To keep the COTEC forums a fun place to visit we ask that everyone reads and follows the rules laid out in this document. Since we cannot possibly foresee all possibilities these rules should be seen as guidelines, if something goes against the spirit of these rules, it is probably not allowed. If you have opinions or suggestions about these rules, or if you are unsure about if something is allowed and wish to make sure, then contact an admin about it.
(Note: When asked in the following text not to post something, then this also refers to linking to said thing or sending it to people by PM.)


General Guidelines
Always try to be civil and make posts that others want to read.
Make sure to post your threads in the right forum area, or in off topic if you cannot find the right area.
It is of course allowed to criticize work posted on the forums, but make sure that negative criticism is constructive and not insulting.
Don’t try to get around the rules, you will not be able to hide behind loopholes or technicalities.
Remember that the people you are talking to on the forum are in fact real people and not just computer avatars, treat them as such.


Things not to do
Do not insult other members or use derogatory language.
Do not post racist sexist or otherwise discriminatory comments.
Do not spam, make sure your posts are relevant to the discussion.
Do not double-post unless necessary, edit the old post instead.
Do not post advertisements (see below).
Do not post copyrighted material.
Do not post material of a pornographic nature (this includes explicit sex scenes in text).
Do not post any material that could be illegal to publish on an open forum.
Do not ask someone to send you (even via e-mail) any material not allowed to be posted on the forum.

If you see someone breaking a rule, hit the report button for that post (upper right) and fill in what its about, this report goes to the admins who will then take care of it.


Other
If someone insults you, do not start insulting back, report the incident instead. This goes for everything, it is not okay to break a rule because someone else did it first.

About advertisement. This rule refers to advertising businesses and such, it is of course okay to link to a new cool game or something else that has caught your eye. It is also allowed to mention or link to businesses if it is relevant to the discussion, it is pure advertisement posts which are banned. (Note, if you are selling something which might interest people on the forum, such as models, you may make a post about it and include relevant links).

Discussions about religion homosexuality and other “hot topics” are allowed on the forum (under off topic of course), but remember when posting that these things often invoke very powerful feelings in people. Take extra care not to insult someone, and always respect other peoples opinion even if you do not agree.

If asked by admins or moderators to stop behaving in a certain way or doing certain things, then do as they say.


Punishment
If you break any rules you will either be warned, temporarily suspended, or banned from the forum. There is no strict warning system like three strikes and you are out, you could be banned on the first offence if its deemed serious enough. Note that while on some forums you will see older members who are constantly just a bit over the edge but who are not banned since they never do something really serious, this is not how it works here. If you break the rules again and again, even if they are just small infringements, you will be warned and then eventually kicked out.