PLEASE READ: Basic Code of Conduct (when using these forums)

As a member, moderator or administrator of these forums, the basic behavioural expectations of you are as follows:

It is forbidden to intentionally offend another member of these forums in any way, shape or form.

Name-calling with the intent to offend another member will not be tolerated. Veiling an insult, for example "Only an idiot would hold such an opinion", will also not be tolerated.

Any form of racial abuse or discrimination will especially not be tolerated.

Offensive racial or religious generalisations, for example "All Muslims are bombers", will not be tolerated.

Deliberately causing offence to (or deliberately insulting) another member of these forums will, if deemed worthy of punishment, result in your suspension from these forums for a period ranging from one to twelve weeks, the suspension period being determined by the severity and/or frequency of the offensive comments/behaviour.

It is forbidden to make unfounded accusations towards other members of these forums, and/or to create, promote or be party to "lynch mob" behaviour towards a forum member. Any problems of such nature should be referred to a moderator or administrator as soon as possible. To blacken the name of (or attempt to blacken the name of) another member through false or unfounded accusations or to partake in or promote "lynch mob" behaviour towards another member will, if deemed worthy of punishment, result in suspension for a period of one to twelve weeks, again the length of suspension to be determined by the severity and/or frequency of the misbehaviour.

It is forbidden for a member, moderator or administrator of these forums to create more than their one original membership account on these forums. Creating alternate identities and/or extra or multiple memberships/accounts on these forums will, unless rationally justified, result in the removal of the duplicate accounts and an instant suspension for a period of one to twelve weeks, again the period of suspension to be determined by the severity and/or frequency of the misbehaviour.

It is forbidden for moderators or administrators to alter, adjust or amend the posts of others without clear justification. Amendments to spelling, punctuation or the clarification or shortening of of a topic title are permitted (provided there is sufficient justification for such), as is the removal of offensive or potentially offensive content (for example insults, racial slurs, illegal content, pornographic content, posting of illegal, hazardous, explicit or graphic links), but it is forbidden for the context of a post to be altered (for example if the removal of content causes an alteration to the original intent or opinion present in the post). If offensive content cannot be amended without the context of the post being altered, then any amendments should be made as tactfully as possible and accompanied by an explanation from a moderator or administrator in blue lettering requesting the original poster to amend their post as they see fit. All comments inserted into or on to the posts of others by moderators or administrators should always contain the name of the moderator or administrator responsible for the amendments/removals/alterations. Blatant or irresponsible ignorance of these guidelines can result in a moderator or administrator being removed from their position, suspended or, if their actions are deemed severe enough, being banned from the forums indefinitely.

Moderators and administrators should always place an explanation in the "Reason for editing" area when amending or altering a post.

It is expressly forbidden for moderators or administrators to insert pictures, GIFs, any variation thereof or any other unnecessary content into the posts of others. Such actions will result in demotion and/or possible suspension or an indefinite ban from using these forums, again punishment to be determined by severity and/or frequency.

All or any problems with the moderation and/or administration of these forums should be reported immediately and privately via private messaging. It is forbidden for users of these forums to insult, undermine, attempt to undermine, create or attempt to create division and/or mistrust towards or to question or compromise the integrity, suitability or behaviour of moderators or administrators on these forums. All such matters should be dealt with privately through private messaging, unless requested or instructed otherwise by a moderator or administrator.

It is encouraged that everybody using these forums does so in as visible, regular and enthusiastic a capacity as possible. Replying to posts improves discussion and ultimately the forums overall, whereas simply reading posts does not. We encourage all of our members to refrain from hiding their online status unless there is genuine justification for doing so.

Moderators and administrators should have as regular a presence on the forums as possible, and contribute towards the forums in a manner which justifies their position of responsibility. Should an appointed moderator or administrator feel unable to meet this base criteria, it is requested that they have the common sense and courtesy to stand down from their position to allow others with perhaps more enthusiasm to take on positions of responsibility. For example, if a moderator can only spend five minutes a day on the forums or can only afford a very quick look at the forums each night or can hardly find the time to post more than once or twice a week, it's perhaps only fair that they hand over their position to a member more committed to the forums.

These forum guidelines/rules/criteria are officially active from 12pm midday UK time Tuesday 18th September 2012, and should be viewed thoroughly by everybody using these forums.