by Blemished on Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:19 am
Stephen. Nothing has changed. The rules of this forum were set out at the beginning (2006) and have been enforced consistently since then. See below for the terms of service - which clearly prohibit personal attacks, destructive posting etc and detail the sanctions that exist.
I've also copied Silvermoon's (the site's founder) post about forum conduct made when she had to lock a thread two years ago. She said it well and it shows that - sadly - this is not a new issue.
I hardly think it's churlish to expect that people who post on this site are not subject to personal abuse. Anonymity makes no difference - as we have seen with the problems on Twitter. This is a shared, semi-public space (a club, open to all, but with house rules/membership rules) and people should conduct themselves as if they were chatting in a room together. Calling it censorship is ridiculous - try explaining that to someone who lives in North Korea. Nobody wants warnings, bans, deletions etc, but the rules exist to ensure this site remains a friendly, constructive place. Frankly, what baffles me is why a small number of people find it so difficult to treat others with common courtesy.
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TOS (Terms of Service)
JapanSylvian.com is operated under the Terms Of Service contained in this document (referred to as "Terms Of Service"). By completing the registration, sign-up form, and/or by the use of this site, you are indicating your agreement to be bound by all of the terms and conditions set forth below.
Member/User Conduct:
Members and users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is constructive and respectful of others at all times. You are solely responsible for the content of information you publish or display ("post") on the site or transmit to other Members. You will not post or transmit to other Members or to any Forums, Galleries, or any other portion of the site any item that is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, offensive sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, racially offensive or illegal, or any material that infringes or violates another's rights (including but not limited to intellectual property rights and rights of privacy and publicity).
Member Obligations:
You are solely responsible for the content of information you publish or display ("post") on the site or transmit to other Members. You will not post or transmit to other Members or to any Forums, Galleries, or any other portion of the site any item that is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, offensive sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, racially offensive or illegal, or any material that infringes or violates another's rights (including but not limited to intellectual property rights and rights of privacy and publicity). Posting of nude photographs is strictly prohibited in the Forums. Personal attacks on current or past members, vendors, administrators, moderators, or other web sites is strictly prohibited. JapanSylvian.com reserves the right, but has no obligation, to reject any "items" it deems unacceptable.
Members/Users will not use this community for:
Any practices that affect the normal operations of the community (Site Staff will take whatever steps are necessary to restore service).
Transmitting any libelous, defamatory, or any other material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under the law.
Personal attacks. This includes but is not limited to, destructive, abusive, defamatory communications in any form, and retaliatory attacks.
Destructive commentary/communications made with the intent to disrupt or attack. This applies to any communications within this community, whether in the forums, galleries, private messaging.
Advertising or linking to any publications and/or web sites that are age restricted due to content, and/or pornographic in nature.
Posting Unacceptable Images or Writing Themes:
No character attacks, which could be interpreted as defamation of character, slander, and libelous.
Additionally, any post, image or writings can be removed at the discretion of staff and moderators if it is deemed unsuitable for this community.
Members/Users found practicing unacceptable behaviors receive.
Deletion of posts.
First event: Private Message - Explanation of TOS and where the user has not adhered to this.
Second event: Private Message / E-mailñ Explanation and first warning
Third event: Private Message / E-mail - Final warning
Fourth event: Membership canceled, and access to the community permanently blocked. JapanSylvian.com considers members information private and confidential. However in extreme cases JapanSylvian.com will refer users behavior to the appropriate legal authorities, and if appropriate charges may be filed.
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[From Kiera's post about locking the 'Crazy Sylvian Fans' thread in 2011]
I have received many complaints about this topic, and I just want to say a few things before I lock it.
This is the first time I have had to deal with people reporting posts. In the future, please send me a private message if a post is bothering you, as it is easier to address the problem and take care of it. If you are going to report a post, GIVE DETAILS on why it is being reported.
DO NOT change all of your original posts to something completely irrelevant after the fact. The next time this happens, I will delete every single post, and the poster will be warned. I am leaving this topic up as an example of what NOT to do.
NO personal attacks at other members. That is one of the original rules and it is grounds for banning. No one is going to be banned but consider this a warning. If you have a problem with what someone is saying, please try to work it out with that person or just keep it to yourself. Personal attacks are unacceptable.
Please note I am not directing these rules at any one person in particular, I am posting this to REMIND everyone the rules, and to add a few new ones (that I didn't think I would have to add). One of the things that sets JapanSylvian apart is that we all usually get along great. ... Let's cut out the arguing and insulting and start treating each other like guests in our own homes.
T[url][/url]hanks everyone for reading... This topic is now locked.
-K