ESCAPIST MAGAZINE FORUMS - CODE OF CONDUCT [Revised 27 March 2019] | |
ESCAPIST MAGAZINE VOLUME TWO FORUM CODE OF CONDUCT Revised 27 March 2019 ABOUT USThe Escapist Magazine Volume Two forums are different than most. We want our forums to be a place where people can gather to socialize and talk in a safe and welcoming environment. In order to make that happen, we have certain rules we ask all members of our community to adhere to. These rules will be vigorously enforced so that a handful of bad apples don't spoil it for everyone else. RULE ZEROAbove all other rules is Rule Zero. D&D fans will likely appreciate and understand Rule Zero, which states that the DM (Dungeon Master) is always right. In the case of the forums, the moderator or staff member is always right. Period. Any other rule that appears to have a gray area will be subject first to Rule Zero, then to other aspects of the forum and personal conduct rules below. If for any reason you feel you've been wronged by a moderator or staff member, you are entitled to appeal their decision if they imposed an infraction on your account. You are not allowed to openly argue with them about it. This is a privately owned forum that's open to the public. Whatever right you feel you have to speak your mind is a privilege here. Don't abuse it. As an adjunct to RULE ZERO, don't sass the mods. The moderation team is made up of ever present volunteer guardians who work very hard to keep the forums clean, according to the Code of Conduct. The moderators and Escapist Magazine staff are here to make the website a place you want to visit. While we will listen to your complaints and give you what information we can, please understand that there are just some things we simply cannot discuss, such as legal or financial matters, and some things we don't want to discuss, such as contributors' personal lives or political persuasions. Neither the Escapist Magazine staff nor moderation team is to be used as a punching bag so you can vent your frustrations. If you have a problem with moderation or the rules, use the appeals system. RULE ONEWe want Escapist Magazine to be a welcoming and safe place for creators and contributors of all backgrounds. Therefore criticism, harassment, shaming, or any action deemed by the moderators or staff to be inflammatory or abusive towards an Escapist Magazine staff member, contributor, or moderator is expressly forbidden. Anyone hired to work for, contribute to, or represent Escapist Magazine has been de facto approved of by management. If you take issue with the actions of a member of our staff, a contributor, or a moderator, you may send a letter to the editor. The forum is not the proper place for such activity, and it will be moderated harshly. PERSONAL CONDUCTHAVE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHEREveryone is entitled to their opinion, but no one is entitled to abuse others for any reason. If you can't communicate without using combative, hateful, derogatory, aggressive, passive aggressive responses, or ad hominem attacks, then consider that these may not be the forums for you. Focus your response on your disagreement with a person's opinion, not on the person. Disagreement is inevitable. However, this is not a license to misbehave. If you don't like a thread, the people in it, or anyone involved, don't post in it. FORUM CONDUCT, CONTENT, AND COMMUNICATIONA well-made thread or a well-written comment engages its audience and facilitates discussion. We do ask that posters take just a little time to make their posts as readable as possible and keep their responses on topic. You should also take a moment to check spelling and grammar. Our forums are not a place to advertise your blog, webpage, YouTube channel, or commercial enterprise. Similarly, posts including, advocating, or linking to illegal or adult material are a very quick way to end your time as part of the Escapist Magazine community. Posts should generally be kept to a PG-13 standard. ZERO TOLERANCE OFFENSESThis section of the Code of Conduct includes special circumstances that overrule any other type of warning and result in immediate removal of your posting privileges. Note: These circumstances cannot be appealed and will not expire. GamerGate Hate Speech Sexist or Perverted Remarks Ban Jumping Targeted Harassment & Bullying Illegal Acts or Materials Advertising / Referral Traffic INFRACTION OFFENSESAny violation of the following rules will result in an infraction being placed on your account. For more information on how penalties work, please see the Penalty System section below. Those who are banned under this level may appeal the decision and have it overturned. Inflammatory Comments / Trolling "Extreme" Content / Offensive Posts Piracy, Illegal Narcotics, or Ad-Blockers Pornography Pictures, Links and Videos Topic-less Thread Creation Excessive Profanity Backseat Moderating APPEAL SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONWhen you receive an infraction, a message will appear in your inbox with a link to the appeal system. This goes directly to a staff member and will use the email you registered your account with, so please refrain from abuse (and check your spam or junk folder). Replies to appeals may take up to two days. If it takes a little longer, please be patient. | |