Admin Announcement and Forum Rules Changes - Please Read

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Over the past several weeks, we have watched and listened to those who are a part of the online community. While we are not going to go into any specifics, or name any names here, we felt that the time has come to address various concerns that have been brought to our attention.

For many years TGS has prided itself in being a forum where people can come to openly share their thoughts, knowledge and ideas in a mature and professional manner. This goal has never changed. At times this means getting into heated debates, which is fine so long as those participating in the debate remain professional to all members. This is a challenge for all of us.

There came a time in our industry some months ago when some very hot information was posted on TGS. This information escalated between parties and reached a point that caused us to have to evaluate the need for more structured rules on the forums. New rules were adopted quickly. Many users had no problems with them, but some, those who had tendencies to break rules and buck the system took issue with them, disregarding the welfare of the forums, its members or the owners.

The rules were meant to help deter problems, not to create them. As owners of this BBS, we have spent a considerable amount of time and money to create a community that is welcoming and comfortable for those who would choose to follow the rules and participate. We have never had the desire to personally own other people’s photos or text. Like other users on TGS we do read the forums. We learn, we share, and we grow with all of you. Any member may delete their photos. Members in good standing who have not violated the rules or lost privileges are quite able to edit their posts.

Now having said that, we would also like to say that this forum represents a community of thousands of members. Each member has invested time in reading and in posting, and looks to these forums as a source of information and networking for their business. It is for this reason, and NO other that we take content removal seriously. It’s not about us, the owners of a BBS; it is about each and every user who has ever registered here (or ever will) on TGS to learn and to help his or her business. For those of you who would take a stand and strike out at us personally as owners, we ask that you pick up the phone. Taking out your actions on the forums hurts other people beside the ones you intend to effect.

As we stated earlier we have been thinking about various things for several weeks. We have reviewed the rules, trying to read them from the perspective of being a user who does not know us as contractors or Admins at all and is brand new to the forums. After careful thought we have revised the forum rules and terms of service. In the past all Forum Leaders, Senior Forum Leaders, and Admins had the option of having “edited by” displayed or not if they edited a post. This has been changed. All Users, Forum Leaders, Senior Forum Leaders and Admins who change a post will show with an “edited by” note. TGS staff will not change posts unless the forum rules have been broken. We believe these changes are more in step with what users are familiar with and used to.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Below are the new Forum Rules and Terms of Service for TGS. We look forward to seeing you online.

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http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/residential-pressure-washing/announcements.html

Terms of Service

Warning: The contracting trades are an activity in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ALL Users must read and agree to these Terms of Service before using this site.

This web site is dedicated to the contracting trades, an activity which is inherently dangerous. You should not depend on information gleaned from this site for your personal safety. Your safety depends upon your own judgment based on competent instruction, experience, and a realistic assessment of ability.

There are no warranties, either expressed or implied, that the information on this website are accurate and reliable. Your use of this site indicates your assumption of the risk of death or serious injury and is an acknowledgment of your own sole responsibility for your safety.

The following terms and conditions are in reference to the The Grime Scene web site and discussion board (www.thegrimescene.com), here in referred to as "The Grime Scene". These terms and conditions apply to all sites, services, and resources within the The Grime Scene.

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

The Grime Scene provides its service to you, subject to the following Terms of Service (referred to as "TOS"), which may be updated by us from time to time without notice. You may review the most current version of the TOS at any time in the Announcements. In addition, when using particular The Grime Scene services, you shall be subject to any posted guidelines or rules applicable to such services.

2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

The Grime Scene provides users with access to informational resources including communication and interactive resources pertaining to the contracting industry. Under no circumstances shall The Grime Scene be liable to any user on account of that user's use or misuse of the site or reliance on the site. Such limitation of liability shall apply to prevent recovery of direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive and exemplary damages (even if The Grime Scene has been advised of the possibility of such damages). Such limitation of liability shall apply whether the damages arise from use or misuse of the site or reliance on the site, from inability to use the site, or from the interruption, suspension, or termination of the site or services offered on the site (including such damages incurred by third parties).

Such limitation shall also apply with respect to damages incurred by reason of other services or goods received through or advertised on the site or received through any links provided on the site. .Such limitation shall apply, without limitation, to the costs of procurement of substitute goods or services, lost profits, or lost data. These limitations shall apply notwithstanding any failure of essential purpose of any limited remedy. The Grime Scene makes no warranties as to the accuracy of its information and due to the volatile nature of the information contained within The Grime Scene. The Grime Scene can not screen or authenticate all articles, posts, listings or other information.

3. TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP & USAGE RESTRICTIONS

Site Membership

a) Membership is available to any person over the age of 13 who registers and accurately provides all the required information, provides a legitimate electronic mail address and obtains a unique The Grime Scene member name and password. Membership is non-transferable. The use of web-based email accounts may be denied due to abuse.

b) All membership information must be accurate and belong to the person registering. Invalid, incomplete, or falsified information can result in the immediate termination of all membership privileges for that user and, possibly a permanent ban, restricting the member from using any of The Grime Scene’s services at any time.

c) Usage of this site is restricted to persons under the age of 13. (you must be over 13 to participate here)

d) The Grime Scene is not responsible for the content of any member's posts, and the views expressed on The Grime Scene are the responsibility of the posting member and not The Grime Scene. The Grime Scene does not preview member posts in any way before they appear on the site. Any link posted to a third-party internet address does not imply an endorsement of that site or its content by The Grime Scene.

e) The Grime Scene forums are for the discussion of the contracting trades and related topics. While the administrators and moderators of The Grime Scene will attempt to keep all off-topic messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of The Grime Scene Room nor the moderators will be held responsible for the content of any message.

f) The Grime Scene forums may contain profanity.

g) As a condition of buying and selling items listed in any forum of The Grime Scene, Buyer and Seller agree that The Grime Scene is not brokering or otherwise participating in any purchase or sale. The Grime Scene has no knowledge of the terms of sale, the condition of any items offered for sale, the accuracy of any aspect of the sale or the use to which any item shall be put. Buyer assumes all responsibility for proper use of any item so purchased. Buyer acknowledges that improper use of some or all of the items offered for sale on The Grime Scene may cause serious injury or death. Buyer shall seek qualified assistance and instruction in the use of all items purchased.

h) Pornography of any type is not allowed.

i) The owners, administrators, and moderators of The Grime Scene reserve both the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason, and the right to suspend or delete any user account for any reason we feel is in violation of the TOS, both explicit and implied.

j) Membership in The Grime Scene is a privilege, not a right. We reserve the right to deny service to any person at any time without cause.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

It is the policy of The Grime Scene to respond expeditiously to claims of intellectual property infringement. The Grime Scene will promptly process and investigate notices of alleged infringement and will take appropriate actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"). Should a violation of intellectual property be discovered, the document(s) or messages in such violation will be removed in a timely manner after any and all investigating has been completed to prove the authenticity of such a claim.

5. PUBLIC CONTENT ON THE GRIME SCENE

Any and all content posted for inclusion in publicly accessible areas of The Grime Scene are the responsibility of the creator. The Grime Scene makes no claims or warranties about such information or its authenticity. Upon posting any content on The Grime Scene, you grant The Grime Scene the non-exclusive right to publish, modify and use such content solely for the purpose of displaying such content.

6. LIMITATION OF RE-USE

You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit for any commercial purposes or noncommercial purposes any portion of the services or content contained within The Grime Scene and its subsidiary sites. In order to use any content, graphical art, photos or files owned by or published by The Grime Scene, direct, written authorization must be obtained from The Grime Scene with no exceptions at any time for any reason.

7. LEGAL RESTRICTIONS

This agreement shall be constructed and controlled by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising hereunder will be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Each member agrees to personal jurisdiction by tile state and federal courts of the State of Maryland.

The Grime Scene reserves the right to change, modify or update this TOS agreement at any time without notification. Membership in and the use of resources contained within The Grime Scene constitutes full agreement and acknowledgment of the restrictions, limitations and terms set forth in this agreement.

Forum Posting Rules:

The following is a list of basic guidelines about what is and is not allowed while posting on The Grime Scene. These rules are in addition to what is listed in our Terms Of Service . Please read through all of these sections before using our site and contact us if you have questions.

• Users shall treat each other with respect at all times on The Grime Scene. Name calling, personal attacks, or other inappropriate behavior will not be allowed and may cause your account to be banned.

• Advertising on our site is specific to Contractors and to those Manufacturers and Distributors serving our industry. All Manufacturers and Distributors must have a signature, and should not solicit in the main forums. Please use the vendor area. Members who try to sell products and/or services to contracting professionals in the main forum area may have their accounts privileges suspended or revoked.

• No pornographic material or links to pornographic material may be posted on this site.

• Profanity shall be kept to a minimum. Words that appear to be blanked out with stars (*) are not allowed.

• You may only post material and content that you own. Posting copyrighted material, trademarks, and other violations of the DMCA is prohibited. Anyone posting an article must credit the author and provide a link to the original data.

These rules may be altered at anytime without notice so please check the Announcements often.

[homer 64]

and professional. I am impressed. Keep up the good work.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Thank you John.

We appreciate your feedback, and look forward to seeing you on the forums.

Beth :cup:

[newlook 265]

Rod & Beth,

I applaud the TGS for their attempts in making inrows to find that "common ground" as it relates to content privacy and BBS rules/guidelines. It is a tough juggling act. We are all aware of the discontent that is being discussed on the BBS's regarding this particular topic.

The key to the TGS's success is to make sure that it's fundamental business model is disciplined, straightforward and focused on generating value while managing risk. If you keep these principles as your anchor as it relates to "issues" the TGS will most likely be able to weather any storm.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I also want to add for the record here that the TGS Terms of Service and Forum Rules we adapted and used with written permission from the owner of another forum.

Beth