The Simtropolis Related Notice Bored

[Kevin 101]

In an effort to reduce the amount of stickies in this forum, we've combined several of the threads that served as "Guidelines and Friendly Reminders".

You can find the site rules in their entirety here.

 

Friendly Reminder about PMs

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Originally posted by: samantha 

It has been brought to my attention that a few of our members are being hassled via PM, with requests for personal information, their home addresses and other such very private information.  I just want to point out that it is not acceptable for anyone to request this kind of information from anyone else, and that I would always advise against giving out your personal details over the internet .  We have a lot of teens and young people who use this site, and so personal safety and security is something we all need to be aware of.

 

If you feel you are receiving inappropriate PMs requesting personal information, please forward them straight to an administrator.

Anyone found to be harassing others for any such information will be subjected to a permanent vacation from the community.

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Originally posted by: SkiGeek

A reminder to everyone:  do not give out personal information to people online.  Recently we have had a rash of PMs looking for people's bank account numbers.  The person sending them has been banned from the site.  Scams are not allowed here.

If you get a PM of this nature, do not answer it.  Send the info to an admin and we will deal with it.

 

Signatures and Avatars Reminder

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Originally posted by: samantha

I just wanted to remind everyone that we do have guidelines regarding signatures and avatars, I don't want to impose too many restrictions here but I would like to urge you guys to be sensible. Keep it to just one image and a few lines at the most in the sig, and a reasonably sized avatar please.

The animated avatars are not a problem, as long as you keep them small - even if they are hosted offsite. I will remove avatars and sigs that are too huge if I see them, as will the other admins and moderators. I usually try and PM the individual, but it isn't always possible, so if you find yourselves with no sig and avatar, then its probably been deemed too huge.

 

a.  Signatures may have a maximum of 10 lines of text which includes blank lines and images.

b.  Signature images are permitted and are to be a maximum of  300 x 50 pixels. Multiple images are acceptable, provided the total combined dimensions of all images do not exceed 300 x 50 pixels.

c.  The size of text in signatures must not exceed the default font size. Text may be smaller.

d.  Formatting tools and color should be used appropriately. No one appreciates an eyesore.

e.  Avatars and signatures may not display copyrighted content, or contain offensive material.

f.  Animations are allowed but the staff reserves the right to remove animations that are causing problems.

 

[Mikeaut1 261]

A Friendly Reminder Regarding Language In The Forums

This is just a general reminder to all: Please watch your language and what you say to others on the forums! This goes for all the forums. The moderators have the right to edit or remove posts that contain language unsuitable for the community. Thank you, Simtropolites!!!

[MrCinatit 30]

In order to make sure the STEX remains a friendly environment for all uploaders, we are making some rule changes concerning STEX comments which are blatantly rude criticism and/or flaming.

What is acceptable/what is not acceptable:

     Not Acceptable: Flaming will not be tolerated. This includes flaming the uploader, flaming the upload, and flaming other users. In addition, nonsensical letter combinations entered only so a person can vote is unacceptable. Instances include: "This is crap", "You are dumb" "jkereoareareaaaa!", anything with masked swearing.

     Acceptable: If you find an upload you do not like, you have three choices: constructive criticism, positive feedback, or not commenting at all. While you do not have to write a novel, a few words can be a very apt suggestion when used right. Positive feedback does not require as much detail in the comment. Instances include: "I don't like this, as the colours are too saturated. Please see gascooker's tutorial for advice on calibrating photoshop", "I like the BAT itself, but the textures could use more work - perhaps some water stains on the roof", "Please provide us with an in game shot of the lot", or "I like it!"

Consequences for unacceptable comments are:

     First Offense: You will receive a warning via PM from either a moderator or an administrator. Take these warnings to heart, because:

     Second Offense: A one week vacation from Simtropolis. 

     Third Offense: A 60 day vacation from Simtropolis.

     Fourth and Final Offense: I think you get an idea of how long your vacation will be in this instance.

Staff have the discretion to vary the consequences, as the circumstances of each situation may require in their judgment. You may not always agree with a staff member's decision, however please respect their responsibility to make the decision they judge as most appropriate for the circumstances, even if you disagree. If you wish to appeal please contact the moderator via pm in the first instance to resolve the issue. If you still disagree please pm an administrator. It is not acceptable to take your disagreement with another member to the public forums.

In addition, if you as an uploader feel you are being treated unfairly by another member of the community, then please PM a moderator or administrator.

Remember - we are here to encourage talent, not discourage it - the abuse of our uploaders, new and old - will not be tolerated. Though a BAT or lot might not be to your liking, who knows - with the right kind of encouragement, we could find the next Bat Master.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Please use this stickied thread to report technical problems or issues with the site.

Please do not start a new thread, simply to report your own particular, issue, problem or question.

Chances are the problem has already been identified, discussed and a possible solution found.  

If a solution has not yet been found posting multiple threads about it will not solve the problem any faster.

[Joesocwork 4]

I thought I'd go here and give our general reminder that we do from time to time to say that...

Harrassment of others within SimTropolis will not be tolerated!  And, if you believe that you are being harrassed then please report it to a staff person immediately.

Thanks!

[Meg 368]

I would like to redirect everyone’s attention to the Simtropolis rules, which can be found here.   Some people seem to think that the rules are a joke.  I assure you they are not.  We do take them seriously and will take action when they are broken.

In particular, I direct your attention to Rule #11:

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11. Other Websites
What happens at a different website stays at that website. If a member has a dispute or grievance with another member, moderator, administrator, or webmaster of a website other than Simtropolis, it may not be brought to Simtropolis and discussed here.

