Users of any of our sites and forums are required to behave. Any violation of these rules will be acted upon, usually by removal from our family of sites, permanently, at the discretion of our staff. Most of these rules are common sense, but we’ve found it necessary to have the list on hand for both members and staff to refer to as necessary.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. That means that the staff may add to it as rules are needed when someone decides to do something outside the realms of common decency and sense, but claims it’s alright because ‘there’s no rule against it'. In the cases of rules that may be considered subjective (different people have different opinions about what is offensive, for example), please be aware that the administrators of Mediapals.net family of sites have the final say regarding any and all interpretations.

Site Rules:

I. Offensive Language/Cursing

Our family of sites are all ages forums. This means that we do not allow crude or offensive language (including cursing) on the public forums (threads, comments, PMs, etc), including racial terms of ANY kind, regardless of whether they are being used in a friendly context or not.

II. Offensive Content

Offensive content, including pornography or anything ethnically, racially, or religiously offensive will not be tolerated ANYWHERE on the site (including blogs, comments, PMs, etc). This also includes linking to sites with the intention of sharing offensive content with the viewer.

III. Flaming

Flaming is the posting of insulting or otherwise unkind comments toward others on the site. Since we want everyone on the Mediapals.net sites to feel welcome and be treated kindly, we do not allow flaming of any kind anywhere on the site (including blogs, comments, PMs, etc).

EXAMPLE: "You're an idiot!"

This is a direct insult and is considered flaming.

IV. Trolling

When someone posts comments that aren’t specifically insulting, but are designed to make someone else angry or to start arguments, this is called Trolling. Trolling is unnecessary and can lead to flaming and flame wars, which are not things we need on the Mediapals.net sites.

EXAMPLE: "Of course she thinks that. What do you expect from someone like her?"

This is less direct; this implies that the poster believes something is wrong with the person they are talking about and that person is likely going to be upset by this post. This is considered trolling. Trolling also includes any malicious behavior towards other members that might not be considered directly insulting them; this behavior will NOT be tolerated.

V. Spamming

Nonsense posts, posts containing information unrelated to the topic or posts that copy posts above them are considered spam. Posts that are one or only a few words long and emote-only posts may also be considered spam. A good rule of thumb to avoid spam is to think about whether your post answers a question (that has not already been answered, excluding personal questions like "What's your favorite.....?"), brings up a point that hasn’t already been brought up or somehow otherwise adds to the conversation. If not, you are likely spamming.

Stretching the page can be considered spamming, but unless you’re doing it with the intent of annoying people, it’s doubtful that you’d be reprimanded for it, although your post may be edited by a staff member.

VI. Harassment

Continuing to contact someone after they have asked you not to is considered harassment and will result in consequences. Also, please keep in mind that sending multiple profile comments, PMs or posting multiple times in a thread because someone has not answered you, yet may be considered harassment if a person asks you to stop and you do not. This is a forum site, not an instant messenger service and sometimes it will take time for someone to get back to you.

VIII. Advertising

We do not allow members to advertise anything by posting threads about them, here. Also, please do not post profile comments or send PMs for the sake of advertising to people you don't know. Sending links for your friends to check out is one thing, sending mass amounts of PMs and profile comments to random people is another.

If you would like to advertise something, you may do so in your signature, your blog, or in your profile, only. If you are ever unsure about what will be considered advertising that is NOT o.k. please ask a staff member.

VIII. Duplicate Accounts

You are allowed to have only ONE account on each individual site within our family of websites. You may not create duplicate accounts for any reason. Duplicate accounts will be permanently banned and creating them will likely get you consequences.

IX. Illegal Activity and Copyrighted Materials

Mediapals.net cannot allow illegal activity of any kind on the site. Keep in mind that laws in different countries, states, and cities may vary, but the staff reserves final judgement in cases of what is illegal activity. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to post something, please ask an administrator.

