How to Make Rules?

[Trublu]

How do you guys decide upon your rules? Is there a point where there can be too few or too many rules for a forum? How do you decide consequences for rule breakers?

[joelatics]

I've got rules basically saying no abuse to other members, no impersination of staff etc etc, the standard stuff. Ive also got a bit telling them what to expect if they break the rules, and lots of disclaimers (we have the right to change such and such in individual cases and so on...)

Personally, I cant stand forums with 15,16 rules, especially when it's things like "no using such and such a swear word", and "no advertising in your sig", they're just too picky for me.

KtF
Joe

[ashley]

I think it depends on what your forum is about. If you run a Christian forum, like I do, obviously your rules are gonna be slightly stricter than those of a General Chat forum, which I run 2 of.

[joelatics]

Great point Ash, I allow swearing willy nilly, but when I ran a charity (Fair Trade at my school!) forum, swearing was a bannable offence! like everything in life, it all depends on the situation!

[ashley]

Thanks!

[Blackie]

I agree. I think it all depends on the forum. I do believe that every site needs the basic rules though. The ones you find on any site. xP

As for consequences, nowadays I don't find many warnings for rule breakers. I think there should be, because then the Admin (Or staff) can give a member a random punishment. The rule MemberA break gets 2 days banned, but MemberB only gets 1. Not very fair!

[joelatics]

I give myself loopholes there, I put that 'the staff have the right to give differing punishments for differing cases'!
I should be a soliciter

KtF
Joe

[Jack]

I always start of with the serious one, the breaking of the Terms of Service. Then after that there are general rules to be kept throughout the forum. After those two sections I normally include FAQ into the thread and have things such as; Source Crediting, Signature Sizes and Ranks.

[Pipamonium]

I have generic rules and build on them when the situation arises. One forum ended up with over 30 rules due to so many members being jerkwads and skirting the rules so they couldn't get in trouble.

[Trublu]

Sometimes, it does just come down to adding more rules. Staying as concise as possible is a great thing, but there also needs to be some functionality, and the admin needs to cover their bases from the very beginning, and as problems arise. The other thing I do, though, is go through my rules every once and a while and edit ones that are not clear, and remove ones that no longer seem pertinent.

[Viper ™]

I admit i do have quite a few rules on my board but the rules i have are based on my experience of using proboards and seeing different scenarios on other boards
I see it all part of running a happy but controlled community

Its very rare i get any rule breakers but i dont get harsh about it with them i just simply remind them about the rules and why they are there

I regularly update the rules to ensure they are explained as clearly as i can get them and to make sure any rules i dont have listed that should be listed are added

[rachel]

I try to keep them friendly, imagine, FDR kind of style, dominating, but close to people's hearts.

I usually pose rules dealing with handling people, and people's rights. That's all I do.