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TechSpot Community & Posting Guidelines

Last updated: November 20, 2011

With over 4 million readers coming to TechSpot every month, we've seen the need of setting a number of rules and guidelines that will help new and regular members co-exist and communicate in the best manner.

User comments and our community forums constitute an integral part of the site and as such we expect members to use their best judgment and common sense when posting.

The golden rule that will keep you in good standing within our community is respect.

• Terms of service agreement must be respected in full.

• Criticize ideas, not people. We won’t stand, nor support personal flaming.

• Respect the privacy of others. Do not post others' personal information without their express permission.

• Each member is entitled to have only one forum account and must provide a functional e-mail address (not made public unless you've agreed to).

• Moderators are entitled to make good use of their judgment in moderation. Furthermore, moderators are forum authorities and should be treated with respect. They are all voluntary helpers within the community.

• Use descriptive subject lines and research your post. Posting generic titles like: "I need help" or "I have a problem" may be deleted by moderators regardless of the content of the post.

• Make sure you are posting in the correct board.

• No SHOUTING allowed!!! That is, posting IN ALL CAPS or with excessive exclamation marks (!!!). It's rude and annoying, and if you do it, your post will be removed.

• Use the search function. Before posting any new messages make sure the topic you are interested has not been discussed just recently, you can choose the search feature from the forum menu which will take you to previously posted information.

• Avoid double posting. Make good use of the 'Edit' function and do not “reply to yourself” in a same thread unless it's completely necessary.

• Keep your posts clean: Excessive foul language is likely to get moderated or get you banned. Same applies for shouting (read above).

• Avatars – We allow up to 70x70 pixels images, avatars fall under the same guidelines as printed text. Please no animated avatars.

• Signatures – You can include with your messages a small signature, quote or slogan, please try to keep your signature less than 2 lines long. Furthermore, the signature space is the place to sign off and not within each of your posts.

• English posts only – This is an English-only forum. For any other languages please look for a more appropriate site. For Spanish you can visit TS en Español.

• No spam, no warez, no pornography, no advertisements.

TechSpot OpenBoards Titles

When you register in our community you will receive a "newcomer" title that will be automatically updated as you increase participation.

Here is a reference list of the different titles available:

• Newcomer in training: First title new users receive.

• TechSpot Member: Registered members with 30+ posts.

• TechSpot Enthusiast: Registered members with 150+ posts.

• TechSpot Booster: Registered members with 350+ posts.

• TechSpot Addict: Registered members with 650+ posts.

• TechSpot Maniac: Registered members with 1000+ posts.

• TechSpot Guru: Registered members with 1500+ posts.

• TechSpot Evangelist: Registered members with 2000+ posts.

• Your custom title: Registered members with 3000+ posts and at least 2-year membership.

A second tier of titles is given manually on a per-user basis, usually based on merit and seniority.

• TS Special Forces & TechSpot Elite: These two titles are reserved for our moderators and staff members, respectively. Moderators keep the boards clean from spammers, and otherwise undesired users. Feel free to bring any administrative questions to our attention in the Site Feedback forum, we'll be glad to assist you.

• TechSpot Paladin: “A strong supporter or defender of a cause”. In order to qualify for the Paladin title, a user must have been registered to the forums for at least 1 year and must have remained in good standing. It’s not guaranteed you will be given the Paladin title by just fulfilling these requirements however.

• TechSpot Chancellor: In order to qualify for this title, the user must have been registered to the forums for at least 2 years and must have remained in good standing. It’s not guaranteed you will be given the Chancellor title by just fulfilling these requirements however.

• TechSpot Ambassador: In order to qualify for this title, a user must have been registered to the forums for at least 3 years and must have remained in good standing. It’s not guaranteed you will be given the Ambassador title by just fulfilling these requirements however.