This is a very basic set of rules to follow here at My Hattiesburg.

 1. Be respectful of and towards other people, especially members of the forum
 2. Keep personal information about others confidential
 3. Your post should not contain anything that is prohibited by My Hattiesburg
 4. You agree to our Terms of Service

It's very possible for a member to read the above and never have to read the rest of this document. We simply are asking you to be civil, respectful, and courteous to other members. For specifics, you can read below.

Tier 1 Violation
These violations will definitely get you banned without any warnings.
Mods will always be on the lookout for these. (Stickies in respective forums - They may state other temporary or forum specific Tier 1 violations.)

1. Attacks based on race/sex/gender/sexual preferences.
2. Excessive/repeated trolling. Failure to maintain overall good fellowship/camaraderie, AND/OR if you are consistently unpleasant to other members, AND/OR constant negativity.
3. Registration of more than one user name without requesting approval from an administrator/moderator before doing so.
4. Unsolicited Advertisements/Spam
5. Posting naked, partially naked image or videos of any kind of any human being engaged in any form of sexual conduct.

Tier 2 Violation
These violations will not always get you banned, warnings will be issued publicly the first time, banned thereafter. Multiple instances will definitely get you banned.

1. Posting not-work-safe content in a thread without warning. Not work safe content is defined as absolutely anything that you may not want your boss or co-worker to see on your monitor. This includes excessive gore, and other related content. Always put *NWS* before the content in the thread title if through clicking on the title, they will see content that is not work safe, so people at work know not to click on it, regardless of the actual thread title. If the content is on another site or page, put NWS before the link. Please note that posting naked, partially naked image or videos of any kind of any human being engaged in any form of sexual conduct is a Tier 1 Violation, as stated above.
   
2. Avatar and Signatures - Need to be work friendly. Signatures cant be too long. Please note more specific signature rules below.
   
3. Posting personal information in the forums. This rule includes private messages when you do not have the permission of the author to post the message.
4. Using MH to harass someone through private messages or email.
5. Posting copyrighted content without permission, or using MH to obtain illegal software/product keys.

Tier 3 Violation
These violations are something that mods generally don't look for, but you will be warned and/or banned if you keep on doing it. Multiple instances will definitely get you banned.

1. Don't make threads just to talk to another individual back and forth, take it over instant messenger programs, private messaging or chat rooms.
2. Bandwagon threads – Bandwagon threads are those that are started to promote a cause or opinion. Multiple instances of these threads or cross-posting in other threads about the same subject is a violation.
3. Making posts speaking for or posing as an administrator or moderator of this site.
4. Questioning a moderator or the administrator about an infraction or warning you have received. Please use private messaging or email for this purpose.

Spam

Listed below are our definitions of spam:

• Off-Topic Posts - Any post that is either irrelevant to the topic of discussion or forum, is classified as spam.
• Intentional Post Count Raising - Posting comments just to raise your post count is considered as spam. A common instance of this is replying to questions that have already been answered and repeating the answer (see; Bumping Dead Topics), or just posting nonsense that has absolutely nothing to do with that forum or discussion at hand.
• Bumping Dead Topics - Bumping a topic that has not been posted in in over a month is discouraged. If a specific forum's rules notes a different time frame for classifying a thread as “dead”, that is the time frame that you are to follow. One month is the standard time frame for classifying threads as “dead”. If you still feel that you have a worthy contribution to a old thread to update the information contained within, please do so. This rule also does not apply to threads used for a general topic (Grey's Anatomy, What's for Supper, The Thread about Beer, etc.)
• Personal Member-To-Member Threads - If you post a thread directed at a specific member, it may be classified as spam. Please use the Private Messaging function to contact members privately about personal matters or discussions.

Flames

A flame is an insult or slur directed to a member. Listed below are our definitions of “flames”:

• Insults - Any type of insult directed from one member to another member. Please remember that there is a big difference between “criticism” and “insulting”.
• Homosexual Slurs - Any type of homosexual slur directed from one member to another member, whether it'd be false claims that the member being flamed is a homosexual, or mocking a homosexual member for their sexual preference.
• Sexual Slurs - Any type of sexual slur directed from one member to another member, whether it'd be describing explicit sexual behaviors involving the member being flamed, or typing sexually explicit slurs using the likeness of the member being flamed.
• Racial Slurs - Any type of slur directed from one member to another member or ethnic background insulting a specific ethnic background.

