Site Rules

n the recent inflow of new members for Battlefront II and Empire at War, and for the sake of the members who wonder where the lines lay here at the forum, we have come up with a concrete set of rules that each member needs to read and follow in order to keep things running smoothly:


Rules

1. The decisions and actions of the Moderators and Administrators are Final
Do not under any circumstance argue with a Mod or Admin. Respect their warnings and actions and leave it at that. Arguing with or questioning a Mod's or Admin's actions can lead to more serious actions up to and including banning. Never insinuate a Mod or Admin is making an idol threat. Admins never threat and we back our Mods to the fullest extent.
2. Be Friendly
This rule is self explanatory, and except on very rare occasions, we all follow it. Welcome new members; thank other members when they provide help. Also, don't be rude to other members when they break a rule, be courteous. We'll all get along a lot better that way.
3. Don't Use All Caps or Double Post, and Post Meaningful and Clear Topics and Posts
This is just another courteous thing to do. Don't post a message with all caps, nor a topic. It's considered rude, plus it's a bit more difficult to read. Plus type with proper sentences and punctuation. Topics should clearly state what you need help on. When you're posting a message, we expect you to use punctuation so we can read it. We understand if english is not your first language, but don't try to fool us saying it isn't to get out of a warning. Also make use of the edit button in your post. We frown deeply on double posting here and doing so results in a warning. Double posting is allowed in your OWN WIP topics, but ONLY if it is a reasonable update to your maps progress.
4. Don't Resurrect Old Topics
This one is important, but is defined by the following:

* A topic that is older than 30 days, or
* A topic that is no longer on the first page

The exception to this rule would be if you have useful information to add to an old topic, or if a sticky topic points to the thread you're resurrecting.
5. Don't hijack another's thread with your own work or requests.
Posting one image of yours in another's thread for comparison is okay. If you want to post more than that, create your own thread and provide a link to it in the other persons. Don't go around requesting stuff outside of the official topic, either.
6. Don't play 'Junior Moderator'
We appreciate everyone trying to help out, but let the Moderators and Administrators do their job. Usually if we don't do something about it, there's no need. If you feel that it should be reported, please send us a PM with a description of what's going on and a link to the problem.
7. Obey Copyrights
To keep the law far away from needing to get on the forum, posting of any copyright violation will not be permitted. Furthermore, certain types of copyright violations will count as two strikes against you. Absolutely no links to copywritten videos, software, music, or anything else that violates U.S. and International Laws.
8. "Official Topics"
If an official topic is started and rules are placed on the first post, you must obey the rules posted at the beginning of that topic if there are any. Violating the specific rules of that topic will only count as 1/2 of a strike against you.
9. Don't bump topics
Don't bump. Never bump Do not bump your topic unless you have something more to say than "Bump" or "Doesn't anyone know how to fix this". There is no need for it. If you want to bump a topic, post something useful or don't post.
10. Be kind to other users and Don't be rude.
You all know what's rude and what's not. You're adult enough for that. I mean, I'm guessing the absolute youngest person here couldn't be younger than 11. Even an eleven year old can be nice.
11. No political or Religious Discussions Allowed
Everyone has their own opinion on these subjects and they are usually very passionate about it. While being passionate, another from a different side gets insulted and they are just as passionate in their response. This almost always leads to a flame war, which is against these rules. So in order to keep the peace, these two subjects in particular are banned from the forums.
12. No Forum Games Allowed
Games like these drains database resources and bandwidth for something that really does not contribute much to the community.
13. Avatars must be no bigger than 150 (wide) by 200 (tall) pixels
Self explanatory. We'll let your first violation slide. If you do it again, you lose your avatar privileges. In addition, long gif animations are not allowed. Nobody needs one more than 20-30 frames. We've still got people on 56k modems here people.
14. Limit the Use of Profanity
We have word sensors in place, but remember, not all who appear on these forums are adults and parents may not like to have their children exposed to fowl language. If the sensor states [Double Warning], it means just that; if seen by an Admin or Mod, you will get a Double Warning. I would highly suggest you edit your post to remove the offending word.
15. Limit the Use of Requests
More then two (2) requests to any one person from any one person via any method on the GT website will result in the removal of PM and posting privileges and an issue of a warning resulting from said actions.
16. Multiple Member Accounts Are NOT Allowed
There is absolutely no reason to have more than one account. If you want to rename your account, an Admin can change it if the new one is available. If you are having trouble logging in, have a proxy find out for you why. If you had a second or third warning before, you most likely have been banned for violating the rules after being pointed to them and warned about them several times.

We do random IP checks for ban circumvention violations, so if we see the same IP from two different members in a short time and frequently, we will decide which one you like for you and you may not like the choice and will be flagged. If we see it again, you will be instantly banned.

If you have siblings that live in the same house as you or use your computer to log into the forum frequently, then PM me with Multiple IP Usage as the subject and an explanation of the situation. Without the PMs, you will be considered breaking the rules and actions will be taken as stated.

If he does not change it or respond, be patient, he is a busy person. Give it a week between requests. Any sooner will be considered spamming, there will be consequeces and requests will be ignored.
17. No HTML Code in Your Location, Period!
Scrolling text is annoying and seeing it 20 times on one page can give someone a headache. Drop-down menus, radio boxes or any other HTML code besides color and breaks are prohibited also. Breaks should be limited to two lines and colors should not cause a headache or eye strain when looking at it. If you have any HTML code, other than the break and color, on your location, remove it.
18. The Report Post Button
Users may use this button to report posts that may violate the rules to the staff. Constant reports from the same person on different threads would be consider abusing the system. Report Post Abusers will be issued a warning.


