General Rules


Do not register unless you are a vegetarian or plan on going vegetarian.
Do not register more than one account.
Do not post anything that may be perceived as spam - it will be deleted and you will be banned. We believe new members should contribute something to this community before expecting to take something from it.
Do not post, upload, or link to anything unsuitable for those as young as 13 years old or for the average person's workplace. As a general rule, if it is not acceptable on network television it is not acceptable here.
Do not post or upload copyrighted material without permission. With articles or news stories you can post the first paragraph or two, then provide a link to view the rest. With recipes you can submit a recipe if you've rewritten the instructions in your own words.
Do not insult others or discourage them from posting.
Do not intentionally post in a way that is difficult to read.
Do not encourage people to visit other websites in an attempt to cause trouble. We don't appreciate it when it happens here so we don't let our members encourage it elsewhere.
Do not post someone's personal information (such as address or phone number) even if it is available elsewhere online.



In most instances moderators will discuss a situation before acting. In an attempt to avoid bias we will try to come to an agreement on what, if anything, should be done.

Obviously every situation is different but we will try to give 2 warnings (within a 90 day period) before disciplinary action is taken. After that there will be a 30 day probationary period where your posts will need to be approved by me before they appear on the board. At that point it becomes an inconvenience to me. And since I don't appreciate having my time wasted any further occurrences would most likely result in a lengthy suspension or ban.

Trolls and spammers will be banned immediately.

If you're worried that the rules aren't enforced equally the solution is simple - don't break them.

Things To Consider Before Posting


Read our Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=347).
If you are starting a new thread conduct a search to see if a thread on the topic already exists.
If you are starting a new thread use a descriptive thread title. People should be able to tell what your thread is about without having to click on it.
Ask yourself if your post is supportive and/or constructive. If it's not, please reword it. Even if you don't agree with someone you should be adding something (other than negativity) to the discussion.
Ask yourself if your post is on topic. If it's not, please consider starting a new thread.
If you are unsure about what you are posting please feel free to contact a moderator first.
Do not reply to offensive posts, spam, etc. Use the "report abuse" link to notify the moderators.


The most important thing to remember: How you post reflects positively or negatively on the community as a whole.

If you consistently post in a way that reflects negatively on the community we may start to question whether or not it's in our best interest to have you here.

Extras


The same rules that apply to posts apply to private messages. If you use private messages to spam or harrass and it is brought to our attention you will be suspended or banned.
Signatures must be 5 lines or less on a 1024x768 display.
Avatars should measure 100x100. Avatars that do not measure 100x100 will be stretched to those dimensions and may not appear properly. Animated avatars are not allowed.
Name changes are not allowed.


These rules are not as extensive as the rules we had before so hopefully they'll be easier to follow. Just use some common sense.

I reserve the right to add/change rules without notice and to enforce them however I see fit.

noted :)

Thanks:D

works for me

:up:

What about people who register because they have a son or daughter who is veg and they need advice?

they can go to VegSource :p

What about people who register because they have a son or daughter who is veg and they need advice?

That would be okay. :yes: Despite protestations otherwise, there has to be a certain amount of subjectivity in the rules.

But isn't too much subjectivity what gets moderators accused of being biased?

I understand the whole, if you think rules are applied unfairly, then don't break them. But what if someone is following all the rules but their experience is being ruined by someone else they feel is breaking the rules but to their knowledge isn't being reprimanded?

Perhaps reprimands should be made public, along with the reasons why. Mods try to respect the privacy of members, however, I've seen a lot of people not realizing that people have been warned and then assume the mods haven't done anything. Or when someone is banned, people assume it came out of no where. Or worst of all, the person suspended or banned tells people elsewhere they don't know the reason why or give a very misleading explanation as to why that makes them look good and the mods look bad. But as a mod, I didn't feel free to go and post all the PMs, deleted or edited posts, user notes, etc. explaining the whole story out of respect for privacy. If mods are going to be accused of bias, how about transparency? Having been a mod, I feel it will reveal to many people how FOS some people are when they cry foul.

Even if things were made public I still don't think people would agree.

I really couldn't care less either way.

Which banees are you refering to as FOS Thalia? The recent 2 certainly don't seem to fit that description. Seems to me that if your login screen says, Ban Reason: None, Ban Lifted: Never, there's not much more you can do than speculate why.
It's pretty obvious though, given the bias of several mods against the banees.
Whatever, life goes on right?
*spreads kittens and joy and humourless posts to avoid upsetting anyone*

But isn't too much subjectivity what gets moderators accused of being biased?
Yes. But complete objectivity is impossible, unless two people are saying, using the exact same vocabulary in a post. There's always going to have to be a judgement call.

I understand the whole, if you think rules are applied unfairly, then don't break them. But what if someone is following all the rules but their experience is being ruined by someone else they feel is breaking the rules but to their knowledge isn't being reprimanded?

