Also, there have been some cases of thread hijacking; one-line back-and-forth off-topic posting. This tends to destroy the conversation within the thread. We have several open threads in the games forum for that, so please try to keep it in there. If you are replying within a thread and it is not relevant to the thread, start a new thread if appropriate, or send a PM instead. Personal conversations with members you know should be kept personal and in private or in your blog. Also, posts with few if any words that are deemed to be made solely to increase post count can result in the user's post count being administratively reduced. While the post-count is a great feature that many love to see, if it continues to be abused, we will make the post count invisible to members.
Another issue is misinterpretation; if you say something to a friend, they may know you are joking, but someone else may not. If a message context is such that it may be deemed offensive or an attack by a stranger, please do not post it on the forums. The PM system is great for personal conversations, and most members also have an IM service. This is also extended to multiple languages. Please remember that this forum is comprised of mainly English-only speaking members. If you post something in another language, please also post a translation. Free translation programs can often mislead other members and could give the wrong translation which causes your words to be taken out of context.
Please view the "rules" tab on your screen or click the rules link here for the full list, but here are some to please bear in mind;
# Disruption of the Site … Posts or other behavior which either is intended to or has the effect of disrupting the forums, the site, or the GA community will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: (1) posts that disrupt the topic of conversation or steer the discussion away from the focus of the forum, (2) multiple posting of the same post, (3) posting completely off topic messages, (4) messages constantly posted in the wrong forum, (5) messages posted in all-caps, (6) harassment of any member, (7) compromising the privacy of any member, (8) inappropriate behavior towards any minor, and (9) any other behavior that in the view of GA management is disruptive of the site or poses a danger to any member or author.
# Disruptive posts will be removed at the site management's discretion, and the poster subject to disciplinary action. Disruptive behavior will be dealt with as deemed appropriate by site management.
# Harassment ... (1) Posts insulting, attacking, threatening, or denigrating other members are not allowed. Though we realize that discussions can get intense, we have zero tolerance for taking any communication to an insulting level. For instance, the use of terms such as "idiot, moron, and stupid" and other derogatory terms constitutes harassment. (2) Repeated critical and sharply negative posts towards community members can also constitute harassment. (3) Use of racist, sexist, anti-religious, or homophobic language which may offend other members is not allowed. (4) Contact with or behavior toward any member of the GA community after being asked to cease and desist constitutes harassment.
# Vulgarity and Sexual Explicitness … As a community with a diversity of members and readers, we ask our members to post without using vulgar language and pictures. In addition, the "masking" of vulgarity by inserting * or another keystroke in place of one or more letters is unacceptable in most cases. We realize that there's a "gray area", but we ask that you'll respect others by avoiding vulgarity and sexual explicitness. When in doubt, if you do not hear or see it on Prime Time Radio or Television, do not post it here.
While most of these are general forum rules for most of GA, each author has a different style forum. Some are more relaxed, silly, and playful than others. If you see the Hosted Author joking with the members and encouraging discussion of this sort, then it's quite alright. However, if the Hosted Author does not participate or chooses to keep the discussions strictly based on story discussions, then please follow their rules. Even if the author doesn't have a set list of rules in print, it's easy to tell how the forum works by the other member interactions. When in doubt, ask! If you're not sure on a topic or post, ask the author if it would be alright. This also carries over to the main board. If you want to make sure the topic is alright, you can contact any moderator or administrator and they will be happy to help.
We're not trying to stifle conversation here, but are trying to keep it on-topic and relatively clean. If you follow these basic rules and common sense, the board will remain a fun and friendly place for all, which is our ultimate goal.
Thank you and happy posting
The Gay Authors Administration