The following are basic rules for the Absolute Anime forum. Failure to comply with these rules may result in banishment, which I really hate doing, but will when it becomes necessary.
All rules and guidelines for posting should also be considered to apply to chat and private messages. And let me state right now that sexually related private messages are NOT allowed! (Also note that I have access to all private messages.)
Do not fling insults (and that includes name-calling) or make threats. Disrespectful or threatening posts are not allowed. If you are angry or upset, and feel like lashing out, just leave. These forums should be a fun place to visit!
Do not start or get drawn into an argument. Debates are fine, as you are free to disagree with people's opinions, but when your posts lose meaning or start resorting to insults, it's time to stop.
Do not sign up for the sole purpose of advertising or soliciting. Advertising and other forms of solicitations will be allowed in small quantities once you have shown yourself to be an active member of the forum.
Do not give out personal information, such as your phone number or address, and do not ask others to do so either. Never, never, never! Not in posts, and not in private messages, and not in e-mail! There are so many sneaky and underhanded people out there that will say whatever they can to trick you into giving out this information. Stay safe, and just DON'T DO IT!! If you are caught asking someone for their personal information, you may be banned! (As webmaster, I do have the ability to look through your private messages!)
Posts with swearing, sexually explicit content, and other "adult only" topics are strictly limited to the Adult Forums. Posting this material anywhere else may result in banishment. The automatic word censoring does not give you permission to swear! Additionally, any intentional circumvention of the automatic word censoring for the purposes of swearing will result in immediate banishment without warning.
Moderators are here to help you with problems, as well as to help enforce the rules. If a moderator gives you a warning about your conduct, you should take it seriously, but don't get upset about it. They're simply trying to do their job, which isn't as easy as you might think. If you feel a moderator has been unjust, you could contact me, though contacting another moderator would probably be quicker.Guidelines
The following guidelines were written up by Dark Lily and Who Wants to Know?, and should help you to stay liked on the forums.
Employ good netiquette
A good board message is like a good e-mail--which is in turn like a good letter. The more proper the tone of writing, the more respectable you appear. Even simple, casual replies will look better if you stick to the rules. And moderators do not find putting out the fires of flame wars fun--there will usually be consequences.
Good grammar is always a plus
But at the same time, forgive anyone who would have difficulty with this, such as foreign board members whose grip on English grammar may be incomplete.
Preview before you post
Sometimes, you may type something that doesn't come out exactly right. The Preview gives you a chance to see how it would look before posting. I've always used it first and found it saved my face more than once. If you feel you can't trust your typing or spelling, try the spell checker.
Watch out for profanity
The occasional "damn" or "hell" may be overlooked. More graphic and vulgar language will not be tolerated in any of the forums, even the ones for adults only.
Don't spam
Pointless, annoying or off topic posts will not win you friends. You my find your messages moved, nuked and/ or your account locked.
Post in the correct forum
- Think before you submit. Make sure your topic in the most logical and effective place. Example: If you are asking about song lyrics, don't post in Any Specific Anime. (It's been done) Post it in Music Discussion.
- If you have something to say about RahXephon, for example, look to see if there is a forum dedicated to it. There isn't. Therefore you post it in Any Specific Anime and not in Anime Discussion.
- "My Little Brother Stuck A Bean Up His Nose" goes in Pointless Chit-Chat.
Don't start a redundant thread
Read through at least the first two pages of a forum and make sure there the topic does not already exist. We really don't need another "Who Do You Think Is Hot" thread anywhere.
Don't give away the ending!!!
Don't screw up a story for someone who hasn't seen it yet. Do not come out and say "So-and-so died" or "Joe Greentooth ended up with the girl," or anything else crucial to the plot. Use "Spoiler" warnings and the spoiler black out feature.
Show respect
Respect other's likes even if they don't suit your own. Stating "That anime sucks," is not valid criticism. You certainly can say you don't like a particular anime but there is no need insult all the people who do. If you don't like something state reasonably why.
Report jerks
Don't hesitate to PM a moderator or two or three when you see someone messing things up. We are all on at different times so one of us is bound to take care of it.
View the list of moderators
Moderator Guidelines
Here are some guidelines for effective moderating. Although these are all directed to forum moderators, I am posting them here so that everyone can get an better understanding of moderating.
<b><u>Report Your Actions</u></b>
Before taking any action on a thread or post, a moderator should first post a reply explaining why they are taking the action. This is for the benefit of the original author, the general forum members, the moderators, and myself. You can be sure that at least one of us will want to know why you took the action that you did.
<b><u>Moving Threads</u></b>
Moderators should move threads that were created in forums unrelated to the thread's topic. This is not always easy, as often a thread can fit into multiple categories, thus moderators will need to use their best judgement. A thread that discusses the forum in which it was posted belongs where it is. For example, a post in the sports forum which discusses the sports forum may remain the sports forum, even though the post is not discussing actual sports content.
<b><u>Deleting Threads</u></b>
Only administrators can actually delete threads, though moderators can move threads to the Questionable Threads forum where the general members of the forum cannot enter. Before moving a thread to this location, make sure there is a good reason, for instance, if there was a double-post or if a thread was completely inappropriate. Sometimes only a single post in a thread is inappropriate, and those can just be edited rather than moving the whole thread.
