Forum Rules

Registration to this forum is free. We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below. If you would like to cancel the registration, click here to return to the forums index.

Introduction

The post titled ‘Overview of Rules’ should be read in conjunction with this post, and should be considered an integral part of the Rules. Although we include below some specific rules, these are not exhaustive. Use them as a guide, from which you should be able to judge for yourself what is, or is not, acceptable. Common sense will go a long way.

Rules, and guide to good/bad practice on the forums

By registering on these forums you agree to these rules, and warrant that you will not post any material:

1. that is threatening, obscene, indecent, pornographic, liable to incite racial or religious hatred or sectarianism, menacing, libellous, or in breach of privacy; or

2. which constitutes or encourages conduct that would be considered a criminal offence, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise be contrary to UK law; or

3. which is technically harmful (including, without limitation, computer viruses, logic bombs, Trojan horses, worms, harmful components, corrupted data or other malicious software or harmful data).

4. that links to other websites containing material noted above.

5. It’s impractical to define precisely some of the terms in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. However, the spirit of the rules should be obvious from this document. If you aren’t sure something is acceptable, you’re probably right, so don’t post it. In broad terms, anything of a nature that may typically be read in national newspapers will be acceptable.

6. You can easily make your point in posts without challenging the finer definitions of forum Rules. If you take a chance with the Rules, accept that you’re taking a risk of disciplinary action. There’s no need. Stay away from the edge.

7. You may only register one user name. Multiple user names are not allowed. As elsewhere, use common sense - all language-related rules also apply to usernames, and possibly more so (see Rule 12).

8. Keep banter and inter-club rivalry as just that, banter. Unnecessary aggression, including personal abuse, is not acceptable, particularly if directed towards an individual forum user. This will be regarded as a major offence, and will be penalised – up to and including a lifetime ban from the forums. Please recognise that words meant in jest may not be seen that way by other users, or in a different context, so don't risk misunderstandings.

9. It’s a football forum. Politics and religions discussions are not considered appropriate except where it impacts directly on local football, or unless we open a forum specifically for them. If you can't respect other people's religion or politics, please keep that to yourself. If you have strong religious or political views, please keep those to yourself too. Sorry, but this isn't the place for them.

10. Languages: To ensure forum content stays within the Rules, all Moderators must be able to understand it. While people of all nationalities and cultures are welcome here, we ask that you post only in the dominant language in our location, which is English. As before with common sense - we aren't trying to stop the occasion quote of a common Gaelic expression for example, but if you post a couple of sentences of Klingon you can expect it to be edited.

11. Bad grammar and spelling are acceptable. Nokia-speak is not.

12. Swearing: commonly used swear words are acceptable, but under the following strict circumstances:

a) at least two letters in the word must have been replaced with a *

b) it must not be an insult directed towards another user

Swear words may NOT be used by splitting the word, rearranging the letters, substituting letters. or similar tricks. They MUST be 'masked' with *, and by no other method. Any posts containing swear words which do not meet the acceptable standard is liable to editing, with the user receiving a warning.

Any posts containing swear words which do not meet the acceptable standard is liable to editing, with the user receiving a warning. What is considered 'swearing'? It's hard to define, but we feel 'feck', 'arse', 'balls' (for example) are ok, but anything worse is not. As in paragraph 5 above - if you aren't sure, don't post it (or mask it with *).

13. Any commercial or charitable advertising must be approved BEFORE posting, or using it in any form of Signature. Send details by email to webmaster@irishleaguesupporters.com for approval. If permission is not requested then that thread/signature may be deleted without warning. Any attempt to bypass this rule by 'hiding' links WILL result in disciplinary action, up to and including a ban.

14. Signatures are not permitted, including any letters or text added manually at the end of every post. Signatures have been disabled in User Profiles.

15. Do not post personal information (yours or anyone else’s). This includes photographs of people where you also post their name or other means of identifying them, either by their real name or ILS username. Subject to other Rules relating to content, you may post publicly accessible images, or links to those, but you may not add any identication information that is not already in that image or link. If you want people to get in touch, ask them to send you a PM. Note: NEVER post images of children, unless that specific image has already been published by reputable local press, or you have the permission of their parent/guardian.

16. Double posting: unless there is a good reason for multiple copies, post a question only in the most relevant forum.

17. Do not 'hijack' threads by posting off-topic. It's reasonable for users to expect a thread to broadly follow the original topic.

18. No 'hunting in packs'. If you have a point to make that's great, but make it yourself.

19. Don’t bore other users with personal conversations which can be conducted via the PM system or instant messenger such as MSN.

20. If you quote official documents, press releases, or statements please refer to the source.

21. Any complaint about the content of another user's posts must be raised only through the 'Report post' feature (the little warning triangle under the username). Any query about moderating actions (e.g. posts that have been edited or moved, user ban, etc.) must be raised only by the Member involved and only by using the Appeals Procedure. These must NOT by raised by posting in public forums, or by any other means, as there is no guarantee that the issue will be noticed by Mods or Admin in that case.

22. Repeat offences are liable to attract progressively more serious warnings.

23. If a Moderator feels a post or debate is moving into problematic areas, they’ll ask people to step back a little, or edit/remove posts, or close the thread (giving a reason). Someone has to draw those lines, and it is the responsibility of the site admins to do it. Any restrictions imposed are unlikely to prevent users from making relevant points on the core subjects of these forums, i.e. local football. So, while you may disagree with such a request, it will be made for a reason and you are asked to respect that.

Disclaimers:

1. Anything published on Irish League Supporters is, to the best of our knowledge, with the consent of the copyright holder. Should we receive a complaint regarding any particular item we will investigate, and the content removed during the investigation. Users may be subject to action up to and including a ban if they knowingly or repeatedly post material that is proven to be in breach of copyright.

2. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that any advice or suggestions offered in the forums by any user is safe and appropriate for your circumstances.

3. Privacy: Irish League Supporters will not use or distribute any information about users except to the minimum extent required to manage the forums, or where required by law. You should be aware that if required by law, and only if required by law, any information may be extracted from the database, including contents of posts or Private Messages, and/or data that may help identify a user.

4. Although the administrators and moderators of Irish League Supporters will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views or position of Irish League Supporters or any other person or organisation including their team, club, governing body or employer. Neither the owners, administrators, nor moderators of Irish League Supporters will be held responsible for the content of any message.

5. Irish League Supporters reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason, or to warn, restrict access, or ban any user who they feel has contravened these conditions or for any other reason.

6. These Rules may be updated from time to time. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with current Rules.