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[CENTER][SIZE=5][B]Cowboys-Forum Rules [/B][/SIZE] [/CENTER]
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[TD="class: alt1, width: 100%, colspan: 6"] Cowboys-Forum Rules (As of 9/4/05, voted on by the Committee for approval)
This forum was created in order to provide Dallas Cowboys fans a place to discuss issues related to their team in a CIVIL MANNER. As a result, the following rules MUST be adhered to:
[B]1.[/B] Individuals must refrain from making PERSONAL statements about and attacks on other posters. (Differences of opinion will naturally occur. Defend your position if you wish, but stay away from PERSONAL remarks about one another. Stick to the subject at hand.) We're ALL passionate about our Cowboys, and discussions can get a little "heated". Sometimes it's better to just "agree to disagree" and move on to the next thread. Remember, you ARE responsible for what you type.
[B]2.[/B] Intentionally posting false or misleading thread titles such as, "Jerry Jones Sells The Cowboys" is strictly forbidden. Anyone who does so will receive one strike and the thread removed from the board. In addition, flaming or flame wars, (ex. Garrett Sucks!) are not tolerated here, this includes multiple posts, creating multiple threads, or hijacking threads in order to express the same opinion or thought to incite anger or in a repetitive manner. This will also be a one strike offense. Cowboys-Forum prides itself on being a legitimate source of Dallas Cowboys information, please post responsibly and with respect.
[B]3.[/B] Only ONE ID per poster. Do NOT attempt to "spoof". This is a TWO STRIKE offense.
[B]4.[/B] Racial comments are STRICTLY forbidden. This is a TWO STRIKE offense.
[B]5.[/B] Vulgar language is NOT acceptable. (Find another word to use.) This includes vulgar photos, animations, and links to them. The board has an automatic filter to hide most curse words. While a post containing a filtered word will not automatically result in a strike, any abuse of the system by repeated use of filtered words will result in a strike. Any attempt to get around the board's filter by purposefully misspelling a curse word or using symbols instead of letters, etc, will result in a strike. Also, Acronyms and other initialisms used in current computer-mediated communications that contain vulgar language such as "WTF", "GTFO", ect should not be used in the creation of thread titles as they can be viewed as not work or family friendly.
[B]6.[/B] Promoting of other professional football teams is NOT allowed. Posts demeaning the Dallas Cowboys (such as saying the Cowboys SUCK) or posts referring to how great the Eagles are (or any other professional football team), will be considered a violation of the RULES. Remember, this is a site for COWBOYS fans. However, ALL fans of ALL teams are cordially welcome to join in the fun and post according to the rules.
[B]7.[/B] It is a violation of the rules to discuss any ILLEGAL activities. (These include, but are not limited to rape, murder, personal threats, bank robbery, etc.) Anyone found doing anything illegal under Federal United States standards will be banned IMMEDIATELY and your IP will be recorded and given to the local, state, province, or federal authorities.
[B]8.[/B] If you are willing to imply that you are someone of, generally listed, but not limited to...
[B]A)[/B][I] A person(s) who is famous
[B]B)[/B] A professional athlete
[B]C)[/B] A professional writer
[B]D)[/B] Anyone else of general nature that would be deemed a celebrity.
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You will be required to release a phone number to where the staff can contact either yourself, or an agent who represents you. The staff will check the veracity of the person on the other side of the phone for authenticity purposes.
If one staff member is unsure, the phone number will be given to the Admin, or the owner of this site and they will check the validity of the claim.
Consequences of falsifying this information is VERY severe. To claim that you are a celebrity, makes the board look imprudent. If you are found to be misrepresenting an identity, there will be NO vote by the Rules Committee, there will be NO strike awarded, your IP address and DNS will be banned as well as your username. (Amended by the Committee 5-15-05)
[B]9.[/B] We are implementing the following restrictions on signature size. The sizes allowed are still very generous and allow for significant creativity.
