NEW FORUM RULES

[highvoltage]

Hi All,

New forum rules can be found in the official topic.

THANKYOU FOR WAITING SO LONG - We've all been busy working, and there's lots coming, just not as quickly as we'd like it to!

Here they are to recap:

FORUM RULES updated June 2012:

1) Be considerate of other members and their viewpoints when posting. The board is for everyone. No area of the forum (PMs, posts, profile comments, etc) may be used as a tool to abuse, harass or insult other members.

2) Racist and/or homophobic posts or images are not permitted in any section of the forum.

3) No porn.

4) Posting knowingly misleading or false stories about Guns N' Roses, its past or present members is not permitted. When posting news, always include a source to validate the article.

5) Please, don't spam the forum or bump out-dated/irrelevant threads - it's not permitted.

6) Please follow the link guidelines and place all links to other GN'R related forums/sites in the AIN'T IT FUN section.

7) Multiple accounts are discouraged and can be banned or disallowed at the discretion of staff.

8) Do not post the personal information of band members on the forum, unless it has been publicly made available by the individual.

9) Do not post links to or share officially released media of any kind on the forum. Unreleased media, such as potential "leaks" will be removed at the discretion of staff. Requests by band management to remove "leaks" will be fully complied with.

10) Username changes are permitted more than once (within reason). It is at the discretion of staff as to whether a username change request will be accepted or not. For users that have changed their name, it is encouraged to make a note in their signature with their previous identity to reduce confusion amongst members.

11) This is a fan forum for all incarnations of the band and member's side projects. Keep in mind that constructive criticism of the band, members or ex-members is fine; however aimless and continuous bashing/negativity to "troll" other members is not.

12) Try not to take the forum too seriously! Many people with views that differ to your own will post here and we must all somehow co-exist together. Staff members are not your teachers or parents; please take proactive steps to resolve issues or forum dramas with other members via PM before involving forum staff.

13) A "common-sense" approach will be taken to all aspects of moderating content on the site. Posters are asked to co-operate by posting in sections that align to their interests, rather than ruining the sections that do not for others.

14) All admins/moderators have agreed to have a more open and flexible approach to moderating threads, topics and forum members alike. With that said, there will be occasions when warnings are issues and the following guidelines have been discussed and issued:

• Minor offenses to the forum rules will likely result in either a friendly warning via PM or a suspension. Suspensions can be issued with the following penalty: 1 day - 3 days - 7 days - 14 days. In any instance of a suspension, a moderator must contact the forum member via PM. The moderator is encouraged not to mock any forum member publicly in an attempt to let other members aware of the action taken. It's a private matter.
  
• Formal warnings will be issued by 10% increments only. If a member reaches 50% warning, they will be automatically banned from the forum.
  
• Any member that receives a 10% warning from a forum moderator has the right of appeal for that warning; this appeal can only be requested once per member and the decision will be made and finalised by Uk Subs or Highvoltage. It's likely that if a reasonable decision has been made it will be upheld however we want everyone to recognise that moderators are not infallible and they will occasionally make mistakes/errors of judgment. If the 10% warning is over-turned, the member is not to publicly disclose this on the forum and therefore any member seen to be 'celebrating' this decision will have the right of appeal taken away. (NB - If a member successfully appeals a decision, they still retain the right of another appeal until proven 'frivolous' by the administrators)
  
• Depending on the offense, you may receive both a suspension and a warning. In terms of re-registration and "perma bans" - each case will be taken on an individual basis.
  
• Cases where a moderator does not need to communicate a warning/suspension/banning to a forum member are related to gross misconduct; usually highlighted in some (not a complete list) of the following: Spammer/sending or posting porn/clear abuse of advertising other online outlets/racial or homophobic abuse or significant general abuse.
  
• "Returned" members of the forum have been given special dispensation as a gesture of goodwill by the admin team. This goodwill action is expected to be equally reciprocated by the former banned member and therefore any offense of the forum rules by a "returned" member may result in formal action being accelerated (again, dependent on a number of possible factors).
  

