1. These rules are a template only
2. General
3. Banner Ad
4. Posting and Content
5. Signature Rules
6. Avatars and Profile images
7. Language and Harrassment
8. Trolling, Illegal Activities
9. Sponsor and Moderator bashing
10. 3SGTO Site Communications
11. Paid Member Perks

These rules are a template only

and not final in any way shape or forms.

General

The following rules and guidelines have been setup to try to keep the atmosphere on the forums friendly and civil.


It is impossible for the Moderation staff to create a rule to cover every possible topic that may arise. The moderation staff reserves the following rights:

1. To delete any post even if it does not violate any stated rules.


2. To ban or suspend a member even if their post does not violate any stated rules.


3. To lock any post even if it does not violate any stated rules.


4. The Moderation staff reserves the right to amend or modify these Rules whenever necessary.

This site is privately owned. As with any privately owned business the customers do not get a "vote". We will ask your opinion from time to time

Banner Ad

This term is used several times in the rules. This is the definition that we are using. Any image advertising a product, forum, business or website will be considered a "Banner ad". It is the discretion of the Forum Administration if an image is an advertisement. It does not matter if that image is a link or just a static image.

Posting and Content

1. NEVER post anyone's
   personal information. The moderation staff does not care if the person is Attila the Hun or Hitler it is not acceptable and may result in your suspension.


2.  We have a classifieds sections, Use them. Any "for sale" posts outside of the Classifieds section will be deleted on sight. 


3. Adding content to your post to "avoid" the signature rules is not allowed. 


4. Topics aimed at specific users like "Hey *whoever*" should go into a private message or email.


5. Any question that can be sufficiently answered with a yes/no or one-liner will be deleted on sight.


6. Report improper postsas opposed to "handling" them yourself. This is what the moderation team is here for. Responding to an improper post could could have negative effects on your ability to use the forum


7. NEVER respond with "SEARCH" If you think its easy to find something search for a few links and provide them with a suggestion to search next time. 


8. Do not expect the moderation staff to clean up after you. As a rule we do not move threads. Threads posted in the incorrect forum will be deleted(Unless the moderator is in a good mood ). 


9. Iframes and Javascript are not allowed. 


10. HTML that alters the board flow in any way is not allowed. 


11. Adding HTML that plays sound or loads non visual content is not allowed. 


12. Threads/replies encouraging other illegal/unethical action will not be allowed. This also includes threads about using and/or obtaining illegal copies of copyrighted material such as software, music, videos, and sharing registration and license keys of copyrighted material.


13. Not work safe content is only allowed in the members area. Check the sticky in that forum for specifics. 


14. No material from this site may be copied, reproduced, republished, or redistributed without express written permission from the poster. The poster confers unrevokable rights to 3sgto.org to display and store all posts they make.

Spamming


Spamming or intentional business advertisements by businesses that do not sponsor 3sgto.org are not allowed. Threads or PMs determined to be "spam" will be deleted or forwarded to the Administration, This type of posting could possibly result with privileges to our board restricted or denied without notice. 

Lottery schemes being advertised on this board are considered Spam. Excessive advertisement of other "for profit" forums is also considered spam, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Soliciting for Members of this site to go and join another site is also considered a form of Spam. Mentioning another site for reference or as an information source is acceptable but direct solicitation aimed at our Members to bolster some other site's Membership is inappropriate and subject to Moderator disciplinary action.

Signature Rules

The signature is provided to tell the members something about you, your car(s), or something related. Signatures are not a place to put complaints, Advertising or the recent hottie pic. The administration team reserves the right to remove any signature they feel violates the following rules. Repeated violation could result in the of your right to a signature. 

All signatures must comply with the following:

1. No advertising is allowed.Hits for pay, free iPod and similar links are considered advertising.
   

   Exceptions to the advertising rule:
   
   
   
   Paid sponsors are allowed to have a banner advertisement in their signature.

   
   

   3S Chapters/Events may have a banner ad for their Chapter/Event.

   
   

   You may list up to three sales from the classifieds forums in your signature at any time.

   
   
2. You are not allowed to place any content in your Signature that you have been compensated for.;


3. Quoting other members to ridicule, harass or otherwise embarrass them is not allowed.


4. Placing images in your sig designed to ridicule, harass or otherwise embarrass them is not allowed.


5. Your total signature can not be larger than a 640x300 image. 


6. Images Must be G rated (If the administrators think its too suggestive they will remove it). Putting a NWS(Not Work Safe) image in your signature will result in your posting privileges being suspended for as long as the administrators think fitting. 


7. Using post attachments for signature images is forbidden. 


8. Iframes and Javascript are not allowed. 


9. HTML that alters the board flow in any way is not allowed. 


10. Adding HTML that plays sound or loads non visual content is not allowed. 

Avatars and Profile images

The administration team reserves the right to remove any avatar they feel violates the following rules. Repeated violation could result in the of your right to a avatar.

1. You are not allowed to place any content in your Avatar that you have been compensated for. 


2. You are not allowed to use your avatar for advertising(Except sponsoring company logos)


3. Images Must be G (If the administrators think its too suggestive they will remove it).
   Putting a NWS(Not Work Safe) image in your avatar will result in your posting privileges being suspended for as long as the administrators think fitting. 

