Research Microbiologist / Research Geneticist - USDA/ARS

Microbes Forum Rules and Regulations

In addition to all other provisions of the Terms of Use, use of and access to the Microbes.info forum is subject to the following Rules and Regulations.

All visitors can view the forum, however only registered users are allowed to post messages. Registrations are typically processed within 24 hours.

The real-time nature of this forum makes it impossible for us to review all messages or confirm the validity of information posted. We are not responsible for the content of any messages posted or any outside websites or information linked in any message – all messages are solely the responsibility of, and express only the views of, their respective authors. We may remove objectionable messages if and when we deem it necessary, and our decisions on such matters are solely within our discretion.

The guidelines below are designed to clarify various responsibilities of community members (users) here at www.microbes.info/forum/. Please read and become familiar with them.

Forum-wide Rules and Regulations

1. Registration is required in order to post on the forum.
2. Posts are to be made in a relevant forum. Users are asked to read the forum descriptions before posting. Users consistently posting to the wrong forum may be given a warning.
3. Users should post in a way that is respectful of other users. Flaming or abusing users in any way will not be tolerated and will lead to revocation of access.
4. Users are asked to not act as "back seat moderators". If members note an issue which contravenes something in these guidelines they are welcome to bring it to the attention of a Moderator. Only do this if a moderator has not replied to the post within 6 hours. Users who consistently "act" as moderators may be warned or access revoked.
5. Users should remember this board is aimed at a general audience. Posting generally offensive text, images, links, etc will not be tolerated and will lead to a revocation of access.
6. Users are asked to respect the copyright of other users, sites, media, etc. Users linking to or asking for information on such material without permission will receive a warning and their post will be removed. If the behavior continues, the users’ access will be revoked.
7. Users should respect the bandwidth of other users and sites. The use of inline image tags pointing to data stored on third party systems for which the user has not received permission to link to may be removed.
8. Users should post in a way which is consistent with "normal writing". That is users should not post excessive numbers of emoticons, large, small or colored text, etc. Similarly users should not SHOUT or use excessive punctuation (e.g. ! and ?) in topic titles or posts. Users consistently abusing this will be warned.
9. Users should use an appropriate, specific, descriptive title when posting a new topic. Examples of good titles include; "How do I start a batch culture", "I’m having problems with my gram stains", etc. Examples of bad titles include; "Help me!", "My bug!", "I've got a question!", etc.
10. Spam is not tolerated here under any circumstance. This includes offering company services, equipment and supplies, soliciting employment, chain letters, etc. Users posting spam will be warned and their post removed. If the behavior continues, the users’ access will be revoked.
11. The moderating, support and other teams reserve the right to edit or remove any post at any time. The determination of what is construed as indecent, vulgar, spam, etc. as noted in these points is up to Team Members and not users.

Warnings and Bans (Revocation of Access)

1. Users will be warned at least once for a particular offence before being banned.
2. The moderating, support and other teams reserve the right to ban an offending user at any time.
3. Users who feel they have been unfairly warned or banned are welcome to contact the Moderator team leader. If the Moderator team leader feel you were treated badly they will remove a warning or ban. If you feel the Moderator team leader is also unfair you may contact a Moderator group member. However, a decision at this level is final. Contacting Moderator group members over warning matters should be done so as a very last resort ... group members do not want to be bothered unless vital.
4. Any attempt to circumvent a temporary ban will lead to that ban being made permanent. Circumvention includes re-registering under a non-banned username, changing IP addresses to evade an IP ban, registering a new email account to evade an email ban, etc.
5. Permanent bans are a last resort and thought is given before implementing them.

Revised:  March 11, 2016.