<h2><u>BigSoccer Forum Guidelines</u></h2><p> </p><p><b><u>Creating a New Topic</u></b></p><p style="margin-top=5">The BigSoccer Message (or Discussion) Boards use the following hierarchial structure: <em>forum category</em> (e.g. Americas), <em>forum</em> (e.g. Canada), and <em>topic</em> (e.g. Canada vs Mexico).</p><p>When creating a new topic (a.k.a. <em>thread</em>), please take care to create your topic in the appropriate forum. Sometimes a topic might logically be located in two or even three different places. In general, choose the one forum that you think most closely fits your topic. If necessary, you may create a topic in more than one forum. However, it is suggested that you do not repeat a long post in two forums. Instead, place a short post in the second one and refer to the first via a link. Duplicating short posts is OK, but please keep the post limited to two or three forums.</p><p>If you create a new topic in a forum that is obviously <em>not</em> the best choice, your topic may be moved to a better suited forum at the discretion of a moderator. However, this should only occur when your topic has obviously been misplaced. In most cases, you should see your topic in its previous forum with the word "Moved: " in front of it. Simply click on the topic name and you will be in the new forum.</p><p>Moderators, always use the "Move thread and leave redirect in previous forum" option when moving threads. The moderator should send a PM (private message) to the topic creator indicating why the topic was moved.</p><p>A useful moderator technique that does not require moving or closing threads is to allow a misplaced thread to stand, but simply add a message indicating why the topic belonged in different forum, either with or without a warning that the next such topic will indeed be moved.</p><p>Moderators should consult the moderators in the destination forums if there are any doubts about what course of action should be taken.</p><p> </p><p><b><u>Message Board Do's</u></b><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>Do create a new topic if it is different from any existing topics and you believe it is worth discussing (be careful to create the new topic in the appropriate forum)</li><li>Do create a new topic when you think an idea related to a current topic could generate a significant amount of discussion by itself</li><li>Do return to old topics and old threads if they have current relevance, but don't rehash old topics if you have nothing significant to add to the previous discussion</li><li>Do edit quoted text (when using the quote feature) so that only the relevant paragraphs are kept, so that people will know exactly what you are referring to</li><li>Do use the edit function (edit the post, then check the delete box and press the "Delete Now" button) to delete a post you have just made but wish to retract (while within the time limit allowed for editing)</li><li>Do use the delete function (in the lower right corner) to correct, improve, or delete your message (while within the time limit allowed for editing). Do not delete posts that others have responded to unless absolutely necessary (especially if your's is the first post, as the entire thread will be deleted)</li><li>Do ask a moderator to edit or delete your post if the time limit has expired and you believe the fix is important</li><li>Do try to ensure that the information you post is accurate or obtained from a source you believe to be reliable</li><li>Do disagree with individual posters or even with the general consensus, provided you take a logical position without personally attacking anyone</li><li>Do think about whether or not you would say the words you are writing if you were talking to them face to face</li><li>Do remove copyrighted material or links to web sites if asked to do so by the copyright's owner</li><li>Use PMs (private messages) to contact other BigSoccer posters to discuss topics "off-line" when necessary</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><b><u>Message Board Don'ts</u></b><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>Do not create a new topic if the post logically belongs within an existing (recent) thread</li><li>Do not quote the entire immediately prior post. By default, you are responding to the prior post</li><li>Do not make derogatory or prejudicial remarks or attack others personally for their postings (this is called <em>flaming</em>)</li><li>Do not respond to flaming with more flames. Point out inappropriate posts via PMs to the author and/or forum moderator(s)</li><li>Do not post the same message in more than three forums at once, this is a form of <em>spamming</em></li><li>Do not make an inflammatory comment knowing that regular posters in the forum will be outraged, this is called <em>trolling</em></li><li>Do not post the postal address, phone number, or e-mail address of any individual without his/her permission (unless the information was posted in other obviously public places by the individual)</li><li>Do not post any copyrighted material without the written permission of the copyright holder, except where permitted by the <a href="#fairuse">fair use</a> clause of U.S. Copyright Law. You may also post press releases or any material clearly marked as freely copiable</li><li>Do not use profanity or link to profane or pornographic web sites</li><li>Do not respond or take action when you are angry (or at least be very careful when you are)</li><li>Do not post if you are age 13 or under (violates the TOSterms of service)</li><li>Do not post false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law (violates TOS)</li><li>Do not post advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations (violates TOS)</li><li>Do not create a signature longer than three lines (not counting blank lines)</li><li>Do not include embedded sound or music (links to sound or music may be provided).</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><b><u>Moderator Do's</u></b><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>Do ask posters (via PMs or posts) to remove inflammatory material from existing and future posts</li><li>Do remove or replace with asterisks any material that clearly violates the TOS. Use HTML comment tags to remove the text from view. Place a message in the post and send a PM to the poster explaining your actions.