[I]Height Limit 250 pixels
Width Limit 600 pixels
Size limit 1/2 MB (512 kb)
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In addition, political, religious, racial, or sexual images are strictly forbidden. Any other images, wording, or links contained in an avatar, signature, post, or profile (including personal images of members) which could offend other forum members can also violate this rule. If you have any questions regarding any of these areas, please contact a Mod/Admin through a PM for approval. The staff will make the final determination about what is considered inappropriate or offensive
(Amended by the Rules Committee 4-20-11)
[B]10.[/B] General Conduct. This rule prohibits any and all conduct considered by the staff to be detrimental to this site. It may include, but not be limited to:
[B](A)[/B][I] Rules 1 through 10
[B](B)[/B] Anything the Admin or Moderators deem inappropriate.
[B](C)[/B] Anything the Rules Committee votes as inappropriate
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[B]11.[/B] No public criticism of Staff policy and/or Board policy on the main forums. Sorry, but you may make suggestions on board policy in the Site Improvements Forum. Or, if you have a problem with a particular action by a moderator or other staff member, PM that person, or the administrator, and discuss your concerns in private. The public image of this site is considered paramount. We cannot (and will not) allow people casting doubt on the integrity of the decisions made and actions taken by the staff. The Staff are the people responsible for providing you this venue. They are ALSO responsible for maintaining the posting atmosphere out in the "regular" forums. They will be more than willing to listen to your concerns (in private) and they are happy to correct any mistake that was made. Just remember, people are here to talk football, not to listen to an argument about what was or wasn't a rule violation. (Amended by the rules committee 6-29-06)
[B]12.[/B] It is an automatic three strike violation of the rules to post any picture or link to another site which contains sexually explicit, obscene, or indecent material, or content that would be deemed "Not Safe For Work". This includes ANY and ALL nudity. ANY violation of this rule results in an immediate permanent ban. Remember, Cowboys-Forum is a family-friendly site. The posting of pictures with people that are not fully clothed (even in swimsuits) can lead to the site being blacklisted from work servers that edit for content, thus costing the site numerous members and potential members. If you wish to post something and you are even the least little bit unsure if it is too racy, you must contact a member of the staff and find out for sure. Always err on the side of caution, because it will be up the the moderators' sole discretion as to what violates this rule. We simply cannot take chances when it affects people's livelihood. (Ammended by the rules committee 6-29-06)
[B]13.[/B] All forms of "spamming" are prohibited. No one should advertise/sell any goods and/or services, or promote other forums, boards, sites, etc., on the Cowboys-Forum, without PRIOR written permission of the Cowboys-Forum staff. Persons seeking permission should send all requests, in the form of a PM, to the ADMINISTRATOR. A copy of the approval reply should be added to the bottom of the posted message to the board. Further, no one should send any commercial or promotional material to any individual member, or groups of members, of the board via PM, email, or other means. (Added by the rules committee 4-16-10)
[B]14.[/B] This board is a sports forum dedicated to the Dallas Cowboys, and as such, topics of a political, religious, or other controversial subjects are not allowed on this site. There are other sites for that type of discussion including constitution-forum.com. Those who want to discuss those topics are directed to go off site. No new threads of this nature will be allowed and all current threads will be locked after approval of this rule and one week notice by a message "stickied" on all forums. This site is devoted to the principle that there are many topics about the Cowboys, and football in general, in which people of goodwill can disagree without being disagreeable. The rules for appropriate behavior apply everywhere on this board. In addition to awarding strikes to individuals, moderators may lock threads that include posts that are unacceptable. (Added by the rules committee 4-27-10)
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[TD="class: tcat, width: 100%, colspan: 6"] [B] Strikes and Policies [/B] [/TD]
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[TD="class: alt1, width: 100%, colspan: 6"] The board was started with a culture of friendly cooperation of the members. We remind members of that culture as we prefer willing cooperation rather than formal punishment.
The governing body of this forum adopted a "THREE STRIKE" policy. Moderators issue "strikes" to users who violate the Forum Rules. The Forum Rules specify the degree of strike for each violation, but any imminent serious threat to the board or a poster can result in immediate banishment.
