TEMP Rules

[CheeSie]

Rules (Last Update: Jul 20, 2010)

The following is the official rules of DarkZtar (abbreviated as DZ). They are to be followed by all members and guests, doing otherwise will resolve in either a warning, an infraction or restricted access to the site whether it being a ban or an actual IP ban. Any attempt to abuse or break into our system to gather personal information that do not belong to anyone but the original owner and to whom they've agreed to share it with (DarkZtar.com), will result in restricted access to the site and all details we can gather about the abuser will be listed publicly, in very serious cases further actions will be taken.

Warnings are to be taken as serious as infractions. Even though a warning does not result in a ban, it can very easily result in a new infraction which then could lead to a temporary or permanent ban.
The third infraction you'll receive will result in a 3 day ban. You're not allowed to return before those 3 days are over, creating a new account to regain access will result in both of your accounts being permanently banned.
If your infractions points reaches 100 then you're banned for good. We're very sorry but you're causing more trouble than what we want to deal with and then unfortunately we have to say bye bye.

The rules are being enforced by the staff of DarkZtar. The staff can often be recognized as having an Administrator, Zupa Mod or Mod userbar below their username.

It is your own responsibility to keep yourself updated with the rules. So check back every now and then

§1 General behavior

§1.1 Your account

• You're only allowed to have one account.
• The account should have a non-offensive username.
• The account is personal and is not be shared with anyone.
• You're not allowed to sign up at DZ with a proxy.
• It's free to register an account at DZ.

§1.2 Your avatar

• Your avatar should be something to recognize you by, do not put something offensive and keep whatever sexual references you could think of to a minimum (no nudity).
• Any sort of off-site advertising in your avatar is prohibited.

§1.3 Your signature

• Your signature should be kept simple and small.
• There's no maximum amount of images allowed in a signature, but the height of your signature should not exceed 400px.
• Any sort of off-site advertising in your signature is prohibited.

§1.4 The language to be spoken

• You are to speak English while using this forum.
• The only forum you may speak any other language in is the Foreign Corner.
• 1337-speak and other "invented" languages are not be spoken at all.

§1.5 The way to address others

• Nicknames are allowed.
• Flaming others are to be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Any sort of evil minded reference to a members sexuality, religion or race will not be tolerated.

§2 Threads, Posts & S.P.A.M.

§2.1 Making threads

• Make sure the thread title is precise and gives a small hint as what to find inside the thread.
• You're not allowed to post "No Hover, No-Hover, NoHover, N0H0ver" or similar in the start of the thread

§2.1.1 Making threads in the guides sections

• When making a guide, make it in-depth, put some images in, make it look interesting. A guide containing 3 lines of text is not acceptable.

§2.1.2 Making threads in the suggestion sections

• We ask you to search the suggestion section you're about to post in to see if a similar suggestion is already posted

§2.1.3 Making threads in the program threads forum

• The only threads that should be posted in this forum are threads by the program creator with a description of the program.
• Each thread should contain a link to the download section where the program can be found.

§2.2 Posting

• All posts should be relevant to the topic.
• Read the first page of the thread you're about to post in, there could be thread specific rules or important information.
• Do not make a post only containing smilies
• You're allowed to post every 20 seconds
• Not all posts count towards your publicly displayed post count. The forums where posting does not increase your post count has a notice in their description.

§2.2.1 Warez

• You're not allowed to post direct links to warez (rapidshare.com links etc.)
• You're not allowed to ask for warez or help finding a specific type of warez.
• You can talk about the different ways of downloading, uploading or finding warez.

§2.2.2 Pedobear & relatives

• You're are not to mention Pedobear at all.
• You're are not to post any images of Pedobear at all.
• The same goes for anything else that's categorized as "pedo" and might offend other members.

§2.3 Editing

• You can edit your post whenever you want.
• The edited post should still contain relevant content.

§2.4 Spamming

• You're not allowed to spam.
• Whether a post is spam or not is decided by the staff.
• S.P.A.M. = Short Pointless Annoying Message

§2.4.1 The S.P.A.M forum

• This is the only forum where spam is allowed.
• Even though spam is allowed flooding is not.
• Making multiple pointless threads right after each other is considered flooding.
• Ganging up with other members and making lots of threads that are similar is also considered flooding and not allowed.

§2.5 Naughty Section

• You have to be at least 18 years old and Level 1 to get the password to the Naughty Section
• PM a staff member for the password if you fit the requirements.
• Just about anything is allowed in the Naughty Section (as long as it doesn't interfere with any laws).