<b><u>Editing Posts</u></b>
If a moderator needs to edit a post that contains inappropriate content, the edits should be marked so that others will know who edited the post and why. As an example, I usually say something like [Edited by webmaster for inappropriate content].
<b><u>Inappropriate Content</u></b>
Threads with excessive swearing, heated arguments, advertising, solicitations, and other disrespectful content is what I consider to be inappropriate. These should be locked. Some advertising will be allowed for those members who have shown themselves to be active members of the forums. Threads that are not disrespectful but still happen to contain excessive swearing or sexually explicit content should be moved to one of the adult forums.
Sometimes people make threads that seem designed to start heated arguments, such as someone stating that they hate a certain anime. In a case like this, the person needs to give reasons why they feel that way. If they don't, then a moderator can lock it.
<b><u>Banning Users</u></b>
Only administrators, not moderators, can ban users. Therefore, moderators should not threaten to ban users. Instead, moderators should inform the user that a request for suspension will be made.
<b><u>Requests For Locking Threads</u></b>
A moderator is under no obligation to lock or remove a thread so long as there are no rules being violated, even if asked to do so by the person who started the thread (the only exception to this is for threads created in the Moderator Applications forum). If a moderator does decide to lock the topic based on the author's request, then the moderator should make a post stating the reason prior to actually locking the thread.
Suggestions Welcomed
Please feel free to post additional suggestions for users, moderators, and administrators.
Chat Rules & Etiquette
Although the rules and guidelines listed for the forum do also apply to the chatroom, Mai felt that some additional specification would helpful when referring to chatroom rules and etiquette, and so here they are....
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CensorshipThis has become a big problem for the chat. I understand that when you say a cuss word it comes out as "!@%#&" or something alike, but that doesn't mean it's alright. Just because a word IS censored, doesn't mean you are allowed to cuss.
Another thing about this censorship, that I've come to realize..Is users tend to just normally type "!@%#&" or something alike, and it is confusing for us Moderators. How are we supposed to know if you are or are not cussing? We don't want to issue a ban when you may have not been cussing.
ALSO, you may have realized that trying to get around the censorship results in an auto-ban when in the forums, right? Well, if this is attempted in the chat room I feel it's necessary that the same punishment is taken.
SpamAs in the forums, spamming is not allowed in the chat. I've noticed that a lot of users DO spam in the chat.
An example of spamming in the chat is as follows:
[Stella] 8:55 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Stella] 8:55 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Stella] 8:55 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Stella] 8:56 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Stella] 8:56 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Stella] 8:56 pm: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The reason we are hard pressed on this is that it DOES lag the Chat. Making it difficult to talk in the chat. It being a chat, you are supposed to be able to interact. Let alone, it's deathly annoying.
Personal Information and Keeping SafeDo not give out personal information, such as your phone number or address, and do not ask others to do so either. Never, never, never! Not in posts, and not in private messages, and not in e-mail! There are so many sneaky and underhanded people out there that will say whatever they can to trick you into giving out this information. Stay safe, and just DON'T DO IT!! If you are caught asking someone for their personal information, you may be banned! (As webmaster, I do have the ability to look through your private messages!)
- Webmaster
AttitudeThere's a time to joke around and there's a time to be serious. If you feel threatened by another user tell a Moderator. We'll help solve it.
We don't tolerate bad attitudes and disrespect to other users. If you are disrespectful remind yourself that how you treat others..Others will treat you the way you treat them!
It's alright to have a debate or an in depth conversation but when it gets out of hand and insults become a part of it, end it.
ModerationAs Moderators, we are responsible for what happens in the chat room. Maybe we can't stop everyone from breaking the rules, but we can help enforce them. Like with the Forum, the chat room is run the same way. Set out warnings, and after three issue a ban. If users get out of hand then talk to another Moderator with more experience who may be able to handle the situation better.
ALSO, Moderators are just like you all. We like anime and like to discuss about anime. We came here, to AA for the sole purpose of talking about a shared interest and getting to interact. BUT, we have a duty to up hold and it isn't as easy as you all may think. We try to be nice but once our kindness is abused we have to put our feet down. If you think a moderator is abusing their rights then say so! You have a VOICE and you WILL be heard. Original member or not, you do have the right to express what you think.
RespectRespect is a reasonable option that all moderators seek from users. Give respect and you will recieve all the respect that can be offered. It is unacceptable. Learning to hold your word and stop flipping a lid will help curve and make this place a fun environment for all users.
Report If you see something happening in the chat room that you KNOW is not allowed then, please, tell a moderator. *Nods* It's not your responsibility to take it into your own hands but it is much appreciated. Along with having fun on AA, we like to have some sort of structure and order. It's one of the many keys that keeps a Forum well kept and a community where all can interact. If you do report a user, we'll talk to the other user. Names of reporters will be blacked out, obviously. Like I said before, if you feel uncomfortable then say so!
thnak you!!!
