PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST: FORUM RULES, GUIDELINES AND FEATURES

Andrew · 28th March 2005, 02:14 AM

The rules have been amended. The posting of photos in active auctions is no longer permitted, for any purpose.

The moratorium on discussion of active auctions is now complete.

Also, please do not engage in discussion of the Forum Rules in public threads.

EDIT: Please note the penalties for violation of the active auction prohibition:

1st offense: 10 day ban
2nd offense: 30 day ban
3rd offense: Permanent ban

Andrew · 23rd May 2005, 04:44 PM

We are a diverse group, with varied degrees of experience, education and interest. As a result, not everyone is here for the same reasons, nor is everyone interested in participating in the same fashion. There is room here for nearly everyone, however.

It is unrealistic to expect the general membership to accept statements of fact presented as authoritative with no qualification or reference. Likewise, it is unrealistic to expect members to reference with citations every casual comment or post.

A middle ground can and should be reached.

Let's not forget that this is an internet discussion board. Part of the enjoyment we get from this forum is the ability to discuss things in a casual, relaxed environment. However, a great deal of information is disseminated here, and care should be taken to preserve the integrity of that information, lest we, like many areas of the web, perpetuate misinformation.

No one should feel uncomfortable requesting supporting references or qualification, nor should anyone be upset when so asked.

Finally, if you find that a particular member's posting habits continually irritate you, simply place them on your "ignore" list. This will prevent you from seeing that individuals posts completely.

Added by Mark:

To add someone to your "ignore" list, click on the user's name to the left of one of their posts and select "view public profile," or locate the user's profile via the search feature. Click on "Add <user> to Your Ignore List" on the green banner located near the top of the profile. Voila! Now posts by that user will not show up when you view the forum, unless you search for them.

Andrew · 9th June 2005, 04:52 AM

Please note the revised language regarding the "fair use" of otherwise copyrighted materials:

Quote:

Posting or uploading pictures or other attachments copyrighted by a person other than yourself, without the owner’s explicit permission, is expressly forbidden by Vikingsword, when done for commercial use. However, such materials may be used for purposes of academic discussion or research. In such situations it is recommended that attribution, citations or credit be provided.

Andrew · 16th January 2006, 03:18 AM

Pleased be advised an exception has been made to the prohibition against posting links/information about active auctions.

It is permissible to post such information about your own auctions in a Swap Forum thread.

Lee · 17th July 2008, 07:53 PM

New members are encouraged to read the FAQ for explanations of how this forum works.

Rick · 28th July 2008, 11:40 PM

Pushing this to the top .

Lee · 2nd July 2009, 02:38 PM

In switching to manual registrations, access to some of the older rules was inadvertently lost which has led to some confusion about policies. I apologize for this situation and have begun work on a new rules and policies page.

I had participated in a since deleted (it degenerated into criticism of another forum community) thread about a member here being banned elsewhere for linking to a discussion here. Here are some attempts at clarification from that thread:

There is no rule here prohibiting links being posted in these forums to previous and or ongoing discussions of the same or a related item in another forum community. Indeed, links to other relevant discussions on the web are to be encouraged as are citations of relevant printed literature...

Most of the rules here follow common sense sufficiently closely that most reasonable persons will not transgress them even if they have not bothered to read what they are. A repeatedly demonstrated exception is the rule ensnaring the most 'innocent' forum members, specifically the one prohibiting discussion of items presently for sale in the market, particularly items in the process of auction. Trying to resolve questions about a pondered purchase by posting pictures from an auction seems innocent enough. However, this may lead to expression of opinions, correct or incorrect, which may be deemed to unduly interfere with commerce and potentially create liability not only for the posters but also for myself as forum operator. I do not like this rule, but I do not make the law. Would I not be most foolish to ignore legal advice intended for my own protection?

Except for very general discussions about the overall state of the marketplace, specific commercial references and links to commercial activities need to stay completely out of the general discussions forums. Why, beyond the legal implications above? Because, while deal-making and horse-trading is very much a critical central part of any collecting activity, it is also largely antithetical to the spirit of sharing of information, as knowledge gives advantage in such negotiations. And freely sharing knowledge about ethnographic arms and armour in good faith is what these forums have been created to facilitate.

