Dorset Japanese Car Club (www.DJCC.CO.NR): Acceptable Use Policy - Please read prior to using these forums

Introduction

DJCC provides an interactive forum for club members and visitors. The forum is run by club members, as moderators, on a voluntary basis. In order to provide the highest quality experience for other members of this community, please follow the simple rules listed below. These are simple guidelines, not a complete list; the administration of the forum through its representatives - the administrators and moderators - have final say about specific actions to be taken for each violation of the rules. The forum is a moderated environment, which means the administration has the right to close, delete, merge or move any thread for any reason, to edit or delete individual posts and to restrict access to various functions or sections of the forum. The administration has no intention to censor messages based on the opinions expressed within posts, however it will enforce the rules below. By participating on the forum you agree to respect these rules.

Basically, the ground rules are simple: Be polite, use common sense, don't abuse any privileges or other members and don't break the law. Keep in mind that you and everyone else are here to have a good time.


Specific rules:

1. In order to participate on the forum, you need to register a username. The username represents your identity, similarly to your passport or driver's license, therefore you are forbidden to register and use more than one username under any circumstances. It is also forbidden to share your account and username with anyone else. You are responsible for setting a password difficult to guess and for not giving it away to anyone else. If you have forgotten your password, the forum can send you a reminder by e-mail.

2. As this is a forum open to the international public, all discussions will be conducted in English, except for the sections or threads created specifically for other languages.

3. Rudeness, insults, profanity, vulgar language, personal attacks, inflammatory posts, threats, harassment and impersonation will not be tolerated. Advertising, spamming and trolling are not allowed. Be polite, respect the other members and their right to a different opinion from yours. Attack the subject with arguments, not the person with insults. If someone is bothering you, the first rule is to not answer back; just add the person to your ignore list.

4. Please do not post meaningless messages or one word or very short posts, repeating posts in the same or different threads in order to increase your post count or for whatever other reason. Make sure that you are posting in the correct section and discussion thread of the forum and that you have read the entire discussion you are replying to. Do not post off-topic. Give your thread a relevant title in the Subject field. If your message is addressed to only one member, please use the private message function of the forum instead of publicly posting your message.

5. No illegal content or activities will be tolerated, including software, movie and music piracy, other intellectual property violations, hacking and cracking activities, links to warez sites, pornography and so on. Keep in mind that everything you post is legally considered your declaration, identified by your username and IP address, and any national or international legal authority may request this information to be released to them in order to prosecute you in a court of law.

6. As a member of this forum, you have several privileges, including a custom avatar (image), a signature for your posts (which can include an image), highlighting parts of your text with colours or emphasizing it with a different size, inserting smileys (emoticons). Please do not abuse these privileges, as your access to them can be blocked or they can be removed entirely from the forum. For example, do not post unreasonably large images in your signature (Max recommended size 600 x 100), use something as small as possible to get your message across without interfering with visitors' slow connections or the actual messages. Do not overuse the smileys in a message, nor post everything in bright colours and huge font.

7. Be respectful of others at all times.
The purpose of the forum is to provide a platform for discussion and the exchange of ideas. Occasionally, there will be conflicts that arise when people voice opinions. Be courteous when disagreeing with others. It is possible to disagree without being insulting.

8. Personal attacks are prohibited.
Commonly known as flaming, personal attacks are posts which are designed to personally berate or insult another. Text of this nature is not beneficial to the community spirit and will not be tolerated.

9. Trolling is prohibited.
Trolling is the word used to describe a post that is deliberately designed for the purpose of angering and insulting the members of the forum community. Posts of this nature are disruptive and do not convey a friendly attitude.

10. No posting of personal information
Please respect the privacy of other members and do not give out information such as phone numbers and addresses.

11. Private communication between the moderators and administrators of the forum and the forum users is not to be made public on these forums or by any other venue.
You are not permitted to publicize any private correspondence received from any of the aforementioned.

