegal stuff
This includes drugs, cracks, bootlegs, copyrighted mp3s, etc.

5. Don't post personal info about people
Nobody cares if you tracked down the phone number or address of someone you don't like. Keep it to yourself.

6. Be civilized
Don't troll or flame people. If you disagree with something, say so and why. If you really, really hate someone, send them an email or abuse them via instant message. Don't derail a thread just to call someone a retard.

7. No Internet Catchphrases
This pretty much includes any catchphrase/meme found on 4chan. Other ones that are a general annoyance, there are too many to list. You'll learn to find out which ones annoy the mods.

8. Report responsibly
You have the ability to report posts that break any of these rules. Please do. The mods appreciate being alerted to troublemakers. At the same time, don't abuse the reporting system, or you'll be stopped from reporting the easiest way we know how (by banning you).


These rules aren't all-inclusive. Decisions are made by the moderators, and they're always right in the end, so please don't argue. If you want to find out what annoying trends to avoid, check out the User Dump for an archive of who has been infrac'd, why they were banned, and a link to their incriminating post.




There are two kinds of bans: Timeouts and Permabans.


Timeouts
Getting a timeout is pretty much like being temporarily banned. You're prevented from posting. Timeouts are given for breaking basic rules like flaming, posting porn, and general assholery. They range from 6 hours to a year, but they'll rarely be more than a couple days unless you do something seriously stupid. Once the timeout is over, you can post in the forums again.



Permabans
You probably won't be permabanned unless you maliciously spam the forum, post shock images or repeatedly get timeouts and never learn. Permabans are usually accompanied by IP bans, which means you're gone for good.