=][= Rules of the Bolter & Chainsword =][=

[Brother Tyler]

Welcome to the Bolter & Chainsword!

 

Before participating here, make sure that you have read the following rules; and make sure to follow them when you participate.

The most important thing to understand is the purpose of the Bolter & Chainsword, as expressed in our mission statement:

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

The Bolter & Chainsword exists to help the members of a global hobby community to better understand, engage in, and enjoy all aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby through constructive discussion and the sharing of hobby-related content.

 

The principles by which the Bolter & Chainsword operates:

 

We are all here united by our common enjoyment of the hobby.

We are all here as equals.

The differences between us neither define us nor divide us.

The differences make us stronger as individuals and as a community.

This site, this community, welcomes all hobbyists.

 

All of the rules that follow are built upon the foundation of the mission statement and our principles. Note that many of our forums have additional guidelines (which are also built upon our mission statement), and you should be sure to read them also before posting.

 

• Basic Information (Allowed Content, Restrictions)
• Membership Rules (Accounts, Names, Avatars, Private Messages and E-Mail, Membership Benefits)
• User Groups
• Signatures (Intent, Signature Content, Text, Images, Non-Compliance)
• Advertising
• Corrective Action
• 3D Printing
• Contacting the Administrators

 

These rules are basic common sense stuff here folks and we don't think we are asking too much for everyone to follow them. If you have concerns or questions about any of the rules please contact the forum moderator(s), the custodes, or the administrators.

Thanks!

 

-The Staff of B&C

[Brother Tyler]

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BASIC INFORMATION

 

The site is structured around the current edition of the Warhammer 40,000 game, but all games set in the Warhammer 40,000 game universe are supported here.

 

In addition, while much of the core language used here is based around the core faction of Space Marines for which the site was first created, all factions of the Warhammer 40,000 game universe may be discussed here.

 

ALLOWED CONTENT

 

The Bolter & Chainsword promotes constructive discussion about all aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby. While the most recognizable content is the discussions, the term "content" applies to everything available here, including galleries, downloads, signatures, status updates, etc.

 

This is a public forum that is viewed by members from a wide range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. Please be considerate of others when composing your content (content includes posts, private messages, emails, reports, etc.). Appropriate topics include, but are not limited to:

 

• modeling and painting
• army composition/list building
• tactics and game play
• rules queries
• battle reports
• background (also known as "lore" or "fluff")
• official products (models, games, books, etc.)
• Warhammer 40,000 and Games Workshop events
• fan fiction and artwork
• et cetera

 

RESTRICTIONS

 

Since our intent is for constructive discussion among fellow hobbyists from around the world and across all age groups, there are some restrictions in place to keep the forum a fun and safe place to discuss the hobby.

 

No swearing/profanity

• Anything that can be said via swearing/profanity can be expressed in other terms, often far more articulately. Many words/terms are automatically filtered by the board software, replacing them with acceptable substitutes. Note that the "no swearing/profanity" rule includes all forms and mediums - written, oral (i.e., videos with audible profanity), visual (e.g., graphics with legible profanity) - and similarly includes abbreviations and substitutions (i.e., using alternate characters) as well as obscene gestures.
• If you feel that swearing/profanity is the only way to accurately express yourself, a number of emoticons are available, especially the "cuss" emoticon .

:cuss:

 

No obscenity/pornography

• Sexually graphic content, whether written, audible, or visual, has no place here. Similarly, links to sexually graphic content are forbidden here. Posting obscenity/pornography or links to such content will subject you to summary banning from the site.
• Note that there is room for some material that might be considered suggestive, generally where the followers of Slaanesh are concerned. Examples include some models and artwork (e.g., portrayals of daemonettes). The lines here are highly subjective, however, and discretion is advised. When in doubt, either don't post such material or contact an administrator/moderator first.

 

No disrespectful behavior (trolling, flaming, derogatory terms)

• Trolling is being a jerk on the internet simply because you can. This is typically unleashing one or more cynical or sarcastic remarks on someone else, because it's the internet and, hey, you can (because they can't punch you in the face through the computer, even if you deserve it). Another form of trolling is posting material simply to provoke a negative response from others.
• Flaming is engaging in or deliberately provoking heated argument online, usually involving personal attacks.
• Derogatory terms are generally terms used to insult someone else, often on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, spiritual/religious beliefs, etc.

 

None of these types of behaviors are conducive to constructive discussion. There are going to be times when you disagree with someone and/or when you dislike someone or something, but you either need to express yourself constructively or you need to ignore/stay out of the discussion.

 

You don't have to actually respect everyone and everything, but you must treat them with respect here at the Bolter & Chainsword.

 

Just remember Wheaton's Law and live by it.

 

No foreign languages or chat/"leet" speak

Our members come from around the world and all age groups. The intent of discussion here is for everyone to be able to participate. This site is an English language site (we don't all talk good English, mind you ). Using foreign languages or things like chat/"leet" speak prevent many of our members from understanding, so they are not allowed. We don't expect perfect English, however, so please be understanding. Conversely, be tolerant of different styles of communication. Some of us are simply more blunt than others, and this is sometimes due to cultural norms (especially those of us from low context societies) and not necessarily because we're jerks.