15) Whilst Supporters will receive additional perks and support from admin/moderators (with more perks being reviewed and added on a constant basis), no forum Supporters will be immune from the rules outlined above as we have to manage all members fairly, with consistency, at all times.

Final rule -- HAVE FUN!!!

Seriously, that's why where all here, regardless of your opinion. So - be respectful of others and ENJOY!

[Guest Satanisk_Slakt]

I have a few things I want to comment on.

Minor offenses to the forum rules will likely result in either a friendly warning via PM or a suspension. Suspensions can be issued with the following penalty: 1 day - 3 days - 7 days - 14 days. In any instance of a suspension, a moderator must contact the forum member via PM. The moderator is encouraged not to mock any forum member publicly in an attempt to let other members aware of the action taken. It's a private matter.

I think this is great. It was always really bad when you saw moderators mocking people for their warnings. I always liked Madison as a mod, but she did it all the time. I've seen other moderators do it as well. This is great.

Any member that receives a 10% warning from a forum moderator has the right of appeal for that warning; this appeal can only be requested once per member and the decision will be made and finalised by Uk Subs or Highvoltage. It's likely that if a reasonable decision has been made it will be upheld however we want everyone to recognise that moderators are not infallible and they will occasionally make mistakes/errors of judgment. If the 10% warning is over-turned, the member is not to publicly disclose this on the forum and therefore any member seen to be 'celebrating' this decision will have the right of appeal taken away. (NB - If a member successfully appeals a decision, they still retain the right of another appeal until proven 'frivolous' by the administrators)

This is really great as well. I always thought that my one warning I had was really unfair and I couldn't do anything to have it removed. Got it after more than five years without warnings for something that I think was more of a misunderstanding than anything else.

Depending on the offense, you may receive both a suspension and a warning. In terms of re-registration and "perma bans" - each case will be taken on an individual basis.

I think permanent bans should be taken away completely. Not saying let people run loose, but say that for example someone that has been here for 7 years, with over 10 000 posts get banned, he/she has spend countless of hours here and even if he/she broke those rules, I think they should be allowed back eventually. If it is 6 months or 1 year or whatever, but I think they should be given a long period suspension and then be allowed to return to their old username. I always hated when people posted under new usernames.

All and all I thought the rules seemed great!

[The Sandman]

I approve! Although:

Cases where a moderator does not need to communicate a warning/suspension/banning to a forum member are related to gross misconducted

Should read "gross misconduct".

That was just from a quick skim read. Hope that helps!

[Guest Gunns]

Seems more than reasonable, cheers guys

[Dazey]

I approve! Although:

Cases where a moderator does not need to communicate a warning/suspension/banning to a forum member are related to gross misconducted

Should read "gross misconduct".

That was just from a quick skim read. Hope that helps!

Hahaha! You fucking tart!

That said, on a similar pissy and pedantic note. Why is it 10% increments upto 50% to warrant a ban? Why not up to 100% in 20% increments if it's a five warning max? Just seems like a rather arbitrary figure.

Right, fair enough Sandy! Come at me!!!!

Edited June 13, 2012 by Dazey

[The Sandman]

I approve! Although:

Cases where a moderator does not need to communicate a warning/suspension/banning to a forum member are related to gross misconducted

Should read "gross misconduct".

That was just from a quick skim read. Hope that helps!

Hahaha! You fucking tart!

That said, on a similar pissy and pedantic note. Why is it 10% increments upto 50% to warrant a ban? Why not up to 100% in 20% increments if it's a five warning max? Just seems like a rather arbitrary figure.

Right, fair enough Sandy! Come at me!!!!

Just important that they all make sense! In the main, solid - and I do approve!

Equally, have to agree with Dazey - if we've got the 100% warning level bar, surely that would make the most sense? Although, if the remaining 50% is being saved for returning members in future, then that's understandable.

Keep up the good work!

[bacardimayne]

Sounds great.

[Zint]

I approve! Although:

Cases where a moderator does not need to communicate a warning/suspension/banning to a forum member are related to gross misconducted

Should read "gross misconduct".

