Forum Rules & Regulations

To keep the community forums nice for everyone, we have created a set of general forum regulations which can be found below.

Netiquette

To ensure all of our members are provided with a pleasurable experience on the forum, please keep the following netiquette in mind when posting.

  1. Common sense
    Use your common sense when posting.
  2. Search!
    If you have a question, do not open a topic about it until you have first searched the forum. Many times topics are opened when there's already an answer in another topic.
  3. Spell-check
    Please use a spell checker before posting. Even if your native language isn't English, there are enough tools available online (like the free service SpellChecker.net) to help you type properly.
  4. Punctuation
    Using punctuation helps keeps text understandable and easy to read. Please remember to use it with each post.
  5. SHOUTING
    Please avoid excessive use of CAPS within your posts and topic titles. Using capital letters everywhere DOES NOT make your post easier to read; indeed, it simply makes us not want to help you. Would you want to help someone screaming at you in real life?
  6. Markup
    Please avoid mixing up various different formats within your post. Formatting your text in a proper way for a better overall appearance for, say, a gang's topic is allowed. However, there is absolutely no need to have a rainbow of text with different sizes for each word.
  7. Image size
    Please avoid posting large images. Not everyone is on high-speed Internet, so use images optimized for web viewing. The use of thumbnails (small, low resolution preview with a link to the original file) is preferred.
  8. Bumping old topics
    After a period of 7 days without any new posts, a topic becomes old. Generally speaking, there is rarely a need to bump old topics. You may bump the topic if you have something useful to add, but make sure to apply the first rule on this list (common sense). In a situation where a topic is well over two years old and you want to post something, perhaps making a new topic referencing the older one is the best thing to do.
  9. Respect
    Respect of each other is a must. Make sure to treat fellow members with the same respect you would want to be shown yourself.
  10. Opinions
    Everyone has their own opinion on any given subject. Even if you don't agree with the opinion of another member, there is never a reason to bash or insult them for it. As stated earlier, treat others the same way you would want to be treated.
  11. Mini-Modding
    You don't need to "correct" others when they break the rules. Posting in a topic simply because you see someone else breaking a rule is unwanted and will only hurt your reputation. If you really want to help out, report the post correctly with the "Report to moderator" link.
  12. Stay on topic
    Stick to the original subject. If you want to discuss something totally different, feel free to open a new topic.
  13. Post in the right forum section
    The forum is divided into various different sections with their own subject. Please make certain you keep your topics in the correct board.
  14. Repost
    If a topic or reply is deleted, modified, or closed, do not post the same message again. If you wish to know the reasoning behind the action taken against your post or topic, please send a PM to a Forum Administrator
  15. Doublepost
    If you posted the last reply to a topic and you wish to add something, you can edit your post. If the last reply was over 24 hours ago, however, you are permitted to post a new reply.
  16. Smileys/Emoticons
    Emoticons (otherwise known as "smilies" or "smileys") are used to show a little emotion in your post. You may use emoticons to help portray what you're trying to say; however, using an excessive amount of them is simply not appreciated.

The Rules

Next to the netiquette, there are some rules to follow. These rules apply for new topics, replies to existing topics, and personal messages to other members.

  1. Flaming. You're not allowed to insult any member of this community based upon their possible physical and/or mental handicaps, behavior, race, skin, sexuality or gender.
  2. Spamming. You're not allowed to spam the forums with advertisements, links to websites, or useless topics and/or replies.
  3. Threatening. You're not allowed to threaten any member of this community in any way, shape or form.
  4. Shocking. You're not allowed to post (links to) images and/or videos that could be perceived as shocking. Examples of material that could be perceived as shocking include extreme violence, blood, "shock videos," and the like.
  5. Warez. You're not allowed to post links to, ask for, or offer copyrighted material including, but not limited to: software, games, movies and pictures.
  6. Pornography You're not allowed to post links, images or videos with adult content. Find your porn somewhere else.

Guidelines

  1. Forum Signatures / Advertising
    Every signature must meet the conditions stated in The Rules. The LVP Forum Administrators have the right to modify or completely remove signatures if it violates the Forum Rules.
    1. The total size of your signature is limited to 600px by 150px.
    2. You have 500 characters available, including markup codes.
    3. You may use two (2) images in your signature.
  2. Forum Avatars
    Every member has the ability to use an avatar on the forum. This avatar is limited to 75px by 75px. Members can either select one (1) of the thirty (30) default avatars or choose one of the methods below. Every avatar must meet the conditions stated in The Rules. The LVP Forum Administrators have the right to remove the avatar if it violates said rules.
    1. I have my own pic
      Enter a direct link to the image and be sure to use a reliable host.
    2. I will upload my own picture
      Upload the image to the Las Venturas Playground Forum. This method is preferred, as you don't depend on external hosts.
  3. Gang section
    Every clan or gang can have a list in their startpost with people who are not allowed to post in the specific gang topic. This rule should prevent flaming between gangmembers and keep the gang topic clean and peaceful. If you are mentioned in the list of people who are not allowed to post, refrain from posting in that specific gang topic. If you post whilst being listed in the above list, your warning level will be raised. If this happens three (3) times, you will be muted for one (1) week. If the offence will be repeated even after the mute, you will be muted for another two (2) weeks. Repeating after two (2) mutes a Forum Administrator may decide to ban you. The time will be depending on how much the offence has been committed and the seriousness of the offence. The aforementioned times may be changed by the Forum Administrator if he finds the it necessary to do so.
  4. Las Venturas Playground Forum images
    The Las Venturas Playground Management uses several colored images and membergroup colors for fast recognition by members. You are not allowed to pretend to be a part of the Las Venturas Playground Crew, a Las Venturas Playground VIP member, or Las Venturas Playground gang member. Do not use, alter, or copy these images in any way, shape, or form. This includes, but is not limited to, using them as an avatar, signature, or forum message.
  5. Scripting Showroom
    If you post your own script in the Scripting Showroom please take note of the following requirements.
    1. Include the full source code, not only the compiled version.
    2. Use proper indentation. Bad indentation is hard to read.
    3. Test, test and test your code. Make sure it compiles without errors.

Punishments

Misbehaving on the forums will result in a punishment. Depending on the offense, one or more of the following punishments may be given out.

  1. Messages may be partially edited by a Forum Administrator, with or without notification.
  2. Messages may be completely removed by a Forum Administrator, with or without notification.
  3. A warninglevel may be given. This warninglevel may simply put you on the list of "watched" users, or it could mean the end of your posting for a while.
  4. In the worst case scenario, a Forum Administrator may decide to ban you. The duration of the ban will be up to the Forum Administrator.

Privacy Statement

Every topic and message you write on this forum is publicly available to anyone, including search robots like Yahoo! and Google. If you don't want to have this information publicly available, please refrain from posting. An exception for the public availability of topics and messages include the LVP VIP board, gang boards, and other boards with special permissions.

Every participant on the LVP Forum is allowed to edit his/her own message(s). Please take note that the forum software keeps track of all the changes you've made. The history of these changes can be viewed by the Las Venturas Playground Management.

Various statistics are collected by the forum software and used for the Las Venturas Playground website. This information is also public on your profile page.