Lately, some people have decided that it’s fun to break Rule #12.   We are actively reviewing forum posts and chat logs and banning people as needed.   We have already banned some of them.  We anticipate banning several more.

We think that rule is clearly stated.  If anyone does not understand it, please contact an admin and we will explain it to you.

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Originally posted by: SWAT-MEDIC

Hello!

In this small article I will demonstrate a small technique for searching the STEX when the search box is broken or down.

There is a url that can be used to enter a search query to display items on the STEX related to the terms given in the query. An example below:

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?page=1&Keyword=SearchTermsHere&view=all

The search terms are in bold. This is what you replace with what you are searching for.

An example search might be:

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?page=1&Keyword=canals&view=all

That is all for now, please post  in this Topic [LINK]  if you have questions or concerns.

quote>

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Please do not post your own new thread with ST 6.0 upgrade issues or reports.

Please use the stickied thread at the top of this forum.

Seperate new threads will be moved, however your cooperation to avoid this is appreciated.

[Meg 368]

Originally Posted:  7/8/2009

We have multiple ratings systems on Simtropolis.  There is one for City Journals and one for items on the STEX.   It has come to our attention that people are creating clone accounts to rate these items multiple times.  This is not acceptable behavior.

When a member writes a CJ or makes something for the STEX, the only thing they get from it is feedback from the community.   Attempts to unjustly alter that feedback can only be regarded as cheating.

We are currently in the process of hunting down, and banning, members who cheat in this manner.   There are logs for the ratings and they are being actively reviewed on both the STEX and the City Journal section. Any bogus ratings will be removed. We have banned several dozen usernames already and we anticipate banning more.

Remember that this site and the games it represents are all about fun!  In the interest of keeping things fun for everyone, please play fair.

[Rymac91 15]

Shouldn't this thread be called the "The Simtropolis Related Notice Board" ?

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Staff announcements are generally not very exciting, hence the name of the thread.

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

From time to time we do and will get trolls or spammers on our site.    This is to be expected on any public forum.

You can find them anywhere from the chat room, to the forums, to the STEX.

If you come across a thread or comment that is obviously spam or someone is simply trolling for attention then ...

Please Do Not Feed The Troll  ...by making a public reply, even it it is well intentioned.

All this does is let them know that they have indeed suceeded in irritating people, and they will then simply continue.

This is what trolls do - their mission is to annoy the crap out of people and their biggest 'pay back' is when they get a reaction or reply.

If you see inapproprate threads, or comments anywhere on the site the appropriate action is always to contact a moderator privately, either using the report button, or PMing a moderator directly.

If a moderator is online then PMing them is ususally more effective.  It is also possible to contact a moderators via MSN if you have it. 

Please give them as much information as possible such as links, usernames, logs etc.

Rest assured that trolls are dealt with swiftly and decisively on ST.   However please remember that it can sometimes take time to clean things up, so patience in dealing with a problem is appreciated.

Bottom line...

Please do not respond to trolls!

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Indeed, responding or commenting on an obvious spam STEX upload (like a picture without a file) is actually simply adding more spam.

I know it can be irritating, but please refrain from making comments on these type of uploads.

This also includes making unkind comments on very simple Lot Editor offerings where someone is just starting out... just because an upload may not meet your personal standards does not mean that it does not have a right to be uploaded.

If an upload is not for you then simply say nothing and move on.

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

TROLL!   SPAM!   SPAM on the STEX!   ZOMG! The World Wide Web is about to crash!

Albus Dumbuldore Voice:    Everybody will NOT panic.   Members will refrain from starting new threads complaining about it.  Members will refrain from making unnecessary comments on the upload.  STEX Moderators will proceed (as they always do) in an orderly fashion to the STEX to deal with the problem.

---

We have again recently had some spam uploaded to the STEX.

It happens.   It will happen again.

Please be reminded that the correct action to take is:

1.   Contact a STEX moderator privately by PM or use the report button.

2.   Be patient while the problem is cleaned up.

The incorrect action to take is:

1.  Make public comments on the upload saying things like "This is spam",   "Lock, lock, lock..."

2. Make threads anywhere on the site complaining about 'quality' on the STEX, that it should be pre-moderated or that the STEX is 'falling apart' or 'going downhill' or any other similar comments.

The STEX has survived many storms and it is still here safe and sound with plenty of quality files to keep folks happy.   There are robust proceedures in place to deal with inappropriate content and patience is requested while the staff complete those processes.

Making negative comments on the upload or starting a thread about it simply gives the spammers the attention they are seeking.

Please Don't Feed the Spammers!

[Vahr 341]

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Rymac91 said:

Shouldn't this thread be called the "The Simtropolis Related Notice Board" ?

Quote

abcvs said:

Staff announcements are generally not very exciting, hence the name of the thread.

I suppose we have a sense of pun.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

On 22/09/2010 at 5:51 PM, Blue Lightning said:

I suppose we have a sense of pun.

Only 2/3 of a pun.

[Hamish 1,369]

Reporting Spam Messages

Recently we have had some Spam accounts sending out messages to some of the member base.

If you receive spam messages, messages from members that you don't know or messages with questionable content / content unrelated to you the best way to deal with these is to report them to a moderator.

By the reply button of any message in a private conversation there is a report button. This will send a report to the moderators that can deal with the account before it starts spamming other people. All you need to do is add a comment as to why you are reporting the message, although most times it is fairly obvious.

You can also find the report button on every post in the site.

Please don't feed the trolls.

Thanks

[Nesral Sredna 62]

Besides deleting posts, doesn't the IPBoard software allow administrators to edit  posts, like other forum-software does?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Of course.  Why do you ask?