Ozformers Forum userguide, and how to register.

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The Userguide and Rules (the Long Version)

This is essentially a user guide for this forum, for you to refer to at any time - the rules are binding to your visit here, so it is recommended that you have a quick read before signing up.

Condition of registration and usage of this fan community includes, but not limited to, the following.


Section 1 - General Participation

1 - Treatment of others
Treat others in a way that they would want to be treated by others, with respect and dignity. Do not criticise, insult, abuse, ridicule or bait a negative response from others. If you respond abusively to someone else's baiting (instead of reporting the situation to a board staff member), you may be treated the same as the person doing the baiting. Bad behaviour in any form deters lurkers, guests and regular members from interacting here.

2 - Offensive language
No offensive, vulgar or coarse language here. This board is known to be viewed by kids, and parents checking on what their kids are browsing. And really, it's usage is not necessary in any format, as it is rather redundant (the context of conversation is not lost without it, or if replaced by wording that isn't offensive).

3 - Generic Prohibited content
Members should take care not to post any material which is illegal, knowingly false, discriminatory, defamatory, vulgar, hateful, harassing, sexually explicit, threatening, and/or invasive of a person's privacy.

4 - Liability of Administrators and Owners of this site
The admin/owner of this messageboard is not responsible or liable for any comments posted by its members, but will aim to remove any offending material as quickly as possible when notified. Please take care with what you post here as it could be used against you if it is in breach of criminal or civil law. We are also not affiliated in any way with any legitimate Transformers property owner or license holder. This is an independent Transformers Fan Forum, paid for and run by fans, for fans.

5 - Coherent communication recommended
Please post as coherently as possible. If you make it difficult to read your posts (which are going to be here for a long time), people will either ignore you or be hostile towards you. Posts and quotes on this site MUST be in English or include an English translation. Have a quick proof-read before you click on the 'Post Reply'. Also avoid quoting big posts in your reply if it isn't necessary - delete lengthy text or images in your quote (especially if you aren't specifically responding to it) so that it doesn't pad out pages, for those scrolling through topics.

6 - Spamming is prohibited
No spamming (unauthorised/unpaid advertising). Spam postings will be deleted, and at the Admin's discretion, the user will be removed and sent an invoice for advertising at a starting fee of US$500 (or AU$500 if an Australian business). If you wish to advertise here, please contact the site admin beforehand on pricing and advertising options. (effective 17th June 2011)

6a - Posting links to gain off-site attention and/or revenue (spamming by fans)
Members who are legitimate fans are also prohibited from posting links for the purpose of promoting their offsite sources of revenue (like online stores, ebay listings, youtube videos, etc) without putting some effort here in return. It is allowed in the Saleyard by Toy Dealers and Ebay sellers, but see Rule 13. It is also allowed in the Toy Review section, but you can only post links to youtube reviews in the individual Toy Review topics IF there is at least 100 words reviewing the toy in that same posting. Otherwise, start your own Review Topic (with your name in the title) and post your youtube links in there ONLY.

7 - Private contact among members
Due to the possibility of some members being under-age, and the age gap of members, unsolicited (not asked for) contact of members you don't know, should be avoided without a good reason. Similarly, if you are contacted by someone you don't know, you are NOT obligated to reply to them if you don't know them, or feel uncomfortable about being contacted.
Email access of members is turned off by default to protect younger members. If you are under a certain age or a private person, leave that contact option turned off in your Control Panel.

8 - Regular Members not to "Moderate" other Members
Usage of any widely recognised or understood terminology, names or measurements are allowed on this forum. If you are not a Staff Member, you are not to "correct" anyone for using words you wouldn't use, or a typo or misspelling, especially if it is clearly understood what was intended. Non-staff should refrain from instructing members on what to post in a specific topic, or where it should be posted. Refer it to Staff if a topic needs to be moved, or re-titled to match the section.


Section 2 - News and Info postings

9 - Credit the source
News and info postings needs to have the source credited or linked. If possible, note the original source if it is known. You must not claim ownership of any information or images that is not yours, especially if it is copyrighted material.

