# Concerning the board rules.... **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 11, 2001, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588 "2001-03-11T23:54:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cheezit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@cheezit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheezit)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/1 "2001-03-11T23:54:40Z")
Almost a year ago, I registered here. I remember reading the rules of the board, but I do not remember what they all were. (They say the first thing to go is the memory. :D) Anyway, how do I get to where they are all written down? The only one that I can remember for certain is “Don’t be a jerk”. This brings up question #2. Who, exactly, decides the definition of “jerk”? I mean, if there are 15,000 members on this board, there are likely to be 15,000 different definitions. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/2 "2001-03-12T00:24:56Z")
To read the rules, log out and then click on the “register” link. Or try searching for “registration agreement” in ATMB. It’s been posted in answer to this sort of question a few times. ---
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/3 "2001-03-12T02:25:18Z")
**cheezit** said: > [@](#): > > Who, exactly, decides the definition of “jerk”? That would be the admins and mods. As the agents of the \*Chicago Reader,\*which owns this board, their definitions are the law in these here parts. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/4 "2001-03-12T02:56:58Z")
Our message board rules are pretty easy to live by. I reproduce them here so you can read them at your leisure. As far as what constitutes “being a jerk,” being in violation of our rules does it, pretty much. Whatever you might do that would detract from the message board experience for others, that’s being a jerk. Not treating your fellow Teemsters with the same sort of consideration you would expect and deserve, that’s being a jerk. Not paying attention to what moderators and administrators tell you, that’s really being a jerk. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to send me email and I’ll do my best to straighten out the situation for you. Happy reading! > [@](#): > > **Straight Dope Message Board Rules** > > We have one basic rule: Don’t be a jerk. > > Considering the real-time nature of this bulletin board and the volume of messages received, it is impossible for us to verify the information posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. Users should be particularly wary of medical, legal or other professional advice posted on the message boards and recognize that it is no substitute for in-person consultation with a competent professional. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of the Chicago Reader, Inc., or any entity associated with it. > > Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable should contact us immediately by E-mail. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time, if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. > > You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this BB to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, threatening, invasive of a person’s privacy, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this BB. You agree to abide by the wishes of the board moderators in interpreting and enforcing these rules. Refusal to cooperate with board moderators or to abide by these rules is grounds for revocation of your posting privileges. > > Religious proselytizing (“witnessing”) and religious discussions generally (other than strictly factual inquiries) should be confined to the Great Debates forum. Proselytizing in other forums will be deleted. In the Great Debates forum, proselytizing should be limited to threads started for that purpose or to which a discussion of religion and related matters has some relevance. Proselytizing inserted into inappropriate threads will be deleted. > > Only one screen name is permitted per user. If you wish to change screen names please notify the webmaster and we will deactivate your old screen name. Use of multiple screen names is grounds for revocation of your right to post under ANY screen name. We reserve the right to refuse postings from screen names we find objectionable. > > Vandalism of the site through inappropriate use of HTML or other code is grounds for immediate banning. Vandals will be reported to their Internet services provider. In extreme cases we may refer site vandalism to the police. > > We reserve the right to delete any message for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Chicago Reader, Inc. (the operator of this BB), Jelsoft Enterprises Limited (the makers of the bulletin board software), and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). > > The Chicago Reader, Inc., also reserves the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message posted by you. > > Advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are not permitted on this BB and will be deleted. We will notify the Internet service provider of any party posting objectionable messages. > > By posting on this board you grant the Chicago Reader, Inc., a nonexclusive irrevocable right to reuse your posting in any manner it sees fit without notice or compensation to you. > > One last thing. This message board allows us to selectively ban individual users, and to delete all postings by a particular screen name in a single operation. Please remember that you are our guest here, and that we must reserve the right to exclude you at our whim, for any or no reason whatsoever. By registering and using the board you acknowledge this right and agree to abide by our rules and to submit to their interpretation and enforcement by our moderators and editors. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![coming\_up\_for\_air](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@coming\_up\_for\_air](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coming_up_for_air)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/5 "2001-03-13T23:18:26Z")