In conjunction with this, the distribution of copyrighted materials is not allowed on the Mediapals.net sites. This includes, but is not limited to, games, programs, movies, music and ROMs.

Linking to or otherwise providing methods that allow others to pirate copyrighted materials will result in a ban from the site.

Other Items of Note

Graphic Restrictions:

We expect all avatars and signature images and text on this site to be appropriate and family friendly for all ages.

Restrictions are also in place for the avatar and signature sizes for all members of Mediapals.net sites. These restrictions are to keep threads neat, clean and easy to read for all members as well as to keep the loading time for each thread to a reasonable size.

The maximum avatar Size on Mediapals.net sites, for all members, is 135 wide by 135 high (135 x 135), and the maximum kilobyte limit for your avatar is 150 kb. You may have any size avatar up to this limit and animated images are allowed.

The maximum signature size on Mediapals.net sites differs between normal members, VIP members (who receive the perk of 2 images in their signature for donating to the site) and the Moderating team (who receive the perk of 2 images in their signature for the work they do on the site). The specifications for these are below:

Regular Members:

Regular members are allowed a single image of no more than 450 wide by 150 height (450 x 150). Your signature may LOOK as though it is more than one image, so long as it fits within the limits. You may use spoilers in your signature, but they may only contain text. No other images or music is allowed.

VIP & Moderating Staff

These members are allowed no more than 2 images in their signature and both images must fit within a 450 wide by 250 height limit (450 x 250). Again, your signature may LOOK as though it is more than 2 images, so long as it fits within the limits stated above. You may use spoilers in your signature, but they may only contain text. No other images or music is allowed.

Ridiculous sizes or amounts of text in signatures and spoilers will be dealt with on a case by case basis at the staff's discretion.

Any avatar or signature that is deemed inappropriate or is not within the size restrictions will be changed.

Blog Rules:

Each member of NP has the option of creating their own set of blogs. Since blogs are similar to journals, each writer may decide to post anything they like in their blogs (including cursing, etc) with two exceptions: Bloggers MAY NOT flame ANY other member on NP. Bloggers MAY NOT post ANY material that could be considered pornography. Blogs are solely the opinions of the members who write them and, by clicking on their blog to read it, you are agreeing to read their thoughts, however they choose to write them.

Blog comments are restricted in the following ways: Flaming of anyone on NP in comments and Trolling of any kind is NOT permitted. Foul language in comments is permitted, to a degree. What this means is that if the owner of the blog does not mind, you may, within reason, use what language you wish; the blog owner may remove your comments if they wish. If a blog owner has asked that you do not post foul language in their comments, they may then report such comments to the moderators.

Special Group Restrictions:

Consequences:

Not following the rules of Mediapals.net may result in consequences, which are listed below along with descriptions. Keep in mind that these are not the only consequences that are possible, but they are the most common.

I. Warnings

Warnings will be given the first time (or the first few times, depending on the issue) you break a rule. You may receive a warning from a staff member through a profile comment, a PM, in chat, or even over MSN/AIM/etc. You should consider all warnings seriously, whether they come from mini-mods, global mods or administrators.

II. Temporary Bans

If you have been warned, before, the staff may decide to issue a temporary ban from the site as a way of reminding you that you should be taking the rules seriously. Temporary bans can last anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, depending on the reason for the ban. The staff may decide to skip warnings and move directly to a temporary ban if the rule you have broken is serious enough.

III. Permanent Bans

If you have been warned multiple times and have been issued temporary bans, before, you may end up being banned from the site, permanently. If this happens, you are never welcome back on the site, again. The staff may decide to skip both warnings and temporary bans to move directly to a permanent ban if the situation is serious enough. If you come across a thread, post, comment or PM that you believe is breaking the rules of NP, you can report it to a staff member and they will look into the situation for you. You can do this by using the Report button found on each post (), or you may PM/Profile Comment a link to the thread or post to a moderator.