10 - Protect the Spoilers
Don't post spoilers in titles, or in topics that do not have spoiler warnings in the title. If in doubt, run it by admin first or include in the post a 'potential spoiler warning' line before the spoiler. A spoiler only relates to movie/cartoon/comics not yet released in this country, or are currently being released here. After a reasonable amount of time from its release, it is open for spoiler-free discussion. (The Reviews section is exempt, as people are expected and encouraged to talk freely about what they have just seen.)

11 - Hotlinking of images prohibited
No unauthorised 'Hotlinking' (inserting of images from other servers/websites) permitted. All pictures from other websites must only be linked to, or hosted yourself. Do not have their image appear directly from the source in your posting. This is bad 'netiquette', because it draws on the host's bandwidth every time the thread is accessed, including by those not wanting to see the picture, and those who already have seen it and are just replying to any follow-up postings.
If you really want the image to be shown here, host a copy yourself (on a free server) and insert the image from there.
Need help with hosting images yourself on a free site? Info and tips, and how to insert the images here, can be found in this topic.


Section 3 - Sales, Auctions & Dealer advertising

12 - Sales in the Saleyard restricted to verified members
TO PROTECT EXISTING MEMBERS FROM SCAMMERS, ACCESS TO THE SALEYARD IS ONLY BY APPROVED/VERIFIED MEMBERS.
Limited posting of sales and auctions are allowed on this forum in the Saleyard and non-TFs sections, provided the sale conditions are clear, all offers by BUYERS are posted publicly before you work through the transaction (privately), and you honour the conditions. If all or most items are Unauthorised "3rd Party" products, the topic needs to be posted in the Unauthorised Products section, or post a separate sale posting in that section.

12a - Pricing items on Sale Posts
All regular Saleyard sales need to have a Price noted for each item (or Lot/group of items).
If you aren't sure of an item's value and don't want to feel cheated later, do some research on ebay first or ask in the Price-Check topic. It can be better to list at a high-end price and then discount it, or publicly mention that you will accept 'near-enough' offers (which the BUYER needs to publicly post).
Just be aware that unless you are just wanting to get rid of your toys in a hurry for cheap, selling as a Group Lot or Set might seem easier for you, but are less likely to sell, or even at a respectable price.
If you prefer an Auction format, you can do that here as well (see the recommended format below), but it is best to use a dedicated site like Ebay, and then just promote it in the ebay/dealer section.
Vague things like EOIs (expressions of interest) are not permitted in the Saleyard for single items - EOIs are only permitted in the Group Orders section to gauge the interest in a bulk order, and should only be done by someone prepared to go through with it.

13 - Toy Dealers and Business advertising/selling
Toy dealers and online-stores can advertise, in moderation, in the ebay/dealer section ONLY, and limited to one topic that you update with new items or new info. Since advertising here is currently free, if you abuse that by spamming our site or starting up multiple, your posts will be removed, and you may be banned from the site. Respect this site's current generosity, and you will be able to profit from it.

14 - Age restriction to Saleyard
If you are under 15 years old, SELLING here by you is not permitted.
You must have a parent/guardian/adult-member SELL and communicate on your behalf. If you are wanting to PURCHASE from someone here, it is up to the discretion of the seller to sell to a member under 15 years old, but the seller should state it beforehand in their sales post - ask the seller if they will sell to you. It is their right to refuse you, so accept their decision.

15 - Responsibility of buyer
All purchases remain your own responsibility. If you don't know someone well enough to risk it, don't buy from them. If you do buy something, pay promptly, and communicate politely if there is a delay from either party. Don't start accusations or complain too soon. If patience and communication don't work, contact a third party or Staff to help sort out the problem - DON'T argue about it publicly.
Since people sometimes sell up and leave, and in case they have little fear of penalties for breaking the rules, it is up to BUYERS to make sure that they publicly post their interest before they PM the SELLER. This includes any extra items they add on later, as you must publicly note it in the sale topic after checking to see if someone else has already publicly reserved an item. We may not be able to stop a person who is leaving from breaking this rule, but we can take action against a BUYER who is staying.

16 - Responsibility of seller
If you are selling stuff here, make sure you take the job seriously, especially if you are selling multiple items. Make sure that EVERY step of EVERY trade is recorded and trackable later if there are any problems. When dealing with (other people's) money, you can't take short-cuts or keep half-assed records. If you have held an item for someone, or have agreed to sell it to them and waiting for payment, you shouldn't sell it to someone else without the first person agreeing to it.
Sellers do not need to conduct the transaction publicly, but you can note that you are responding to a potential buyer by PM if you want to cover yourself on a dispute later. Post items promptly, otherwise notify the buyer if there are any unavoidable delays.

