rules

**basskiller** · #1 03-27-2008, 08:13 AM

Rules

SPAM

SPAM stands for Stupid Pointless Annoying Material/Message. Listed below are our definitions of "SPAM":

Off-Topic Posts - Any post that is either irrelevant to the topic of discussion, or forum is classified as SPAM.
Intentional Post Count Raising - Posting comments just to raise your post count is considered as SPAM. A common instance of this is replying to questions that have already been answered and repeating the answer (see; Bumping Dead Topics), or just posting nonsense that has absolutely nothing to do with that forum or discussion at hand.
One-Word Replies - One-word replies are classified as SPAM, unless otherwise noted in that specific forum's rules.
Bumping Dead Topics - Bumping a topic that has not been posted in in over a month is considered SPAM. If a specific forum's rules notes a different time frame for classifying a thread as "dead", that is the time frame that you are to follow. One month is the standard time frame for classifying threads as "dead".
Personal Member-To-Member Threads - If you post a thread directed at a specific member, it may be classified as SPAM. Please use the Private Messaging function to contact members privately about personal matters, or discussions.

Off-topic posts are allowed on the following forums, under that forum's specific rules:

*The General Forum ONLY!!!

Flames

A flame is an insult or slur directed to a member. Listed below are our definitions of "flames":

Insults - Any type of insult directed from one member to another member. Please remember that there is a big difference between "criticism" and "insulting".
Homosexual Slurs - Any type of homosexual slur directed from one member to another member, whether it'd be false claims that the member being flamed is a homosexual, or mocking a homosexual member for their sexual preference.
Sexual Slurs - Any type of sexual slur directed from one member to another member, whether it'd be describing explicit sexual behaviors involving the member being flamed, or typing sexually explicit slurs using the likeness of the member being flamed.
Racial Slurs - Any type of slur directed from one member to another member or ethnic background insulting a specific ethnic background.

It is important to remember that it is the moderator's discretion as to what is classified as a "flame". If you would like a moderator to review something that you may feel is a flame, please feel free to contact them. If you are unable to contact a moderator, please contact a veteran moderator or member of the administration.

Trolling

Trolling is another common problem here at Offshore Bodybuilding Forums. The big difference between "trolling" and "flaming" is that a direct insult is not always the factor. It simply has to be a comment intended to antagonize another person.

Trolling is where a member provokes another member into an argument or flame war by means of flaming the member, or making a post when the member knows full-well that it will cause an argument or flame war.

A common example of "trolling" is when a member posts something that insults/provokes another group of members/moderators, i.e., posting a thread/post on the PlayStation 2 forum saying that X-Box is better.

Advertising

Advertising is when a member displays a link to a Web site not associated with OffShoreBodyBuilding with the intent to draw visitors of OffShoreBodyBuilding to their Web site. Advertising is usually done in threads or posts, but it's not uncommon to see advertising done in a member's viewable profile fields, such as their "Signature" or "Location".

Companies interested in advertising with OffShoreBodyBuilding can discuss the many options we offer by contacting out sale department. We reply on sponsors in order to keep OffShoreBodyBuilding going so any unapproved advertising will result in immediate banning of your account.

Outside Links

Outside linking is when a member links to a site outside of OffShoreBodyBuilding or Affiliates without the intent of advertising the Web site he/she is linking to. Outside linking is usually done in threads or posts, or "Signatures". If a member is warned for having an outside link in their signature, they are required to remove it within 48 hours, or the signature will be completely removed by an administrator.

It is important to check with each forum's specific rules before posting a link that leads to a Web site outside of OffShoreBodyBuilding or Affiliates.

Censor Bypassing

Censor bypassing is when a member deliberately trys to fool the vBulletin Word Censor. The Word Censor is in place to censor obscene words that may not be acceptable to certain visitors.

Members/moderators bypass the Word Censor by using BB (Bulletin Board) codes to act as a wedge in between censored words, i.e. "fuck". It is also possible to bypass the censor by using ALT-#### codes.

Members/moderators are allowed to use the following characters to obscure at least one character in a censored word, so the word is not completely censored and the viewer can still understand what the word is:

~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + ` { } [ ] : " ; ' < > , . ? /

Signatures

A signature is a unique option that allows you to include various bits of information in a small section after a member/moderators' post. Signatures are subject to the same rules as posts, so, if something is not acceptable to post, then it is not acceptable for a signature.

Signatures are also subject to the following rules:

Length - Signatures may not exceed 5 lines of normal (2) sized text or 7 lines of small (1) sized text.
Width - Signatures may not stretch the page, whether it'd be intentional or accidental.
Glow BB code - Signatures may not have a total glow strength that exceeds 3. Multiple glows may not exceed a combined total of 5.

If you are asked by a moderator to change your signature, please do so immediately. Failure to do so will result in your signature being deleted. A repeat offense usually results in an account ban.