12. Warnings and bans are not to be discussed on the forum.
Such matters shall remain private between the Administrator, Moderators and the user. Questions or comments concerning warnings and bans will be conveyed through e-mail or private messaging. Likewise, discussions regarding moderator actions are not permitted on the forum. If you have questions regarding a post or thread, please contact djccadmin@ntlworld.com

13. Redundant threads will be deleted or merged.
As a courtesy to others before beginning a new thread, please look to see if an active thread on that topic has already been established. If so, place your comments there instead. Multiple threads on the same subject clutter up the forum needlessly and many good ideas may be lost. Keep discussions about one topic to one thread only.

14. Impersonating another forum user, moderator, or administrator is strictly prohibited.
You are expressly forbidden from impersonating anyone else, including those named above on the forum. This may be grounds for permanent banning.

15. "Newbie" bashing will not be tolerated, particularly in the New Member's Forum.
New forum members are encouraged to use, but not restricted to, the New Member's Forum. The Newcomer's Forum is specifically designed to provide a platform for those who are new to the forum to introduce themselves. Regular forum users are encouraged to be helpful and courteous in their responses. All flames will be automatically deleted and the poster may be warned or permanently banned from future forum use.

16. Post constructively.
Negative feedback can be very useful, provided that it is presented in a civil, factual manner. Tell us what you don't like and why and how you feel it could be improved. Posts that are insulting and rude may be deleted, no matter how valid the ideas behind them may be.

17. Disputes which cannot be resolved between forum users and moderators may be arbitrated by the forum administrators.
To discuss problems or concerns, please send an e-mail to: djccadmin@ntlworld.com


Breaking these rules or what the administration asks you to do can result in having your posts edited or deleted, your account partially restricted or completely disabled (banned) and even having your Internet Service Provider and proper authorities informed about your conduct. If you are given a second chance, do your best to learn from your previous experiences and not repeat the offence.



FAQ:

What are Moderators?

Moderators are here to monitor and if necessary edit, move, lock or delete posts in order to protect the short and long term good of DJCC. The Moderators are active members of the club and give up their own time on a voluntary basis to support the forum. Moderators follow a strict set of guidelines which place the interests of DJCC as the primary focus.

When a post is moved, edited, locked, deleted by the Moderators it should not be regarded as a direct or personal attack on a particular individual. It will be as a result of the guidelines given below putting DJCC first, over any individual's personal ideals.

When will a thread be edited or deleted?

* Pornography, links to pornography or other inappropriate sites.
* Swearing: Whilst the censored versions of swearing (e.g. s**t, etc) are usually considered OK, offensive / overuse of this may offend and may be moderated.
* Xenophobia, racism or personal abuse
* Incitement to a flame war within this or another forum
* The advertising and sale of illegal bootleg material (such as copyrighted video, music and computer software)
* Spam or any other form of unauthorised advertising.
* Invasion of an individual’s privacy.
* Anything that is deemed as potentially libellous.
* Flagrant disregard for the interests of the community (anti community spirit)

DJCC reserves the right to edit or delete any thread for legal or other reasons.


When will a thread be locked?

* If there are persistent abuses of the behaviour mentioned above.
* Unacceptable behaviour (as determined by the tone of the community; e.g. making inflammatory comments, flame wars etc etc.)
* Completely off-topic discussion
* No part of the topic/message is salvageable by editing

DJCC reserves the right to lock any thread for legal or other reasons.


When will a thread be moved?

* When the thread clearly belong in another forum
* When the topic moves onto a subject more appropriate to another forum.

DJCC reserves the right to move any thread for any reason


What is "Potentially Libellous"?

Libel is a very complicated part of the law. The general concept is that anything that cannot be proved by hard fact which could be considered damaging to a company or individual may be libellous.

What may be considered to be potentially libellous is something where the above applies and DJCC itself does not have the hard facts to prove without doubt that what is being said is accurate.

