By becoming a member of Mazdaoca.org and participating on the
message board, you are agreeing to abide by our rules. As with any rules, they
are made for the purpose and benefit of our members as well as to protect the
best interest of the message board. Please read them and understand them. If you
should have any questions about them, feel free to ask for clarification.
(Vendors, please read the rules information below: "Non-supporting Vendors".)
THE BASICS
These are some basic rules we ask you to follow:
- Please don't post "I'm new!' or "It's my birthday!"
threads. They are unnecessary
- Please utilize the search function anytime you have a "hot"
or current events topic you want to post BEFORE you start the thread
- Only post videos in the "Video Post" thread. Include
keywords in your post so that it may be found via a search
- Do not create threads to attack Mazda OCA site
staff/rules/software/etc. Use PM features or contact forms to do this
- Topics on illegal activities are not allowed (such as: drug
use, insurance fraud, theft, etc.)
- DO NOT create threads to advertise other websites. We don't
pay bandwidth costs to provide free advertising for other sites. If you have a
site you want to advertise, place a link in your signature. Anything else will
be removed. No questions asked.
- Posting pornography, racially or ethnically disparaging
propaganda and/or links to viruses will result in immediate removal. Period.
RESPECT
Mazdaoca.org is a place where we encourage you to be yourself - as long as you
always act with respect for your fellow members. We promise that at Mazdaoca.org
you won't have to leave your personality at the door. We promise to bring
passion to our work and appreciation for our members. We will listen to your
suggestions and complaints, and try to incorporate your ideas in everything we
do.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO POST
If you're new to our community, taking the step for the first time to post
publicly to a message board can sometimes seem intimidating. Don't be afraid to
jump into a discussion. We have a very supportive community that serves up heavy
doses of support, encouragement and enthusiasm. We love meeting new people and
making new friends.
FEEL FREE TO "LURK" AND LISTEN
While we hope that you'll become an active participant and join in our
discussions, you're welcome, of course, to simply hang out silently until you
feel more comfortable posting a message.
TAP INTO AN INCREDIBLE FOUNTAIN OF INFORMATION
Whether you're looking for answers to an engine concern, buying a new set of
tires or ready to install a turbocharger, our members are here to help. Tell
others about your experiences and they will tell you about theirs! Mazdaoca.org
is your place to get the answers you need and talk about the things that
interest you most.
WELCOME NEWCOMERS
When newcomers arrive, say "hi" and welcome them to our growing community. Many
of our community's "old timers" (regardless of age) are a wealth of knowledge
and have much to share. Help new folks "learn the ropes" about how to find
information and resources, save time, and how to get involved with our growing
membership.
AGREE TO DISAGREE, RESPECTFULLY
We invite and encourage a healthy exchange of opinions; disagreements are okay.
If you disagree with a member's post or opinion, by all means, challenge the
opinion. However, any challenge must be given with a sense of respect and caring
for the other person. The real objective of community is to understand each
other, not to attack others and convince them that you're right. Name-calling,
insults, "flaming" and attacks are not appropriate and will not be tolerated.
Agree to disagree respectfully.
DON'T ATTACK EACH OTHER
Because this is so important, we'll say it again: Don't attack others. Personal
attacks on others will not be tolerated. Challenge others' points of view and
opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully ... without insult and
personal attack. Harassing, offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or bashing
communications -- especially those aimed at sexual orientation, gender, race,
color, religious views, national origin, or disability -- will not be permitted.
BEFORE you post a message that is intended to embarrass, humiliate or harass
another person or group of people, stop and THINK first! Harassing
communications are considered to be those that may cause distress,
embarrassment, unwanted attention or other discomfort. It will not be tolerated!
DISCUSSING TOPICS WITH "SUPPORTING" VENDORS
Oftentimes "supporting" vendors or their staff will post messages and replies on
our message board. We encourage our "supporting" vendors to be a part of our
community like any other member. (See "Non-supporting Vendors") However, from
time-to-time members have problems or issues with "supporting" vendors
pertaining to product performance claims, shipping schedules, pricing, returning
phone calls, etc. It is important for all members (and "supporting" vendors) to
understand that discussing opposing views, beyond a point of logical and sound
business principles, offers nothing beneficial for either side. Angry arguments,
harmful accusations or damaging comments will not be permitted. Neither party
benefits when this happens! If you must discuss personal matters (that is of no
interest to members) with a "supporting" vendor, please communicate in private
by phone or email. In all due respect, we remind members to accept that
"supporting" vendors may be biased toward their own products when discussing
comparison products. In turn, we remind "supporting" vendors that members may
have different viewpoints or opinions about their products. Both "supporting"
vendors and members has the rights and freedom to express these viewpoints and
opinions in the open forum of our message board as long as discussions are
constructive, beneficial to other members and carried out in a thoughtful and
professional business-like manner.