It is important to remember that it is the moderator's discretion as to what is classified as a “flame”. If you would like a moderator to review something that you may feel is a flame, please feel free to contact them or report the post. If you are unable to contact a moderator, please contact the administrator.

Trolling

Trolling is another common problem here at My Hattiesburg Forums. The big difference between “trolling” and “flaming” is that a direct insult is not always the factor. It simply has to be a comment intended to antagonize another person. Trolling is where a member provokes another member into an argument or flame war by means of flaming the member, or making a post when the member knows full-well that it will cause an argument or flame war.

A common example of “trolling” is when a member posts something that insults/provokes another group of members.

Advertising

Advertising is when a member displays a link to a Web site not associated with My Hattiesburg with the intent to draw visitors of My Hattiesburg to their web site. Advertising is usually done in threads or posts, but it's not uncommon to see advertising done in a member's viewable profile fields, such as their “Signature” or “Location”.

Outside Links

Outside linking is when a member links to a site outside of My Hattiesburg. Normally, outside linking is allowed as long as the content falls within the rules of the forum you're posting in. Spamming links or repeatedly advertising a site is not allowed though, and if you post a link to a site more than once, you may be asked by a moderator to stop. Please note that linking in signatures is allowed, see those specific rules below.

Copyright Violations

Posts that contain the text of an entire book, article, graphic, picture or blog post without the author's express permission is a copyright violation. You may post small excerpts of these items, with a link to the original page containing the text. If you post the entire contents of an item, you will be warned. Continual violations will result in a ban.

Censor Bypassing

Censor bypassing is when a member deliberately tries to fool the forum word censor. The word censor is in place to censor obscene words that may not be acceptable to certain visitors. Remember, My Hattiesburg Forums is a family-oriented site, so, the word censor is in place to protect children and others that may be offended by obscene words.

Members are allowed to use the following characters to obscure at least one character in a censored word in the off-topic and groups sections, so the word is not completely censored and the viewer can still understand what the word is:

~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + ` { } [ ] : ” ; ' < > , . ? /

Signatures

A signature is a unique option that allows you to include various bits of information in a small section after a member's post. Signatures are subject to the same rules as posts, so if something is not acceptable to post, then it is not acceptable for a signature.

Signatures are also subject to the following rules:

• Length - Signatures may not exceed 3 lines of normal (2) sized text or 5 lines of small (1) sized text.
• Width - Signatures may not stretch the page, whether it'd be intentional or accidental.
• Glow BB code - Signatures may not use the glow BB code.
• Pictures - For the time being, linking to external (not on MH) pictures are not allowed in your signature at My Hattiesburg. You can use the signature upload button to put a picture in your signature. PM an admin or moderator for help.
• Links - Links in signatures are allowed as long as it does not link to a site prohibited by MyHattiesburg.com. If your contacted by a moderator that you have such a link in your signature, then please do not link to that site anymore.

If you are asked by a moderator to change your signature, please do so immediately. Failure to do so will result in your signature being deleted. A repeat offense usually results in an account ban.

Titles

A custom user title is an option that is given to every member once they reach 1,000 posts. The restrictions on custom user titles is that it must not exceed 20 characters. It must not make an attempt to fool another user into thinking you have a title that you don't have (advisory board member, moderator, administrator, etc.) It is also subject to the forums post rules, and may be subject to moderator approval. Custom user titles that do not abide by these rules may result in getting your user title privileges taken away, and/or a temporary ban.

Other Options

Other options available to members are the “groan” and “thanks” buttons, which are intended to be used as a quick and easy way to agree or disagree with another member's post. Continual use of either of those button as the main means of communications on the site and/or harassing other members through misuse, abuse, or over-use of the groan button will result in the loss of use of one or both of those options.