That was just from a quick skim read. Hope that helps!

fixed

[gunsguy]

can you fix " 5) Please, don't spam the forum or bum out-dated/irrelevant threads - it's not permitted. "

[UK SUBS]

I have a few things I want to comment on.

Minor offenses to the forum rules will likely result in either a friendly warning via PM or a suspension. Suspensions can be issued with the following penalty: 1 day - 3 days - 7 days - 14 days. In any instance of a suspension, a moderator must contact the forum member via PM. The moderator is encouraged not to mock any forum member publicly in an attempt to let other members aware of the action taken. It's a private matter.

I think this is great. It was always really bad when you saw moderators mocking people for their warnings. I always liked Madison as a mod, but she did it all the time. I've seen other moderators do it as well. This is great.

Any member that receives a 10% warning from a forum moderator has the right of appeal for that warning; this appeal can only be requested once per member and the decision will be made and finalised by Uk Subs or Highvoltage. It's likely that if a reasonable decision has been made it will be upheld however we want everyone to recognise that moderators are not infallible and they will occasionally make mistakes/errors of judgment. If the 10% warning is over-turned, the member is not to publicly disclose this on the forum and therefore any member seen to be 'celebrating' this decision will have the right of appeal taken away. (NB - If a member successfully appeals a decision, they still retain the right of another appeal until proven 'frivolous' by the administrators)

This is really great as well. I always thought that my one warning I had was really unfair and I couldn't do anything to have it removed. Got it after more than five years without warnings for something that I think was more of a misunderstanding than anything else.

Depending on the offense, you may receive both a suspension and a warning. In terms of re-registration and "perma bans" - each case will be taken on an individual basis.

I think permanent bans should be taken away completely. Not saying let people run loose, but say that for example someone that has been here for 7 years, with over 10 000 posts get banned, he/she has spend countless of hours here and even if he/she broke those rules, I think they should be allowed back eventually. If it is 6 months or 1 year or whatever, but I think they should be given a long period suspension and then be allowed to return to their old username. I always hated when people posted under new usernames.

All and all I thought the rules seemed great!

Again SS, really appreciate you taking the time to comment here - it's particulary pleasing because we added them hoping for that type of response. None of us are perfect and more importantly, we're not arrogant enough to think we are - Trying to be as fair as possible!

Just read over again, a few spelling mistakes guys sorry, that's my fault - will address.

[highvoltage]

I am a bad proof reader!!

[gunsguy]

I am a bad proof reader!!

I think you were distracted yes? :tongue2:

[Axl_morris]

"a member reaches 50% warning, they will be automatically banned from the forum."

this can be confusing to some member who won't read this as it's not an active thread in the forum, what would the point in the 50%-100%? someone on 40% might think they are not even half way to being banned. Would 20% increments not make more sense as it will still be 5 warnings?

Edited June 13, 2012 by Axl_morris

[UK SUBS]

"a member reaches 50% warning, they will be automatically banned from the forum."

this can be confusing to some member who won't read this as it's not an active thread in the forum, what would the point in the 50%-100%? someone on 40% might think they are not even half way to being banned. Would 20% increments not make more sense as it will still be 5 warnings?

Dazey made the same point. Got to be honest, whilst i undersand what you're saying, thought it was a little 'fussy' if im being honest but if people think this will make the difference, i'll change it.Let's give it a bit of time first. But thanks for the feedback AM

[Patience 4 Axl]

13) A "common-sense" approach will be taken to all aspects of moderating content on the site. Posters are asked to co-operate by posting in sections that align to their interests, rather than ruining the sections that do not for others.

I remember a time when we didn't have so many subforums. We all got along just fine. While in principle I guess it seemed like a good idea to implement, in my opinion the existence of these different sections only serves to splinter the fanbase even further, and are now used as nothing more than ammunition against other posters, instead of their intended purpose. People fail miserably at making any sort of effort to have a reasonable debate, and would rather resort to becoming the forum police with their overwhelming self riteous need to tell people to go to other sections of the forum. It only serves to to segregate the fans, as oppossed to bringing them together and allowing the topics to flow.