Here’s the rules for the other board I post at most, [http://pub9.ezboard.com/bcultureshop](http://pub9.ezboard.com/bcultureshop) **another.community code of conduct** 1. The Terms & Conditions of [another.com](http://another.com) apply in the another.community 2. If you disagree with someone, argue a response do not attack the person. 3. Don’t insult someone’s race, character, heritage, religion, or sexual orientation. We don’t tolerate hate literature, so no links to sites that contain racially or ethnically offensive material. 4. Don’t disrupt the flow of discussion with vulgar or sexually explicit language, abuse, or harassment. 5. You may not impersonate an [another.com](http://another.com) member, an [another.com](http://another.com) moderator, or an [another.com](http://another.com) employee. 6. If you must swear, use the comic book exclaim: £$%^&\*. Anything else will not be tolerated. 7. Don’t post things that are illegal. It’s illegal. See how tight they edited it? Now it’s hard for anyone to say they didn’t read and understand it. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/6 "2001-03-13T23:32:56Z")
And yet there are many posters here who’d like us to make our membership agreement _more_ detailed. Whaddaya gonna do? Also, the ezboard folks, don’t actually have to moderate their boards. Thy leave that to the individual forum/site owners. Those rules are meant to be a blanket, not site specific. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/7 "2001-03-13T23:46:51Z")
You’ve also forgotten all these rules: > [@](#): > > This Agreement (the “Agreement”) governs your access and use of ezboard facilities, bulletin boards and service (the “Service”). In consideration for your right to access and use the Service, you and ezboard agree as follows: . . . > > Please see [EZBOARD RULES](http://www.ezboard.com/about_terms.html) for the full text. your humble TubaDiva So, we have ours with 688 words and ezboard’s with 2716 words. Tell me again, which of these is too long? [Edited by TubaDiva on 03-14-2001 at 10:14 AM] ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/8 "2001-03-13T23:48:16Z")
Also, **coming up for air** , note rule one: > [@](#): > > 1. The Terms & Conditions of [another.com](http://another.com) apply in the another.community What do you think the odds are that everything included in the SDMB rules and more is covered under “The Terms & Conditions of [another.com](http://another.com)” but left out of the “another.community code of conduct”? ---
**Author:** ![coming\_up\_for\_air](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@coming\_up\_for\_air](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coming_up_for_air)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/9 "2001-03-14T01:03:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > \*\*Also, the ezboard folks, don’t actually have to moderate their boards. Thy leave that to the individual forum/site owners. Those rules are meant to be a blanket, not site specific. \*\* Actually the ones I quoted _are_ site specific. And you have completely clarified my point: No one reads over a screenful of boilerplate. Do I believe a **single soul** read all of the EZboard stuff? No. Do I believe a **single soul** read all of the SDMB stuff? Also no. But everyone read the few key points listed above. Why? Because it’s not a time-consuming chore. If you have problems with people not reading the ton of rules, then the answer is not more, but fewer. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/10 "2001-03-14T03:07:48Z")
Let’s reverse that logic. If people have a problem with reading our rules because they’re too long (it’s not like you have to read them _daily_, right?), then they might not be the sort of posters we’re looking for anyway. Seriously: this board requires a lot of reading time no matter how you look at it. What harm does reading these rules do? How long does it take? Five minutes? Call me confused, but I really don’t see the problem here. ---
**Author:** ![Redboss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redboss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redboss)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/11 "2001-03-14T03:28:09Z")
Sorry to sound like a pain, **comin’ up** , but I read the whole rules when I joined up and again, just a few minutes ago. They’re not too long for me, and I suspect that this board attracts many people who are fairly literate. Why the other day I saw someone say in a post that they were going to visit a library to look something up. Books! - how quaint! ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/12 "2001-03-14T03:30:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*Call me confused, but I really don’t see the problem here. \*\* With no slur implied or intended upon **Coming up for air** and _specifically_ excuding him (and the other posters in this thread) from the next comment: Doesn’t it seem like in general, the only people to quibble about the “don’t be a jerk” rule are the ones who are looking for a loophole? “Don’t be a jerk” covers so much. Spamming? Jerk. Indescriminate flameing? Jerk. Posting your ex-girlfriend’s phone number with a “Call this number Hot Chicks” header? Jerk. Not constantly telling Fenris what a wonderful poster he is? Jer…no…wait. That’s another topic entirely. 😃 Seriously: To paraphrase some Supreme Court Justice who’s name I should remember: I can’t define a jerk, but I’ll know one when I see one. We don’t need fifty pages of Dungeons and Dragons style rule minutae when a reasonable person can simply sum all the minutae up in one simple, elegant sentence: Don’t be a jerk. Chief Justice Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Jo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sue\_Jo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Jo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/13 "2001-03-14T04:37:44Z")