 

No spamming

Spam isn't simply multiple identical posts across the forums, it also includes pointless, off-topic or smart-alec posts anywhere on the board. Remember, the B&C is here to promote constructive discussion of the 40K hobby and anything not contributing to this may be considered spam and deleted. Repeat offenders may also be subject to corrective action for such behaviour.

 

No trading or selling posts

Trading and selling aren't bad in and of themselves, but we don't want the drama that comes when trades or sales go bad.

 

The exception to the above is that members may identify sales/trade offerings via their signatures, allowing follow-on contact via PM or e-mail. The B&C accepts no responsibility or liability for such transactions, however.

 

No intellectual property (IP) violations

We enforce whatever Games Workshop allows with regard to usage of their IP. This applies to all Games Workshop products and subsidiaries. Refer to Games Workshop's website for their IP guidance.

 

Where third parties are concerned, we will similarly enforce whatever they provide with regard to using their IP. Again, refer to their sites.

 

When in doubt, less is better.

 

No software cracks

Whether requested or offered, software cracks are expressly forbidden here. This applies to any form of Warez or illegal downloading of any software, but particularly that related to GW Games will result in an immediate ban on your account.

 

No excessive points values in army lists or discussions

This means that you may not post Army Builder print outs (or those from similar products) or fully detailed points/stats for your army lists. Keep it simple, such as "Chapter Master; Terminator armour, storm bolter, thunder hammer; 285 pts" or similar.

 

No off-topic discussions

We're here to discuss the hobby, not politics, nationalism, religion, social/sociopolitical issues, sexuality or moral/ethical debates (or cars, or sports, or the latest movie, etc.).

 

Disruptive behavior

Disruptive behavior, even when it does not break forum rules, is grounds for warnings and further corrective action. While we welcome constructive criticism and certainly do not expect everyone to love GW, if all you ever post is negativity, off topic posts or anything else that consistently disrupts discussions, then your posts and privileges will be dealt with accordingly. Such action includes the full range of official corrective action, including banning.

 

No threadomancy/necro-posting

If a topic has not had a post in over 90 days please DO NOT post to bump that thread back up unless you are adding substantively to the discussion. Asking when the next update from the OP is or saying "cool" (or something similar) does nothing for the thread. In all likelihood the OP hasn't been on in all that time and won't see it anyway. If you want to tell them "cool" or ask a question about their post then please PM them and wait for a reply. If they then go and "reactivate" their topic then you are free to start posting again. Otherwise we consider this the foul black heresy of Threadomancy (also known as "necro-posting"), and such posts will be deleted in order to let the dead stay where they belong.

 

Posts, signatures, private messages (PM), e-mails, and status updates that break these restrictions may be edited or deleted without notice. If you feel a post is violating the forum rules, please don't put on a tin-moderator-badge from that new box of Cocoa Puffs you just got at the store. Simply use the REPORT button. This will notify all the mods of that particular forum of the issue.

[Brother Tyler]

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MEMBERSHIP RULES

Anyone is able to view and read the Bolter and Chainsword forums. However, registering as a forum member opens up a host of other options and resource utilities for you.

There are a few rules in regards to user accounts that must be followed though:

 

ACCOUNTS

Members are allowed to have only a single account here at the Bolter & Chainsword. If you create multiple accounts and get caught, the most recent account(s) will be deleted. Accounts may not have objectionable names, and account names are subject to change if they throw the formatting of the board off. Also, names that impersonate influential members of the hobby (GW employees, well-known artists, or even the staff here at the Bolter & Chainsword) are not allowed and will be deleted. Further disciplinary action may be taken if the staff think it is appropriate.

 

NAMES

When you sign up for an account at the B&C you are asked to create a DISPLAY name. This is the name that will be visible to other members and will often be the "identity" you establish here. Most characters (letters, numbers, special characters) can be used in both names. Note that spaces can be included in your DISPLAY name (as in mine), so you don't have to use underscores if you don't want to.

 

Think carefully on what you want your DISPLAY name to be. We rarely change a member's DISPLAY name without good reason.

Typical reasons for changing a DISPLAY name are:

 

• Name is too long and throwing off thread formating. This is usually fixed by simply adding spaces or removing underscores.
• Name contains offensive material.
• Name is too close to another user's name. If confusion is caused by your name being close to an existing member's name, you may be asked to change it.
• Misspelling. Sometimes in the rush to register an account a user might hit the wrong key and wind up doing something like spelling Rogue as Rouge. In cases like this we can often fix that with a quick reset of the DISPLAY name. This may not be possible if there is already a DISPLAY name like it on the forums. In that case you will be asked to choose a new DISPLAY name.
• A DISPLAY name impersonates an important person in the hobby, typically a member of Games Workshop's staff (including associated companies such as Black Library and Forge World).

 

Reasons that a name change is usually turned down include but are not limited to:

 

• I'm bored with this name.
• I don't play this army anymore and want to change.
• I named myself after a character who is now dead.

