Evil95GT
03-25-2008, 03:05 AM
The success of any useful site is heavily dependant on the implementation of clear-cut rules, and the unspoken agreement that the registered members will try to adhere to them. The following rules are probably unlike any others you've seen. I did this for a reason. I would rather see these rules interpreted as though I was reciting them face to face as a friend, instead of a set of generic copy/pasted rules from a "general help site".
No personal attacks
This rule pretty much goes without saying. There's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly ribbing here and there, so long as the intent isn't malicious. However, bear in mind that it's not always an easy task to decipher text, as it lacks an expression, a tone of voice, and so on. Personal attacks or threats of any kind will NOT be tolerated under any circumstances. Violaters are subject to removal from the site. Personal attacks can also be defined as attacks based on gender, race, religion, nationality, and sexual preference. If you feel that someone is harrassing you either within the forums or via PM, please use the report post function in conjunction with the PM system so that one of the mods can rectify the issue.
You are what you post
Your internet "personality" (or the footprint you create for yourself) is founded on the things you choose to post. If you choose to make a thread in which you claim to own 73 cars, all purchased with the salary you make as the wheelman for the Pope Mobile, you can likely expect someone to throw the BS flag. You have no need to try to impress anyone. Be yourself. So long as you have a passion for the hobby, we don't care if you have one dollar or one million dollars. This image is yours to create, the canvas is blank. Additionally, if you post pictures of yourself in a halter top and tight apple-bottom jeans, do so at your own risk. Just don't cry or get offended when leghumpers come out of the woodwork (and I can guarantee they will).
Utilize proper 'netiquette'
Nobody likes posts created with all caps, so we have implemented a system that should auto-correct the offense. Furthermore, I can't *stand* people who tYpE lIkE tHiS fOr AtTeNtIoN. Not only it is hard to read, it makes the poster look ignorant and childish. We're all adults, and we're all familiar with proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. Use those skills to the best of your ability.
Post whoring
This is a big issue, and it's not because I didn't splurge on ample space. Post whoring is an annoying, unnecessary practice. Myself and the moderating team agree that we prefer "quality over quantity". In other words, your post count means very little here. "Milestone" threads are permitted at 500, 1000, 2000 posts and so on. All others will be removed, which will in count whittle away at your post count, making it a big waste of time anyhow. I'm not saying you can't reply numerous times in any one thread. There isn't a limit. I'm not saying you can't bring your classified ad or otherwise "to the top" if you still haven't gotten answers or correspondance. But for heaven's sake, don't make a thread talking about the weather, then reply to YOURSELF five minutes later telling us what you had for breakfast. That's nonsense.
User Infractions
We all understand that everyone gets a little out of sorts at times. It happens to the best of us. For these cases, we have a "user infraction system". This system is used in those cases when folks simply CAN'T agree with a clear rule violation. The first offense is a warning, posted within the thread and submitted via PM just to ensure that you're aware. The second offense will result in an "infraction". Think of these as "negative points" that will ultimately result in your removal (banning) from this site if the behavior persists. This isn't middle school, people. JP, Felony Evasion, and I are hoping that this is a system we NEVER have to use, but it's there just in case. Each incident will be handled individually, and the length of time banned will depend on the severity of the incident.
Post in the proper area
This is a crucial element in keeping the site organized. Items for sale MUST be posted within the classifieds only (although you're free to advertise them in your signature as well). In other words, please keep the Super Bowl scores in the Pit Stop rather than in "GM vehicles for sale". This is self explanatory, and the areas have been clearly labeled to take the guesswork out of what content belongs in which areas.
Stay on topic
Understandably, it's difficult to stay on topic in certain light-hearted threads. Having said that, we urge you to try to remain on topic so that the threads flow and don't become cluttered with "filler". "Filler" is material that lacks substance, such as responding with only emoticons, or a post-count-bumping word like "oh". If you want to discuss something else, that's wonderful! However, please spawn your OWN thread, rather than post "I like spinach dip" in a thread about Chrysler cylinder head torque specs. If this happens, we'll be glad to redirect the thread back to topic, but that's embarrassing for all of us, LOL.
User reputation system
Just above your "join date", you'll notice a small "scale" icon. It looks like this ~~~> http://www.spokentorque.com/forums/images/buttons/reputation.gif. This is referred to as reputation, and is given by fellow members who feel you're worthy of the recognition based on what you post. Your "rep" points are displayed in your User CP. This system makes it easier to identify helpful contributors as well as trolls. The system is set up to allow you to "spread" rep rather than repeatedly giving it to one person, just to keep the game fair and minimize abuse. Everyone starts with 10 points. Your "rep power" rises on the anniversaries of your join date, certain post count milestones, and the amount of rep received.
