1) No Spamming
Spam is considered a pointless and useless post, or a message that is posted just for the sake of getting a higher post count. Spamming will result in a warning. If spamming turns into a regular habit, the member will be suspended for some time.
2) No Flaming
Flaming is a form of severe arguing and is not tolerated at The Bell Tree. Disagreeing is fine, but it shouldn't get out of hand. Major flaming will result in a suspension, but the consequences will increase if it is continued. This is the same for breaking any rule.
3) No Swearing
Swearing is strongly discouraged and most swear words are filtered. The use of words that are filtered, as well as other minor swears, is not suggested. They are filtered for a reason and adding symbols between characters does not make it any more acceptable. Censor bypassing, or altering words so they aren't caught by the filter, is against the rules.
4) Prohibited Content
Users may not post, upload, link to, or e-mail any content that contains, promotes, instructs about, or provides prohibited content of the like listed below:
- Content that infringes upon any rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights and trademarks)
- Abusive, threatening, defamatory, racist, or obscene content
- Viruses or any other harmful computer software
- False Information or libel
- Spam, chain letters, or Pyramid schemes
- Gambling or Illicit drugs
- Terrorism
- Hacking or cheating for internet/online games
- Warez, Roms, CD-Keys, Cracks, Passwords, or Serial Numbers
- Pornography, nudity, or sexual material of any kind
- Excessive profanity
- Invasive of privacy or impersonation of any person/entity
- Hacking materials or information.
5) Prohibited Topics
Some topics are not permitted for discussion in the forums because they may lead to flaming or insulting other members. Topics include:
Religious topics and beliefs with the exception of holiday and historical discussions
Sexual oreintation or any topic about sexual matters
Other controversial topics or topics that may result in flaming.
6) Respect
An important policy of The Bell Tree is to respect other people. You have all rights to disagree with someone, however show your disagreement in a dignified manner. This goes for giving advice to other members, rating signatures, or just a typical discussion in which you disagree with another member. You may give your opinion, but do it in a respectable manner.
7) Personal Information
Personal information is considered your last name, address, phone number, pictures of yourself, and other specific information. This content is not allowed to be publicly displayed on the forums.
8) No Double Accounts
All duplicate accounts are prohibited and will result in termination of the alternate account. If you would like to create another account, contact a staff member to do it properly. The use of proxies is also prohibited and can be easily discovered by an administrator. If you would like to change your username, please contact a staff member for information instead of creating a new account.
9) Report a User
If a specific user has said something that either offends you, is inappropriate, or is in conflict with the board guidelines, click the "Report" button that appears near the offensive post or PM. Sending a staff member a personal message in addition to this is suggested in emergencies.
10) Advertising
Advertising is allowed in the "Advertisements" board only when you have at least forty-one (41) posts. Advertising via Personal Message, no matter how many posts you have, is forbidden, and will result in punishment.
11) Common Sense
At The Bell Tree, we wish to give you as many freedoms as possible. However, we must state everything you could possibly do wrong will not be listed in these rules. We must ask that you use common sense to figure out what is right and what is wrong. If you have any questions about the rules, please send a personal message to a staff member.