 

PROFILE PHOTOS/AVATARS

These provide members with a means of personalizing their posts, as well as giving other members an immediate visual identifier. Avatars can also be linked from members' galleries (please link only from your own gallery, not other members' galleries) and websites. Avatars are not required to represent the Warhammer 40,000 hobby, but avatars that violate board rules for content suitability will be removed and the user notified. Repeated notifications may result in a warning being issued.

 

PRIVATE MESSAGING and E-MAIL

You can send private messages (PMs) and e-mails to other members of the Bolter & Chainsword. While the board has little control over the content of these messages, you are still expected to abide by the forum rules with regard to content and how you treat your fellow members. Using the PM and email features in ways that violate board rules (including flaming, advertising, etc.) is subject to appropriate punishment.

 

ON GENDER AND PREFERRED PRONOUNS

As our principles make clear, this community promotes inclusivity. Ultimately, one's gender [identity], sexual orientation, etc. are irrelevant and inconsequential. For most members, the persona and identity will be recognized based on a combination of display name and avatar - who a member is on the other side of the screen generally doesn't matter. Members whose names and avatars convey a masculine gender will generally be thought of and referred to by male pronouns, whereas members whose names and avatars convey a feminine gender will generally be thought of and referred to by female pronouns. In cases where the name and avatar don't convey a specific gender, the habit of most members, especially based on the demographics of the hobby community, will be to use masculine pronouns.

Some members, however, have preferred pronouns by which they would like to be called. To facilitate this, members may identify the pronouns by which they would like to be referred via their profile. This choice will appear in the member's profile at the left. If you believe that list is insufficient, please contact the administrators and provide links to multiple credible websites that support your argument for additions.

Members who do not wish to identify preferred pronouns may leave this field blank, in which case it will not appear in the profile.

IMPORTANT: Identification of preferred pronouns is a request. While all members are encouraged to use the pronouns that a member has identified when referring to that member, no one will be compelled to do so. The recommended alternative to using the pronouns that a member has identified is to use the member's display name.

If someone uses pronouns other than those that you have identified, your alternatives are to either send a polite private message reminding the member of your preferred pronouns and requesting that they edit their content, or ignore the use of other pronouns (some members disagree with the non-traditional pronouns and may refuse to use them). Sending multiple/repeat messages is not advised - a member that continues to use pronouns other than those that have been identified probably disagrees with the concept.

In general, use of pronouns other than those that have been identified will not be considered a disciplinary issue, nor will those pronouns be edited [by the moderators/administrators] unless the member that posted them chooses to edit them. Reports about such "misgendering" will not be acted upon unless the use of other pronouns is coupled with other behaviors that are clearly disrespectful (in this, note the difference between disrespect and disagreement). That said, a pattern of deliberate misgendering may be assessed as abusive treatment of other members, resulting in appropriate disciplinary action.

The Bolter & Chainsword is not a battleground for this conflict. The rules and capabilities of the site facilitate the identification and use of preferred pronouns, but not the compulsory use of preferred pronouns.

 

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Membership has its advantages as well, though.

 

Becoming a member at the B&C allows you to do the obvious basics of starting topics, replying in discussions, using the search functions, and making use of the Private Message system. Other benefits also come from registering at the B&C:

 

• The ability to subscribe to content and the ability to be notified of replies.
• Access to the Downloads
• Create your own Gallery.
• Create your own Blog.
• Create and participate in Clubs.

 

The Downloads area is where you can get useful tools to help in the creation of your own Warhammer 40,000 armies, spice up your army list presentations, find fan-developed rules, get new wallpapers for your computer, et cetera. The content of the Downloads area is 100% member-generated. All content submitted to the Downloads will be reviewed and approved by the moderati and administratum before it becomes available to the members.

The Gallery is available in order to facilitate the documentation of your Warhammer 40,000 collection and hobby activities. The B&C offers the ability to host pictures of your Warhammer 40,000 images in a personal gallery. You may only have one gallery, but that gallery may consist of multiple albums that allow you to organize your images. The size of your gallery is limited, so keep that in mind when you are resizing your pictures.

 

The Blogs area is where you can create your own blog for your Warhammer 40,000 hobby participation. While each member may only create one blog, each blog can have multiple projects.

 

The Clubs area allows for multiple members to participate in Warhammer 40,000 hobby interests that aren't covered by individual (sub-)forums. For example, clubs have been created for geographical areas so that members residing in or visiting those areas can discuss issues or coordinate efforts/events that are specific to those areas. Clubs allow for considerable sub-elements, including dedicated discussion forums, calendars, galleries, etc. Clubs may not duplicate capabilities that (sub-)forums provide. All clubs must be approved by the site admins.

Please note that the Downloads, Gallery, Blogs, and Clubs are subject to the normal board rules and are considered to be kept on topic at all times. Content that is not related to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby will be removed.

DONATIONS

Membership at the Bolter and Chainsword is entirely free. However if you would like to donate in a monetary fashion, you can make a donation via the Donations area. The full amount you donate through the various subscription offers goes towards improvements and upkeep of the website.

Your donations help the B&C to bring you more of the content and management systems that you want, all with the goal of helping you to enjoy the Warhammer 40,000 hobby.