The Rules

Sporky

Here you will find the framework we've set up for the rules of the site. These aren't set in stone; if they don't work we can change them. That said, I don't think there's anything particularly unreasonable here - just treat others decently and there won't be a problem. The rules are split into five sections:

1) General - these apply to all areas.
2) For Off Topic.
3) For Speakers' Corner.
4) For the Classifieds.
5) For the Moderation Team.

Sporky

General - all areas.

1) Don’t be a dick. This is the most important rule. Every other rule is just this one in more detail.
2) Don’t be unaware of the rules. This is covered by rule (1).
3) If you can’t tell when you’re being a dick then this isn’t the right forum for you. This is covered by rule (1).
4) Don’t, through creative dickery, force us to put in more rules. This is covered by rule (1).
5) Don’t post anything you wouldn’t be willing to say in person to someone bigger and meaner than you. This is covered by rule (1).
6) Do not pick on anyone or any group – whether they’re a member or not – for their sex, race, age, sexual orientation, hair colour or anything else that is not of your concern. This is covered by rule (1).
7) Don’t post anything that might get others in trouble if they’re browsing the site from work or a public computer. This is covered by rule (1).
8) Do not use the forum for anything illegal. This is covered by rule (1).
9) If you think someone else is being a dick, let the moderation team know. Do not be a vigilante; vigilantes are dicks. This is covered by rule (1).
10) If you think a moderator has been a dick, bring it up with the admin. Do not do it in public. This is covered by rule (1).
11) If you think the admin has been a dick, find somewhere else to play. This is covered by rule (1).
12) Sub sections of the site have their own additional guidelines. You should read and abide by them. This is covered by rule (1).

Sporky

For Off Topic:

1) Rule (1) still applies. Don't be a dick.
2) So do all the other rules. This is covered by rule (1).
3) If you think what you're posting is likely to result in a heated debate (R), post it in Speakers' Corner instead. This is covered by rule (1).

Sporky

For Speakers' Corner

1) Rule (1) still applies. Don't be a dick.
2) Don't make it personal. This is covered by rule (1)
3) Don't whine if someone disagrees with you. This is covered by rule (1).
4) Don't play historian. People are entitled to change their opinions. This is covered by rule (1).
5) Don't play lawyer. If you aren't one, don't pretend to be one. If you are one, don't do your job here for free. This is covered by rule (1).
5) What happens in Speakers' Corner stays in Speakers' Corner. Do not carry grievances to the rest of the forum. This is covered by rule (1).
6) Remember that this is just the internets. If you're getting angry, walk away for a bit. This is covered by rule (1).

Sporky

For the Classifieds.

1) Rule (1) still applies. Don't be a dick.

2) You must post an asking price or ideal trades.

3) You really should post some good quality pictures. You should not post your address, email address or phone number - that's just asking for spam.

4) Do not bump more frequently than every 48 hours.  If you do, your posts will be deleted without debate.

5) Meta-bumps (such as "All PMs replied to") count as bumps.

6) Use the FLAG feature if you genuinely think that an ad is dodgy or breaks the rules, don't harass the seller on the thread.

7) Criticising prices counts as harassment - PM the seller (if you must), don't do it in the thread.

8) If you've finished with a classifieds thread you started, update the thread to include "SOLD" or "NO LONGER NEEDED" (or whatever is appropriate) in the title and opening post.  DO NOT delete the price or any other content - a penalty of two weeks exclusion from the classifieds will be applied for a first offence, four weeks for a second.  Any attempt to circumvent such penalties (such as signing up with a new account to continue posting) will result in an instant, permanent ban from the forum with no chance of appeal.

9) The Fretboard is not responsible for transactions - the buyer and seller are.

10) Do not post items for sale that are not what they appear to be (fake, counterfeit, etc).

11) If you advertise on here, post the details on here.  Posts that are little more than links to eBay (etc) will be deleted.

Sporky

For the moderation team:

1) Rule (1) still applies. Don't be a dick.
2) Don't moderate where you've posted. This is covered by rule (1).
3) Minimum intervention. First give an opportunity for a graceful retraction. If you have to take action, then in order of preference edit the post, delete the post, sink the thread, close the thread, or delete the thread. This is covered by rule (1).
4) Whenever you take any action, note the action taken. Post edits and/or deletions should be noted in the thread. Thread deletions and bannings must be noted in the relevant announcement threads.
5) Spambots are sport. Everyone else gets a fair chance. This is covered by rule (1).
6) Anyone subject to a full ban will have the right of appeal to the admins in the first instance, and then to request readmittance after 3 months. Readmittance will be at the discretion of the admins. Attempts to circumvent this process and rejoin early (for instance under a different account) will result in a permanent, no readmittance ever ban.
7) If in doubt, refer upwards.

Sporky

Just made some minor updates to correct some typos and put "Speakers' Corner" in where appropriate. There has been no change to the rules themselves, just some tidying up.

Sporky

Just adjusted the Classfieds rules to include guidelines on posting addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.

Also I spotted where we had multiple rule (5)s and (7)s so tidied that up.

No other material changes to the rules.

TTony

We've now updated our rules.

Rules v2.0