Show Some Respect Mind Your Language Remember the Rules "Spam" is the Kiss of Death Answer for Your Actions Watch Your Back Show Some Respect
We expect all members of this community to show one another appropriate respect and deference. Insults, threats, racism, sexism, and unacceptable vulgarity, as defined by the management, will be cause for disciplinary action. The managerial team at this community exercises a "three strikes and you're out" policy where it comes to misbehavior, though we will exercise that option in less than three strikes if any of the strikes are particularly egregious. All members of this community are to be treated as equals and peers without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, age, level of experience, or personal weaknesses expressed or unexpressed. Likewise, the airing of members' dirty laundry in public without their permission is expressly forbidden, as are ad hominem attacks against members, religious bigotry, and vulgarity. Any deviation from this pattern will be construed as cause for appropriate disciplinary action.
Flame wars are strictly forbidden on this community. Certain subcultures on the Internet will sometimes get into flame wars for the sheer joy of getting into flame wars, but that's antithetical to the nature of Black Hole Surfers. Debates and arguments are fully acceptable, and even encouraged when the environment is right, but flame wars, like ad hominem attacks, are completely unacceptable and will be construed as grounds for immediate disciplinary action as detailed in this Code of Conduct.
The laws of all nations are to be kept in mind here, primarily those of the United States, as this is a U.S.-based community. Crimes such as copyright violation (under the Berne Convention), dissemination of unlawful information, slander, libel, treason, sedition, and all other actions that could be construed as unlawful will be disciplined accordingly, without regard for extenuating circumstances, and without the benefit of a three-strikes policy.
Mind Your Language
There has been some debate in the past as to what constitutes unacceptable language. Here are some pointers, though bear in mind that no list can be all-inclusive, and the managers have the right of final veto.
Remember, some people are offended by a certain pair of words that begin with the letters “F” and “S” respectively. Though some people are quite all right with these words others are not, and some are bothered by their presence in an environment where children could look on. Refrain from using these words. If you use them once, you will receive a polite reminder. Same on the second time you use them. If you use them three times, you will be excused from the community.
Words of a scatological nature, vulgar sexual terminology, words that malign others according to racial, ethnic, or national lines, and crude references to body parts are also looked on poorly. The managers reserve the right of reprimand if anyone uses these terms conversationally. We expect members to be able to abide by standards of decorum and common decency, and to speak like you would if you were in public. If you use strong language in public, then try to speak like you would in front of your great-grandmother.
Remember the Rules
You as a member are responsible for all actions you take under the Black Hole Surfers rubric. Members of management will hold you to that responsibility. Violating any rules under the "Show Some Respect" umbrella, as well as any behavior that is unacceptable to the managerial team for reasons expressed or unexpressed, will result in appropriate disciplinary responses. Under the "three strikes" policy you will be warned twice (less if the offence is especially reprehensible) and then your membership will be revoked. Appeals may be made to the full manager, but only in justifiable circumstances will leniency be extended. The rules are posted here for anyone to see; members are expected to know them and act by them or get out of town.
"Spam" is the Kiss of Death
Unsolicited bulk mailings to members of this community to advertize a product, service, action, or other commercial offering are strictly forbidden and will receive one warning, followed by termination. If members wish to advertize a product, service, action, or other commercial offering, feel free to do so by by indiviualized mailings to members. Exception is made for inviting members to join communities operated by members of Black Hole Surfers only, but these invitations must be made though your personal e-mail account or through the "Invite Others to Join" function on your own community, not through the function on the first page that allows you to e-mail all members simultaneously.
Beginning 1 November 2000 net billboards will no longer be permitted on the Discussion Boards without prior managerial permission and will be deleted immediately if posted without that same permission.. The Discussion Boards are for the sole and express purpose of discussion and communication among members. Posting a link to another site, even a business site, will remain permissible within the body of messages, and invitations to membership in other communities may be made if appropriate to the flow of conversation, but simply posting a message to drum up business off-site will be construed as a net billboard and will be removed from the Discussion Boards.
Answer for Your Actions
Members are responsible for their actions at all times. All members will be held accountable for anything said or done under their names on the Discussion Board, mailings that go out, or links and recommendations posted. The managerial team reserves the right to remove, without warning or explanation, anything deemed inappropriate for the nature of this community and anything disruptive to its harmony. This is not a slight against members, it is simply an action taken to ensure that Black Hole Surfers maintains its integrity and does not drift into an unwanted spirit.
Likewise, any links posted are the sole responsibility of the poster, not of the managerial team. Anything containing adult material, vulgarity, offensive comment, illegal action or statement, or anything else deemed objectionable by members are the sole responsibility of the poster, not of Black Hole Surfers. Though the management of this community strives to keep the contents of this community clean and presentable, surfing off-site is done at members' risk. Therefore we encourage parents to keep an eye on their kids when they're utilizing this Web resource.
Watch Your Back
You are expected to take some very simple precautions in using this Web resource. Giving away personal information such as addresses, telephone numbers, credit card information, social security numbers, birthdates, mothers' maiden names, and anything else that can be used as information-gathering tools is a very bad idea. Likewise, bear in mind that anyone who seems very charming on the Discussion Boards or in the Chat area may not be accurately reflecting their actual personalities. If you must meet someone face-to-face that you've met through this Web community, please do so in a neutral public place, and exercise the same caution you'd use if you met someone through a Personal Ad or on a blind date. It would also be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the MSN Privacy Policy to ensure your own personal safety.
These guidelines are based upon the MSN Code of Conduct and are drawn up to ensure the continued mutual enjoyment of this Web resource by all members of Black Hole Surfers. Please act by these rules while on Black Hole Surfers and unity and peace will be maintained. All questions should be directed to the managers of this community, not to Microsoft or MSN, which have absolved themselves of all liability for anything said or done on their communities. These rules are subject to being updated as the need arises. Last updated 7 April 2002.
