Re: Forum Rules

[DragonHeartAdmin]

*The rules have been updated majorly! Please re-read them and make sure you understand them.*

[DragonHeartAdmin]

Hi, welcome to WinxBelieve! We’re glad you’re here. In an effort to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and positive experience, we’ve created this set of forum rules which must be followed at all times. Failure to follow the rules may result in written warnings, suspension, or a ban if the rule violation is chronic.

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1. Respect Everyone: This is absolutely critical. Just because someone’s opinion is different than yours does not give you the right to call them names or otherwise degrade them in any way. This includes but is not limited to flaming, bashing, talking down to, or other similar behavior. Further please respect gender preferences, calling someone by the wrong gender pronouns is disrespectful and it just hurts peoples’ feelings. If you’re unsure of a person’s gender, feel free to PM them and ask. It is okay to have differences in opinions, so long as such differences are voiced in a respectful manner.

2. Cyber Bullying/Discrimination Policy: Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated for any reason as it has been shown to have negative impacts on a person’s self-esteem and other emotional indicators. Further discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or affiliations, or other such protected class is also covered in this rule. If you are observed violating this rule, you will be temporarily suspended and if violations continue, you will be banned.

3. No Spam: This includes posting useless things to increase your rank or watch your post count go sky high. Advertising any product or service without the permission of staff is strictly prohibited. The exception to the advertising provision is that 1) you can link to your website in your signature so long as it’s done in a tasteful manner or 2) entering your website in the appropriate field in your profile.

4. No Thread Bumping: Don’t just reply to your own thread to force it to the top of a specific area as the “last active item”, or to correct a mistake in the original post. Should you wish to make alterations to a post you made choose the “edit” button. The exception to this is in the creativity section when you have new creative work to add (such as a picture or story)

5. Organization: Please post your topic in the appropriate area. Topics posted to the wrong area may be moved or locked at our option. If you’re unsure of where to post your content, please PM a staff member.

6. Content Policy: Cussing, swearing, cursing, or other abusive language is not allowed anywhere. In addition to the ban on abusive language, please remember to keep all content appropriate for all ages. Appropriate actions will be taken if need be.

7. No intentional spamming: Spamming is kinda the same thing as Trolling. If we catch you spamming intentionally then your account will be banned or suspended.

8. No unapproved advertising: Do not advertise anything on this forum if it has not been approved by me or any of the other staff members. If you want to advertise something then PM one of us. Advertising your website in your signature is fine with us as long as you do it in a reasonable way. Another way that is acceptable for advertising is putting your website in your profile in the website box. Other than this with not be tolerated.

9. Cheating and stealing: Cheating will not be allowed. There are many types of cheating such as, spamming, posting pointless stuff just so your rank will go up, stealing, attempting to steal others work and pictures just to win a contest, etc. If you do any of this, you will get banned. If you know someone that is cheating, please PM one of the staff members and we will deal with it immediately. Please provide evidence. As for stealing, do not steal others work. If you are going to take it, give credits. If you do not give credits to the one that created the work, that is called stealing. This is kinda the same thing as cheating and this will never be tolerated. If you know someone that is doing any of this, please contact us immediately but please make sure you have evidence to show us.

10. Chat box policies: All rules that apply to forums also take effect in the chat box. The only additional rule in the chat box is please don’t post any pictures.

11. Usernames: You can not change your username or your color. The only way for you to do that is if you win one of the contests here and choose that as your winning prize from the choices that will be listed.

12. Signatures and Avatar policy: The maximum allowable dimensions for signature pictures are 640x360 pixels. Animated GIFs are allowed, however, videos are not allowed at this time due to some users experiencing behaviors where the videos automatically start playing. The maximum allowable dimensions for user avatars are 200x300 pixels. Should you require assistance with avatar or signature dimensions, please contact staff.

13. Respect: Please respect all members. If a member shares an opinion of something of some sort, and you disagree, then you can just ignore it or respond in a calming member. Do not make fun of them because you disagree with their opinion.

14. Cite News sources: All users are permitted a maximum of one account. Users found to open multiple accounts will have all accounts permanently deleted. Should you have a special requirement for multiple accounts, please PM staff and we will address it on a case-by-case basis.

15. One account, per person, per lifetime: All users are permitted a maximum of one account. Users found to open multiple accounts will have all accounts permanently deleted. Should you have a special requirement for multiple accounts, please PM staff and we will address it on a case-by-case basis.

16. Shipping: Shipping is allowed, however there will be no ship warring, negative comments around shipping, or the like. This only serves to create drama and we don’t need drama. If someone ships you on the forum they don’t mean it literally; however, if you’re uncomfortable with the shipping incident in question, please contact a member of staff and we will handle it.

17. No Mini-Modding: In short, don’t claim to be a member of site staff or threaten official actions. If you need to, PM a staff member and they will fix the issue right away. Helping a user with signature or avatar dimensions is acceptable. Oh, and Mini-Modding makes you look like a not-to-nice person in the process.

18. Be Original: If it wasn’t your original idea or content, at least give credit where it is due. Remember all that stuff they taught us in school about plagiarism? Well it applies here as well. Further stealing creative assets or posts from others including the site itself is covered under this policy. If you suspect violations of this rule please PM staff with evidence. Note that the plagiarism rule applies to contest submissions as well and will be strictly enforced.

19. Change is part of life: We can make amendments, alterations, or deletions to this set of rules at any time with or without notice to you. Please remember to check back here occasionally for updates.

Those are the rules so just follow them so we won't have any problems. (If the rules change or if I add more rules, I will make an announcement below)

If you see anyone going against these rules and breaking them, please use the report button or PM one of the staff members and we will take it from there.

If you need any help or want me to go through one of these rules and explain it in more detail for you then you can PM me or one of the staff members and we will do our best to help you.

[Document Properties

Document Creator: “Fleischmann, Carly Grace (CF2649)”

Document Type: Policy

Document Use Class: Code 2 (PUBLIC-FACING INTERET / SOCIAL)

These are the rules! Just follow them and we won't have any problems 

~ The Staff Team