</li><li>Do delete a thread if the initial post is a flagrant violation of the TOS</li><li>Do correct errors in links or HTML as necessary (no PMs are necessary)</li><li>Do close a thread if its participants continue to ignore moderator warningsalways state the reason why before closing the thread</li><li>Do replace an entire copyrighted article with a link to the article (if obtainable)</li><li>Do move a thread that obviously belongs in another forum to the other forum. If there is any doubt, confer with moderators of both (original and destination) forums.</li><li>Do remove embedded music, e.g. <bgsound src="somewavfile.wav"></li><li>Do use HTML comment tags to omit text rather than simply deleting it, e.g. <!-- text to be removed from post --></li></ul></p><p> </p><p><b><u>Moderator Don'ts</u></b><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>Do not close a thread unless absolutely necessary</li><li>Do not close a thread because the topic has simply "run its course"</li><li>Do not close a thread simply because it has gotten "off the subject", rather, suggest that a new topic be created to hold the new subject and ask that the current thread return to its original topic. Close the thread if it is hopelessly off-topic.</li><li>Do not close a thread simply because it is a duplicate or nearly duplicate topicpost a message referring to the previously existing topic and ask people to post there instead. Closing duplicate threads is acceptable during times of fast breaking news.</li><li>Do not close a thread without clearly stating the reason why</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><b><u>Yellow and Red Cards</u></b><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>Yellow Card: Indicates a serious violation of the Terms of Service of BigSoccer. It allows one to reply, but not to start new topics. It is shown by BigSoccer when a poster has blatantly and repeatedly violated the Terms of Service of the site and has been reprimanded. It is removed at the discretion of the BigSoccer SuperMods.</li> <li>Red Card: Indicates repeated serious violation of the Terms of Service of BigSoccer. It prevents all posts. The rest of the site remains accessible. It is removed at the discretion of the BigSoccer Administrator.</li></ul></p><p><p> </p><p><b><u>How to Link to Articles (and images, movies, sound, or music) on BigSoccer</u></b></p><p>Follow one of these styles:</p><ul><li>Simply type the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the article, e.g.: <b>www.domainname.com</b> . Be sure to leave a space after the URL.</li><li>Enclose the URL in BigSoccer code: <b>[url]www.domainname.com[/url]</b>.</li><li>Enclose the URL in BigSoccer code (only the article's title will be displayed): <b>www.domainname.com"]Title of Article[/url]</b>.</li><li>Enclose the URL in an HTML anchor (only the article's title will be displayed): <b><a href="www.domainname.com">Title of Article</a></b>.</li></ul><p>To display an image (use sparingly or in threads labeled as containing pics): <b><img src="www.domainname.com/myimage.gif"></b>.</p>
<h2><u>BigSoccer Forum Guidelines, Part 2</u></h2><p> </p><a name="fairuse"></a><b><u>Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials</u></b></p><p><a href="http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/92chap1.html#107">§ 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use</a><br>Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code<br> U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress</p><p>Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 (exclusive rights in copyrighted works) and 106A (rights of certain authors to attribution and integrity), the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:<br><ul style="margin-top=5"><li>the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;</li><li>the nature of the copyrighted work;</li><li>the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and</li><li>the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.</li></ul></p><p>The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.</p><p>See: U.S. Copyright Office <a href="http://www.loc.gov/copyright/fls/fl102.pdf">pamphlet</a> explaining § 107.<p><br><b><u>BigSoccer Terms of Service</u></b></p><p>You declare that you are over the age of 13.</p><p>Although the administrators and moderators of BigSoccer Boards 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 neither the owners of BigSoccer Boards or Jelsoft Enterprises Limited (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message.</p><p>By clicking the Agree button, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.</p><p>The owners of BigSoccer Boards have the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.</p><p>Considering the real-time nature of this bulletin board, it is impossible for us to review messages or confirm the validity of information posted. Please remember that we do not actively monitor the contents of posted messages and are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board or any entity associated with this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately.</p><p>You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board.</p><p>Although this bulletin board does not and cannot review the messages posted and is not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we at this bulletin board reserve the right to delete any message for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless BigSoccer, Inc. and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s).</p><p>We at this bulletin board also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message posted by you.</p><p>Please note that advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are inappropriate on this bulletin board.</p>
Addition: SockPuppets (multiple user name) are not permitted. They will all be red carded, and your master account will be yellowed and, upon repeated offense, redded.
Read the "Don'ts" above...no users 13 or under. If you're 14, you're okay--but your coach should be fired for having you an a U-14 team... . If not, please come back next year. I saw the message in question in the Quakes forum, where this came up.