Limiting where discussions on members of the band (past/present/and probably future) to certain areas, is like telling Rosa Parks to grab a seat in the back of the bus. We're all here because of GNR, we should be able to discuss them in the main discussion part of the forum. While D&N is now active because the current band is touring, and let's be honest, many of the more active threads have jack to do with the tour, there will come a time again when the shows stop, and we go back to waiting.

Just my opinion.

[Estranged Reality]

13) A "common-sense" approach will be taken to all aspects of moderating content on the site. Posters are asked to co-operate by posting in sections that align to their interests, rather than ruining the sections that do not for others.

I remember a time when we didn't have so many subforums. We all got along just fine. While in principle I guess it seemed like a good idea to implement, in my opinion the existence of these different sections only serves to splinter the fanbase even further, and are now used as nothing more than ammunition against other posters, instead of their intended purpose. People fail miserably at making any sort of effort to have a reasonable debate, and would rather resort to becoming the forum police with their overwhelming self riteous need to tell people to go to other sections of the forum. It only serves to to segregate the fans, as oppossed to bringing them together and allowing the topics to flow.

Limiting where discussions on members of the band (past/present/and probably future) to certain areas, is like telling Rosa Parks to grab a seat in the back of the bus. We're all here because of GNR, we should be able to discuss them in the main discussion part of the forum. While D&N is now active because the current band is touring, and let's be honest, many of the more active threads have jack to do with the tour, there will come a time again when the shows stop, and we go back to waiting.

Just my opinion.

If I were you, I'd wait for a few weeks and see how the forum restructure goes - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if things play out as we expect them to! Still sorting some stuff out of course...but I mean this genuinely when I say, I think some of the forum's best days are ahead of us!

[Patience 4 Axl]

13) A "common-sense" approach will be taken to all aspects of moderating content on the site. Posters are asked to co-operate by posting in sections that align to their interests, rather than ruining the sections that do not for others.

I remember a time when we didn't have so many subforums. We all got along just fine. While in principle I guess it seemed like a good idea to implement, in my opinion the existence of these different sections only serves to splinter the fanbase even further, and are now used as nothing more than ammunition against other posters, instead of their intended purpose. People fail miserably at making any sort of effort to have a reasonable debate, and would rather resort to becoming the forum police with their overwhelming self riteous need to tell people to go to other sections of the forum. It only serves to to segregate the fans, as oppossed to bringing them together and allowing the topics to flow.

Limiting where discussions on members of the band (past/present/and probably future) to certain areas, is like telling Rosa Parks to grab a seat in the back of the bus. We're all here because of GNR, we should be able to discuss them in the main discussion part of the forum. While D&N is now active because the current band is touring, and let's be honest, many of the more active threads have jack to do with the tour, there will come a time again when the shows stop, and we go back to waiting.

Just my opinion.

If I were you, I'd wait for a few weeks and see how the forum restructure goes - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if things play out as we expect them to! Still sorting some stuff out of course...but I mean this genuinely when I say, I think some of the forum's best days are ahead of us!

Believe me ER, I'm not whining, just putting out some thoughts. I have faith in you guys, and I'm excited about what's to come!

[gunsguy]

I think what is important here is a little patience. The greatest thing here is that not only are BIG changes coming soon but that some of these changes YOU guys decided. The admins are listening and they are profoundly geniune in what they are doing here.

As ER pointed out based on what I have seen, the forum's best days are ahead I believe

Many thanks to the users and mods/admins that have come forward to help shape the forum they are involved in

Edited June 14, 2012 by gunsguy

[Zint]

A lot of thought is going in to this,from the viewpoint of the members,from the viewpoint of the team as mods/admins/reporters.

We are also looking at forum restructure from the viewpoint of what we (the team) would like to see as members here,and as fans.

We are also looking at it from the viewpoint of any particular era one prefers,and how best to accommodate everyone in those regards.

Something for everyone is what is being strived for.

And most importantly,making it a fun experience to hang out here.

