What are the Rules For Message Board Posting?

Rules for Message Board Posting
PLEASE READ & RESPECT THE MESSAGE BOARD RULES:

The Rules:

When you chat or post on the board, your IP# is recorded and you can be traced. Abusive posts will be reported to your ISP and could cause you to lose your account. Any violation of these rules may result in a user losing their board privileges up to and including a permanent ban from the site.

1. The chat/message board is a "PRIVATE" message board. As a private board, the application of the rules are not open for discussion. Go else where if you don't like it.

2. The purpose of the board is to allow WLS patients to support each other.

3. Stay on subject - e.g. messages directly related to WLS surgery, diet, nutrition, etc. It is recognized that many things impact an individual's WLS journey. People may want to "share" them with the board community. However, the board is not meant to provide counselling for emotional, social or personal problems. If you do post an Off Topic message, please post in Off Topic category. OT messages posted in other categories will be deleted with out notice.

4. The forum works only when our Users feel welcome and safe. Constructive/positive critiques and disagreements are allowed, but messages must be professional and courteous; meaning no personal attacks, no inflammatory words, no abusive language, no sexist, or racist comments, no demeaning references, no vulgar or profane words. No discriminates on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, region, disability, etc. Hate speech of any kind is grounds for immediate banning. There will be no exceptions to any of the items in rule 4.

5. No advertising in the posts. No links to adult sites, no political or religious posts.

6. No spamming the board. Do not post multiple posts of the same or similar message simply to take up space. Do not cross post from other lists.

7. Please stick with one user name and do not post under multiple names. No posting with another poster's user name, or a variation of another poster's name, even as a "joke".

8.If you see a post that needs to be deleted, please send an email Message to one of the moderators listed on the board. Please do not post about it on the board.

9. By virtue of posting, you acknowledge that any submissions you make to The WLS Support Forum may be edited, removed, or modified, without notice to you or recourse by you.

10. Posts that violate the rules may be deleted without notice at the discretion of the moderator(s). Additionally, posts that are in response to deleted posts may be deleted as well, since they will make little sense without the original post. Please do not post comments or questions about a deleted post on the board. Posts that complain/question about deletions or banned users will be deleted. The moderators decision is final and is not open for discussion. Even though you've read the last sentence and you feel you must ask a question about why a post was removed, please email the moderator: Ron Merk

11. By virtue of registering on The WLS Support Forum you acknowledge that you may be banned or deleted with out notice to you or recourse by you or your agents.

Helpful Interpretation of the Rule:

Although the rules are specifically set out above, sometimes, people still get themselves into trouble. It's usually associated to intensive discussions that degenerates into heated arguments or they bring pre-existing relationship issues with other users to the message board. In order to clarify and help users decide what is "over the line", here are some examples:

It is ok to use language like:

"I strongly disagree with lap band surgery because of ......"
"I think salad dressing is very bad for post-op patients because ...."
"You might not be aware of this addition information which could help in your decision ....."

It is NOT ok to use:

"Grow up! you're such a idiot"
"(name of person or in a existing topic of a person) really pisses me off! ......"
"This is a really rude post"
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Why don't you leave this board?"
"We'd all be better off if you'd just go away."
"&**%$###@"
"Clearly, Sally ***** is a as*h***, and a Sh**head to boot."
"If everyone's against you, the reason can't possibly be that you're a ******. "

Last but not least, if you post something that breaks the rules or is offensive and it gets deleted, apologize and move on ....even if YOU don't think it was. Remember, the moderator(s) decision is final. This is a sure way to getting banned.

It is OK to send a private message to the moderator(s) asking what rule was applied so that you can learn from your mistake ...it is NOT OK to badger and harass the moderator(s) with all the reasons you believe your message didn't break the rules or why the rules don't apply to YOU or your situation. (Harassment is defined as: to persistently "more than twice" contact; bother continually; pester; re the same subject or issue) Harassing behaviour is guaranteed to result in being banned.

Revisions

The WLS Support reserves the right to revise the terms set forth above at any time. All revisions are posted in the Board Rules, Disclaimer, Copyright topic area and will be effective immediately thereafter. By surfing, using, or browsing on our website, you are deemed notified of and bound by any changes to our terms and conditions. We encourage users to regularly refer to this Board Rules, Disclaimer, Copyright topic area to remain informed of any changes.