Due to legal complications that DJCC could be considered liable for libelous comments posted by users, we have to show a continued and consistent practice of due-diligence which protects us against potential legal action.

This means deleting / editing posts containing this kind of material and taking every action reasonably possible to stop it being posted in the first place. For this reason, ANY potentially libellous content may be deleted immediately without warning or explanation.


Commercial Posts

Commercial posts by unsubscribed vendors/traders will be removed if posted on the Forum. A commercial post is defined as any post by employees or their associates that benefits either, directly or indirectly the company involved. Use of the private messaging (PM) system by unsubscribed vendors/traders is not allowed.

Please use your common sense, and be respectful and decent to people and companies.


Forum Ban Policy

The Acceptable Use Policy applies to every user of this Forum. Please observe the rules and guidelines when using this Forum. Failure to abide by the policy will result in a Warning from the Moderators. Users who persist in breaking the policy will be banned from the Forum.

Bans issued by Moderators will adhere to the following 3 strike policy:

1st offence: Written warning via PM & Email
2nd offence: 2nd Written warning via PM & Email
3rd offence: Permanent ban

Temporary bans can be made by one Moderator alone. A temporary ban does not result in the loss of Club membership and benefits. The Club’s committee reserves the right to impose temporary bans of any length as it sees fit.

A Temporary ban remains on file for a period of twelve times the length of the ban. After that period the strike is removed.

Permanent bans will always be taken by at least three Moderators and will automatically result in the disciplinary procedure contained in the Club’s Constitution being followed. If upheld the permanent ban will also result in termination of membership of the Club and loss of benefits.

Harassment of another user through the private messaging (PM) system will result in the enforcement of the Forum ban policy with no Warning.

A banned user who is found to be circumventing their ban by using another user account will result in an immediate permanent ban from the Forum and termination of membership of the Club and loss of benefits.

Directly opposing the decision of a Moderator on the Forum will result in the immediate enforcement of the Forum ban policy with no Warning.

A user who has been banned from the Forum will be notified by PM & Email from the Administrator which will state the reason and duration for the ban.

If the banned user has made an order of goods or services through the club and his membership is terminated before he receives his goods or service then a refund of payment will be made to the banned member and the goods or service will be offered for resale on the forum to other club members.

Banned members are not welcome to attend any DJCC events.

Should you receive a Warning or temporary ban that you feel was not warranted, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Administrator via email at djccadmin@ntlworld.com The appeal will be adjudicated by at least three other Moderators. Their decision will be final and will be communicated back to you.

If you have questions, comments or complaints about the Acceptable Use Policy then please send an email to the Administrator.

Restricted Rights Legend

DJCC reserves the right to deny access to anyone who displays inappropriate behavior while interacting on the DJCC forum.

The name DJCC or the DJCC logo(s) may not be used in advertising or publicity without prior, specific written permission from the club Administrator.

DJCC makes no representations about the suitability of any information contained herein for any purpose. It is provided "as is".

In no event shall DJCC be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortuous action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this information.

DJCC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this publication or other documents which are referenced or linked to this publication. Nor does DJCC make any commitment to update the information contained herein. This publication and other documents are subject to change without notice.

DJCC assumes no liability for the information posted on the forum by ‘Members’ for the discussion or benefit of other 'members’.

DJCC shall not be held liable for the actions of it's 'members' on or as a result of being on this site.

DJCC reserves the right to remove any messages deemed necessary to maintain continuity on the forums.

DJCC reserves the right to change our Restricted Rights Legend without prior notice.

DJCC accepts no responsibility for any transaction that occurs as a direct or indirect result of an advert placed on this forum. DJCC cannot and will not vouch for any goods or services sold or purchased.

Private Sellers must ensure that their advertisements contain accurate and up-to-date information. No funds will be passed through DJCC and DJCC cannot accept any liability for missing or non-receipt of funds relating to private sales. It is the seller’s responsibility to check the money before releasing the goods.