There are some forum rules that aren't listed in the users agreement. We're going to outline these here. Complaints and suggestions should still be sent to HC Admin, which can be done by using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page.
1. Pornographic material and offensive photosNo pornographic material is allowed to be displayed on the forum. This includes nude or semi-nude photos, file attachments or links to external websites. This ALSO includes "Safe For Work" Porn, as there is no such thing. Finally, pictures of people puking, defecating or other gross bodily functions are not allowed. This also includes pictures of feces, puke, corpses, mutilated bodies (human/animal) etc. Unfortunately, this has to be written out for some people. You can use the following as a guideline for "is this porn?":
• No exposed genitalia or pubic hair.
• No bottomless pictures (this includes men or women in tiny thongs).
• No exposed nipples on pictures of women.
2. Swearing in TitlesThis rule is obvious, and doesn't need explaining. In the past we allowed people to use * and other symbols, but recently we've noticed that some people aren't able to start a thread without using this method, so from now on, NO swearing in thread titles will be tolerated, regardless of whether you use symbols or not.
3. Drug related threads / threads relating to criminal activityAll threads that are created specifically about drug use will be deleted. The reason for this is to protect both HC and its users from getting into trouble with their respective local law authorities. The internet is NOT a secure means of communication, and it is possible for people's identities to be found using the internet. You should be aware that, for 99% of us, drug use is illegal in the countries we live in, and by admitting to said activities on a forum like this (and particularly if you also display photos of performing these activities!), you are confessing to committing a crime.
4. Unwarranted harassment, flamingThis is covered in the user's agreement. We do try to be fairly liberal about people's rights to argue about issues, but when these arguments degenerate into flame wars, they will be removed. We understand that this rule is a bit subjective but it's supposed to preserve a well-minded spirit on the forum. Comments that are racist, sexist, or inflammatory to gays are not acceptable and will be removed. There will be zero tolerance for these and any such comments will result in an immediate banning.
In case of conflict between members, mods will prevail.
Please read this
reminder, which is the user's agreement that you agreed to when you became a member.
You can notice that the moderators have the right to delete anything at all, without any requirement to explain our actions. Please remember, before you complain, that we rarely exercise that option, and that, if we do, it's usually for a good reason.
* Things we can and can't do!
- We can delete threads, and we can also move them to the Admin forum, for the HC Admin staff to deal with.
- We can lock threads.
- We can delete individual posts.
- We can edit individual posts, merge and split them if needed.
- We can lock user accounts, although the permanent banning of a user is still a function reserved to administration. Note that, while we have this authority, our use of this function is always accountable to administration.
- Super moderators have just the same power as moderators but they keep it in all forums.
5. Spam, professional membersMembers can use the
Harmony Central classified pages or the
Harmony Central classified forums to advertise for their stuff. Any spam in the forum must be placed in the sticky threads at the top of the page.
Amateur members who contribute on a regular basis are allowed to advertise in their signature, providing they don't abuse that privilege.
Professionals should post a link to their own music site, too (luthiers, teachers, ...). They must clearly identify themselves in their signature.
Retailers and reps are NOT allowed to advertise under any circumstances but can provide info about their products.
Be honest. Swindling of a member through the forum will result in instant banning, regardless of the shape it takes.
Also, rest assured that everything will then be done to spread the word about your behaviors.
6. Links, pics, music files, videosPosting copyrighted music or video on the board is a no-no, unless you're the owner of said rights.
Hot linking to other sites is not encouraged, unless their policy allows it.
Avoid linking to muddy sites with possible illegal/pornographic material and links.
Remember that even if you're got a splendid broad band connection, it's not the case for everyone on the board.
Use memory savvy formats : .jpg and .mp3 should be prefered to .bmp and .wav for example.
Pics bigger than 800x600 usually aren't necessary and perturb the framing of the forum.
If, for some reason, you want to show a bigger pic, link to it instead of displaying said pic.
If you don't own the necessary tools for such duties, you can use these :
IrfanView will resize and convert any picture format.
Lame is a nifty .wav to .mp3 converter.
Both are free of use for individuals.
YouTube hosts videos just fine.
http://rapidshare.de/ will let you easily upload files if you don't own a ftp space.
Also included in this rule is in regards to torrents or other P2P softare. These programs are used primarily to download stolen software/video/images and music. As such, they cannot be allowed to be posted on the site. Any mention of these programs can result in the thread being deleted and the poster possibly being removed from the site.
Further to this, we will add any other rules that may have missed as they appear.
In case of conflict with the mods, admin will prevail.
7. Double monikers/AltsAny members found to be posting under an alias will have the alias permanently banned and their regular name banned temporarily. Repeat offenders will have their IP’s banned as well as both user names. Again, another no brainer, considering it's part of the TOS when you sign up on HC, but alts are not allowed under any circumstances. Any. Circumstances. If your home forum allows alts, we suggest you keep them there, because here your alt WILL be gone for good and chances are, your main moniker will get time off as well.
8. Insulting New MembersWe get a large influx of new forum members all the time. This is how a BBS grows. There seems to be a disturbing trend for people to insult new folks to the forum and initiating them by way of insulting them and making personal attacks. Anyone found doing this repeatedly will end up with time off.
9. Excessive Parody threadsFun is fun, and a good parody thread is worth its weight in gold. However, when the entire front page (or close to it) is buried in parodies, the threads will be deleted and the originator will receive time off for contributing to the nonsense.
10. Changing People's QuotesA Malicious changing of someone’s quotes in a serious discussion in an attempt to be "witty", "cute" or to "prove a point" will be rewarded with time off. Two people having a fun conversation is of course, allowed, but changing a quote to "win" at the internetz is simply fail.
11. Excessive OT We shouldn't HAVE to make a rule about this, but since some folks feel the need to post OT topics both in excess and about topics most folks would rather not hear about so we have no choice. Excessive OT topics in a day with result in them being closed/moved/deleted.
This is for the most part not a banable offense, but could be if gone overboard.
HCAF is for talking gear and fun, its is not your personal twitter account. So also please refrain OT threads from being about your
farts/masturbation habits/shitting/ETC.12. Political and Religious ThreadsThese are alright as long as the forum is not overwhelmed with them and the conversation can remain civil, name calling or bashing of entire religions and political ideologies or even individual members will not be tolerated.
Threads that degenerate or even start in this fashion will either be closed or moved to PP and bans may be dealt out to those who cannot behave maturely.
Also some threads that aren't political or religious get out of hand in the same manner, if we receive large amounts of reports or pms on a thread that are legitimate it may be closed as well.
13. Insulting/Obnoxious Behavior and NegativityDo you find yourself constantly wanting to insult other people? Find another forum. Are you tempted to type "Cool story, bro" or some other useless internet meme any chance you get? Find another forum. When someone asks "What is the best tube to use in my
?", are you tempted to say "Whatever tube will fit in your anus!"? Find another forum. Is every post you make insulting an amp/speaker/tube/guitar/guitarist/forum member/car/gaming system, etc? Find another forum.
Insults (unless you and the other person are friends, and even then, it needs to remain PG13) and other negative behavior will result in an instant ban. No questions asked. We can still have fun, crack jokes, etc. But we will respect each other as much as humanely possible.
these can and will be modified as we move along...
Please note: Failure to read the above rules will not excuse you should you break one of the said rules.
Help Desk