17 - Illegal activity on this site prohibited
Members should NOT advertise, promote, sell, advocate, or show support for any activity that breaks State or Federal Law in Australia. This includes (but not limited to), Transformers related things like Counterfeit toys (Knock Offs), unauthorised copies of official media, and replica weapon toys (like Megatron) in states that prohibit them (or knowingly sell one to people that are not allowed to own one due to age or criminal history). If you intend to acquire illegal items, search for them off-site (like through google), or privately from a known source.
This rule is to protect yourself from prosecution, AND to prevent this site from being shut down for facilitating a criminal activity. Minimal discussion or suggestive comments may be tolerated to a point, and the Staff or Admin are entitled to limit or terminate discussions & sourcing of illegal material, at any time. It is your responsibility to determine if ownership of replica weapon Transformers are legal in your state, so admitting to owning one is at your own risk.
Price Scamming at retail stores is also illegal, so shouldn't be something mentioned or boasted about on this board. If you intentionally deceive/convince a store to sell an item at the price of a different size/class of item, then that is fraud. If a store lists a price incorrectly in their computer or on a shelf tag, then it is their error, and you could even inform them of it if you wanted.

18 - Unauthorised "third party" items and Knock Off item restrictions
Posting about (or selling) Unauthorised toys and accessories that specifically target the Transformers Brand and/or established Characters, is only permitted in the Unauthorised Products section. Sale of Counterfeit (Knock Off) Transformers toys or merchandise is prohibited here. Limited awareness of Counterfeit Transformers is allowed, to help other fans identify a fake when trying to purchase a legit figure, and should be contained within the Knock Off ID section.
It is recommended that you don't acquire copies of media that has been officially released, or copies of a toy that can be found fairly easily or could be passed off as the real thing. Preventing sales of official media and toys is not condoned, nor is the deception of passing off copies of media and toys as the real things. If you obtain an unauthorised copy of media that hasn't been officially released, it should be for YOUR personal use, and replaced with an official copy when officially released. Counterfeit toys should not be be re-sold as if it is the legit toy.

19 - Toy Scalping on this forum is prohibited
If you are found to be buying up hard-to-find toys and reselling them at a huge markup on this forum, your sale postings will be deleted, and you may be removed as well if that is the only reason you are a member here. If it is proven that a member is locating certain figures from our sightings section, to sell elsewhere, they will also be removed. We discourage toy scalping in general, as this community has prospered from fans helping fellow fans find items without having to pay a scalper extra for it.


Section 4 - Miscellaneous items

20 - Unresolvable non-Transformers topics
Unresolvable topics like religion, political parties, social ideologies, etc, are discouraged. Other boards cater for that. If comments are made for a suitable reason, be mindful of opposing views or advocates, and avoid targeting people or opinions as being wrong if there is no substantive proof to support it.

21 - Signature File size & content
Signature Files should be limited to a reasonable size of about 5 lines high, of text and/or pictures. Rules on prohibited content apply to Signatures, and please limit the usage of scrolling text/images, as the feature will be removed if it is overused.

22 - Fan Meet recommendations
TO PROTECT EXISTING MEMBERS FROM TROUBLE-MAKERS OR PERVERTS, ACCESS TO THE MEET SECTION IS ONLY BY APPROVED/VERIFIED MEMBERS.
Fan meetups are encouraged, but only attend one if it is advertised in the meetup section, and if there are at least five people confirmed if you don't yet know any of them. Generally we aren't a bad bunch, especially in numbers, but we need to prevent any later issues by parents who were not aware of what their minors are doing and who they were with.
If it is a public venue (like conventions, collector fairs, shopping centres) and you are under the age of 15, you must bring a parent/guardian with you, and they need to assess/approve if it is a good idea to leave you unsupervised with adult fans.
If it is a private venue (like a residence), or somewhere that allows alcohol and uncensored adults (like a park or beach or licensed restaurant), it is recommended that you are at least 18. If you are under 18, the organiser has the right to refuse you access to the meet (for their own protection and yours). If you are under 16 and the organiser allows you to attend, a parent must be at the meet until you leave. If you are 16-17 and the organiser allows you to attend, a parent has to either stay with you, or give permission for you to stay, to the organiser in person, at the event, once the parent knows who and what will be there (like if there will be alcohol present).
You may need to attend a few public venue meets first or meet with members at various conventions, in order for adult members AND your parents to be okay with you being at "private function" meet-ups.

