General Member Policy
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No flame wars.
If a thread is starting to get heated Moderators will intervene. Moderators will generally first attempt to deal with issues by posting in the thread with a warning that any further posts that continue on the same lines or encouraging further discussion detrimental to the topic in discussion will result in the thread or post being locked. Posts within the thread prior to this point will be left alone unless deemed offensive. Members are encouraged to use the 'Report Post' function of the forums if you wish to bring the post to Moderators' attention. -
Personal attacks on Members will NOT be tolerated.
Rude, disrespectful, insulting or threatening behaviour or language, whether it occurs publicly or via personal messages, email or other forms of communication, is unacceptable and as is grounds for a warning, suspension or permanent ban. If moderators have an issue with one of your posts or general behaviour you will either be advised via the Private Message system, email or on the forum. Upon notification of a concern you should immediately respond by using the Report Post function or Private Message to everyone in the moderation team, withdraw your public post by editing it and unreservedly apologise on the forum. Members breaching this rule may have their accounts suspended and/or have their posts placed on moderation (moderator pre-approval of posts prior to posting on the public forum).
Try to be helpful to other members- No 'use the search button' or 'use google' type posts will be tolerated. Moderators will delete such posts and issue warnings to Members at their discretion. If you want to help another member perhaps less knowledgeable or possibly new to internet use then do a search yourself and post the relevant link to information to assist the member. -
Public criticism of Moderators and/or public discussion of Moderators' actions is not permitted and will result in account suspension.
If you disagree with the actions of a Moderator or for what ever reason feel the need to question moderator actions, do not raise or discuss the issue publicly - contact the Moderation/Admin Team by using the Report Post function and explain your point of view with supporting evidence. Please remember that often discussions take place out of public view and you may not be aware of all aspects of a situation that have led Moderators to take the course of action that is viewable to the public. Failure to follow this rule will result in account suspension. -
Defamation
Anyone posting on SNA needs to give careful attention to what they say and how they say it. We are not a billboard for defamation of character/libel and we will act to censure those involved in such acts. Not only do you potentially expose yourself in such situations but, you also expose the forum to unwanted risk. Please ensure that your posts and messages are devoid of any defamatory content. -
Recognise that different people come from diverse backgrounds and have different beliefs and practices.
Ensure that all your communications are appropriate and that they do not include anything that denigrates or vilifies or might be considered to denigrate or vilify a person, group or organisation on any basis (gender, race, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status, sexual preference, country of birth, disability, physical characteristic, etc...) -
Recognise that different people may have a different opinion or philosophy.
There are many camps in audio, and many people with different approaches to HiFi than your own. There are objectivists vs. subjectivists, valves vs. transistors, passive pre-amps vs. active pre-amps and so on. Go ahead and discuss these, even debate them to the death, but do not make it personal, stay on topic and respect others' differing opinions. -
Spammers / Trolls and those using SNA to promote their products will be suspended indefinitely.
SNA has a zero tolerance policy on those wishing to exploit SNA's exposure to solely drive a brand or product down the members throats. It doesn't take long at all to recognise these members and members are encouraged to use the 'Report Post' function to assist us in this matter. Advertising information has been made available for those genuine members with commercial interest that would like to be part of the community, benefit from the exposure available, while remaining impartial and enjoying the SNA experience. -
The use of StereoNET to promote websites of a competitive nature is strictly forbidden.
Use of the public forum, email system or private message system to promote or encourage support for websites considered of a competitive nature, or in direct opposition of StereoNET is strictly forbidden and any member breaking this rule will have their account terminated immediately and access to the website blocked. -
Most of all, conduct yourself in a civil and fair manner and nobody will have an issue with you.
We are all here in our spare time to share our passion with like minded individuals; perhaps even make some friends along the way. SNA will do all in its power to uphold this and protect the long term interests of the community. -
Registration and use of multiple forum accounts, anonymous proxy services, and attempting to hide your identity is not permitted.
Members are not permitted to register multiple accounts or aliases. Members found with more than one account in use with no reasonable explanation will have all accounts linked to them deleted.
Members found to be using anonymous or third party proxy services will have their access suspended indefinitely. -
You will not neessarily have the ability to edit or delete your posts.
SNA reserves the right to prevent editing ofposts and its policy on allowing users to edit their own posts may change from time to time and without notice to you. If you really need something updated, Report your post to Moderators with the reason and the changes required. However, the decision whether to edit, hide or delete any content is strictly at the discretion of SNA. -
Copyright.
