The forums here on Pipes Magazine are dedicated to information of all facets of pipe smoking, pipe tobacco and their accessories. We enjoy a varied and lively group of members who range from brand-new pipe smokers to grizzled veterans of the hobby. As varied as our membership is, our forum is also one of the most helpful for anyone with questions about the hobby. In fact, we LOVE questions. That's the culture we've set up here. A helping, learning culture which not only promotes the hobby, but expands and enhances it.
I'd like to lay down some guidelines (I'll refrain from calling them rules because while rules are sometimes necessary, we try not to have too many of them.) for all the membership to take heed of and so that there is no confusion.
Failing to follow these guidelines will result in a warning. If we have to give you a warning for the same offense more than once, you risk losing your membership and access to the site.
We will not tolerate discouraging any member from asking any questions that pertains to the subject of the site. It doesn't matter if the question has been answered a million times before, it will still be treated as if we've never seen it. One thing I find helpful, as a "grizzled veteran", is linking to old threads that have bearing on the question being asked. You can never have too much information. If you don't like reading the same question over and over again, don't post in the thread. Hell, don't even read it.
We will not tolerate rudeness. Obviously, with a membership as varied as ours, it's ridiculous to think that every one will always get along. If you feel that you have been treated rudely, please refrain from falling into it as well. Seek the help of the Moderator team. We Mods are happy to take care of situations like this and ultimately, it's our job.
We will not tolerate flaming. As above, if you feel you are the subject of an inflammatory post, please bring in a Moderator to handle the situation. Again, it's what we're here for.
We will not tolerate any discrimination of any kind. We welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religious or political affiliation, disabilities, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (as long as you are 18 or older) socioeconomic status, or preference of the type of pipe they choose to smoke (except glass and hookahs, those are OK to discriminate against). This is a no-brainer, really. We live in the 21st Century. Accepting others for who and what they are is pretty basic whether you agree with their preferences or not. Obviously, we're all here because we have an affinity for pipes. Let's keep that in mind when we converse with others.
On a similar note, we ask that swearing be kept to a minimum and that obscenity/pornography be kept in check as well. Obviously, a four-letter word once in a while or a "dirty" joke in the NSFW (Not Safe For Work) Joke Thread are exceptions, but please don't bring your "colorful metaphors" out to play too often. To assist with this, the forum has a series of perfectly good emoticons available to show a wealth of different feelings.
I shouldn't have to put these up but I have. If you don't agree with these, feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to explain why they are here. If you don't want to do that, don't let the door hit you on the way out. If you take this course, however, don't make an "I'm Leaving" thread to tell everyone why you're going. We don't need to know, and honestly, I'll just delete it anyway.
-Jason
Proud member of the BlackBlood Society
Shucks. I try to be good at it but I can only be as good as my mentor. Thanks, Lawrence!