Fundraisers
Here at Spoken Torque, we're good hearted folks who love to help legitimate causes. We welcome you to post your threads advertising charitible car shows, benefit fundraisers for the American Heart Association, and things of that nature. With that in mind, we do NOT permit the posting of threads which ask us to dig deep within our pockets to save Johnny Doe's car from Rex the Repo Man because he spent his last six car payments on booze. This is not a charity, and we refuse to subject our members to the pressures of vigilantly saving a car or a Rolex due to money/priority mismanagement. If you're unsure whether your fundraiser adheres to this criteria, PM the material to one of our moderators prior to posting it.
Advertisers
We encourage vendors and manufacturers to register with our community. We have an attractive advertising rate, and several ways to accomodate your needs. Please contact the admin via PM to discuss advertising. All ads posted by vendors will be subject to immediate deletion unless pre-authorized by the administrators.
Word filters
I've taken the liberty of adding only a handful of words to the filter list. Why? Because I refuse to believe that this community will consist of a pack of foul-mouthed heathens, until you prove me otherwise. If expletives become a real issue, words wil be added on an as-needed basis.
NWS
NWS, or "not work safe", applies to material that might get someone in hot water if they view it in the workplace. We ask that you post material of this nature in the Asylum, and use the "NWS" characters within your subject, just to ensure that your post won't result in Jack Jones getting fired, and starting a fundraiser thread so the guilty can save his car from repossession. (A JOKE!)
No Nudity
Let's just be clear on this. There's NOTHING wrong with posting pictures of beautiful women on this site, so long as their goodies (or the majority of) are COVERED. Bikinis are fine, semi-seductive are fine, but absolutely ZERO full nudity. To further break this down, these items need to be covered: Boobies, Booty, Genitals. This material is to be posted ONLY within the Asylum, and ONLY with the *NWS* label. This is a serious issue, and like every other rule, will be strongly enforced.
One account per user
A system is in place to ensure that we have no more than one membership per customer. There's no need for alter egos here. If you tarnish your "footprint" here, that's your problem.
No discussion or references to street racing
There's no denying it. Everyone on this forum has displayed their speed outside the safety of a track at one time or another. Having said that, Spoken Torque does not condone or encourage street racing, and strictly prohibits discussions relating to the subject. As such, any posts referencing your illegal extracurricular activities will automatically be deleted, no questions asked. Why? Because when you partake in a street race and kill yourself and/or others, we're not getting sued. We TRIED to discourage you. Plus, street racing is about as lame as it gets. Save that stuff for a Civic SI forum.
Any questions? Feel free to PM one of the mods. :)
No personal attacks
This rule pretty much goes without saying. There's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly ribbing here and there, so long as the intent isn't malicious. However, bear in mind that it's not always an easy task to decipher text, as it lacks an expression, a tone of voice, and so on. Personal attacks or threats of any kind will NOT be tolerated under any circumstances. Violaters are subject to removal from the site. Personal attacks can also be defined as attacks based on gender, race, religion, nationality, and sexual preference. If you feel that someone is harrassing you either within the forums or via PM, please use the report post function in conjunction with the PM system so that one of the mods can rectify the issue.
You are what you post
Your internet "personality" (or the footprint you create for yourself) is founded on the things you choose to post. If you choose to make a thread in which you claim to own 73 cars, all purchased with the salary you make as the wheelman for the Pope Mobile, you can likely expect someone to throw the BS flag. You have no need to try to impress anyone. Be yourself. So long as you have a passion for the hobby, we don't care if you have one dollar or one million dollars. This image is yours to create, the canvas is blank. Additionally, if you post pictures of yourself in a halter top and tight apple-bottom jeans, do so at your own risk. Just don't cry or get offended when leghumpers come out of the woodwork (and I can guarantee they will).
Utilize proper 'netiquette'
Nobody likes posts created with all caps, so we have implemented a system that should auto-correct the offense. Furthermore, I can't *stand* people who tYpE lIkE tHiS fOr AtTeNtIoN. Not only it is hard to read, it makes the poster look ignorant and childish. We're all adults, and we're all familiar with proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. Use those skills to the best of your ability.
Post whoring
This is a big issue, and it's not because I didn't splurge on ample space. Post whoring is an annoying, unnecessary practice. Myself and the moderating team agree that we prefer "quality over quantity". In other words, your post count means very little here. "Milestone" threads are permitted at 500, 1000, 2000 posts and so on. All others will be removed, which will in count whittle away at your post count, making it a big waste of time anyhow. I'm not saying you can't reply numerous times in any one thread. There isn't a limit. I'm not saying you can't bring your classified ad or otherwise "to the top" if you still haven't gotten answers or correspondance. But for heaven's sake, don't make a thread talking about the weather, then reply to YOURSELF five minutes later telling us what you had for breakfast. That's nonsense.
