What should be done?

[BETA_mybb_import3230]

yes i like books very much
thx 4 the link isr!

[Papa Spot]

Well, obviously this is just my opinion but one of the things that I look at when I'm considering joining a forum is the rules page. It's not so important on a forum like this one as it is on political forums where things can get pretty heated. I like to see just a few simple rules like no spamming, no porn, no racist remarks and be nice. If I see a whole lot of rules I have to wonder if I'm going to be comfortable there or if I'm always going to have to wonder if I'm breaking one of the rules.

Another thing is that, it's been my observation that when there are lots and lots of rules, most of them don't really get enforced. And when they have a lot of rules that they don't enforce, it makes it harder to enforce the basic rules.

For what it's worth.
Papa

[FirefoxWiz]

Do you think I have too many rules, Papa?

[BETA_mybb_import3230]

From what I read in this post, you took alot of rules out. Now they look great. Just a few simple rules to follow, nothing big. Cause like Papa Spot said, you'd be afraid you'd be breaking a rule in something that you posted every time (thats if you have alot of rules). . But in my opinion, your rules look fine!

-Beta

[Papa Spot]

Do you think I have too many rules, Papa?

Well, it's not for me to tell you how to run your forum. But since you asked I'll say this: yeah, I personally
feel that you could shorten them even a little bit more. I say this for two reasons. The first, I've already mentioned: if prospective new members see a lot of rules, they might feel like they're gonna have to walk on eggshells if they join. The second is this: as your membership grows, sooner or later you are going to get a member that just wants to make trouble.
They'll be just bad enough to be a pain in the butt but they won't QUITE be bad enough to kick out.
(Being a pain is their hobby and they are careful to know where the line is.) They'll argue with you on every rule and at every chance. If you have a lot of specific rules, you give them more room to argue with you. If you have just a few general rules, they don't have as much room to argue because, with general rules, more is left up to the judgment of the admin.
With specific rules, you'll find yourself having to make a lot of changes and adjustments as you go along and every time you have to change the rules, you hurt your credibility as an admin.

I want to be clear that I do not have ANY PROBLEM with the rules as they are. I just feel like you might be able to cover the same territory in fewer, more general rules.

But this is just my opinion which isn't any more valuable than your own.

Papa

[Papa Spot]

I need to clarify something here. I don't think that you have too many rules, I just feel that you might be able to cover them in fewer words. For example, in my opinion, it goes without saying that any post that violates the rules is subject to being edited or removed and anyone who violates the rules is subject to being ejected. You mention profanity twice; you might consider doing that only once and, rather than listing all the forms of pornography that are prohibited (avatars, etc.), you might consider just saying that pornography in ANY FORM is prohibited. I really like the last paragraph where you warn people that IP addresses, etc. are recorded. That adds a lot of class.

Please remember that I'm a real stickler about anything official being as short and concise as possible and most people probably wouldn't give a second thought to any of this. I think your rules are fine like they are; I'm just suggesting ways that I PERSONALLY think they might be improved. Obviously, you're under no obligation to cater to my personal tastes and you have to use your own best judgement on what to do.

Papa

[FirefoxWiz]

The only reason I mentioned Swearing twice was because that is what people do most on forums...and I want them to understand it will not be done here!
And I do thank you for giving your opinion on what should be done!! It helps me tremendously!!!!!

CHEERS!
FirefoxWiz

[Papa Spot]

No problem. My opinion may not be worth much but, by gawd, it's free and freely available.

Papa

[FirefoxWiz]

To me, Papa, your opinion is worth alot! It was your opinion that led me to cut down the rules to make them look shorter!!!

[BETA_mybb_import3230]

Yup I think your rules page looks nice.
Simple rules to follow so no one should get in trouble! And I hope everyone follows them, but I'm sure they will!

-Beta