Discussion board rules

1. Posts are to be made in the relevant forum. Users are asked to read the forum descriptions before posting. Users consistently posting to the wrong forum may be given a warning (see policing below).

2. Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users. ‘Flaming’ or abusing users in any way will not be tolerated and will lead to a warning.

3. Members are asked to not act as “back seat moderators”. If members note an issue which contravenes something in this policy document they are welcome to bring it to the attention of a member of the Moderator Team. Please use the “post report” feature to report posts. Do not respond to such topics yourself. Members who constantly “act” as moderators may be warned.

4. Members should remember this board is aimed at a wide audience. Posting pornographic or generally offensive text, images, links, etc. will not be tolerated and will lead to a warning.

5. Members are asked to respect the copyright of other users, sites, media, etc. Users linking to or asking for information on warez, crackz, etc. or re-printing material without permission will receive a warning and their post will be removed.

6. Members should respect the bandwidth of other users and sites. The use of inline ([IMG][/IMG]) image tags pointing to data stored on third party systems for which the user has not received permission to link to may be removed.

7. Members should post in a way which is consistent with "normal writing". That is users should not post excessive numbers of emoticons, large, small or coloured text, etc. Similarly users should not SHOUT or use excessive punctuation (e.g. ! and ?) in topic titles or posts. Users consistently abusing this will be warned.

8. Members should use an appropriate, descriptive subject when posting a new topic. Examples of bad subjects include: Examples of good subjects include:
 
Spam is not tolerated here under any circumstance.

10.  Members are asked to not disclose to any 3rd party, board, or list any issues with the site before first notifying the Moderator Team. Time should be allowed for us, at least 3 working days wherever possible, to respond.

11.  The moderating, support and other teams reserve the right to edit, remove or put on moderation queue any post at any time. Please note that currently any very first post is automatically placed in the moderation queue and will be approved/disapproved according to the present Rules. The determination of what is construed as indecent, vulgar, spam, etc. as noted in these points is up to Team Members and not users.

Policing

1. NHS Northamptonshire operates a three strike policy. Users will be warned a maximum of three times for any and all offences. If the need arises for a fourth warning a lifetime ban will be put in place.

2. Arguing with team members after having received a warning will lead to a temporary, 1 month ban.

3. Users who feel they have been unfairly warned are welcome to contact the relevant team leader, e.g. if warned by a moderator you should contact the Moderator team leader. If they feel you were treated badly they remove a warning.

4. Any attempt to circumvent a temporary ban or other moderator action will lead to a lifetime ban of your account. Circumvention includes re-registering or using an already registered account under a non-banned username. Other examples include changing IP addresses, using a new email account or other action that can be taken to evade moderator action to hide your identity as the owner of the sanctioned account.

5. An exception to the three strike rule applies when users contact team members personally (via any method) and post insulting, indecent or vulgar material. Such users may be subject to an immediate lifetime ban.

6. Lifetime bans are a last resort and thought is given before implementing them. While NHS Northamptonshire may consider lifting permanent bans from time to time this is a rare occurrence.