Perhaps reprimands should be made public, along with the reasons why. Mods try to respect the privacy of members, however, I've seen a lot of people not realizing that people have been warned and then assume the mods haven't done anything. Or when someone is banned, people assume it came out of no where. Or worst of all, the person suspended or banned tells people elsewhere they don't know the reason why or give a very misleading explanation as to why that makes them look good and the mods look bad. But as a mod, I didn't feel free to go and post all the PMs, deleted or edited posts, user notes, etc. explaining the whole story out of respect for privacy. If mods are going to be accused of bias, how about transparency? Having been a mod, I feel it will reveal to many people how FOS some people are when they cry foul.
When someone makes a report, we should be PMing them with a response. I'm not sure a "punishment board" is a positive thing, despite the benefit of people being more aware. I suspect it would disintegrate quickly into lots of namecaling, accusations, etc.

Yes. But complete objectivity is impossible, unless two people are saying, using the exact same vocabulary in a post. There's always going to have to be a judgement call.
I agree.


When someone makes a report, we should be PMing them with a response. I'm not sure a "punishment board" is a positive thing, despite the benefit of people being more aware. I suspect it would disintegrate quickly into lots of namecaling, accusations, etc.You are right. Perhaps then we should let it be publicly known that a member is free to give us permission to post their "punishment history" for public review. If that person wants to stir up **** and try to say they were wrongly punished, a smart person would then ask them to release their "punishment history" to support their claims. If they make up excuses as to why they won't do that, a smart person will start to doubt that person who wants to complain about the mods is telling the whole story.

When someone makes a report, we should be PMing them with a response. I'm not sure a "punishment board" is a positive thing, despite the benefit of people being more aware. I suspect it would disintegrate quickly into lots of namecaling, accusations, etc.

I have reported a lot of posts in the past 6 months, and have received a handful of PMs acknowledging the report. All came from the same mods.

punishment history? Are we serious? Maybe they should just have to sit in the corner instead :dunce:

/exit third grade

But isn't too much subjectivity what gets moderators accused of being biased?

I understand the whole, if you think rules are applied unfairly, then don't break them. But what if someone is following all the rules but their experience is being ruined by someone else they feel is breaking the rules but to their knowledge isn't being reprimanded?

Perhaps reprimands should be made public, along with the reasons why. Mods try to respect the privacy of members, however, I've seen a lot of people not realizing that people have been warned and then assume the mods haven't done anything. Or when someone is banned, people assume it came out of no where. Or worst of all, the person suspended or banned tells people elsewhere they don't know the reason why or give a very misleading explanation as to why that makes them look good and the mods look bad. But as a mod, I didn't feel free to go and post all the PMs, deleted or edited posts, user notes, etc. explaining the whole story out of respect for privacy. If mods are going to be accused of bias, how about transparency? Having been a mod, I feel it will reveal to many people how FOS some people are when they cry foul.

I went to Michael with a problem and he took care of it...I have probably broken a rule and have not known it (I know I've been off topic before in a thread!) I think he's fair to every member. I don't think making the problems public are going to make anything better, that might just start more problems. No one is forcing anyone to stay here if they don't like the rules, so if you do like being a member, don't go out of your way to break them I think.:whip:
:)

and Im sure it will all make much more sense to me after Ive used it more

but I will ask a question on here please - because I dont know where else as yet to ask it.............

Q - I have validated my account but it will not allow me to post a new thread - please tell me why this is...

:sweat:

and Im sure it will all make much more sense to me after Ive used it more

but I will ask a question on here please - because I dont know where else as yet to ask it.............

Q - I have validated my account but it will not allow me to post a new thread - please tell me why this is...

:sweat:


I think you need a certain number of minimum posts (10?) before you can post a thread. Spam prevention.

isnt that THE Mr Rowntree ??

another question - are most of you lovely people on here based in the USA?

isnt that THE Mr Rowntree ??

another question - are most of you lovely people on here based in the USA?


I am... but there are people from Canada and other places, even Hawaii. :bow:

I am... but there are people from Canada and other places, even Hawaii. :bow:

Hawaii is part of the U.S. It became the 50th state in 1959.

Mods try to respect the privacy of members, however, I've seen a lot of people not realizing that people have been warned and then assume the mods haven't done anything. Or when someone is banned, people assume it came out of no where.

I think the problem there is the ill-founded assumption.

I am certainly not comfortable with making warnings, etc. public. The right of a user to confidentiality far outweighs the "need" of the community to know. Personally I don't think it's anyone's business what warnings Joe User has recieved. The "need" to know is mostly just nosiness, in my opinion.

Also, as Jen said, it wouldn't stop there. Say we edit a post made by Joe User, warn him, and publically announce that it was done. The first thing asked will be, "Well, what did he say that got him edited?" Then it will be, "But Jane User says worse on a regular basis and nothing is done." From there I think the progression into mass disgruntledness is obvious.

I'm the local Hawaiian fruit... :bow:

This is the way I see it... If you're consistently posting in a way that reflects negatively on the community I don't want you here. That's all the reason I need.

I am certainly not comfortable with making warnings, etc. public. The right of a user to confidentiality far outweighs the "need" of the community to know. Personally I don't think it's anyone's business what warnings Joe User has recieved.


agreed.