Rule #1: Thou shalt obey the ToS.
In short, no Roms, Warez, Torrent links, pr0n, etc. This is pretty universal on most internet message boards, but if there's one thing I've learned in my time on the InterWeb, it's that you can never say this too many times. Remember, it was this stuff that caused the demise of Thrawnma's board, and it wasn't a bunch of Internet n00bs that were responsible: it was vets like us.
I have no real problems with people posting ecchi material (of either gender) as long as it's reasonably tasteful, but please don't go overboard. I enjoy hot pics of cute girls as much as the next guy, but that isn't what this board is about. Remember, we aren't ALL horny, twenty-something guys here, so try and be aware of who might be seeing what you're posting.
And just in case you don't know what the ToS is, just click the link that appears at the bottom of each and every page labeled "(Terms of Use: Updated 7/7/05)".
Rule #2: Thou shalt NOT be an ASSHAT!!!!
I really don't think I should have to say this either, but as before, you can't assume anything on the Internet. I don't expect everyone to be buddy-buddy with each other, but I do expect you to treat each other like human beings. Debates, arguments, and even a certain degree of spiteful name-calling is to be expected when you have this many people with this many different opinions in one place, but I refuse to let things degenerate to the level that they are on the vast majority of private message boards around the 'net. If you persist in making a pain of yourself, I can guarantee that at least one member of the Shuffle Alliance will be online around 90% of the time, and they have the authority and responsibility to delete your posts, flood your inbox with PMs saying "Knock it off", and just generally harass you until:
A. You get your act together.
B. You leave of your own volition.
C. Zechs or I lose patience and ban you.
And don't think that we mods are above our own rules. That's the reason we HAVE five mods and two admins: so that everyone is accountable to SOMEONE.
Rule #3: This is a mecha appreciation board: first, foremost, and forever.
Now, I don't want you thinking that we're gonna get upset if you decide to post something not related to mecha here or anything. I mean, half the board categories deal with stuff other than giant robots. What this means is that I absolutely forbid this place to go the route of a certain other messageboard we all know of by having umpteen million topics that all say the same thing, aka "z0MG such-'n-such is teh R0Xx><oRrZZz or Su><XxorRz!!1!Shift+11!" This is intended to be a place where ANYONE, regardless of whether or not they love or hate a particular character, can hang out and talk about giant robots and other such things without fear of persecution or harrassment. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but that doesn't mean it's always good (or even proper) to share it with everyone else.
In the end, what these 3 rules ultimately boil down to is really quite simple: don't cause trouble. If you aren't sure if something is against one of these rules, DON'T POST IT!!!! PM one of the mods and ask. We won't think ill of you if you do. Heck, if more people were willing to step back and rethink what it was they were doing from time to time in ANY aspect of life, things would probably go a whole lot smoother for everyone.
As to the unofficial 4th rule: "Every Tuesday night is Enchilada Night", I am expanding this to cover any form of ethnic food you wish. Here in the Guild, we're all about respecting the culinary diversity of our members.
Please feel free to post any questions, comments, thoughts, & opinions in this topic as you have them, and above all, remember the Golden Rule of the Junk Guild:
Have fun.
