The following Code of Conduct replaces the prior Rules of Engagement. We feel that a Code of Conduct better expresses the sense of shared community we are striving to achieve on MuSoapbox.
The Code of Conduct applies to all parts of the forum, at all times, unless explicitly noted otherwise.
Spirited discussions are still welcome, especially about games and game staff that you feel are engaging in questionable practices. We even understand that, sometimes, opposing points of view can turn into heated debate. But at no point are users to engage in personal attacks against each other. Personal attacks are anything calculated to demean, shame, or intimidate other users for any reason. Bad ideas can be called out. Questionable actions can be called out. Bad game design can be called out. But at no point should a discussion devolve into name-calling, bullying, dogpiling, or mudslinging for the sake of damaging another’s mental or emotional well-being. If you just want to name-call and vent about fellow users, there are other avenues. We suggest Reddit.
All users, at all times, are to show respect to fellow users in every part of the forum. Remember that every MSB user is a person. People have stories, and experiences, and feelings that differ from yours, and their experiences and viewpoints are valid. Don’t assume malicious intent from a post just because it expresses a viewpoint in opposition to yours. Ask for clarity before assuming the most extreme reading of a post, and respect the spaces that you're in. Posts in constructive parts of the forum should not be read as inviting a debate on a user's personal experience, or inviting users to minimize the experience of the poster. Likewise, users should refrain from posting in more contentious parts of the forum if they are not inviting commentary.
Users may not prevent or discourage others from interacting with other users or engaging in any part of the public forum. If you feel that a user’s responses or behavior are in violation of the code of conduct, bring it to the attention of the admins. If you just don’t want to hear what someone has to say, that’s what the Block User function is for.
Any user, at any time, may ask for private communications to cease. All users are to do so immediately and without question.
Sexual harassment, doxxing, real-life threats, and any form of harassment based on a user’s race, gender identity, sex, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, age, or disability will not be tolerated in any form. If there is a question as to whether something would be allowed, ask. When in doubt, don’t post it.
Posts are to be kept to appropriate areas of the forum. If a thread exists for something, try not to start a new one and clutter the place up. Don’t deliberately derail threads. No spamming, no trolling. This part should be pretty self-explanatory. Again, if in doubt, ask.
Similarly, engage in all parts of the forum in good faith. If you are not a fan of politics, stay out of the politics forum and let those that wish to talk about politics engage there. The same goes for the Debate Team if you aren't interested in lively discussion. These areas are clearly marked. If you don't wish to see a thread, you can set a thread (or an entire category) to 'Ignore'. This will turn off all notifications for that thread or category.
Admins will interpret this code of conduct based on the spirit, rather than the letter, of the Code. Constantly walking the knife-edge and attempting to rules-lawyer this Code of Conduct shall be considered a violation of the spirit of the Code, and punished accordingly.
