Garaiste is a Private Membership Forum.
The general public are welcome to read the postings on the Garaiste Discussion Forums, however participation in the discussions is limited to members, and membership is a privilege, not a right.
No Personal Attacks
This forum, and everything in it, is geared toward its users information and enjoyment. Attacking someone else violates that enjoyment, and will not be tolerated.
It is very easy to forget there is another human being on the other end of your attack.
You may comment on a person's opinions or challenge their viewpoint, but to insult or attack them personally is not tolerated in this Forum.
The posting of images designed to humiliate, harass, satarise or violate the privacy of other posters or individuals is strictly forbidden.
Our staff members cannot be everywhere at once, so if you feel you have been attacked, let us know. We reserve the right to make our own judgement about such behavior.
No Multiple Usernames
The Garaiste Discussion Forum requires all members to use ONE and ONLY ONE username, for all circumstances. Anyone using multiple usernames without the express permission of the Forum administrator (only in special cases) will have all their usernames banned from use in our Forum.
No Profanity
Serious profanity may automatically be edited by the software. Do remember, however, that what might not be considered profanity by some is considered such by others. Attempts to get around the profanity filters (the words that ARE edited out) is a violation of our terms of service and will not be allowed.
Use of Avatars
We not only allow but also encourage people to use avatars, the small pictures below a person's username on their messages. We do, however, restrict avatars to exclude those featuring nudity, harsh language or those that feature visual suggestions of hate (such as swastikas). Should your personal avatar be found unacceptable, usually the aforementioned examples, you will be required to change it.
No Advertisement of Other Forums (except in weblinks section)
The Garaiste Discussion Forum does not allow advertisements of other discussion forums on the internet, either in messages, signature lines or avatars generally throught the forums. The exception to this is the "Useful Links" section, where such items may be listed.
We have no quarrel whatsoever with any other web forum communities; indeed, quite a number of them are ones we're members of and like very much... They're all great places and you're welcome to visit them; it's a free planet, after all. Indeed, we maintain a list of forums that we feel may be of interest in our web section, and suggestions for inclusion on that list are welcome by email.
However, the administration team of Garaiste does not feel that it is fair to us, to the work we've put into this, or to the community of members here itself if messages are posted generally in our forum as a springboard for other web communities.
We've worked hard turning this into what it is today, after all.
What Will Not Be Tolerated
Adult material, comments of overt racism or hate speech against other users, or the posting of material that violates the privacy or security of individuals is not tolerated.
Unsolicited advances & Harrasment
Unsolicited advances to other members, continued advances or PMs after the other member has indicated they do not wish to meet/communicate cause distress, and wil be treated very seriously. A temporary or permanent membership ban will almost always follow proof of such behaviour.
Staff Duties and Privilege
At any time, if a moderator or administrator makes a request of a user, said user is expected to follow the instructions. We rarely, if ever, challenge our users to do something (usually this has to do with an inappropriate avatar or some sort of aberrant behavior). However, when it does happen, we expect it to be followed; this is a private forum, and you participate in it as a privilege, not a right. You may always email the administrators to ask questions or file a complaint.
Decisions by Staff
It is board policy that, unless a moderator or administrator chooses to do so, the reasons behind board actions will not be discussed. These board actions include user bans, thread locks and thread deletions. If you are the user affected by a board action such as a thread deletion, and wish to contact a moderator or administrator, do so via email or any other off-board method.
Use of Images within postings
Posters are permitted to insert images directly into their posts provided they are no more than 600x800 in size.
"photoshopped" or altered images are NOT permitted, with the following exceptions:
* Cropping or resizing of photo is permissible
* Overlay of name or other text to indicate copyright is permissible
* Brightness, Sharpness filters are permissible.
If pictures have been altered so as to change the details or add or remove people or objects, these pictures may NOT be included directly in postings.
Photos may only be used if the poster is the copyright holder, or has permission from the copyright holder.
Please note that in the event of a complaint being received about a photo displayed in a posting, Garaiste may, when possible, provide details about the hosting location of the photo and other technical information to the complainant.
Investigation Process
When the moderators have reason to believe that a posting violates the rules, or is in danger of causing disorder, or legal problems, or is the subject of a complaint, the following process takes place:
1> ASSESSMENT
The posting may be temporarily removed from public view while the moderators assess the situation.
2> INVESTIGATION
The posting will either be removed permanently, or in some cases redisplayed after editing. In some cases it may also be neccessary to remove follow-on postings by innocent parties which respond to or refer to the offending post.
At this stage contact may be made with the parties involved to determine the facts of the case.
A temporary suspension of membership may be made while this is taking place.
Efforts will usually be made to secure an amicable resolution for all parties to avoid progress to stage 3.
3> RESOLUTION
A final decision will be made after all the facts have been considered, and affected parties will be notified of any suspensions, bans etc.
In the event of serious issues which result, or could result in legal action, technical information and copies of the post may be provided to the authorities or legal teams involved.
4> SECURE HOLDING
It is the policy of Garaiste that all messages which have been removed from public display are retained unedited in a secure, private location, for a period of 2 years.