§3 Ranks, Rewards & Responsibility

§3.1 Increasing your rank

• When you've registered your account and activated it, you gain the rank of Newbie.
• To increase in rank you have to be active, post and help out.
• The stats that the ranks are based on are: Days registered, amount of posts and amount of reputation points.
• Please note that you will not be promoted right away, it can take up to 60 minutes for the change to take place. Please be patient!

§3.1.1 Level 1

• You're required to have been a member for at least 5 days.
• You're required to have posted at least 25 times.
• You're required to have at least 2 reputation points.

§3.1.2 Level 2

• You're required to have been a member for at least 15 days.
• You're required to have posted at least 185 times.
• You're required to have at least 15 reputation points.

§3.1.3 Level 3

• You're required to either have been a member for at least 365 days or have posted 1500 times.
• You're required to have at least 400 reputation points.

§3.1.4 Level 4

• You have to apply for this rank.
• You're required to be Level 3 before applying.
• Applications can be submitted in the Level 4 Applications forum.
• There are no actual guidelines as to what is required to become a Level 4, but have in mind that we've created this rank to keep the ordinary Level 3 members and the more extraordinary Level 3 members separated.

§3.1.5 Moderator, Zupa Mod & Admin

• These are very powerful ranks, so there's no specific way of getting them.
• The staff keeps an eye on every member and notices who's doing what and who's helping out.
• Helping the staff by reporting posts that are not following the rules is a great way to make us notice you.
• New staff members will be hand picked by the staff.
• No one gets staff without CheeSies approval.

§3.2 Reputation

• Reputation is a point based reward system.
• Every member starts out with 0 reputation points and one rep power.
• You can view your current reputation by going to the User Control Panel.
• You can give reputation by clicking the icon below a users post.
• Reputation is not be used as a currency.
• You're not allowed to trade reputation.
• You're not allowed to give reputation for a successful trade, the Trade Rating system is for that.
• You're not allowed to ask for reputation.
• When you give reputation, it does not get subtracted from your amount of reputation points.
• Report any abuse you find to the staff.

§3.2.1 Reputation limits

• You have to give at least 3 other members reputation before you can give reputation to the same user again.
• You can give reputation a maximum of 25 times a day.
• You have to include a descriptive comment with each reputation given.
• If the reputation comment does not give a precise valid reason as to why the reputation was given then the reputation will be deleted and both parties might be punished for abusing the reputation system.
• Whether the reputation given is valid is decided by the staff.
• Extra information can be found is this thread: http://darkztar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68382

§3.2.2 Reputation points - when to give

• Reputation points can be given for helpful posts.
• Reputation points can be given for guides that were helpful to you.
• Reputation points can be given for your completed GFX requests.
• Reputation points can be given for programs that were helpful to you.
• Reputation points can be given for your homework being done.
• In general you're allowed to give reputation points for contributions that were helpful to you but there are of course limitations...
• You're only allowed to give rep for on-site stuff.

§3.2.3 Reputation points - when not to give

• Reputation points are not to be given for someone creating accounts for you.
• Reputation points are not to be given for someone clicking a referral link of yours.
• Reputation points are not to be given for someone creating an email for you.
• There are other things not to rep for, so think twice before given reputation points for something random...

§3.2.4 Reputation points - how much to give

• You can specify the amount of points you wish to give when giving reputation points.
• The amount of points cannot exceed your reputation power.
• You should think about how many points you give.
• Giving to many points for something that was just partially helpful will not be tolerated.

§3.2.5 How to gain reputation power

• You'll gain 1 reputation power for every 120 days registered.
• You'll gain 1 reputation power for every 450 posts.
• You'll gain 1 reputation power for every 70 reputation points earned.

§3.3 Thanks

• Thanks is a system that was implemented to help the users show their gratitude.
• You can give thanks by clicking the icon below a users post.
• Thanks can be given for just about anything.
• Thanks are to be used when you're grateful for a post but you do not deem it worthy of receiving reputation points.

§3.4 Responsibility

• It is your own responsibility to not abuse the reputation system.
• If you abuse the reputation system you'll be banned from using it ever again.

§4 Trading

§4.1 General trading facts

• If you wish to trade you should go to proper trading section (Neo trading section for Neopets stuff etc.)
• You can create a thread specifying what you're trading.
• You can search for threads that'll satisfy your trading needs.
• Only trade with people you trust.
• Don't trade if you feel like you're being ripped off.

§4.1.1 Trading limitations

• Only Level 2 and up are allowed to sell stuff for real money.
• Only Level 2 and up are allowed to ask for loans of any sort (virtual money, virtual items, real money and so on).
• Any level can sell their stuff in return for another member to give them a paid subscription here at DZ.