28th March 2005, 02:14 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	The rules have been amended. The posting of photos in active auctions is no longer permitted, for any purpose. The moratorium on discussion of active auctions is now complete. Also, please do not engage in discussion of the Forum Rules in public threads. EDIT: Please note the penalties for violation of the active auction prohibition: 1st offense: 10 day ban 2nd offense: 30 day ban 3rd offense: Permanent ban Last edited by Andrew; 23rd May 2005 at 04:25 PM.

23rd May 2005, 04:44 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Tolerance We are a diverse group, with varied degrees of experience, education and interest. As a result, not everyone is here for the same reasons, nor is everyone interested in participating in the same fashion. There is room here for nearly everyone, however. It is unrealistic to expect the general membership to accept statements of fact presented as authoritative with no qualification or reference. Likewise, it is unrealistic to expect members to reference with citations every casual comment or post. A middle ground can and should be reached. Let's not forget that this is an internet discussion board. Part of the enjoyment we get from this forum is the ability to discuss things in a casual, relaxed environment. However, a great deal of information is disseminated here, and care should be taken to preserve the integrity of that information, lest we, like many areas of the web, perpetuate misinformation. No one should feel uncomfortable requesting supporting references or qualification, nor should anyone be upset when so asked. Finally, if you find that a particular member's posting habits continually irritate you, simply place them on your "ignore" list. This will prevent you from seeing that individuals posts completely. Added by Mark: To add someone to your "ignore" list, click on the user's name to the left of one of their posts and select "view public profile," or locate the user's profile via the search feature. Click on "Add <user> to Your Ignore List" on the green banner located near the top of the profile. Voila! Now posts by that user will not show up when you view the forum, unless you search for them. Last edited by Mark Bowditch; 29th June 2005 at 03:39 PM. Reason: Added "How to Ignore" instructions

16th January 2006, 03:18 AM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Auction Policy Exception Pleased be advised an exception has been made to the prohibition against posting links/information about active auctions. It is permissible to post such information about your own auctions in a Swap Forum thread.

17th July 2008, 07:53 PM	#5
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	"My post does not show up" or "Why can't I post?" New members are encouraged to read the FAQ for explanations of how this forum works.

28th July 2008, 11:40 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Pushing this to the top . Last edited by Rick; 29th July 2008 at 12:49 AM.

2nd July 2009, 02:38 PM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	A few deleted clarifications and musings restored In switching to manual registrations, access to some of the older rules was inadvertently lost which has led to some confusion about policies. I apologize for this situation and have begun work on a new rules and policies page. I had participated in a since deleted (it degenerated into criticism of another forum community) thread about a member here being banned elsewhere for linking to a discussion here. Here are some attempts at clarification from that thread: There is no rule here prohibiting links being posted in these forums to previous and or ongoing discussions of the same or a related item in another forum community. Indeed, links to other relevant discussions on the web are to be encouraged as are citations of relevant printed literature... Most of the rules here follow common sense sufficiently closely that most reasonable persons will not transgress them even if they have not bothered to read what they are. A repeatedly demonstrated exception is the rule ensnaring the most 'innocent' forum members, specifically the one prohibiting discussion of items presently for sale in the market, particularly items in the process of auction. Trying to resolve questions about a pondered purchase by posting pictures from an auction seems innocent enough. However, this may lead to expression of opinions, correct or incorrect, which may be deemed to unduly interfere with commerce and potentially create liability not only for the posters but also for myself as forum operator. I do not like this rule, but I do not make the law. Would I not be most foolish to ignore legal advice intended for my own protection? Except for very general discussions about the overall state of the marketplace, specific commercial references and links to commercial activities need to stay completely out of the general discussions forums. Why, beyond the legal implications above? Because, while deal-making and horse-trading is very much a critical central part of any collecting activity, it is also largely antithetical to the spirit of sharing of information, as knowledge gives advantage in such negotiations. And freely sharing knowledge about ethnographic arms and armour in good faith is what these forums have been created to facilitate.