Forum Rules

[MCMLXV]

Be respectful of the opinions of other members, and do not discriminate based on nationality, sexuality, gender, religion or race. Do not flame or degrade other members. If you have a problem with another members actions, contact a member of our staff.

We come to the assumption that when you start posting on these forums that you have read and agreed to the WitchesGrove Rules. If we see anything that conflicts with the information that you agreed upon when you entered the forums, it will result in a warning, or an instant ban, at the discretion of the forum moderators. This isn't to be mean, but it has to do with uniform conformity to the rules by all of our members.

We have a "3 strikes then you're out" policy. That is, if users break the rules they will receive a warning. Each user is allowed 3 fair warnings via the Personal Message system, and on 4th violation of the rules will receive a ban or probation. Users on probation will have Read Only access to the forums for the duration of their probation. Disabling the Personal Message function or not reading Personal Messages sent by moderators will not be seen as an excuse.

Some infractions will cause instant termination of your account, such as describing or linking to how to pirate any software/media, or causing a major disruption in the forums. Because proxies are frequent sources of commercial spam and other abuse of forum facilities, proxy addresses may be banned at any time and without notice.

Since this is an English forum and is located in the USA, we respectfully request that English is used here for consistencies sake. Nothing against any non-English language, but the forums would become very confusing otherwise. We also ask that user names are in a Latin based alphabet.

The use of leet speak is difficult to understand for many, and should not be used. In addition, please do not take it upon yourself to be a spelling and grammar cop. With the number of non-English speaking members here, it is to be expected errors will occur. It is fine to be helpful, just please don't be spiteful.

Blessed Be, You Are Among Witches.


1. Inappropriate Images/Links/Discussion are not allowed.

If you link to images/sites with inappropriate content, such as swearing and nudity your post will be edited and you will receive a warning. Warez/piracy/illegal download and pornography sites will warrant an instant termination of your account here. Links may be removed at a moderator’s discretion if they feel the content is excessive or otherwise inappropriate.

Posting false links as in deliberately misleading other members about what they are clicking on or linking to is forbidden. Examples of such is posting a screamer and telling them, "Isn't this cool.", links to a game such as "you have been bitten" or other such game that gains the posters points or recognition, posting such links will result in a warning. Deliberately posting or linking to malicious or misleading information will result in your account being banned. Please note that this include such links in signatures as well as the text of a post.


2. Cursing/Swearing is not allowed.

We do not allow any bad language on these forums. Swearing, even with asterisks, intentionally misspelling, omitting letters, other characters replacing letters or any other form of avoidance is not permitted. Doing so will result in a warning for bypassing the autocensor. In addition, if your post contains close to nothing but [CENSORED] tags, it too can be considered excessive swearing and be cause for a warning.


3. Spamming/Cross-posting are not allowed.

Spam is the posting of advertisements, abusive, or unneeded messages on Internet forums. Off topic comments, or posts that have little or no relevance to the subject being discussed, repetitive threads or a post that does not contribute to the thread such as "inb4the lock" or other "playing at being a moderator" posts are all considered spam on this forum.

Cross posting is asking the same question via starting a topic in more than one section of this forums. This is not allowed. Please note the different sections and try to post in the appropriate section. Should you realize you have posted in the wrong section, please ask a moderator to move it. The moderators will be happy to assist you with getting it to the appropriate section.


4. Trolling is not allowed.

In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as this forum to bait users into responding. They may also plant images and data that others may find disturbing (usually indirectly relating to the individual in person) in order to cause confrontation.


5. Cross-Site Trolling is not allowed.

Destructive and personal criticisms of other sites are not welcome here. Disagreements occurring on other forums should stay at those forums and not be brought here. Flaming members or groups of members from other forums and websites (such as "everyone at Forum X is a moron" or "Webmaster Y is an idiot") may result in sanctions against your account. Inciting or organizing attacks against sites will result in the instant termination of your account.


6. Flaming is not allowed.

Insulting individuals or groups of members and name calling are flames. Any remark that is made to insult or demean another member or group of members will be considered a flame and thus you may receive a warning for it. Calling people a troll or an apologist for instance can both be considered a flame as can calling someone stupid or ADD. Attacking or in anyway indicating someone is in some way a lesser person because of their choice or beliefs is considered a flame here.


7. The only criticism that is allowed here is constructive criticism, and that is welcome.

Constructive criticism criticizes a proposed idea. Criticism that is directed against one person, be it another member, a certain moderator or a group effort are all forbidden. This means that when you voice your concerns, please do so in a way that offers a vehicle for improvement. If you see something going wrong, feel free to say so, but also say something about how to set it right.

It also means that posts that run down other members or factions among the membership who may not agree with you are still out under the rules against flaming and flame baiting.


8. Posting about moderator or administrator action or inaction is also against the rules of this forum.

Please feel free however to contact the moderator involved, another moderator you feel comfortable with, or our community administrator if you disagree with a moderator action. Our moderators do not mind taking a second look or discussing an action with the other moderators and admin to assure they have acted fairly. So if you think you've been treated wrongly or unfairly, be sure to send a PM. Sometimes moderators make mistakes.


9. Proxy IP Addresses

Proxies are frequent sources of commercial spam and other abuse of forum facilities, proxy addresses may be banned at any time and without notice, and members using a banned proxy address will have no recourse but to find a different way to access the forums. Any member persistently using a proxy IP will have their account closed.


10. Do not double post (post consecutively in a topic) on the forum unless…

You have new information to add after several days since your previous post was made
You are bumping a topic after several days of no replies
You are quoting various posts, and feel the need to do so in separate posts


11. Use the "Report" feature.

Do not complain in-topic about the subject being too far off-topic or otherwise breaking rules. Use the 'report post' feature to alert a member of staff instead. Leave it to staff to establish what is and is not acceptable posting.