You put that with a statement that the mods are the Refs of this game, and they interpret whatever isn’t spelled out, and they cannot be overruled, and you’re done. BTW, here’s the rules at Fathom. Short and sweet. > [@](#): > > Rules, Policies, and Disclaimers > if you agree to abide by our rules below, you should press the “Agree” button, which will enable you to register. If you do not agree, press the “Cancel” button. > Just a couple of rules here… > > 1. no X rated content, please. That means don’t post that big naked picture of your favorite adult film star, etc. You can talk about it, but give other posters the option of having their eyes assaulted or not, don’t just slap something up there. > > 2. Don’t impersonate other posters. > > 3. Try to keep nastiness confined to the BMZ. > > 4. there is no 4! I tricked you! > > The administration reserves the right to remove posting privileges of any user. We don’t expect this to happen much. ---
**Author:** ![Krispy\_Original](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@Krispy\_Original](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krispy_Original)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/14 "2001-03-14T06:19:48Z")
I’m most easily confused over the “copyright” thing. There doesn’t seem to be any good guidelines as to how much is too much. Just for example’s sake, Uncle Beer’s post above seems like a copyright violation to me. But I could be wrong…but how do I know for sure? I think it would be interesting for an actual copyright lawyer to pay us a visit to share some REAL guidelines. Seems like most of the time, people are just guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/15 "2001-03-14T15:14:25Z")
You can find the US code, title 17 (copyrights) [here](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/index.html) (and you can search for “fair use” on the right side of the page), and some examples of fair use cases are available [here](http://www.cetus.org/fair5.html). However, it should be noted the owners & operators of these message boards are certainly free to tighten the screws further if they wish. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/16 "2001-03-14T16:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by coming up for air \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > > \*\*Also, the ezboard folks, don’t actually have to moderate their boards. Thy leave that to the individual forum/site owners. Those rules are meant to be a blanket, not site specific. \*\* > > Actually the ones I quoted _are_ site specific. > > And you have completely clarified my point: > No one reads over a screenful of boilerplate. > Do I believe a **single soul** read all of the EZboard stuff? No. Do I believe a **single soul** read all of the SDMB stuff? Also no. > But everyone read the few key points listed above. > Why? Because it’s not a time-consuming chore. > > If you have problems with people not reading the ton of rules, then the answer is not more, but fewer. \*\* The very first thing we say is “Don’t Be a Jerk.” What’s easier than that? If you can’t read more than a sentence before getting bored – or worse, if you read it and don’t comprehend – maybe this ain’t the place for you anyway. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/17 "2001-03-14T16:20:01Z")
Interesting choice of words, e.g. Websters ‘jerk’: 1 : a single quick motion of short duration 2 a : jolting, bouncing, or thrusting motions b : a tendency to produce spasmodic motions 3 a : an involuntary spasmodic muscular movement due to reflex action b plural : involuntary twitchings due to nervous excitement 4 : an annoyingly stupid or foolish person 5 : the pushing of a weight from shoulder height to a position overhead in weight lifting… Other similar words: "Main Entry:jerk Function:noun Synonyms FOOL 1, ass, \*damfool, idiot, jackass, nincompoop, ninny, ||schmo, ||schmuck, tomfool " Schmuck is kinda better cause it has fewer meanings. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/18 "2001-03-14T16:25:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sue Jo \* > \*\*BTW, here’s the rules at Fathom. Short and sweet. > \*\* Apples and oranges. SDMB – 13,407 members / 58191 threads in total, 1094525 posts in total fathom – 678 members / 4855 threads in total, 69196 posts in total All due respect and all that, but it’s much easier to ride herd over a smaller board. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/19 "2001-03-14T16:28:27Z")
And just for the record, Opal has made it very clear that she’s well aware that the size difference is the reason it can be a more “open” board, and she and several moderators over there have indicated that privileges (like editing one’s own posts, for example) that board extends that this one does not are subject to their not being abused (as would likely happen within 24 hours here if editing were enabled). ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588/20 "2001-03-14T16:31:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Krispy Original \* > \*\*I’m most easily confused over the “copyright” thing. > > There doesn’t seem to be any good guidelines as to how much is too much. > > Just for example’s sake, Uncle Beer’s post above seems like a copyright violation to me. But I could be wrong…but how do I know for sure? > > I think it would be interesting for an actual copyright lawyer to pay us a visit to share some REAL guidelines. > > Seems like most of the time, people are just guessing. \*\* Man, I just keep finding stuff to answer in this thread! As I’m you’ve seen by now, I edited Uncle Beer’s posting to link to the ezboard rules. That’s how we prefer to see citations on this board. And no, we’re not guessing. We are guided in our policing of copyright by the Chicago Reader and their attorneys. Whatever you or some outside lawyer or anybody else might think is the way for us to operate, we are always ruled by the corporate entity that grants us the right to run this site in the first place. your humble TubaDiva Administrator Accentuatin’ the obvious [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-board-rules/57588.md?page=2)