# Forum Rules **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 3, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644 "2001-03-03T18:12:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Runadoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Runadoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runadoc)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/1 "2001-03-03T18:12:44Z")
Already I am lost - sorry - can someone tell me where I find forum rules?? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/2 "2001-03-04T00:12:53Z")
I think you’ve already found these: > [@](#): > > From top of posting page: > Forum Rules: > Who Can Read The Forum? Any registered user or guest. > Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered user. > Who Can Post Replies? Any registered user. > Changes: Messages CANNOT be edited by their author. Messages CANNOT be deleted by their author. > Posts: HTML code is Off. Smilies are On. vB code is On. [IMG] code is Off. ---
**Author:** ![Runadoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Runadoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runadoc)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/3 "2001-03-04T01:04:24Z")
Thank You very much Ice Wolf - I appreciate the help ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/4 "2001-03-04T03:27:05Z")
The forum descriptions are listed on the main page, under the names of the individual forums. The general Board rules (which apply to all forums, even the Pit) can be found be clicking the “Register” button at the top of the page (but don’t register again!). You may need to log out to do this. (Admins… is there any way to see the rules without pressing the “Register” button?) Additionally, there are several other rules to keep in mind… one of the biggest is to refrain from direct insults in any forum aside from the Pit, and even there, personal insults (like making fun of someone’s family) is REALLY frowned upon. Then there are the “suggestions”… one of which is “be prepared to back up whatever you say”. This holds true especially in GD, so if someone asks for a “cite”, either be ready to find a website, name a book and author (page numbers will help, too), or simply admit that you don’t have a cite. Nobody will hold it against you if your resources are slim. ---
**Author:** ![Runadoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Runadoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runadoc)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/5 "2001-03-04T04:05:20Z")
Thanks to you Spoofe Bo Diddly. I will get the hang of all this eventually I am sure. But I have only just begun. Thanks to you all for your patience and help. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/6 "2001-03-04T06:09:48Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. Personally, these rules should also be listed on a separate page for all SDMBers to review (without having to log out of your current screen name and log back in) Idea for the Admins to talk to the Techs about…a simple link at the top. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/7 "2001-03-04T09:23:20Z")
In addition, individual forums have sort of guidelines as to what is approporiate. There is way more lattitude allowed in the Pit, for instance, than in Comments on Cecil’s Columns, in terms of violations of good manners. The two Comments forums are expected to remain pretty much on target, and not to wander too far into the realms of other forums. There’s also a rule about Lynn and chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/8 "2001-03-04T19:02:16Z")
If you behave like a civilized human being, and don’t be a jerk, you don’t have anything to worry about. There’s no death penalty for posting threads in the wrong forum, or for hijacking threads in Comments to ask about cookie recipes. 🙂 Relax, enjoy yourself. Talk about what YOU wanna talk about, and don’t worry if it’s in the wrong forum. You’ll pick it up as you go along. The only time the mods get really annoyed is if somebody consistently refuses to get a clue, repeatedly cross-posting or opening threads in the wrong forums, even after they’ve had it explained to them. But I don’t think you need to worry. 🙂 One big hint: If you’re annoyed at something a mod has done, like he’s locked your GQ thread for being in the wrong forum, best take it to private e-mail. Opening a Pit thread to complain about the administration, even though that’s what it says you can do in the Pit Forum rules, is an open invitation to get your butt kicked by various Pitizens with bad tempers spoiling for a weenie roast, with you as the weenie, obligingly jumping onto the grill. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2001, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/9 "2001-03-05T01:38:44Z")
The only thing I’d like to add is on a semi-technical note: the text will automatically word-wrap, so you don’t have to hit the “return” key unless you are making another paragraph (it’s just kinda hard to read with those line breaks in the middle of the sentence is why I’m bringing it up). That said, welcome to the SDMB and happy posting, **Runadoc**! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@The\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules/56644/10 "2001-03-05T02:19:08Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by techchick68 \* \*\* > [@](#): > > 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\*\* Had they seen the Pit when they wrote this? 😃