The moderators will note the strike in the offending post and send the user a PM informing him of the violation. All violations will be recorded for future reference. The Rules Committee can overturn any strike based on extenuating or mitigating circumstances. The strikes are as follows:
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[B]First Degree Strike[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]:[/COLOR] [I]This strike will serve as a warning that such conduct is not appropriate.
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[COLOR=Red][B]Second Degree Strike[/B]:[/COLOR] [I]Two strikes result in an automatic ban from the site for one week.
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[COLOR=Red][B]Third Degree Strike[/B]:[/COLOR] [I]Three strikes result in immediate banishment from the site. The Rules Committee will then vote to determine whether to permanently ban the poster or allow the poster a chance at reinstatement.
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Any user not permanently banned may reapply for active membership after serving a 6 month ban. However, if the member is reinstated, ANY future rule violation will result in an automatic and permanent ban.. [/TD]
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<td><h3 style="color:#003F87">Mission Statement & Procedures</h3>
<p><i>The Rules Committee(from here on known as RC) was designed as a check and balance for the forum. RC members have the ability to clarify rules, Amend rules/remove rules, overturn bans, rule on infractions, reinstate members that were permabanned, and the ability to remove a moderator. An RC members job is to be fair at all times and interpret the rules for members as well as staff.</i></p></td>
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Procedures for rules or rule change</h4>
<p><i>Most debates start by a Mod or Admin bringing something to the attention of the RC. At that point the process starts by a thread being made in the RC forum. We will then debate for a set time limit and a vote will follow. Majority wins in adding a new rule. For example if a rule change was brought up and 40% was yeah and 60% no the motion would be denied (unless overturned by the "Boss"). It takes 66% of the vote to change or remove a rule.
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Procedures for Reinstatement of a ban
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<p><i>When a member posts in the reinstatement forum or pm's a Mod they will start a debate thread for the RC. At that point the RC will debate for a set time and vote. Majority wins the decision.</i></p></td>
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<h4 style="color:#003F87">Procedure for infraction ruling</h4>
<p><i>There are times when a Mod/Admin are not certain if a member has broken a rule. As an RC member it is your job to debate this and clarify. At this time a debate thread will be started. A set time limit will allow for debate and then a vote will be taken. Majority wins.</i></p></td>
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Procedure for overturning a perma-ban
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<p><i>A perma-ban is a little different in regards to the majority rules vote. You need 80% of the vote to overturn a perma-ban. The RC has the ability to start up a discussion about perma-bans.
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Procedure for removing a Moderator/Admin</h4>
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If a moderator engages in strikeable or bannable offenses or behaves in a way that is detrimental to the forum then it is the RC's job to hold a vote to discipline or remove the Moderator. A moderator can be removed at any time pending a 66% of the vote of the RC. A admin can be removed by a 66% vote by the RC and a 66% vote by the mods.. A vote can only take place on either by request and a second motion only..</i></p></td>
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Members Appeals
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<p><i>As a member you have a right to appeal an infraction, ban, or perma-ban. Also you can go to any RC member(those guys with the baby blue name) and get clarification of any rule. You can start this process by using the appeals forum or PM'ing a member of the RC staff. At this point what will happen is a thread will be started in the RC forums and a debate will take place. We will then vote to overturn said infraction, ban, or perma-ban. A majority wins in all cases except perma-ban reversal. That takes an 80% vote to overturn. Hope this helps you guys understand that you do have other options and that the forum is here for you all.
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<td><h4 style="color:#003F87">Member Lobbying RC</h4>
<p><i>Users can also Lobby RC to set up a vote and a vote can be called upon by any member of the RC at any time. They don't have to take up a members concern or they an take up a concern of their own. The only time a second motion is needed is if a vote to remove the mods or admin..</i><p></td>
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You click "Manage Rules" on the upper right side of the header bar then click "Edit" and then place the code similar to this code except replace my Rules with yours.
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