WF's Plain and simple rules

[Gandalfe]

The end-all, be-all of our rules is, "Be nice to each other." There are some specific things that we want to mention, though:

* Be respectful of each other. Remember, one has to "take offense." If you take offense to something, ask politely for clarification. Someone might have "misspoken." If you have a real problem and can't settle it via PM, talk to a staff member.

* Post in English. This isn't because we're English snobs, it's because we (mostly) can't read anything else.

* Make an effort to use good spelling and grammar (see the above note). If you can't read English and you're using Google Translate, the translation will be hideous if the spelling and/or grammar is bad.

We recommend that you use Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/), IE7 Pro (http://www.ie7pro.com/) (or better), Google Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome) or the Iron browser (http://www.srware.net/en/software_srware_iron.php). All these have built in spell-checkers. You could also type your message in your favorite text processor, check it and then copy and paste it into the forum.

* Please limit your use of slang. I've worked with people from all over the world and it is sometimes amusing to see the looks on their faces when I use slang, but you can't see people here, so there's no amusement value.

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Specific Things We'll Probably Ban You For

* Keep all content safe and suitable for work (i.e. keep the swearing to a minimum, don't post p0rn). Failure to do so may result in an immediate and permanent ban.

* Don't post stuff that's illegal (including copyrighted stuff, libel, etc.). Don't post links to illegal stuff or how to get stuff illegally. Doing so may result in an immediate and permanent ban.

* Don't cross post (cross posting is when you post the same post in multiple places), as we may construe it to be spam which could result in a ban.

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We'll DEFINITELY Ban You For ...

... Disrespecting the WF staff.

In other words,
--> Starting a thread to continue a locked thread is a Bad Idea.
--> Starting a thread to dispute the locking of a thread is a Really Bad Idea.
--> Making a personal attack on a CE/Mod/Admin for any decision that the CE/Mod/Admin made is an Incredibly Bad Idea.

... Spam or phishing.

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Finally, please note:

The staff and members of The Woodwind Forum do not necessarily endorse any product or service mentioned on this forum.

Forum membership does not mean that we implicitly approve of someone's product or services. If you patronize a forum member and have a problem, DO NOT TAKE IT OUT IN A FLAME WAR ON THE FORUM. If you want to drop Ed, Jim or me a PM or e-mail about someone, go ahead. However, we're not under any obligation to ban someone because of your experiences.

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If you need specific qualifications for any of the above, feel free to contact a member of the staff.



Small update on 12/31/07 @ 4:13p by pete.
Small update on 01/03/08 @ 9:42a by pete.
Update for spam/phishing on 01/05/08 @ 8:27p by pete.
Update language and cross posting on 01/16/08 @ 10:30a by ed.
Update to include Libel on 08/26/09 by pete.
Update regarding spelling/grammar/slang on 07/24/10 by pete.
Update regarding "immediate ban offenses" on 07/24/10 by pete.
Updated browser list on 07/24/10 by pete.
Update regarding endorsements on 12/15/11 @8:15p by pete.

[pete]

First, "The Mall" (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=381) (our marketplace area) has its own specific rules and permissions, which are detailed in http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=382

Second, people have asked if it's OK to post in a thread that they know where the horn/mouthpiece being discussed is for sale (see http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1214).

I, personally, don't have any business ties, but I do have some businesses that I'm quite fond of. So, if the thread is about, "Should I buy an R13?" and I know where one's for sale, I'll try to be helpful and say, "Hey! I know where one's for sale!"

I tend to doubt that most are going to be posting something to the effect of, "... And that's why the Bundy II alto sax is the best horn EVAR. By the way, we've got them on sale for $5,000 at my store." (Well, at least I HOPE no one's going to post something like that :P.) However, if I do see posts like that OR if someone posts so often that something is for sale somewhere that people are annoyed, I'll have a nice one-on-one chat with the poster.

Again, I refer back to Ed's comment: if it's in the natural flow of a thread where someone asks about a product and you can comment that you know where a particular product is, we have no problems with the mention. If some decides to register two accounts here for the sole purpose of havening one account to ask where to find a product and another account to say where to find that product or if someone just starts posting in random threads that he's got something for sale, I'll have a problem with that person and have a little chat with him (re: spamming the forum). I think this may be a real concern of some, so that's why I specifically mention it.

OTHERWISE PLEASE PUT ANY SALES/WANTED POSTS IN THE MALL AREA.

If anyone has a problem with any post, please click on the http://woodwindforum.com/forums/images/buttons/report.gif icon and we'll address it. Or send one or all of us on the admin team a Private Message or E-mail.

Update to include current Mall rules on 08/26/09 by pete.

[pete]

If you're going to stage a YAGE -- Yet Another Grand Exit -- consider yourself banned. However, we may grade you on how amusing your YAGE is and invite you back for another to see if you can top yourself. Or, if your attempt was really poor, the invite will be for a do-over.

Please see http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=873 for further information. (This rule has been in effect since the forum opened in 2008, but a member asked to have it cross-posted here, so it is.)