User Infractions
We all understand that everyone gets a little out of sorts at times. It happens to the best of us. For these cases, we have a "user infraction system". This system is used in those cases when folks simply CAN'T agree with a clear rule violation. The first offense is a warning, posted within the thread and submitted via PM just to ensure that you're aware. The second offense will result in an "infraction". Think of these as "negative points" that will ultimately result in your removal (banning) from this site if the behavior persists. This isn't middle school, people. JP, Felony Evasion, and I are hoping that this is a system we NEVER have to use, but it's there just in case. Each incident will be handled individually, and the length of time banned will depend on the severity of the incident.
Post in the proper area
This is a crucial element in keeping the site organized. Items for sale MUST be posted within the classifieds only (although you're free to advertise them in your signature as well). In other words, please keep the Super Bowl scores in the Pit Stop rather than in "GM vehicles for sale". This is self explanatory, and the areas have been clearly labeled to take the guesswork out of what content belongs in which areas.
Stay on topic
Understandably, it's difficult to stay on topic in certain light-hearted threads. Having said that, we urge you to try to remain on topic so that the threads flow and don't become cluttered with "filler". "Filler" is material that lacks substance, such as responding with only emoticons, or a post-count-bumping word like "oh". If you want to discuss something else, that's wonderful! However, please spawn your OWN thread, rather than post "I like spinach dip" in a thread about Chrysler cylinder head torque specs. If this happens, we'll be glad to redirect the thread back to topic, but that's embarrassing for all of us, LOL.
User reputation system
Just above your "join date", you'll notice a small "scale" icon. It looks like this ~~~> http://www.spokentorque.com/forums/images/buttons/reputation.gif. This is referred to as reputation, and is given by fellow members who feel you're worthy of the recognition based on what you post. Your "rep" points are displayed in your User CP. This system makes it easier to identify helpful contributors as well as trolls. The system is set up to allow you to "spread" rep rather than repeatedly giving it to one person, just to keep the game fair and minimize abuse. Everyone starts with 10 points. Your "rep power" rises on the anniversaries of your join date, certain post count milestones, and the amount of rep received.
Fundraisers
Here at Spoken Torque, we're good hearted folks who love to help legitimate causes. We welcome you to post your threads advertising charitible car shows, benefit fundraisers for the American Heart Association, and things of that nature. With that in mind, we do NOT permit the posting of threads which ask us to dig deep within our pockets to save Johnny Doe's car from Rex the Repo Man because he spent his last six car payments on booze. This is not a charity, and we refuse to subject our members to the pressures of vigilantly saving a car or a Rolex due to money/priority mismanagement. If you're unsure whether your fundraiser adheres to this criteria, PM the material to one of our moderators prior to posting it.
Advertisers
We encourage vendors and manufacturers to register with our community. We have an attractive advertising rate, and several ways to accomodate your needs. Please contact the admin via PM to discuss advertising. All ads posted by vendors will be subject to immediate deletion unless pre-authorized by the administrators.
Word filters
I've taken the liberty of adding only a handful of words to the filter list. Why? Because I refuse to believe that this community will consist of a pack of foul-mouthed heathens, until you prove me otherwise. If expletives become a real issue, words wil be added on an as-needed basis.
NWS
NWS, or "not work safe", applies to material that might get someone in hot water if they view it in the workplace. We ask that you post material of this nature in the Asylum, and use the "NWS" characters within your subject, just to ensure that your post won't result in Jack Jones getting fired, and starting a fundraiser thread so the guilty can save his car from repossession. (A JOKE!)
No Nudity
Let's just be clear on this. There's NOTHING wrong with posting pictures of beautiful women on this site, so long as their goodies (or the majority of) are COVERED. Bikinis are fine, semi-seductive are fine, but absolutely ZERO full nudity. To further break this down, these items need to be covered: Boobies, Booty, Genitals. This material is to be posted ONLY within the Asylum, and ONLY with the *NWS* label. This is a serious issue, and like every other rule, will be strongly enforced.
One account per user
A system is in place to ensure that we have no more than one membership per customer. There's no need for alter egos here. If you tarnish your "footprint" here, that's your problem.
No discussion or references to street racing
There's no denying it. Everyone on this forum has displayed their speed outside the safety of a track at one time or another. Having said that, Spoken Torque does not condone or encourage street racing, and strictly prohibits discussions relating to the subject. As such, any posts referencing your illegal extracurricular activities will automatically be deleted, no questions asked. Why? Because when you partake in a street race and kill yourself and/or others, we're not getting sued. We TRIED to discourage you. Plus, street racing is about as lame as it gets. Save that stuff for a Civic SI forum.
Any questions? Feel free to PM one of the mods. :)