Language and Harrassment

Expletives

While using the occasional off-color word is okay, many people are deeply offended by vulgar language. If you feel you must swear to get your point across, please try censor your language appropriately so as to not be overly offensive. 
Do not profanity in thread titles, Posts with profanity in the title will be
deleted. 

Chain Letter type threads are not allowed on this site.

Flames, or Derogatory Insults

Flames or derogatory should not be needed in an adult community. If you disagree with another member's point of view, do so in a mature and civil manner. If someone posts to discuss their personal problems or seek help from other forum members, please do not respond unless you have something positive or helpful to add. If you find yourself being flamed or insulted by another member, please do not dignify that person with a response.
Notify a moderator and let us handle it. If you feel you must respond to a flame or insult directly, please do NOT do so on the board. Use private messages or e-mail.



Making group generalizations is strictly forbidden. Using phrases like "Class of ## FTL" is not acceptable. It does not have to be that exact phrase ANY phrase that can be taken as as an insult, harassment, a flame,... to a group of users will qualify under this rule. Any text in your profile, post or signature will count. It is totally up to the moderation staff to determine of a phrase counts. Their will be no discussion or debate if any moderator thinks the phrase you used counts.

Racism, or Sexism


Threads or replies promoting or expressing intolerant views towards any group (race, religion, sexual preference) are not appropriate, and will not be allowed.

Threatening other board members

Threatening other board members will not be tolerated. This includes threats of physical violence, threats of property damage, death threats,
terrorist threats, or threatening to hack another person's online identity or computer.

Suggestion: If you are particularly irritated by another member's posting habits and are constantly fighting the urge to flame them, you can click on that person's profile, and select "Add to ignore list." This will make that person's posts invisible to you.

Trolling, Illegal Activities

<p><font face="Arial"><b>Illegal Activities<br>
</b>
Threads/replies encouraging other illegal/unethical action will not be allowed. This also includes threads about using and/or obtaining illegal copies of copyrighted material such as software, music, videos, and sharing registration and license keys of copyrighted material.</font>
</p>
<p><font face="Arial"><b>Trolling<br>
</b>
“Trolling", or makings posts with the sole intention of creating discontent or problems on the forums is obviously against the forum guidelines. This includes registering an alternate ID for the sole purpose of creating problems on the forums. "Troll ID's" will be locked immediately and permanently, and can be locked without notification to the offender.</font>
</p>
<p><font face="Arial">This also includes creating posts on this site to organize, instigate, or stage trolling attacks on other sites.
We do not recommend or condone any such activity.</font>
</p>

Sponsor and Moderator bashing

<p><font face="Arial"><b>Sponsor Bashing</b><br>
Attacking a sponsor on the board is inappropriate. If you have a complaint with a sponsor, you may post the information in the appropriate forum and show the facts pertinent to the problem at hand. If you do post on the board about a specific problem involving a sponsor, please remain calm and state the facts. Do not let emotion cloud the issue at hand.&nbsp;</font>
</p>
<p><font face="Arial">We really hope situations can be resolved off-line but we will not prohibit a statement of fact
<b> BUT</b> we will control the thread so as to stop the <b>&quot;Hate&quot;</b> or
<b> "Me too"</b> replies these threads often generate.</font>
</p>
<p><font face="Arial">If the situation resolution seems to be totally unacceptable or completely ignored, you should contact the Board Administrator directly with your situation. Send all pertinent information to
<a href="mailto:alan@3sgto.org"> alan@3sgto.org</a>
</font>
</p><font color="#FF0000">This rule is designed to cover business practices and posts relating to a sponsors business, their products, their pricing.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><b>Attacking Forum Moderators</b><br>
Please utilize the board's Private Message function, or e-mail, if you wish to discuss a situation with a moderator. As long as you bring up your concerns maturely and civilly to the moderator or administrator in question, we will do our best to address your concerns fairly and promptly. Continued attacks to a moderator on-line will usually result in restriction for some interval from our site even for the first offense.</font>
</p>
<p><font face="Arial">Issues with the moderators should be brought to the attention of alan92rttt
</p>

3SGTO Site Communications

Using the 3sgto.org e-mail link or the 3sgto.org PM process to send threats of violence, racial attacks, personal or sexually harassing messages is prohibited. You will be warned once and the 2nd offense is 7 days restriction from the board. Any additional offense of this nature will result in a permanent ban from the site.</font>
<p><font face="Arial">Anyone that feels they are a victim of this problem should immediately contact a moderator or a site Administrator for assistance. DO NOT DELETE THE MESSAGE(S). Please keep the offending message(s) on hand so that you can forward them to the Administrator, as evidence, for action against the perpetrator.</font></p>

Using the 3sgto.org e-mail link or the 3sgto.org PM process to "avoid" the rules on copyrighted material is not allowed. If a member of the moderation staff believes the PM system was used to break these rules your account may be suspended.

Paid Member Perks

Any forum user that has an paid membership will receive a few forum perks.



The Perks include:

1. Ability to compete in the Car of the Month competition.


2. Extra PM space (#### total).


3. A larger avatar (150x150).


4. Access to the paid members only forum.


5. Access to the arcade.

Beyond these stated "Perks" the paid members do not have any additional rights or privileges.



Any member who is suspended or banned for any reason shall not be entitled to any refund.