1. So I read the rules, and I'm just wondering, who enforces them?

The members of the site carry a huge burden with regard to enforcing the rules. Because there's only one administrator and a few moderators, they simply cannot read all of the posts to determine if a rule has been broken. You can alert them to the presence of a post that you think breaks the rules by using the report post button

2. If I as a member of the site am supposed to enforce the rules, how do I go about that?

You've been provided with several ways to actively enforce the rules on the site. The first of them is through the thanks/groan button you see at the bottom of most posts. If you agree with something someone has posted, give them some positive reinforcement with a thanks! Let him or her know that you appreciate what they've written. Conversely if you disagree with something someone has posted, you can use the groan button to express your displeasure

If you feel pretty strongly, either positively or negatively, about a post, you can use the reputation to express your agreement or disagreement. The rep system is accessed by clicking on the scales located above most posts. When you click on the scales, a pop-up window opens that allows you to choose whether you agree or disagree with a post. You can then choose the degree to which you agree or disagree and add a comment.

Lastly if you feel a post is harmful to the community we have created here–an attack on another member, is laden with profanity, reveals personal information about another poster, is “spam” to name a few–you can request that the administrator or mods take a look at the post by using the Report Post function. Above each post, you'll see a triangle with an exclamation point inside it. By clicking on the Report Post and filling out the information requested, a message is sent to the moderators and administrator who will then evaluate the post.

3. And how do the administrator and moderators handle reported posts?

The administrator and moderators evaluate all reported posts and determine whether they do in fact break the very loose rules that we have established for this community. If a post does cross the line, it may be deleted or modified, and the original poster may receive a warning, an infraction, or a temporary ban. Please do not discuss the outcome of the post report in public or private forums, you may discuss them with the moderator or administrator over PM or email.

4. Warning? Infraction? Temporary ban? What does that mean?

There are basically three levels of disciplinary action that can be taken here at myhattiesburg: warnings, infractions, and bans (either temporary or permanently). You may not necessarily receive a warning before an infraction or a ban; it just depends on what you've done to disrupt the community.

Warnings are basically a friendly reminder from the mods or the admin that asks you to remember the rules of the site. Things that you might receive warnings for include (but aren't limited to): using the forums as your own personal instant messaging system. Feel free to make use of the PM function or the chat applet available through your personal profile; and bandwagon threads/posts/replies.

Infractions are more serious violations of the rules of the site and encompass things like: bashing new members for not knowing exactly how the community operates; being a post-whore, which means you continually post short, useless, meaningless replies or threads; posting not-work-safe content without warning; having a not-work-safe avatar, signature, or custom title; posting personal information in the forum, even if that information is available in the public domain; using the site to harass or attack other sites (inciting board wars); and posting copyrighted information without first receiving permission.

Infractions are given in points. You may receive a certain number of points for any of the rules violations above. After you accumulate a certain number of points, you will receive a temporary ban.

Bans either temporary or permanent are the most serious violations of the rules of the site. Violations that can lead to bans include: abuse of the rep system via aliases; registering more than one user name without prior permission; posting what could be considered pornographic material; unsolicited advertisements or spam; bashing or attacking another member based on race, sexual orientation, or gender; baiting other members and failing to remain respectful in your disagreements with others; revealing personal information about other members.

Bans can last a period of days–sometimes weeks–and in extreme cases, they may be permanent.

5. Is there anything that can get me banned from the site permanently?

There are a very few things that will warrant a permanent removal from the site. One of them is revealing confidential information about other posters. While many people here are comfortable with having their identities known, there are many who are not and we take the desire for privacy very seriously. Other than that, posting private messages in a public or private forum without the author's express permission is an offense that warrants a temporary ban. Repeatedly breaking any rules once you have been warned can also result in a ban.

6. OK. You mentioned profanity. Can we use profanity on this forum?

The short answer is it depends. We generally discourage profanity in the My Community section of the forum, and in fact, there's a profanity filter that will replace curse words with asterisks. You can use profanity in other sections of the site, but be prepared for the members of the site to disapprove of that language and use the thanks/groan button as well as the reputation system to express that disapproval.

7. What about if I'm ready to leave and want my account deleted?

Members are discouraged from requesting that their account be deleted. You may feel wronged by someone on the site at this time, but you may not feel this way in the future and want to return. Nevertheless, you can request the administrator or moderator to delete your account. The methods they use to complete this request will be at their discretion. Please also note that under the terms of use, MyHattiesburg.com has limited rights to display the content you have posted. You may delete any particular posts you feel necessary to delete, but mass deletion of posts is prohibited. Mass deletion of posts has a noticeable impact on the flow of discussion in all threads you have participated in.