So who exactly monitors this 14 and over thing? I see people who are only 13 posting just about everyday. Now I'm not saying I think that people should be kicked off the boards. And I'm the last one to scream for more moderatorship. But don't you think it's a bit discriminating to kick one poster off due to age, and then let others the same age post? Is there a way to track this? Maybe set the birthdate as a required field to register but allow it to be hidden? If the age is not right it could deny membership. I'm not saying this to get people kicked off the boards. But I can name one 13 year old that I know posts. They don't bother me. So I'm not trying to get them kicked off. What's fair is fair. If one goes then they should all go. Or if one can stay, let the others stay.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by copyrighted or why you are asking the question, so it is hard to answer. If you wish to copy them, I imagine the answer is pretty obvious...you can't, so yes they are protected.
moderator props, [R] policy First off, I have to give major props to the BigSoccer moderators for keeping the place humming. Each of you are a true fan's fan, and you have my personal thanks for giving so unselfishly of your time and passion. Now on to the [R] policy. I just read a thread where this became an issue twice, as results were indirectly revealed. My two cents: Do away with the [R] policy. 1. As far as I can tell, it's not a stated policy. I just scanned your terms of use on this thread and didn't find the guidelines anywhere. (Apologies if it is posted somewhere, and I'm just overlooking it.) This is a real problem for newbies. And even if the terms were changed so that #14b states clearly what to do and not to do regarding the posting of results, you'd be kidding yourself to think that even half of your newbies were going to read the terms of use in any detail. Did you? I didn't. Probably not the way it should be, but in a busy world I think that's what you should assume happens. 2. The policy is counter-intuitive. Forget for a second you knew anything about BigSoccer. You're back to pre-BS days. Then a friend tells you about the site. You think, cool! Can such a place truly exist? A place for soccer freaks just like me? You hop on your browser, type in BigSoccer.com, and away you go. It's true! You jump right in. You have news to read, opinions to impart, etc. You follow your common sense on message board etiquette. You refrain from personal attacks. You tone down the profanity. Should you discuss the results of the latest game with your fellow soccer-heads? You don't think twice about it. Of course you do. This is BIG SOCCER, after all.... I think you see my point. Regardless of how you address problem #1, you will always be swimming against the current of newbies or the absentminded who follow common sense instead of the counter-intuitive [R] policy. 3. Overall, the BigSoccer community is better off placing the burden elsewhere. How many people want to come to BigSoccer but DON'T want to know the latest scores because they taped the game and haven't watched it yet? A small number. Granted, these are often the vocal diehards. (And frankly, if you're a moderator this may be your own bias.) On the other hand, how many people would prefer to come to BigSoccer without constantly having to monitor that they might indirectly reveal the latest result? How many people would prefer not to be called on the carpet for inadvertently or unknowingly posting a result? I would wager 95% of us, or more. I would propose a simple, obvious policy. Don't come to BigSoccer if you don't want the latest, greatest, up-to-date soccer news, analysis, and gossip. Period. If you taped the game, then stay away until you've watched it, or come to BigSoccer knowing that it's going to be discussed. That's your decision. Don't burden the rest of us with it. Traditions die hard, particularly in the soccer world. But I think this one's time has come.
I'm a little confused. You can discuss results all you want, as long as you let people know you are discussing results ahead of time. That isn't hard to comply with. And the post/reply screens make this clear in RED letters.
I agree it's not hard to comply with if you know it's the rule, but I still believe the rule is counter-intuitive and is not clearly stated. As a result, I think many don't even know about it. I also haven't seen the red letters you mentioned. (I'm sure they're there. The point is just that an average Joe like me hasn't noticed them.) And I still believe you're putting the burden on the wrong people. Sounds like we're going to have to respectfully disagree on this one. I'd be curious what others have to say -- particularly newer BigSoccer users. I also meant what I said about the fantastic job you and the mods do with the site. Kudos all around.
is that okey to post and copy an article in bigsoccer, when you drop 3 or 4 paragraphs? it will be like posting the beef of the piece instead of the link?
I would also like to know why I do not have access to the Premium forums, which I have paid money for to use, considering I'm saddled with this "yellow card".
A global clarification of the [R] Tag OK, this is especially relevant when there are tournaments with other results that matter that might not be referenced in the original subject header. An easy example: A Champions League thread in a Team Forum with an [R] in the header for a certain match. Now, because the thread has an [R] in the header is it "wrong" to post or discuss the result or score of the other game being played at the same time in the same group? Do you see where I'm going with this? I think an [R] should imply that ANY result may be mentioned in the thread, not just that particular match. If the other match needs to end in a draw and my team needs to win, why should there be two threads to discuss this? Thanks for your consideration.
abbreviations Is there a list of what common abbreviations are used on the board? For instance, what is KK?
OK, what's a 'referral'? I tried search, but that just took me to one of Various Styles posts. I've got one. I see Huss has 6 of them, so I'm assuming they aren't a bad thing.
If you tell someone about BigSoccer.com, the person can choose to refer you. For example, I told a friend about the site. When he registered, he typed in my username under who he was refered by because I told him about the site. Therefore, I get one referal. So it's a good thing.