All ideas are and opinions are open to disagreement, criticism and even ridicule. People are not. All persons on this forum are to be treated with respect.

This is a discussion forum. If asked a sincere question you are expected to provide a timely answer where possible.

Members are free to use whatever tone they wish, and remember that body language and tone of voice are absent in text forums. Please do not tone police a conversation.

This is not a place for policing the use of language. Rude words and grammatical errors can be noted in sidebars but not as a main part of a conversation.

Members should attempt not to derail a conversation. If a substantial derail occurs please alert moderators who will move the derail to its own thread.

When a claim is made (an assertion that some thing is true) then it is up to the claimant to provide supporting evidence that their claim is reasonable. It is not up to anyone else to show that it is not true, although if they can do then they may choose to do so. To highlight this clearly imagine the statement is made that "you owe me $10,000, pay up." Would you expect to have to pay up if I can not show any evidence that you do indeed owe me the money? Would there be any burden on you to have to show it is not true, despite the fact that I have not shown a plausible piece of evidence to support my case?

These Forums provide broad freedom of expression, however there are a number of responsibilities that the forum members adopt to ensure that their activities do not negatively impact the forum environment.

This comes down to the community itself and what culture it champions within itself. The system described below is designed with the protection and propagation of this culture. The vast majority of members will not be effected by any of this, as their own posting activities do not warrant any actions.

The concept of utilising an "infraction" system, as opposed to a "banning" system, is simple. It is far more objective in its process, and tends to correctional rather than punitive. A point value is assigned for each "infraction". These points accumulate. Old points expire after a specific number of days.

There are three core categories of activities that are moderated, Procedural, Conversational and Cultural

Procedural: This category is where there is simply a rule in place as a standard procedure regarding how you engage in your posting activities.

• Created a new account to circumvent suspension
• Creating multiple sock puppet accounts
• Ignored clear moderator direction
• Malicious links in post/signatures
• Porn bot
• Posting illegal material
• Repeated misuse of the report button
• Repeated thread bombing
• Signature link without admin / mod permission
• Spam advertisements
• Spam bot
• Spam links
• Links with no explanation or heads up
• Plagiarised material

Conversational: This category deals primarily with how we engage with each other.

• Obvious trolling
• Repeated misrepresentations
• Repeated preaching / proselytising
• Repeated refusal to accept burden of proof
• Repeated refusal to acknowledge specific questions
• Repeated refusal to provide support for assertions
• Repeated use of demonstrated logical fallacies
• Repeated use of demonstrated unreliable sources
• Repeated use of demonstrated false or irrelevant authorities
• Repeated use of the "Gish Gallop"

Cultural: It is the culture of a forum that gives it a feel, a sense of belonging, an environment of support, a safe haven, a home. It is this class of infraction which are the most serious as they have the greatest impact on the freedoms, fun and safety of others. We need to all be vigilant to protect the culture of the forum.

• Discriminatory/bigoted posting content - disability
• Discriminatory/bigoted posting content - gender
• Discriminatory/bigoted posting content - race
• Discriminatory/bigoted posting content - sexuality
• Harassment/threats of harassment
• Hate speech
• Privacy violation
• Repeated anti-equality themes
• Repeated personal abuse
• Threats of violence

Moderators have the ability to attribute infraction points against a particular post, and the member responsible for it. A single post can result in multiple infractions which have an accumulated point value. These points have an expiry period. The member responsible for the post will receive a notification of the infraction.

All infractions are the result of consultation of multiple moderators. A single moderator will not infract in isolation except under unusual circumstances, and this infraction will then be discussed with other moderators once they become available. Supermod and admin consultation can result in higher prescribed infraction point penalties where they are deemed appropriate.

As points accumulate, they may cross one of the infraction point suspension thresholds. Only the greater threshold will take effect in the event of multiple thresholds being crossed. Suspensions result in a restriction on ability to post on the forum for the prescribed period of time. Suspensions do not expire any existing infraction points, but it is only the move upward across a boundary that triggers any further suspensions.

The following are the infraction point accumulation thresholds and their associated suspension periods.

1. 10 points 1 day suspension
2. 20 points 2 day suspension
3. 30 points 3 day suspension
4. 40 points 5 day suspension
5. 50 points 7 day suspension
6. 60 points 10 day suspension
7. 70 points 14 day suspension
8. 80 points 21 day suspension
9. 100 points 30 day suspension
10. 150 points 90 day suspension
11. 200 points 180 day suspension
12. 250 points 1 year suspension
13. 300 points 2 year suspension
14. 500 points permanent ban

Moderators, in the capacity of their role have the option to issue a warning to a member. Warnings have no infractions points attributed to them but should still be considered serious. It means that if you fail to take their direction and continue to proceed on your expected course, you will potentially receive one or more infractions.

In cases where an infraction is given, and the member wishes to dispute the merit of the infraction, then within seven days from the date / time the infraction was given (or the sending date / time of the review outcome), the member may take it up with the appropriate moderator tier.

1. Immediately following the infraction, a Moderator of the board where the post resides.
2. If disputing the first review, then a Super Moderator.
3. If disputing a Super Moderator review, an Administrator.

An Administrator's decision is final.

Members may register automatically. New members will have limited access to the forum. Once they have read these rules and indicated that they have done so on their profile then they will be given normal membership access.