# The rules have changed! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 9, 2000, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648 "2000-03-09T19:08:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/1 "2000-03-10T06:15:00Z")
OK, the rules and guidelines for posting have changed a bit. Please take a few minutes to re-read them at [http://boards.straightdope.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=agree](http://boards.straightdope.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=agree) Lynn For the Straight Dope ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/2 "2000-03-09T19:08:00Z")
“You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this BB to post any material which is…vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane…or otherwise violative of any law…Refusal to cooperate with board moderators or to abide by these rules is grounds for revocation of your posting privileges.” Lynn, I don’t remember if this portion is different from when I signed up for an account. Perhaps I am reading into this too much, but it seems that 98% of all SDMB’ers who post in the pit would be booted if the above rules were enforced. your thoughts? * * * “My Accountz Reeceevable Posse don’t call me Tha Troubleshoota for nothin’. Suckas think I be chillin’, but I gots to represent at all times, 'cuz ain’t nobody else reeceeve accountz right but ME.” --Herbert Kornfeld ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/3 "2000-03-09T19:39:00Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. IIRC, this is the only thing that’s new. I’m now very curious as to why this rule was added, in a GQ type of way. What legal bases are you covering with this one? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/4 "2000-03-09T20:05:00Z")
Is the “complaint” mentioned in the new rule a legal complaint only, or can I send The Reader an e-mail saying "Drain Bead misspelled a word, and I am lodging a formal complaint. Please immediately respond with the following information for the poster known as “Drain Bead”: -current address -time she most likely to be in the shower" I’m not so sure I like the way that rule is worded. * * * Sig! Sig a Sog! Sig it loud! Sig it Strog! – Karen Carpenter with a head cold ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/5 "2000-03-10T22:13:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Drain Bead: > \*\* IIRC, this is the only thing that’s new. I’m now very curious as to why this rule was added, in a GQ type of way. What legal bases are you covering with this one? > \*\* Well, let’s see… Looks like they’re trying to cover their bases in the event of: 1. Terroristic threats; and 2. Libelous statements. ---
**Author:** ![tbea925](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@tbea925](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbea925)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/6 "2000-03-09T23:44:00Z")
Could be a response to the hacker attack, and the potential for abuse of this board by someone launching a DOS attack on another board. Also, reflecting back on the statements made by people who have made threats about Columbine-like attacks on other schools (and how to launder money), it’s smart to make sure that folks know that they are not anonymous here. In all probability, most posts won’t be affected. However, there are times when anonimity cannot be maintained. * * * Not voted most anything ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/7 "2000-03-10T01:53:00Z")
First, the Pit operates by different rules. We allow namecalling and such to some degree here. Second, if you have questions about WHY the rules were changed, and how it affects posting, I suggest directing them to the About This Message Board forum. I only posted this notice because I know that a great many people don’t check the ATMB section very often, and I wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible. Lynn For the Straight Dope ---
**Author:** ![PUNdit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@PUNdit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PUNdit)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/8 "2000-03-10T02:06:00Z")
But, Lynn, this is the only place I have seen that announces a rules change. Surely there should be an announcement up there where it says to change your password? * * * “You can be smart or pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” Elwood P. Dowd ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/9 "2000-03-10T02:13:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Drain Bead: > \*\* IIRC, this is the only thing that’s new. I’m now very curious as to why this rule was added, in a GQ type of way. What legal bases are you covering with this one? > \*\* If the old rule had been in place last year, we’d know who **Phaedrus** was. We may yet use it to find out if **John John** is/was **Cyberian54** and **JOHN**. Am I right? * * * When all else fails, ask Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![Rousseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rousseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rousseau)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/10 "2000-03-10T02:14:00Z")
I have a question. What makes you think that anybody who would start enough ruckus around here to bring about a lawsuit would give you a single word of valid information in his or her registration? * * * “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” -Winston Churchill ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-have-changed/4648/11 "2000-03-10T02:25:00Z")
Started this thread in ATMB: [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000809.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000809.html) for questions on this…maybe we can get an answer to DB’s question over there. * * * Winner, SDMB’s Biggest Chat Addict “Only two things that’ll soothe my soul - cold beer and remote control.”