NON-SUPPORTING VENDORS
Non-supporting vendors are welcome to participate on the mazdaoca.org message
board and use its many features with full privileges. However, we must ask that
all non-supporting vendors (including agents, dealers, staff, etc.) not
advertise or promote any companies, products or services in any way. The use of
text, logos, images, links or any other means to advertise, promote or obtain
potential business while participating on the message board will not be allowed.
This includes, but is not limited to, all messages, profile signatures or any
other communicative features available on mazdaoca.org. A list of our
"supporting" vendors is available for viewing through the "Supporting Vendors"
link at the top of the page. (For contact information and advertising rates,
please follow the "Advertise" link located at the top of the page.)
Leaders and members of other boards are also welcome to participate on the
mazdaoca.org message board and use its many features with full privileges.
However, as with non-supporting vendors, we also request that you not advertise
or promote your board in any way.
KEEP YOUR POSTS, AVATARS AND SIGNATURES CLEAN
The Main Forums of Mazdaoca.org are a place for PG material only where explicit,
obscene or vulgar gesters, language, GIFs, JPEGs or other graphic files are NOT
appropriate. Message board titles, posts, avatars, and signatures in all forums
that contain anything that is not considered PG material will not be tolerated
and will be moved or deleted without notice! The enforcement and definition of
PG is solely the responsibility of the Administrators and Moderators. (see the
"Off-Topic" forum section below for exceptions)
OFF-TOPIC FORUM
The "Off-Topic" forum is a "members only" forum which cannot be viewed by anyone
except for a member who has logged-in with his or her User Name and Password.
Off-Topic was created for members to layback and relax, within the guidelines of
proper respect to fellow members, to enjoy themselves in a semi-private
environment. The rules for Off-Topic in reference to language "within" threads
are lifted. The rules for Off-Topic in reference to PG-13 type pictures (images)
are that only tasteful modeling or posing type pictures are to be displayed. No
"action" pictures or raunchy/disgusting pictures are allowed. The topics,
language and pictures in Off-Topic may be considered offensive to some people.
We therefore have a "Warning" displayed in the OT Forum's description text
advising of this possibility. It is important for all members to understand the
possibility that opening any posted message or reply in the Off-Topic forum may
display potentially offensive and/or embarrassing images. Therefore,
Mazdaoca.org highly suggests that the Off-Topic forum not be viewed in public!
AVATARS AND SIGNATURES
Avatar image resolution limit is 60x60 pixels and the file size is a max of 50k.
Images are not allowed in signatures. Period. Why? 2 reasons. First - Most of
the time signature images end up being tacky and excessive. Second - signature
images slow down page load times and increase bandwidth utilization. No we won't
allow them in the future. Additionally - do not use font larger than 12pt in
signatures. The preference is 8-10pt but we understand some people "need to be
heard" more than others so this is your concession - 12pt font.
Finally, please be advised that since your Avatars and Signatures are displayed
throughout Mazda OCA, they should not contain offensive or distasteful
language or more than PG images.
CARFAX
Mazdaoca.org is not some place where you can come ask for CARFAX information.
CARFAX provides a very good service for users to look up automobile information
with VINs. If you're seriously in the used car market, go buy an account
yourself. YOU NEED YOUR OWN ACCOUNT. GO BUY ONE. IT'S ONLY $20. Twenty
bucks is a small price to pay when you're looking at dumping thousands of
dollars on a car anyway.
FINALLY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT
Mazdaoca.org reserves the right to remove any post that does not relate to the
topic being discussed or is considered inappropriate on the board. In addition,
Mazdaoca.org reserves the right to organize message boards (or folders) in order
to best serve the majority of our members. For example, narrow-interest or
minimal activity topics may, at Mazdaoca.org's discretion, be relocated to a
more appropriate forum, or deleted entirely. Mazdaoca.org also reserves the
right to prohibit or delete messages that are thought to violate applicable law
or that may be harmful to other members, or the rights of Mazdaoca.org or
others. With that said, Mazdaoca.org does not have the practical ability to
restrict conduct or communications that might violate Mazdaoca.org's rules. Nor
can we ensure prompt removal of offending message board posts. We also reserve
the right to remove your Mazdaoca.org membership should you violate its rules.
Any decision to ban a member for abuse of any of these rules, or for whatever
reason, will be made by the Administrator Team.
Copyright © 2007 www.mazdaoca.org . All rights reserved.
www.mazdaoca.org is in no way sponsored, endorsed or affiliated by or with Mazda
or any of it's subsidiaries or vendors. |
