:: #Goth Rulebook ::

Rules of Conduct

• The OP is always right!
  With this we dont mean to set a tirannic regime, but we do not believe that the decisions of the channel ops should be questioned in channel. We believe that our ops do act according to their proper judgement and this makes their decision - whether it's a warning, kick or ban - justified. If however, you feel the op in question abused his or her position or have questions about the decision, address the op or channel management about in IN PRIVATE. The channel is meant for general talk, it's not a debate club for which ban or kick is justified or not. Anyone that does decide to bring the discussion in the channel is liable to be kicked and even banned if the person persists.
  Level of offense: Major.
• Respect. Everyone must respect the other people in channel, newbies, regs and ops. If we find that a person has been insulting, threatening or harrassing another chatter in a serious way, he or she will be kicked.
  Level of offense: Medium.
• Don't repeat yourselves. People have to understand most of us are smart enough to read things once and understand what they mean. Typing 5 times the same thing floods and becomes pretty unnoying.
  Level of offense: Medium.
• No caps. Shouting is not a nice way to talk. Emphasize something if you feel the need to, typing an entire line in caps is not emphasizing though.
  Level of offense: Minor.
• No Flooding. We know at times we all have fast fingers and press enter too much while typing, but 7 lines with just one smiley per line is too much.
  Level of offense: Medium.
• Colours.Use a colour if you wanna spruce something up if you really feel the need to, but typing in pink (or any other damn flashy colour for that matter) is very annoying. The same goes for those multi-lined colour pop ups. If you want to outstay your welcome in the channel in a matter of seconds, this is a good way.
  Level of offense: Minor.
• Annoying scripts. Some scripts can really bother, specially the ones that autothank for voice or paste the winamp playlist. If you wanna tell people you are listening to the most amazing song ever made, feel free. However, telling the channel every single song can get on people's nerves, so don't.
  Level of offense: Minor.
• Advertising. This is an IRC channel, not a marketing department, we are not interested in whatever you are trying to advertise, we don't care if it's a new channel, a new website, whatever...we don't care, get over it or get out. We'll definately help you if you can't find the exit. Informing people about a funny cartoon, a user's photo or whatever, is cool though.
  Level of offense: Medium.
• English! The point of the channel is to talk to each other. The best way to do that is talking in the same language. That language is english. We don't mind if you try 1 or 2 words in your native language, but don't overdo it. Don't try to have a conversation in another language.
  Level of offense: Major.
• Take over attempts, exploits, bots and hacking is not something we talked about but i think you all agree on blacklisting and permanent bans.
  Level of offense: Severe.
• Last final point not included is killing conversations. If all users are having a conversation and someone else starts a convo in the general that has nothing to do with it, and the topic CANT BE SHARED by the rest of the channel, we are entitled to follow the 3 steps rule. For example talking about red ants mating in South America is a topic that would make half the channel silent and will keep entertained just the two nerds discussing about it. We first need to ask those users to take it on private in order to keep comfortable the rest of our users.
  Level of offense: minor.

Degrees of punishment

If you decide to break one of the rules stated above and persist, here's what will happen to you

1. you will get a firm warning from the active op to stop.
2. you will be kicked by the active op to make it even more clear.
3. you will be banned, because it's clear that you have no intention of obeying.

Levels of severity

1. Minor Offense   : 12 to 24 hours.
2. Medium Offense  : 48 to 72 hours.
3. Major Offense   : 1 to 2 weeks.
4. Severe Offense  : an immediate and permanent ban.

Repeating and Multiple offenders

• Whenever a user commits more than one offense at the time, automatically the punishment applied will result the next level of severity, for instance if the user commits a light and medium one, the punishment will be major.
• Avoiding the application of the punishments will result in the application of major punishment