And thats' just the tip of the iceberg...the team having pow wows,tossing ideas around,sorting out what we think are the best approaches and the best ideas to go with.

Not to mention the work being done even further behind the scenes than that.

What's shaping up so far is pretty damn cool...and that's just for starters.

The plans expand beyond the initial restructure launch.

Hang on people,good times ahead!

[Axl_morris]

I just want to make a quick point, what if someone is deliberately making stupid threads. I've just read one saying "should they replace the singer in GNR" and there has been a growing number of other stupid threads, is this because previous banned members are welcome back? I'm unsure, perhaps people are testing the new mod team to see how the react compared to madison or jarmo. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's getting lame.

[arnold layne]

I just want to make a quick point, what if someone is deliberately making stupid threads. I've just read one saying "should they replace the singer in GNR" and there has been a growing number of other stupid threads, is this because previous banned members are welcome back? I'm unsure, perhaps people are testing the new mod team to see how the react compared to madison or jarmo. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's getting lame.

Seriously man, I don't know how to say this but in my HONEST opinion, it isn't a stupid thread. Ok?

If you have something to say about my discussion, why don't you add some insight? I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Have a good one!

[UK SUBS]

I just want to make a quick point, what if someone is deliberately making stupid threads. I've just read one saying "should they replace the singer in GNR" and there has been a growing number of other stupid threads, is this because previous banned members are welcome back? I'm unsure, perhaps people are testing the new mod team to see how the react compared to madison or jarmo. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's getting lame.

Seriously man, I don't know how to say this but in my HONEST opinion, it isn't a stupid thread. Ok?

If you have something to say about my discussion, why don't you add some insight? I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Have a good one!

Its a fine line because ultimately its an opinion (and in my personal experience, obviously I, with other mods, need to make a decision with these type of threads/accounts and we may get it wrong) - Axl Morris is right though, imo and this was why it was deleted, it was a joke/cupcake account (Account that is, thread was borderline had it been from a known respected member here and i guess that makes the difference when as a mod you go "do I? should I? I'm not sure?) .Loads of moderating going on but just subtly (NOTE FOR THOSE SAYING WE'VE RELAXED EVERYTHING!!!)

[Dazey]

Dazey made the same point. Got to be honest, whilst i undersand what you're saying, thought it was a little 'fussy' if im being honest.

Hahaha! Pay me no attention. I was just being a picky twat on purpose!

[UK SUBS]

Dazey made the same point. Got to be honest, whilst i undersand what you're saying, thought it was a little 'fussy' if im being honest.

Hahaha! Pay me no attention. I was just being a picky twat on purpose!

I never take any notice of you soft lad, no worries!

I just want to make a quick point, what if someone is deliberately making stupid threads. I've just read one saying "should they replace the singer in GNR" and there has been a growing number of other stupid threads, is this because previous banned members are welcome back? I'm unsure, perhaps people are testing the new mod team to see how the react compared to madison or jarmo. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's getting lame.

Seriously man, I don't know how to say this but in my HONEST opinion, it isn't a stupid thread. Ok?

If you have something to say about my discussion, why don't you add some insight? I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Have a good one!

Its a fine line because ultimately its an opinion (and in my personal experience, obviously I, with other mods, need to make a decision with these type of threads/accounts and we may get it wrong) - Axl Morris is right though, imo and this was why it was deleted, it was a joke/cupcake account (Account that is, thread was borderline had it been from a known respected member here and i guess that makes the difference when as a mod you go "do I? should I? I'm not sure?) .Loads of moderating going on but just subtly (NOTE FOR THOSE SAYING WE'VE RELAXED EVERYTHING!!!)

sorry might have had wires crossed here so to be clear "Arnold" is welcome here, I deleted another thread (aswell as Arnolds')....

[Dazey]

sorry might have had wires crossed here so to be clear "Arnold" is welcome here, I deleted another thread (aswell as Arnolds')....

Thing is that had it not been Arnold blatantly trolling it was actually a valid topic for discussion. There's a thread about how Axl deserves sole ownership of the name and this was in a similar vain.