By posting on SNA you automatically grant SNA and its successors or assigns an irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable and worldwide right and license to modify, publish and reproduce that material in perpetuity without any compensation to you. You also waive any moral rights attaching to the content.
SNA assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in any provided information, software or other data on its website ("materials"). Any materials accessible on or through SNA are provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties. All warranties are excluded to the maximum extent allowable at law. Further, SNA does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within the materials. SNA shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of the materials.
The materials are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of SNA in the future. SNA does not warrant and disclaims any responsibility or liability in regard to system performance, availability, data protection, or reliability.
By using SNA you release SNA and the publisher 'Sound Media Group' from any liability or loss of, or damage to, or errors in, data, information, images, posts, member records, member status or any information you post, upload or which pertains to you. By registering with SNA or continuing to use it you agree to indemnify SNA and hold it harmless from all loss or damage suffered by it, however arising, as a result of your actions or from materials posted by you.
By registering with SNA or continuing to use it you indemnify SNA and hold it harmless from any claim by you relating to your personal information or other confidential information and release SNA from any claims relating thereto.
Use of SNA is a privilege that is allowed in the absolute discretion of SNA. SNA may moderate, ban or exclude you from use of SNA in its absolute discretion and without providing reasons to you for its actions. By registering with SNA or continuing to use it you expressly acknowledge this term and agree that it is reasonable, having regard to the nature of SNA.
Classifieds Forum Guidelines
In addition to these Website Guidelines, a separate set of guidelines are maintained governing the use of the For Sale / Classifieds forums. You can read those here.
Commercial Member Policy
Definition and Rationale
Welcome to SNA, and thank you for joining our community. In addition to the guidelines for posting which apply to normal members, there are additional rules that apply to you if you belong to the industry. These rules apply to you if you manufacture, retail, repair, design, or you are in any way connected to the hi-fi industry and receive income from the industry.
The reason these rules exist is to prevent advertising or self-promotion, as well as minimizing conflict between members of the industry. SNA will not be a vehicle to further commercial rivalries, and a degree of professional distance is expected.
Disclosure
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Signatures
All commercial members are expected to declare their interest in their signatures. A brief description will suffice, for example: Manufacturer of XYZ Audio. You are not allowed to link to your external website, include contact information or use an image in your signature - the right to do these is reserved for SNA sponsors only. -
Avatar
You are permitted to upload an image or logo of your business.
You may post on any topic on SNA with a couple of exclusions.
- You may not start a topic promoting your business or product, nor may you reply to a thread recommending your business or product. For example, if someone were to ask "what speakers should I buy?" you may not answer the question by recommending your speakers. This rule applies to sponsors as well as non-sponsors. The only exception is within the designated sponsors area, and even then only by SNA sponsors.
- You may not denigrate the product of a competitor, nor use SNA to further business disputes. This includes questioning of design choices, pricing, or making any slurs of any kind. It does not matter if you think your answer is factual, e.g. "brand XXX has a very poor reliability record". Whilst it may be true, such statements are not allowed.
- You MAY respond to specific questions about your product, but please keep your answers factual and to the point.
- You may not use the FS/Classifieds section to sell any audio-related gear, whether new or secondhand. The FS/Classifieds section is for private small scale sellers only. It is not intended to be an outlet for secondhand gear dealers.
- Spam and blatant advertising. This will result in an immediate ban for a first time offence with no questions asked.
StereoNET Advertising is cost effective and more information can be found here.
Official Sponsors / AdvertisersSNA sponsors are expected to conform to all the above rules, however SNA sponsors have a couple of additional rights.
- Signature. An SNA sponsor may use an image with a link to an external website in his signature.
- Advertising. An SNA sponsor may advertise only within the designated sponsors subforum, and nowhere else on SNA.
Violation of these rules will earn warnings, followed by disciplinary action if it is felt that it is required. Disciplinary action may include temporary suspensions, permanent suspensions (a ban), or restriction of posting rights unless the posts are manually approved by a moderator or site admin. Some violations (e.g. posting spam) will result in immediate banning.
Sum-up
The rules are not complicated. Unless you are a commercial sponsor or advertiser of SNA, do not advertise, do not denigrate other products, and follow the policy for your signature and avatar. That is it! We hope you have fun and enjoy your stay here.
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Reminder: StereoNET is a free resource provided to you as an enthusiast. Rules exist for reason and it is possible you will not always understand why such actions take place from Administration and the Moderator team. You are welcome to discuss any issue with Administration at any time, as posting publicly will certainly result in deletion.