§4.1.2 When creating a thread

• You're required to select a prefix for your thread. This prefix has to match whatever you're selling in your thread.
• You should choose a posticon that matches what you wish to do:
  • When buying something:
  • When selling something:
  • When trading in general (item switch or both selling and buying:
• Make sure the title clearly states what is being traded.
• Make sure the content of the thread is showing exactly what is being traded.
• Price check threads should go in the spam section (Neopets price checks should go in the Neo spam section).

§4.1.3 When posting in a trade thread

• You're not allowed to post messages such as:
  • PM'ed
  • HB Added
  • AB Added
  • HB Updated
• Don't post unless you're taking part of the trade.
• No "good luck" posts.

§4.2 How to trade

• The lowest ranked member has to go first unless the higher levelled member is willing to go first.
• If the rank is the same then the member with the least unique positive trade ratings will have to go first.
• Keep logs of everything that's being done while trading.
• Take screenshots of your conversations.
• Make sure that a thread is created here at DZ and that it is possible for the staff to see that you and the other member has agreed to trade (which means off-site trading is your own darn problem if you get scammed).
• More information about the basic trading rules and some facts can be found here: http://darkztar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157
• Be sure to read the stickies in the trading section, they're very helpful and very informative.

§4.3 When the trade is done

• When the trade is done whether it being successful or not, a trade rating should be given
• To give a trade rating, go to the thread where the trade was advertised and below the member you've been trading with posts, this icon should be visible, click it.
• Fill out the form you're being taken to.
• It's really easy to use the trade rating system and it only takes second to do it.
• Use it every time you trade for your own good.
• More information about the trade rating system can be found here: http://darkztar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36798

§4.4 Middlemen

• Some of the trusted users at the site offer their service as a middleman.
• It's recommended to use a middleman if you do not fully trust the user you're trading with.
• A list of middle men can be found here: http://darkztar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87471
• A more in-depth guide on how to use middlemen can be found here: http://darkztar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113144

§4.5 Scammers

• Unfortunately people scam.
• Any sort of scamming is prohibited.
• In case you get scammed then gather ALL your evidence and make a thread in the Scamming Investigations Forum.
• Be sure to read THIS before making your thread.
• The staff will then investigate your scamming case and do our best to resolve your problem.

§5 DarkZtar Gold

§5.1 General DarkZtar Gold facts

• DarkZtar Gold is abbreviated as DZ Gold or DZG.
• DZ Gold is owned by DarkZtar.com and may not be sold for real money by anyone else but the owner of DarkZtar.com.
• DZ Gold may not be used to trade with outside of DZ, all trades involving DZ Gold must take place on DarkZtar.com.
• Anyone found to be using DZ Gold in an inappropriate way will be infracted.

§5.2 Earning DZ Gold

• Logging in each day and posting at least once ~ 10 DZ Gold
• Celebrating your birthday by visiting DarkZtar ~ 1000 DZ Gold
• Posting a new thread ~ 1 DZ Gold (some forums excluded) + 0.01 DZ Gold per word in the thread
• Replying to a thread ~ 0.5 DZ Gold (some forums excluded) + 0.01 DZ Gold per word in the post
• Applying a descriptive tag to a thread ~ 0.05 DZ Gold
• Referring a member ~ 250 DZ Gold (member has to become Level 1 for DZ Gold to be rewarded)

§0 Last Notes

§0.1 Neopets.com

• NEOPETS, characters, logos, names and all related indicia are trademarks of Neopets, Inc., © 1999-2010. © denotes Reg. US Pat. & TM Office. All rights reserved.
• Any person that is affiliated with Neopets.com has to leave the site immediately.
• We do not utilize Neopets.com coding in anyway nor do we claim anything that is owned by Neopets as our own.
• DarkZtar.com is in no way affiliated with Neopets.com.

§0.2 Responsibility

• By surfing DarkZtar.com you agree:
  • That you take full responsibility for your actions whilst using this site.
  • That you will not access the site if you are in any way affiliated with Neopets Inc. This includes, but is not limited to; being a Neopets Inc staff member, a family member or friend of a Neopets staff member, or any other person related to the Neopets Inc website.
  • That you fully understand that DarkZtar.com is not affiliated with the Neopets, Inc. website
  • That giving information about DarkZtar.com to Neopets Inc. is not allowed, and is a bannable offence. Proceedings may be brought against any individual or organization found to be doing this.
  • That all programs and software available on DartZtar.com is for information and educational purposes only.
  • That when downloading and executing software from this site, you take full responsibility for whatever you do with it, and may not make any claim on DarkZtar.com, or it's staff for any losses incurred.
  • That you clearly understand that anything Neopets related found on this site is the property of Neopets Inc and not anyone else.
• Whatever you might see on this site is your own responsibility. We've done our best to keep any offensive content hidden in a locked forum where you have to ask for permission before you can see its content.

More to come!