New members may not make new threads until they have been a member for 14 days and have made at least 25 posts.


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. Or typing.... like...... this...... can be pretty irritating. Additionally, please don't sign your posts. You have a signature for a reason; use it.

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 or 'qft.' Don't quote a person and then just click reply. Add something to the discussion!

3. No advertising

Don't advertise your product, website, etc. Nobody cares.

4. 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.

5. Don't ask for or offer illegal stuff

This includes drugs, cracks, bootlegs, copyrighted mp3s, etc.

6. 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.

7. 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 fag.

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 might find yourself banned.

9. Racism is strictly prohibited

All accounts of racism, be it through words or pictures, directed towards a user or any race/ethnicity will warrant a severe ban. It doesn't matter if you mean it or not.

10. Do not hide behind a proxy

Avoid using a proxy to register and post on the site. If you are seen with no available IP address, it is assumed that you are making an alternate account to escape a ban.

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 Event Log for a list of who has been banned, 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 anywhere except in the Ban Disputes Kamp forum, which you can only see while in timeout. 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 main forums again.


The Ban Disputes forum is meant for questions or valid complaints about your timeout. Using the forum to beg or whine just irritates the moderators, and your timeout might be extended.

Permabans

You probably won't be permabanned unless you maliciously spam the forum, post goatse or repeatedly get TOs and never learn. Permabans are usually accompanied by IP bans.