23 - Usage of the Ozformers name
Members must not refer to 'Ozformers' in any negative or abusive manner outside this forum. Promoting our community is encouraged, but if you bring our community into disrepute to non-members or to another fan-forum, you will be removed.

24 - Representing the Ozformers community
Do not claim to be representing this community without prior permission.

25 - Treatment of other fansites
It is best not to criticise another fansite, community, forum/board or it's members. Restrained objective criticism of the content of a fan forum (eg. vulgar content, promoting KOs, full of spam or advertising, false news topics, etc) may be okay if it is within reason and for a reasonable purpose for the benefit of members here. Basically we are all Transformers fans, so there is no rational reason to start insulting other fansites or fans, for selfish reasons or for mere fun. There is no such thing as rival forums if we are all Transformers Forums.

26 - Banned Member restrictions
A Banned Member is prohibited from joining, re-joining or attempting to re-join without first obtaining written permission from the Admin. Registration requires acceptance of the conditions within this User Guide (and any applicant intending to join is taken to have read them), a Banned Member who attempts to join or re-join is in breach of this condition (by falsely claiming they are not a currently Banned Member) and membership will not be extended to that applicant. The Admin reserves its right to take whatever legal action is necessary to enforce this condition, including but not limited to Court orders restraining the Banned Member from contacting, accessing, viewing or otherwise interacting with the Board or its members. Delay or failure of the Admin to take such action does not constitute a waiver of this right.

27 - Members not to help Banned Members
All current Members are prohibited from aiding or assisting a Banned Member from participating, viewing, copying, transmitting or obtaining any information whatsoever on this board, where such content is accessible by Members only. In the event a Member breaches this condition, consideration will be given to changing that member's status to "Banned Member", and rule 26 will apply.

28 - Ongoing acceptance to the usage rules of this site
Your usage of this forum on each subsequent visit, constitutes a continued acceptance and adherence of these conditions, including any additional sections added since your initial registration. There is no obligation for this Forum to accept anyone who does not agree with this Userguide. The Userguide's aim is to provide a fun and happy environment for Fans to interact in, but don't feel forced to stay here if at any time you feel that the conditions of usage are unreasonable and spoiling your fun.

29 - Limited Registrations
Only one registration per person, without prior approval from an Admin or a good reason (like losing access to a previous registration). Multiple registrations will either be merged or deleted, depending on the person's history here.

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"Banned Member" = any former Member or applicant whose membership of the Board has been terminated in accordance with the conditions contained in the User Guide. Please note that such action is rare and only done in extreme circumstances where the Board's integrity and the objects of the Board are threatened.

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Procedure for reporting a breach of the rules.
If you want to report a problem or offending post, please do so as soon as possible. If you don't report it until after a significant period of time, without a good reason, the offending person may not end up being spoken to while it is still relevant. If you want a particular bad behaviour stopped, you have to act on the incident as soon as you can.
Also, only report a private/targeted incident if you are a party to it, or if the people involved are prevented from reporting it due to intimidation or fear. Interference from others may result in removal, for making the situation worse, and breeding further negativity in our small community.

- Unacceptable or suspect posts can be reported by clicking on the icon at the top of each post that allows you to report it to the board staff. Make sure you copy and paste the offending content into the report, because the poster may delete/edit it before a staff member gets to see it.
- If you have a problem with another member, or want to report some other breach of the code of conduct, contact one of the board staff, giving details of who or what the problem is.
- If you have a problem with one of the board staff (Moderators or Admin), contact one of the other Global Moderators or Admins. If the situation is still unresolvable, perhaps take a break from here and interact on another fan forum for a while so that you can still have fun with Transformers. Removing members is always a last resort here, so lesser censures include warnings, moderated postings and temporary bannings, depending on the rule breach.