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I need some clarification of the rulesFollow

#1 Sep 01 2012 at 7:27 AM Rating: Good
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VI. Linked content


Links to external content require deliberate user action to view, so they are granted somewhat more leeway than images and avatars. For content that exceeds PG-13 guideline levels as defined by the Motion Picture Association of America, please ensure that you include a [NWS] marking (Not Work Safe) in bold red font in your post above the link (for language, excessive violence, or sexual content amongst others) . Please try to limit your links to the "R" category and below. Users are responsible for all content they link.

Extremely objectionable links are not allowed even with an [NWS] tag. All Link content is subject to admin approval and may be altered, removed or edited to include [NWS] tags at the discretion of the administrator.

Section updated: 3/16/2010

VII. Spam


A. Forum spam

Forum spam is defined as the act of repeatedly posting in a single thread, multiple new identical thread topics in a single forum, or multiple identical topics in different forums for the purposes of:

1. Disrupting the site

2. Unfairly padding ones post count

3. Promoting a single idea across multiple forums where one thread will suffice. (i.e. posting the same thread in every server forum, etc.)

Most spamming incidents will result in an initial temporary mute of the account while the extent and content of spam are investigated. Allowances are made for the occasional accidental multipost, server glitches, and content and rate of spam are also evaluated. Unintentional spam, or incidents occurring out of ignorance will generally result in a warning. All other incidents of spam will be dealt with by a temporary or permanent mute or a full ban.


Admin anouncement exception clause: From time to time an admin will need to inform, or request information from, a large body of forum users. In such cases an admin may at their discretion post a thread in multiple forum locations for official purposes.


General guidelines for determining if a poster is spamming:

1. They have more than 3 consecutive posts in the same thread during a short period of time (allowances are made for server errors.)

2. They have multiple consecutive topics in the same forum in a short period of time

3. They have multiple copies of a single thread in multiple forums. (usually this occurs out of ignorance for the policy and a warning is sufficient to prevent further problems)

B. PM spam

While the PM system does have an ignore function, persistently spamming another user is considered a form of harassment and will be dealt with as such. Forum moderators cannot see the content of your PM’s, so any abuse will need to be referred to a developer for examination directly from the tables. Please use the report PM link to report any objectionable PMs.

C. RMT (Gold / Gil/ Plat/ powerlevel / etc.) spam

The Zam network does not condone or allow the posting or PMing of ads for these prohibited game services or activities. Period. Any user found posting such ads will be immediately banned without appeal.

The selling of accounts, items, services, or anything else game related for real money is not allowed in the Zam forums. If you see a post where someone is doing so, please report it to the moderators immediately. There are a variety of reasons for this policy, but the primary reason is to protect our users from potential scams.

To clarify:

Can I sell my lvl 4 character here? NO
Can I sell someone my spiffy sword thingy of doom for $cash? NO
Can I trade someone my spiffy sword thingy of doom for some other type of spiffy sword thingy? YES
Can I sell gil/gold/plat/game money here for $cash? NO
Can I sell my spiffy sword thingy of doom for gil/gold/plat/game money here? YES
Can I give someone, out of the goodness of my heart with absolutely no strings or conditions attached my spiffy sword thingy of doom on this site? YES
Can I sell my account here for gil? or eq platinum? or any other form of anything? Can I sell my account here period? how about if I just want to give it away? NO
What about my CDs? Can I give those away? Ask for copies? No account, I swear! Just CDs! NO
Can I trade my account for a different one? NO
How about my grandparents? or my little brother? NO


These are the rules on spamming and linked content that I'm being directed to by my signature. I'm not sure which rule(s) I broke. I made one thread about my husband's new novel in the TV, Movie, Anime, and Books forums, and linked to it in my signature.

Here is an instance where a kickstarter account was allowed to be linked from some no-name posters:
http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=22&mid=1336950941291522945

And while I can't find a link without digging too far, I know for a fact this isn't the first "buy my/mother's/friend's book!" link, either. I just want to know what *is* allowed.

