The Rules - please read these before posting!

[Sapphire]

(Last modified: 16/1/07)

The rules are here to protect you and to help keep the board running smoothly. They aren't here because we admins like power, they're here to keep order so that this is a pleasant, fun and productive place for you, the member, to visit. It is simply a fact of life that if everyone were allowed to do as they pleased, there'd be chaos, so in order to prevent that these rules have been put in place. They are laid out clearly for you so you don't run the risk of getting on the nerves of your fellow members or moderators. In joining this forum, you agree to follow these rules. If you don't like them, no one is making you stay here. Now that the intro is out of the way, here they are:

Rule 1: No flaming, slandering or swearing. Be polite and respectful at all times not just to the mods, but to your fellow board members. If you disagree with a member on something, civil debate is allowed but it must not stray away from the original thread topic (if it does, you should make a new thread in the appropriate forum, such as the Rant forum). No hate threads attacking any member or moderator will be allowed. If you have a problem with someone, especially a moderator, take it to private message.

Rule 2: Post on topic. It helps keep things running smoothly. An off-topic message only disrupts the flow of a thread. So don't do it.

Rule 3: Respect the decisions of the moderators. If you have your message edited or locked and you don't understand why, or if you disagree with the decision, then discuss it with the moderator via private message or email. We are always open to suggestion and willing to hear your opinion. DO NOT take it to the forums. This only creates unnecessary drama and turbulence within the community. If the reason given by the moderator is not satisfactory, then take it up with an admin or Sapphire, the owner.

Rule 4: Don't be unpleasantly explicit. Nothing overly aggressive in nature or sexually explicit will be allowed. Pornography, hate speech, profanity, commercial messages and spam will NOT be tolerated.

Rule 5: No plagiarism. That means no taking someone else's fic (or art) and claiming it as your own, or changing it slightly and claiming it as your own. Bwint cannot be responsible for hosting plagiarists.

Rule 6: No Follow Up Threads. If your or another's thread has been locked the issue is closed. New threads to continue the locked thread or dredge up unfinished issues from the locked thread can and will be closed / deleted without warning.

Rule 7: Don't be an anarchist. If you come here simply to stir up trouble and upset people, especially after you have been asked not to by a mod/admin, your stay here will be short-lived.

If any of these rules are broken more than 3 times (except for rule 5, which will require immediate action) after ignoring warnings, there will be consequences.

That's it! Seven easy rules to follow. Now with those in mind, go back to the main categories of the board and have fun! The rules are, after all, in your best interests. If you follow them, everyone stays happy.

>Sapphire<