THC.net Public Forum Rules

RULES OF THC.net PUBLIC FORUMS
Last Updated: 10 June 2009

The Bungie.net Terms of Use and Code of Conduct apply to every part of Bungie.net, including this forum. Please read these pages and check back periodically for updates.

The Short Version

THC controls everything. You have no rights. Play nice.

1. Do not break the law or do anything that may cause THC to break the law.

2. Do not be selfish or a jerk.

3. Do not do anything at all that may impede normal, reasonable, on-topic discussion.

Bungie employees and forum moderators have total discretion to determine whether any thread or post merits correctional actions such as locks, warnings, bans, or otherwise.

The Long Version

Below, we have fleshed out the rules and added some additional specific rules. These rules apply to all posts in this forum, and it is your responsibility to read them. This thread serves as your only warning, and you may be warned and/or banned at the moderators' full discretion for violating any rule in this thread.

* Spam is prohibited.

What counts as "spam"?
"Spam" is defined in different ways on different websites. Here on Bungie.net, the term is applied to any post that does not contribute to normal, reasonable, on-topic discussion on these forums. That includes, but is not limited to:

- All-caps thread titles and/or all-caps posts (unless specifically applicable to the subject of the thread)
- "Text-message" or "instant-messenger" shorthand posting (unless specifically applicable to the subject of the thread)
- Alternating caps and lower-case thread titles or posts (eXaMpLe)
- Threads that only require a one-liner reply such as a number or rank
- Rick Rolls
--"inb4[anything]"
- "youfail," "You Fail," "Epic Fail," "Phail," "youfail.org," or anything even remotely similar
- Posting "Banned," "Locked," "Enjoy your ban," "This will be locked," or anything similar.
- Posting "Wall of text," "China called...," "tl;dr," or anything remotely similar
- ASCII art, such as facepalm, middle finger, the care cup, or anything similar
- Posts in any language other than readable and intelligible English
- Forum Games
- Typing upside down using an online translator
- Do not "break" the page width or forum formatting by repeating or special characters
- Posts that attempt to "catch attention" by using all-caps, false hyperlinks, or all-bold/italics/underline.
- Biased, unfair, irrelevant, non-contributory, or one-sided polls
- Any other post that does not contribute or encourage normal, intelligent, on-topic discussion as determined by any Bungie employee or moderator.

* Do not create "blog"-style posts unless they are part of a larger on-topic discussion. These topics do not encourage discussion and are therefore spam.

What counts as a "blog"?
A "blog" post is the original post in a new thread that merely relates a personal experience that another user can neither agree nor disagree with. In other words, it is a post that can result in nothing but other users "commenting" on that personal experience or relating similar personal experiences, rather than beginning a discussion.

*Do not flame each other! Use your manners and common sense. If you disagree with someone, do so gracefully.

What counts as "flaming"?
The act of "flaming" is the act of attacking or insulting a person who posts, rather than the ideas expressed within the post itself. Your post should remain on-topic and focused on the subject matter of the thread rather than any individual user

*Bumping is prohibited.

What is "bumping"?
"Bumping" is the act of posting in a thread solely to bring it back to the top of the forum. A general way to tell if your post is a bump is the following: if your reply is not an on-topic reply to another user's reply who posted after the last time that you did, your post is a bump. This is not an all-inclusive definition.

"Necroposting" (the act of making a non-responsive, repetitive, or off-topic reply in a thread that has not been active for weeks or months) is a form of bumping and is prohibited.

*Do not troll. Do not feed the trolls!
What is "trolling"?
Trolling is any post designed to evoke an emotional or flaming response instead of an informed, well-reasoned reply. These posts are characterized by broad generalizations and personal accusations about specific people or groups of people rather than a well-reasoned -Blam!- backed up with support. Just a few examples of trolling include:

- "All level 50s suck"
- "Kids under 13 have squeaky voices and are all annoying"
- "MLG players are arrogant"
- "Halo 3 is the worst game ever created"

Parody or satire threads are a form of trolling.

"Do not feed the trolls" means do not respond to trolling, and is also strictly enforced.

*Do not post off-topic or in the incorrect forum for the subject matter of your post. The forum definitions further down in this thread serve both as a guide and as the binding rules for on- and off-topic posting.

*Topics about a forum itself are improper except in the Suggestions Forum . For example, a topic about the Halo 3 Forum rather than about Halo 3 itself would belong in the Bungie Community Forum, NOT the Halo 3 Forum.

*Petitions and "sign here" threads are prohibited.

*No political or religious discussion of any kind will be tolerated on the forums.

*Do not link to inappropriate websites. This includes, but is not limited to: sites containing adult content, information on any type of software piracy or shock sites. Violation of this rule results in permanent ban.

*Do not post false information or mislead other forumgoers. This includes false information about games, THC.net, the public forum rules, or other information that may mislead other users.

*Impersonating forum moderators and/or THC.net staff is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule results in permanent ban.

*Discussions of XBox or XBox 360 hardware or software modification or "hacking" are prohibited on any of the Bungie.net forums.

*Buying, selling, bartering, or offering to do any of the above for anything at all is prohibited. This includes XBox Live accounts, trial cards, and Microsoft Points, as well as all other items, services, or anything else.

*Do not use the public forums to run contests or solicit donations. This forum is for discussion of relevant topics only, not for advertising.

*Do not -Blam!- the profanity filter (if it says -blam!- instead of the word you used, don't try different ways of posting the blammed word.).

*Threads about groups of users based on age, gender, race, religion, or nationality, including discrimination against these groups, are prohibited.