Here are examples to show how the rules are used.

1. Hi, I’m new to the boards [word not allowed] you guys!

This topic would be removed and the person would be warned only once. If he posted another similar topic he would be removed.
2. HI, I’m new how do I add a planet to swbf2?

In most cases this is a perfect post and would get plenty of replies, some people would say its hard, some people who don’t know the answer would say things like read the instructions.
3. THIS SITE IS GHEY, VISIT MY http://www.SPAMWANKEr.ORg

This person would get wiped in an hour and never come back.


Consequences

In order to enforce these rules we unfortunately have to enforce punishments. We're going to try a fairly to keep from using harsh punishments, and the staff is sure that we shouldn't ever have to. Still, we need some order, so below are listed the punishments.

* First Violation
On the first violation, a moderator will either send you a Private Message that will ask you to read the rules, or we'll do the same in the topic that had the violation.
* Second Violation
You will again be asked to read the rules, then you will be placed on the staff's warning list. This list is not visible to users.
* Third Violation
You will be warned in both public and private that your next violation will lead to, well, the fourth violation (read ahead).
* Fourth and Last Violation
On your fourth violation you will be permanently banned.
Sometimes we are nice and won't flag you for a violation, only send you a PM. It would be very wise to heed the warning.


Insta-bans

Below are some of the things that will instantly get you banned without an explaination or warning:

* Violations of the DMCA or Other Copyright Laws in Any Country Knowingly
Read the conditions of the DCMA and the EULA of the program/file in question before posting.
* Knowingly Stealing Other People's Works
This is no different than stealing material that is copyrighted. A person worked very hard in creating that map, model, texture, or whatever and they deserve to be acknowledged. Failure to do so not only disrespects the person that created it and upsets the community as a whole, but passing it off as your own shows you have very low integrity and are a thief; things we deeply frown upon here at the forum. If you steal work knowingly, your gone, period. Think twice before doing so.
* Publicly Slandering an Administrator or Moderator
If you have a beef with an Admin or Mod, get Guru, Teancum, or ShadowHawk to get involved. If it is with one of those three, then you seriously need to re-evaluate your netiquet. This also goes for any other medium besides the Forums.
* Circumventing Any Type of Ban
You were banned for a reason. If you find it erroneous, then contact Guru, Teamcum, or ShadowHawk with the reason you feel it was a mistake. Good suggestion, be nice about it. Don't burn your bridges. If you made a mistake, appologizing or kindly working out the problem helps a whole lot better than griping or weaseling your way around it.
* Logging in Under Another Members Account
If you feel your account has been breached, notify an Admin before the violator has a chance to get you banned. We have had some occations where a sibling got a member's account and had a field day.
* Knowingly Letting Siblings/Relatives/Pets/Rocks/Alien Beings Use Your Account
You letting someone willingly use your account is like having them speak for you. Your account is your account, so keep a close watch on it. Again, if you feel your account has been breached, notify an Admin before the violator has a chance to get you banned.
* Breaking ANY Rule After a Ban Lift
You were banned for a reason. If you break the rules after we were generous enough to let you back in, then you had no respect for the ban lifter's kindness and you will be removed perminantly.
* Never, EVER, post anything about glitching/cheating in any games we mod
Hey, if you want to glitch or cheat on your own time, we're not going to stop you. But when you log into the forum you're considered a clean and fair player. First offense will result in a permenant ban with no hope of ever returning. This is non-negotiable. Nobody likes online cheaters.


Courtesy Rules

These are rules that won't end up with a violation flag, but must be followed in order to help with any questions that may come up. The only time a flag will be placed on a member is if these rules are broken continuously and excessively.

1. When a veteran user directs you to read documentation or tutorials, you should. Even if you don't understand everything, you can come back and explain to us more clearly what you don't understand.
2. Read the Documentation. Read it first. I know it sucks to read it. We've all felt the pain, but honestly it needs to be done. A lot of things are explained in the docs, and it saves from having unanswered topics.
3. Be specific if you can. Say, for instance that your trying to add vehicles. You can say "I read the tutorial, and I placed the vehicle spawn, added the vehicle names to them, then updated the LUA, but they don't spawn!" It helps veterans to know as much as they can about the problem. They can diagnose what's wrong quicker and get you back on track. Sometimes you don't know how to be specific on something. That's okay. Just try to as often as you can.
4. Be helpful. Come on guys. If someone asks how to do something and you know where to send them to the answer, don't just say "Read the docs", say "read the doc on adding new gametypes -- it explains how to fix your problem" or whatever the case may be.
5. If a person has trouble with something specific, be sure you ask them specifically what you need to see in order to help. In other words, things like "Post your addme.lua and I'll see if there are any errors".


If your posts are informative then i don’t think there will be any issues, reply to questions when you know the answers otherwise ask as much as you like and share your ideas but don’t push them and accuse others or wrongdoing if they dont agree and you will live well on the GT website.

The staff here at the forum really wants to make sure we have the best, most helpful, most productive group of modders around, so please obey these rules, and we feel that we can reach that goal.

The rules are here are used as a guideline to keep the site better that the other wannabe star wars gaming/modding sites, most of us our blunt with our views as well but none of us is ever rude to the point it offends someone , at least not intentionally.

When in doubt, pm an Admin or Mod to see if it is okay before you post something that may break the rules.

We will be glad to explain a rule you don't understand clearly. We would much rather explain something than to flag a member for violating the rules.

We reserve the right to add to this list whenever necessary, so check this list often. Just like in the real world, ignorance of the rules is no excuse for breaking them.