These guidelines are meant to keep the forums clean and enjoyable. Please follow them closely as we will enforce them.

Registering an account is an acknowledgment that you intend to follow the rules and decorum of the Biotech forum. The Administration reserves the right to alter, enforce, add, or waive any rules for any specific member at any time.

Generally speaking, they all follow simple common sense, so it really isn't hard to keep out of trouble. :)

The following are the basic rules:

• There is no flaming. Flaming makes for a negative atmosphere and it will not be tolerated. That means you should avoid yelling at and needlessly criticizing other members.
  
• No pornographic, sexually offensive, sexually explicit, or objectifying material. This should be a given. Please note that toilet humor or related content is also not necessary - I'm sure there will always be better things to talk about.
  
• Do not use foul language. We want the forum to be kept clean, and that includes keeping a clean sounding forum. I believe that I have filtered most, if not all of the objectionable words, but some may have slipped through. Just because a word is not filtered does not mean it is allowed! Also, do not try to circumvent the filter - this is just as bad as saying the actual word.
• In general, do not double post. Topic bumping is allowed under two conditions:
  1. It has been over 48 hours since the last post.
  2. The bump contains new information (i.e. a new image, etc.), not simply "Come on post people!".

• Also, please do not revive topics that have not been posted in for 90 days or more (except in the Software forum). If you would like to continue that discussion, simply make a new topic regarding the subject, referencing the previous topic if you wish.
• Respect those in authority. Being rude to an Administrator, Moderator, etc. is highly inappropriate and will be dealt with using the highest possible punishment. By registering you agree to treat those in charge with the utmost respect.
• Use the PM system appropriately. Do not use it to spam or mass PM promotional messages, etc. Also, if you receive an offensive PM, please forward it to an administrator, who may have an ability to deal with the situation. We have the right to remove/disable this service if it is not used accordingly, or in conjunction with these guidelines.
• Please make sure that your signature is a reasonable size. We currently do not have any imposed limits, however, sigs. that are unnecessarily large (screen stretching, large amounts of images, etc.) will be edited. If a need arises, we will implement signature restrictions. Please don't make us have to do that! A preferable width is no larger than 500 pixels.

Enforcement methods:

Should a member violate one or more the above guidelines action can be taken. These are some of the methods of action:

• Post count reduction. For many minor offenses a post count deduction can be issued. This potentially makes a member’s rank decrease.
• Reprimand by a Forum Leader or Admin. This is just a simple talking-to. It is basically a warning not to repeat the offending action.
• Warning level raised. If a petty offense is committed, a member can get his/her warning level raised. When the warning bar is full, a member is automatically suspended.
  
• Suspension. A break from posting and/or PMing because of a rule violation. Suspension can last anywhere from a few days to indefinite suspension.
• Banning. Banning means that you are no longer invited to participate in the Biotech forum. Once a member has been banned it is generally permanent and cannot be reversed by anyone except an Administrator. In extreme cases, banned members may be invited to return, however, don't count on it!

I am aware that some of these rules may feel strict or unnecessary. But believe me, I've seen forums with minimal moderating, and they aren't pretty. Our goal should be to cast an enjoyable and professional atmosphere. By following these rules, that should be easily attainable.

We appreciate your cooperation. :)