All new updates to the rules will be posted in bolded black text. The bold and black will then be removed on the next update, leaving the text the normal color (white).
You must follow these rules at all times!
Members and Member Profiles
Usernames
Usernames must not be in excess of 20 characters and must be appropriate. In addition, they cannot impersonate staff or established forum members.
Multiple Accounts
Recently, we've been having problems with people registering more than one account, and doing little more than spamming on them.
If anyone is caught posting from a second account, that account will be deleted. Repeat offenders may get their main accounts banned as well.
Profiles
The Admins reserve the right to edit any part of any user's profile at any time, and for any reason. In addition, we also reserve the right to ban any user at any time for any reason. We will always try to contact you before doing this, but if something happens to your account that you don't understand, feel free to contact one of us and we will get it straightened out.
Signatures
Images:
Images in signatures should generally be kept within 500 pixels width and 250 pixels height. This area limitation applies to multiple images as if they were one large image. Images violating this rule may be edited or removed altogether at the Admins' discretion.
Text:
You can have up to about ten lines (that don't wrap) of single-spaced, normal-sized text in a signature without images. Under no circumstances may you have large, oddly colored text in your signature. Text violating these rules may be edited or removed at the Admins' discretion.
All Signatures:
All parts of a signature must be kept appropriate. No foul language, nudity, etc. JPT is not responsible for the content of websites linked from a member's signature, but the link will be removed if that content is found to be offensive.
Staff Signatures:
All members of the staff must have at least one line of normal-sized, bolded, orange text in their signatures. The text does not matter, only that you have it! For example:
I'm a staffer! Look at me crushing your free spirits! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
Normal members should not use orange text in signatures as this is a way for us to stand out for newer members who may need assistance.
Posting
Spamming
SPAM stands for Stupid Pointless Annoying Messages. On a board, spam is generally any message that adds little or nothing to the current conversation. This can include any of a wide range of messages, depending on the situation. However, the following messages are almost always considered spam:
- Trolling - posting inflammatory messages intended to start a fight
- Flaming - intentionally posting personally offensive messages intended to start a fight with a specific person or group of persons. This includes posts that discriminate on racial or other grounds.
- Reviving old topics - unless there's a really good reason for reviving the topic, it would be better to just start a new topic. Old topics are generally those that haven't been responded to in over about two weeks. You MAY, however, post to an old topic if it's a sticky or announcement, or if it's a topic of your own. With the last case, the preferred method is still to simply start a new topic, instead of replying in the original thread.
- Short responses - like "yeah" or "me too"
- Nonsense (aka AIM) posts - "OMFG DG1000 IS LYK SO DUM OMFG ROFLMFAO!!!!!!11!!!1111!11!"
Caps
"Caps", or capitals, refers to posting an entire message in all capital letters. This is generally frowned upon because all-caps is viewed as shouting, and it's hard to read besides. If you have "a broken Caps Lock key", get a new keyboard. Simple as that.
Double Posting
Posting twice or more in a row without allowing someone else to post is called double posting. It's fine once in a while, but generally, the EDIT button is the preferred method of adding info after you post, and before someone else does. If you want to make it clear it's an edit, you can place the new text after the word EDIT (capitals are okay for the word edit, but still not for the rest of your update). For example, "EDIT: This is an edit. Just thought y'all should know." Double posting isn't such a big deal if your last post was a few days ago, since simply editing your post is unlikely to draw attention to the new material.
Group Spamming
Generally, if there's a small group of you posting in a thread repeatedly, for instance having a fight, you will get reprimanded and the thread may be closed. Don't group spam.
Advertising
There are two places you can advertise: In your signature, and in the Advertising forum. Any other advertisement posts will be deleted on sight. As was stated above, JPT is not responsible for the content of sites linked to by members, but links to offensive sites will be deleted on sight. This includes ANY commercial site, adult sites, etc.
Arguing
Occasional arguing (once or twice a month, if even) is fine, but if you turn every other thread into an argument, your posts will be deleted mercilessly and you may end up banned. If you want to argue, take it to PMs - none of this "I want the last word in public" nonsense.
Indecency
Remember that minors frequent this board, so keep vulgarities to a minimum, and absolutely NO porn - members posting this will have their posts deleted and their accounts banned without warning. In addition, this isn't a hookup site. If you want to "meet hot singles in your area", go somewhere else. JPT reserves the right to pursue legal action in the best interests of its members.
Leaving for Good
When you've finally had your fill of JPT and decide to leave, you may post your intentions exactly one time, in the Vacation and Return Post. Any other posts you make mentioning the fact that you intend to leave this "hellhole" (or what have you) and never return will be deleted mercilessly. Also, when you decide to come crawling back, you get exactly one post announcing your return, once again in the Vacation and Return Post. Those of you who leave and return an excessive number of times, threaten to leave constantly in a misguided attempt to garner attention, or PM various members announcing your intentions to leave, but never actually leave, will probably find yourselves banned.
Roleplaying
You may roleplay on almost anything you want in the Role Playing forum. However, it must be kept appropriate, and all rules apply.
The Staff
We are here for a reason. Each one of us was chosen to be where we are for a good reason, and if you don't like that, tough. Every staff member has been instructed to treat you with fairness (a couple of us needed it too!
), so please return the favor with respect. If you have a problem with a staffer, take it to Jamesgodawgs via PM.Also, you may see someone on here named eknauer, and he may just post absolute nonsense. If he does, cut him some slack - he's the oh-so-generous host of this whole board and website, and he's probably just making sure the board's working right.
A final warning
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse! Not only are these rules displayed when you join, but you may also come back and re-read them at any time, and several staffers have links to them in their sigs.
-The JPT Staff
Written and edited by:
Jamesgodawgs, Nychus, and Dinoguy1000
Last updated on:
April 15, 2010 by Dinoguy1000 - brought in line with current practices, replaced nonfunctional HTML, added links, made various tweaks to wording, etc.