Oh, I did find the subsection that added this:
Quote:

E. Advertisement, "special offer" links and deliberately deceptive links

In most instances, advertising is not allowed on the ZAM forums. Advertising requests should be directed to the Affinity Media advertising department. We will allow occasional exceptions for content that is relevant to the game or forum in which it is posted, is not spammed in multiple locations, and is provided as a community service rather than an attempt to make money (Example: someone offering guild web site hosting space)

Links to offers which are attempts by the original poster to garner additional users to bolster their own chances will be immediately removed and the user banned. Click-through "games" which require a user to try and trick people into clicking your link will also be removed.

Posting a forum link with the deliberate intent to direct users to content they are not expecting (via url shortening services, misleading descriptions, etc.) is not tolerated.


Again, just curious as to which rules have been broken. Thanks.

Edited, Sep 1st 2012 8:47am by Guenny

Edited, Sep 1st 2012 1:07pm by Kaolian Lock Thread: "thread degenerating"
#2 Sep 01 2012 at 1:10 PM Rating: Excellent
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The relevant sectionon advertising here is "In most instances, advertising is not allowed on the ZAM forums. Advertising requests should be directed to the Affinity Media advertising department.". The space quest one was probably just missed, and it is somewqhat relevant to that forum anyways being an actual game and all from developers with a proven track record so it would possibly be allowed. Since it was from back in May, I'm really not to worried about nukeing it, though I could if you insist.

The spam one comes into play when you are replying to multiple threads trying specifically to drum up buisiness for that, and also creating new threads for it. It wasn't major spam yet, but it was heading that way. Please see section "Unintentional spam, or incidents occurring out of ignorance will generally result in a warning."

If you would like to promote the book, buy advertising space.

Administrator Kaolian
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#3 Sep 01 2012 at 1:33 PM Rating: Good
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I'm sorry, I just feel like you accused me of not reading the rules, when I feel like I was clearly posting within the rule guidelines. I responded once to the thread I posted (in the appropriate forum) and made a link in my signature. What am I allowed to link to in my signature? Is a blog okay? I see lots of blogs linked, as well as competing gaming sights, charities, other various other products that people have available. I am just curious as to what type of outside content I am allowed to link.
#4 Sep 01 2012 at 1:48 PM Rating: Excellent
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There was also the post in the "I need something to read" thread. also in the same forum. That coupled with the thread in that same forum, coupled with the fact that it was advertising with intent to collect money from the forum was the main issue. A blog link in your sig is acceptable provided it isn't a deliberate attempt to collect money or sell goods. Charities fall under the "Charity donation or emergency information exceptions: In the event that a phone number needs to be posted (such as a donation line for the Red Cross or other similar charity after a disaster, etc) please contact a moderator to ensure the post goes through unimpeded. " clause. Basically we remove them unless they are verified legitimate charities. Competing gaming sites are a touchy area. Basically we allow them if they aren't plastered with gold advertisements or a deliberate linkspam campaign, and as long as they aren't trying to sell our information back to unsuspecting people. All of it falls under the "admin Discretion" general clause. The theory is that the more game relevant information that people can find here, the better, even if it is links to game related items we don't necessarily cover or control. It doesn't always work in practice, and I'm certain that anyone doing a search for exception cases would find them. We do sweeps for bad sites periodically, and the report post system gets most of what we miss, but there are always those less visited sections of the forum that things sneak into on occasion.
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#5 Sep 01 2012 at 1:57 PM Rating: Good
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So, two posts, one week apart, in two different threads, with two different links, is spamming? Or is it the fact that the link was attached to my signature, so it was spammed in all 3800 of my posts over the course of six and a half years? I guess I'm not understanding the rules on spamming, then.

Like I said, I feel like I did my research on what was allowed under normal circumstances, but obviously you like to make special rules and apply them arbitrarily sometimes. So, officially, Kickstarter.com links are not allowed? You should probably put that in the forum rules then, because when an admin moved the Spacequest one to the appropriate forum, I assumed that it was allowed.

Anyway, thanks for the "clarification".
#6 Sep 01 2012 at 2:05 PM Rating: Excellent
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Ok I can see we're done here then.
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