PokéStation Forum Rules!

[CloneCharizard]

PokéStation Forum Rules

The PokéStation Rules have been established to provide each and every member the respect they deserve, and to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe time here on PokéStation. However, if, for any reason, these rules aren't accepted and taken into consideration, the offender shall receive a warning for their actions or possibly a ban from the community. Not understanding or not reading the rules is not a valid excuse, for each and every member is highly recommended to read the rules upon their first visit. Older members are also recommended to check upon the rules from time to time for they are subject to change in the near future.


General Behavior

Use English

The primary language used here on PokéStation is English. Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, Welsh or any other language is forbidden on PokéStation. If you want to have an interesting conversation with your friend in Klingon – Go ahead, just don't do it on PokéStation.


Upperclass Spelling and Grammar

Everyone is required to use correct spelling and grammar. Also, if possible, use proper capitalization and punctuation. If spelling and grammar aren't your strong points, download dictionary add-ons for your browser or type your post in Microsoft Word first and use the spelling and grammar checking functions available.


Keep It Friendly

Everything must be kept nice and friendly. Each and every member is entitled to be treated fairly and have their opinions respected. This means no insulting, flaming, bashing or pressuring whatsoever. This includes bashing companies such as Microsoft and 4Kids. Do not harass or insult members by using the Private Messaging system.

1. It's cowardly and proves you have no dignity to tell them face-to-face.
2. We don't allow any harassment of any sort, so expect to be brutally punished.

Swearing, Cussing and Profanity

Swearing, cussing or any profanity is prohibited completely. Take into account that there may be younger members here on PokéStation and it is not necessary for them to see anything inappropriate. For this reason, a censoring system has been implemented. If you are caught bypassing the censoring system, expect extreme consequences. For instance, if the word Pokémon was censored, then P0k3m0n, Pok****, P*****n or any other bypass is not acceptable. Use of words such as “Gay” when used in a non-offensive manner is acceptable. But using such words in every post is not. Just because you will not get in trouble for using it now and then does not mean that it is okay.

Originally Posted by Malcolm X

“We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.”

Forum Rules That Are Found Everywhere

Spamming

Do not spam. For those who are unaware what spam is, it is an acronym for “Short Pointless Annoying Messages.” Generally, anything that is off-topic, contains less than four words or includes flooding of any sort such as emoticons. Posting in succession or double posting falls under spamming. The only exception of the double posting clause is in Fan Fictions. Nothing worthwhile can be retrieved from spam and thus is useless. For example “hi do u want to battle?111!”12!”!””21”!”dfwefwefefwe :@:@:@:@:@:@:@” falls under spam. Any “Favorite” threads also come under spam. “What's your favorite ________” or something like “Top five legendary Pokémon?” are examples. Only in the Poke Polls section is “Favorite” threads allowed. Overusing capitalization is often seen as shouting and is not allowed. Using caps for emphasis on certain words is allowed however.


Descriptive Titles

Each thread title must be sensible and descriptive. For example “HELP MY TEAM!!!!!!!!" should be: "Balanced OU team - need idea for last slot" It is no use for someone wanting to reply or help you if the thread title is not informative and does not include the vital information.


Bumping

There are some old topics that have not been posted in for a month or two, and have probably been forgotten about. However, some people have decided to post in those forgotten topics, bringing them up to the front lines. That is called "Bumping a topic" because it bumps it to the top. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it can be for good uses, like an old Platinum discussion topic bumped up because more info has been released. That is a good reason. If you bump a topic just to agree with someone, or spam in some way, however, that is not good. The point is that if the topic died out, it probably was not too popular to begin with, and if there is nothing more to add to it, then just let it fall behind. If it is only a few days old, it probably is not even considered bumping but when it gets past a week, that is when it deserves a good reason to post. In addition, you should try to avoid double topics, which is a different variation of bumping. If you can go a few pages without seeing a topic you wish to post, then your fine but if the same topic is on the first page, we have issues.


Multiple Accounts

You are permitted one account and one account only. In the unfortunate event that your account gets banned, under no circumstances may you create another. If you are banned tough, take it like a man. Names changes are allowed and must be dealt with by posting in the official name change thread. Remember that IP addresses are frequently checked, and you will get caught sooner or later.

Evading a ban by creating another account is strictly prohibited. By doing this, your ban will be extended or, depending on the situation, you could be banned permanently. If you are banned and continue to make new accounts so you can stay on the forums, you will be IP banned. If you are not banned and make new accounts without legitimate permission from a staff member and a reason, the new account will be deleted and you will be infracted.


Illegal/Pornographic Material

Any links of illegal content such as ROMs, torrents and anything distributed outside of copyright bounds is prohibited. Spyware, pornographic images/videos such as hentai is also not allowed. You will be permanently banned immediately, so do not even bother.


