Chat Rules

7 Dec 2008

Just had an interesting chat with a chat user who pointed out that there had been a bit of confusion within one of the general rooms tonight regarding folk who had not read the updated rules for chat.
I thought I would post them here and also ask of anyone that reads this thread to get their friends who don't usually come into the forum to come and have a read too...or just take the time to click on the chat rules before they enter chat.
Swinging Heaven Chat Room Rules
Before you can access the chat room and associated features relating to it. You need to agree and fully understand the Legal aspects and rules relating to the use of it. You should be aware that the owners of this site hold chatroom logs for at least 30 days in case of investigating complaints or legal matters caused by the misuse of this site or its chatroom.
Opening rooms:
No room names are to contain references to any activity that alludes to or .
Intentionally opening multiple rooms at the same time is not allowed.
You must not kick anyone unless a site rule is broken.
If you do not want people "Directing" then open a room with "No Directing" in the title.
Using or viewing webcams:
By using a webcam you give consent for others to watch what is displayed on it.
You should only display yourself, if you have someone else on the cam they must be aware.
Playing any type of video across your web cam is prohibited.
Disable your cam if you are temporarily leaving your computer.
Webcams facing towards TVs, Lamps, or other household objects will be considered unattended.
No mask, animation or any item should be used to cover the identity of the webcam user.
Please do NOT direct members on what they are to display or do in 'No Directing' rooms.
Chat Etiquette:
No excessive use of capitals.
No trolling: this means the posting of the same message over and over again.
Please do NOT whisper without asking first and getting a yeah.
Remember "NO" from a member means "NO".
Moderation:
These chat rooms are moderated by “CHATROOM OPS” they are here to help you so please don’t feel that you can’t ask them for help.
You can find an on duty OP by visiting the rooms called “HOME OF THE CHATROOM OPS”.
You can see who is a chatroom op as they have a GOLD STAR as an icon that appears next to their name.
You can also ask for help or guidance by contacting a member of “ADMIN”. Admins icons appear as a smiley face in the chatroom in the forum or can be contacted under the sites help centre.
Enforcing the site rules and AUP:
In addition the Swinging Heaven Site Acceptable Use Policy applies to the chatroom, please make sure you read it before posting in the chat room.
Chatroom Ops and Admin can issue a warning or a ban depending on the severity of the breach of the rules.
Chatroom Ops decisions are to be considered as “Final”.
Appeals and investigations:
Admin hold chatroom content logs , so if you have been banned and feel that you would like to make an appeal. Or you would like to report someone for breaking the chatroom rules then please follow the 'Report' link on the appropriate profile.
Respect others and act within the Law at all times:
We encourage everyone to treat each other respectfully. Do not use the website to threaten, harass, stalk, or abuse others participating in any of our Service. Refrain from all expressions of bigotry, racism and homophobia.
You may not redistribute images, photos or any personal data that you have found, copied or downloaded from our website.
You cannot use the Services to publish, post, distribute, or disseminate defamatory, infringing, obscene, or other unlawful material or information.
Members are also governed by the laws of their country and must not enter into any act which would be considered illegal by such laws.
If you should have any questions relating to the use of the chatroom or these rules please contact a member of the site Admin team BEFORE you enter the chatrooms under the contact us section of this site.
We are registered under the data protection act 1998 and will release your information to the authorities if we are asked to do so.

7 Dec 2008

I think Flower that for the sake of just a couple of minutes extra it's worth a warning just in case said member breaking the rules is new or has'nt read this or the rules.
Besides it then gives that person the chance to do it right before being kicked.
If in doubt as to whether a rule is being broken ask an op or if one is not available use discretion with common sense. Logs can always be checked in not sure situations and be dealt with later.
xxx

7 Dec 2008

People should get a warning first before they are kicked for the reasons I stated in the last post.
If you're playing on cam..why don't you get someone else to host for you..then you are free to do what you like without interruption smile

7 Dec 2008

Ok Flower if you want the short answer then I'll stick my neck out and say that it is against the rules to kick someone without warning first.
If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will let me know and then I will have learned something new today :P

8 Dec 2008

Quote by Firelizard
Ok Flower if you want the short answer then I'll stick my neck out and say that it is against the rules to kick someone without warning first.
If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will let me know and then I will have learned something new today :P

I have always thought that Bilko's advice on opening a room is sensible and remains as pertinent today as it did when it was written.
It protects the room host from later complaint and it's generally what the Ops do anyway :thumbup:

8 Dec 2008

Yes I agree GnV these guidlines are very helpful :thumbup:
I put the actual site rules up there because there were other issues that had come up in a room that does'nt have a room host and lots of questions were asked and I was told one of the other ops had abit of a tough time of it. The reason that this appeared to have happened, was that many of those people had not read the new rules and were not aware of them.
A long standing chat member who is very au fait with the workings of chat asked if it would be feasible to email every member with the new chat rules? and I did'nt know the answer to that, so I decided to do this in the meantime.
xxx

8 Dec 2008

A suggestion building on Fire's last comment:
When we have key changes to our intranet at work, a site notice is posted worldwide. You have to acknowledge it before you're granted access.
Perhaps something similar could be introduced here. It would save on sending out emails and bring things squarely to members' attention. I know people could just click on OK and not actually read it, but they would have been informed.
As a longer-term member I must admit I sometimes struggle with where updates have been posted. There's a mixture of stickies and general posts that cover all sorts of useful information. I'd really like to see key information made more accessible and in one place (perhaps Help should be updated more regularly), and important updates flagged to me as I logon.

9 Dec 2008

Quote by Firelizard
Ok Flower if you want the short answer then I'll stick my neck out and say that it is against the rules to kick someone without warning first.
If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will let me know and then I will have learned something new today :P

With respect on that comment.....if they were to read the rules BEFORE said member came into a room, then they would know the rules and maybe behave in an appropriate manner? dunno

I am sorry but people never get a warning in my room if their behaviour falls into the foul catagory. I know the rules and if they don't then sorry...tough.
In my opinion there should be a tick box before you can enter the site agreeing to abide by the rules. If you click it even if people do not read it, then that is their problem, if they do something that breaks the rules. That way they can have no complaints when booted from a room, or worse a ban.
The rules regarding kicking people from a room are vague to say the least. If someone is foul and abusive, then as a room host why should you really have to give them any warning at all, and put up with any of that rubbish?

9 Dec 2008

Damn, I thought this thread was going to be a Pro-Chatroom promotion and recommendation! :twisted:

9 Dec 2008

Would that be the Collins or Oxford one? lol

Are you sure?