The general public are welcome to read the postings on the Garaiste Discussion Forums, however participation in the discussions is limited to members, and membership is a privilege, not a right.
No Personal Attacks
This forum, and everything in it, is geared toward its users information and enjoyment. Attacking someone else violates that enjoyment, and will not be tolerated.
It is very easy to forget there is another human being on the other end of your attack.
You may comment on a person's opinions or challenge their viewpoint, but to insult or attack them personally is not tolerated in this Forum.
The posting of images designed to humiliate, harass, satarise or violate the privacy of other posters or individuals is strictly forbidden.
Our staff members cannot be everywhere at once, so if you feel you have been attacked, let us know. We reserve the right to make our own judgement about such behavior.
No Multiple Usernames
The Garaiste Discussion Forum requires all members to use ONE and ONLY ONE username, for all circumstances. Anyone using multiple usernames without the express permission of the Forum administrator (only in special cases) will have all their usernames banned from use in our Forum.
No Profanity
Serious profanity may automatically be edited by the software. Do remember, however, that what might not be considered profanity by some is considered such by others. Attempts to get around the profanity filters (the words that ARE edited out) is a violation of our terms of service and will not be allowed.
Use of Avatars
We not only allow but also encourage people to use avatars, the small pictures below a person's username on their messages. We do, however, restrict avatars to exclude those featuring nudity, harsh language or those that feature visual suggestions of hate (such as swastikas). Should your personal avatar be found unacceptable, usually the aforementioned examples, you will be required to change it.
No Advertisement of Other Forums (except in weblinks section)
The Garaiste Discussion Forum does not allow advertisements of other discussion forums on the internet, either in messages, signature lines or avatars generally throught the forums. The exception to this is the "Useful Links" section, where such items may be listed.
We have no quarrel whatsoever with any other web forum communities; indeed, quite a number of them are ones we're members of and like very much... They're all great places and you're welcome to visit them; it's a free planet, after all. Indeed, we maintain a list of forums that we feel may be of interest in our web section, and suggestions for inclusion on that list are welcome by email.
However, the administration team of Garaiste does not feel that it is fair to us, to the work we've put into this, or to the community of members here itself if messages are posted generally in our forum as a springboard for other web communities.
We've worked hard turning this into what it is today, after all.
What Will Not Be Tolerated
Adult material, comments of overt racism or hate speech against other users, or the posting of material that violates the privacy or security of individuals is not tolerated.
Unsolicited advances & Harrasment
Unsolicited advances to other members, continued advances or PMs after the other member has indicated they do not wish to meet/communicate cause distress, and wil be treated very seriously. A temporary or permanent membership ban will almost always follow proof of such behaviour.
Staff Duties and Privilege
At any time, if a moderator or administrator makes a request of a user, said user is expected to follow the instructions. We rarely, if ever, challenge our users to do something (usually this has to do with an inappropriate avatar or some sort of aberrant behavior). However, when it does happen, we expect it to be followed; this is a private forum, and you participate in it as a privilege, not a right. You may always email the administrators to ask questions or file a complaint.
Decisions by Staff
It is board policy that, unless a moderator or administrator chooses to do so, the reasons behind board actions will not be discussed. These board actions include user bans, thread locks and thread deletions. If you are the user affected by a board action such as a thread deletion, and wish to contact a moderator or administrator, do so via email or any other off-board method.
Use of Images within postings
Posters are permitted to insert images directly into their posts provided they are no more than 600x800 in size.
"photoshopped" or altered images are NOT permitted, with the following exceptions:
* Cropping or resizing of photo is permissible
* Overlay of name or other text to indicate copyright is permissible
* Brightness, Sharpness filters are permissible.
If pictures have been altered so as to change the details or add or remove people or objects, these pictures may NOT be included directly in postings.
Photos may only be used if the poster is the copyright holder, or has permission from the copyright holder.
Please note that in the event of a complaint being received about a photo displayed in a posting, Garaiste may, when possible, provide details about the hosting location of the photo and other technical information to the complainant.
Investigation Process
When the moderators have reason to believe that a posting violates the rules, or is in danger of causing disorder, or legal problems, or is the subject of a complaint, the following process takes place:
1> ASSESSMENT
The posting may be temporarily removed from public view while the moderators assess the situation.
2> INVESTIGATION
The posting will either be removed permanently, or in some cases redisplayed after editing. In some cases it may also be neccessary to remove follow-on postings by innocent parties which respond to or refer to the offending post.
At this stage contact may be made with the parties involved to determine the facts of the case.
A temporary suspension of membership may be made while this is taking place.
Efforts will usually be made to secure an amicable resolution for all parties to avoid progress to stage 3.
3> RESOLUTION
A final decision will be made after all the facts have been considered, and affected parties will be notified of any suspensions, bans etc.
In the event of serious issues which result, or could result in legal action, technical information and copies of the post may be provided to the authorities or legal teams involved.
4> SECURE HOLDING
It is the policy of Garaiste that all messages which have been removed from public display are retained unedited in a secure, private location, for a period of 2 years.