Take Responsibility Over Your Account

You are responsible for your account and everything that is associated with it. Whatever happens, you are responsible. Do not give out your password whatsoever. If anything happens you are going to get the blame. While on the topic of releasing information, do not reveal any personal details to anyone whatsoever. This is the Internet, not your local youth club. When discussing real names, first names is enough. When on the subject about location, country of residence is enough, as it gives valuable time zone information. In extreme cases, depending how old you are, you can go as far as state/county/province ect.
And only that far. We do not want to see “45 Wherever Road” anywhere.


Advertising

Advertising is limited to your signature and ONLY your signature. Things such as YouTube accounts, forums, or Pokémon adoptables such as Global PokédeX Plus must not be seen anywhere like posts, blogs and visitor messages. Asking people to join your social group or clan is also advertising.

Do not post videos to advertise yourself or promote anything unless you're a staff member. They have that right, especially people like CloneCharizard, IcyPlate and PixAlchemist. Posting videos of songs your listening to or something that is entertaining is fine. All videos must be kept clean and any profanity will result in the video removed and infractions shall be dealt out.


Minimodding

Imagine you found a post that did not follow these rules. Instead of replying with a nasty “That's against the rules. I'm getting a moderator!”, the PokéStation staff prefer you using the report button located on the lower left hand corner. It is an exclamation mark, so you cannot miss it. Moderators are there to find these perpetrators and bring an end to their rule breaking, if you see such an incident, just report it. You do not have to go replying with a threatening post, because at the end of the day, you are not a moderator.


Consequences - Infractions

First off, a list of infractions:

• Inappropriate Language - 10 points - 7 days
• Thread title uninformative - 10 points - 10 days
• Thread in wrong forum - 10 points - 10 days
• Bumping - 15 Points - 7 days
• Complaining About Infraction - 20 Points - 14 days
• Unnecessary double post (This includes two threads with very similar content]) - 20 points - 30 days
• Signature rules violated - 20 points - 14 days
• Broke local forum rules - 20 points - 14 days
• Mini-Modding - 20 Points - 14 days
• Spam/Massive off-topic - 20 points - 14 days
• Asking an obvious question (Found via Google as first to tenth result) - 30 points - 14 days
• Insulting/flaming - 30 points - 30 days
• Advertisement - 50 points - 30 days
• Posting piracy/porn (directly as well)/illegal material indirectly (linking) - 80 points - 30 days
• Piracy/Child Porn/illegal material - 100 points - never [Instant ban]

If you argue to the respective moderator about receiving an infraction, you will be awarded the infraction for arguing about the infraction. Argue why you got the infraction about the arguing infraction then you're stupid. No arguing with the moderator's judgement. What they say goes.

But, how do infractions actually work?
An infraction does nothing by itself. Just by reaching a total that is equal to or exceeds the banning threshold of 100 points a ban is done for 14 days.

So, if a user would spam once, he gets 20 points. Nothing happens.
Then the next day, he posts a thread with a non-descriptive title and in the wrong forum. 30 + 10 = 40 to a total of 60 points with the spam.
Additionally, he double posted in that thread on the same day. 80 points.
Since he seems to be a big moron, he double posts somewhere else. 100 points and a ban for 14 days.

Remember, normal users can't see the infractions you received.


Signature Rules

Signatures may not contain any illegal material or porn or anything not child appropriate.
Signature sizes vary depending on the rank the page for the signature sizes can be found: here
Of course, you are allowed to advertise a forum in your signature. But do not put the link inside a text box that is a large size or in bright colors. You will be infracted for signature rule violation.


Staff Positions

One of the main things that we ask for is for you, the members, to not ask for staff positions. Forum moderator positions will be available from time to time. If you have contributed enough to a certain part of the forums or the forums as a whole, there is a chance you will be asked to join the staff or recruited. Asking to be a moderator or any other rank will ultimately result in the chances of the happening being lowered.

These rules are coherent and common to most online communities. We respect freedom of expression, but we know what is and is not acceptable. If these rules are breached, the offender will be dealt with as deemed appropriate by the administration and moderation.

We can:

1. Edit and delete posts that do not comply with the rules.
2. Lock threads.
3. Move/merge threads.
4. Delete entire threads.
5. Issue warnings to members.
6. Ban continual and serious offenders from the board.

Also, please do not post stating that you have read the rules. It will be regarded as spam.

We want to ensure that you enjoy your time on the forums. The rules are very simple and you should not need to find yourself breaking them. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy your stay at the PokéStation Forums

Thanks to Xplicitable for revising the rules!