The rules of ERT are different than those for most other forums, because ERT is different. Instead of a quick hit Q & A, Experts Round Table is geared to finding detailed solutions with the emphasis on training and teaching. Therefore the rules, like those of a teaching institution, support the efforts of those volunteers who teach.
General
All members are subject to the same rules of behaviour and conduct. However, seniority, rank, and past service to the site carry special privileges. The Mentors, Editors, and Site Builders are evaluated through peer review, and conduct issues are dealt with only at the level of the elected Governing Council; or in its absence the Site Administrator.
Issues of rules violations by regular members are dealt with by the Forum Administrators, Mentors, and Editors. As a member you are here as a guest, and if you violate the rules you will be removed and not be allowed to return. You would be well advised to read the rules, because not knowing the rules is not an excuse for a violation.
If there is a "local rules/customs/requirements" FAQ, Announcement or Sticky in the forum where you intend to post, it is best to read them so you understand what is expected for a posting in that forum. It may save you embarrassment, and a rebuke from a presiding Mentor.
Specific Rules
- Do not post the very SAME topic in more than one Forum, and do not post the same question more than once. If you do, all versions will be deleted, and if you continue to do it after being warned you will be suspended.
- Don't hijack someone else's topic by adding on your own queries. The Mentors and Editors determine the direction of discussions. Open a new topic. If you post piggyback queries or off topic comments they will be deleted, and Mentors have the authority to bar you from their forums. Repeated offences will result in suspension.
- When posting please try to provide all the details indicated in the guidelines for the target forum. If you are requested to post additional information or are asked for clarification, respond in a timely fashion. Failure to participate in your topics will result in a poor or incomplete solution. Failure to participate in your topics on a regular basis will result in you no longer being allowed to post new topics.
- The Mentors control the direction of the topics, and the pace of the discussion. This site is not a substitute for quick answers that you may obtain using a search engine such as Google. If you think a change in direction would be helpful, then indicate that. If you flame, or bait an Editor or Mentor, you invite suspension of your account on ERT.
- If you don't like the solutions offered because the technology does not support what you want to do; that's tough. The Experts Round Table Mentors are not here to use smoke and mirrors to create unstable hacks. If you don't like the solution say thank you and move on to something else. Whining and throwing a tantrum because the universe cannot be re-ordered the way you want it will just get you suspended.
- The Mentors are not here to do your work for you. Homework or on the job projects are your responsibility. It is YOU who must complete them. The Mentors will be more than happy to teach you what you need to learn. They are on this site because they want to help others learn to do things right. If you try to insist on the Mentors doing the work for you, or you offer them financial* or other incentives to do work that you will take credit for; that will be considered unacceptable ethical behaviour, and grounds for termination of your account.
- When it comes to the content and disposition of topics in their forum the Mentors have absolute authority. The Editors work with the Mentors to improve content quality and have the authority to edit, delete, split, and merge topics; and any other action that promotes better quality. If you have an issue with a Mentor or an Editor, then send a private message to an admin. If you start an argument with a Mentor or an Editor in a topic, then the suspension is virtually automatic. It does not matter if you are right or wrong. Arguing with a Mentor or Editor in a topic is the wrong channel for dispute resolution.
- Posting a request or a response to any of the following will result in a lifetime ban:
- Illegal hacks
- Cracks
- Virus, Trojan or other malware code.
- Security workarounds
- Spamming
- Server attacks
- Any activity that is illegal
- Links to sites containing such material
There will be no warnings; no second chances. If you are not sure if it is proper to post what you want to discuss, then send a private messge to an admin for advice before you post. The determination of what is illegal is based on the laws of Canada where the site is operated from. It does not matter what is legal where you are. If it is illegal in Canada it is illegal on ERT.
- You may not post pornographic material; links to pornographic sites; links to gambling sites; or links to sites that promote hate, violence, or violations of the law.
- Profanity, personal insults, and attacks on other members will result in suspension. That includes doing it in a response. If you are the target of a flame and the Mentor or Editor do not act, then PM an admin. Do not respond in kind.
- You may not post links to other help sites or forums unless they are ERT partner sites, or the link posted has information directly relating to the discussion at hand.
- Theft of intellectual property by copying and pasting items from other websites, is unacceptable. The safe way to refer to someone else's work is with a link. The preferred method is to post the link with a brief description of it. When a fragment is posted it must not violate the specific copyright of the material, and the source must be acknowledged.
- Programs, screen-scrapers and other automation that do background downloads from the ERT database are not permitted without specific written permission from the Site Administrator. The use of such items without permission will be treated as an attack on the server, resulting in immediate termination of your account. There are RSS feeds available and more being developed. If you have a feed idea, pass it on to the admins and we will try to accommodate it.
- This is the catch all rule. All activity on ERT is subject to review. If a complaint is received by an admin it will always be investigated and referred to the appropriate level for discipline if warranted. A member may be suspended for the good of the site, if their general conduct and behaviour is unprofessional, and they fail to respond to specific requests for modification of that behaviour.
- ERT reserves the right to refuse access to any person who it finds lacking in the minimum professional standards for conduct.
* It is acceptable to offer contract work or jobs to Mentors, but such transactions should take place via the private message facility or Email. Posting such things in the topics is not permitted.
Posting a topic for the sole purpose of recruiting will result in the immediate permanent closing of your account.
A final note. The rules are in place to try and make ERT an enjoyable experience for everyone. There are many sites on the Internet where volunteers try to help others and are sometimes subjected to abuse. That will not happen on ERT. In any dispute between a Mentor or another member, the Mentor is assumed to be in the right unless clear proof of wrongdoing is presented.
The title of Mentor is not bestowed lightly nor is it easily won. We can debate whether the Mentor title is special because of the people who have earned the title; or whether the people bearing the title are special because their peers have recognized them through the title. Either way ERT is a place for Mentors to teach with freedom of expression and experimental approaches. The rules of ERT are designed to guarantee and protect Mentors; so that they may continue to share their special gifts with all of us.
