[IMPORTANT] Forum Rules

[vasily_bagirov]

These rules are the general guidance for visitors of Adguard Forum. Every case of rules violation will be looked at separately and, according to circumstances, different actions might be taken.

Posting Guidelines

When you want to create a new thread, please first use the 'search' function available on our forum to search for similar already existing threads. Often there is a chance that your question has already been asked, and even answered. Generally we do not encourage creating multiple threads about the same problem.

If you are sure that your question is original, follow these simple rules when creating a new thread:

- Choose the most appropriate forum. It is not a crime to post in a forum that does not suit your question (unless it is a repeated offence), but you will save others' time and increase your chances of getting a quick reply by avoiding it.

- Be descriptive with your topic names. Give a short summary of your problem and avoid general and attention-getting subjects. An example of a good topic name would be 'Encountered a 'Connection Error' in Adguard for Windows v6.1.258'. Examples of bad topic names are 'URGENT!!! ADGUARD DOESN'T WORK AT ALL!!!' or 'I have a quick question'. Topics with unsuitable names will be renamed and might even be removed.

- Try to be patient and provide any information that is asked for by Administrators. People will try to help you, but sometimes your further assistance is required: screenshots, logs etc.

General Forum Rules

These rules should be followed no matter what thread you are posting in (or creating a new one).

1. No Spam / Advertising is allowed.

We do not tolerate spam on this forum. In most cases spamming will lead to instant permanent ban to your account. We take this question very seriously. Same applies to advertising, be it self-advertising or third-party products. It is ok to mention and talk about other products if it contributes to the discussion, but anything that has the sole reason of promoting any goods, services, websites etc. will be removed and will lead to a warning or even ban.

2. No copyright-infringing material is allowed.

Any posts that provide or ask for information on how to illigally obtain copyrighted materials are not allowed and will be removed, and the author of that post will be warned/banned.

3. No offensive posts are allowed.

This includes any material (posts, links, images) that might be considered obscene or discriminatory towards any group of people or a particular person. This also refers to user pictures, signatures and private messages. Our forum is not a place for such behavior.

3a. Do not use obscene language. We consider our forum family-friendly. Each post containing foul language will be edited/removed, and the author of this post will receive a warning/ban.

4. Do not ask questions by sending PMs to other users.

If you have a question, it is almost always better to post in an existing thread or create a new one. If, for any reason, your question can not be asked in public, send a PM to an Administrator. Try to avoid PMing other users unless they explicitly let you know they are ok with it.

5. Do not post the same question multiple times.

There is no reason to post the same question to different forums, even if somehow it may be attributed to all of them. Choose the one you consider the most appropriate and post there. Otherwise, all the extra posts will be removed and you will receive a warning.

6. At all circumstances, remain respectful to others.

It is fine to disagree with another user. You have every right to express your point of view to other members of this forum. However, remember to stay within the boundaries of politeness while doing so.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I break a rule?

We expect that not everyone will accustom him/herself with the forum rules, so if your violation is minor and unintended, you will likely receive no warning and be directed to these rules. If your violation is either major or repetetive, you will be warned or banned (temporarily or permanently), depending on the nature of your violation and its circumstances.

What do I have to do if I see another forum member breaking a forum rule?

It is not your duty, of course, but we will be very thankful if you report the violator to any administrator / moderator.

Can I have more than one account?

No. We can see no reason why you would need more than one forum account. If you were permanently banned from Adguard forum, do not create new accounts. Otherwise new accounts will be banned too, and your IP address will be blocked.

 

[Gass]

Thank you Vasily
Gass

 

[Gass]

Hello Adguard Team

I've noticed that the "HELP" link (bottom right of forum pages) by contact us, now goes to the KB article https://kb.adguard.com/en
where as it once sent one to Terms of Service and Rules page before https://forum.adguard.com/index.php?help/terms
Just an FYI.

Then I would see a need to set policy or advising members how to properly address politics, religion, culture differences in their posts (mostly in the off-topic category) - if
there is such a forums tolerance to this or it's strictly forbidden and taboo.

I mean if one can generally speak freely as long as it's in good contents and within aspects of approach to already know forum rules and policy, or does it have and need to be addressed in a overall sterile and generic use with only the mentions or references given to something in one of these subjects.

I'm frankly at a loss as just what I can say other than I love my country and mention it name. Need help understanding where a line is drawn, so I'll not even get close. As I got a warning(s) before, and as I understand what I'm seeing here in defining terms, nothing is covered now to understand a warning bases along these lines.

Not trying to butt heads or anything like that - least not to grow in disfavor, just trying to understand with common sense how can a flag, warning, citation be understood, then followed with full cooperation without some transparency of what's the forum policy is of the stated rules are in these areas of a warning or call out, when their not included, discussed, and covered to be understood initially.

You can see from my prior posts I'm not mean, hatful, or down on anything or anyone, I generally try and go the distance to be clearly understood and in getting along with everyone. Also it's not in the fields of conversation, threads and posts I usually engage in frequently. It's I've made a recent post and now wondering what may come?

You owe me nothing in an answer, as a member I'm still a guest here in your home and space. It's a technical assistance and support forum at it's roots after all, and the areas of my seeking a definition to drift outside that area of the forums main purpose. I'm not technically knowledgeable and can't help in these forum areas. So I try to help out in the off-topic area in variety of topics and thread starts to break pace from the usual here, and deepen the interests of members who would want to see more than a technical side always. Explore common interests and/or experiences as Adguard users and supporters.

As always the forums Admin's and Mod's have the last say, as well, in any rules violations will be dealt with separately and accordingly to the circumstance. Totally agree there !

Gass

 

[vasily_bagirov]

@Gass indeed, the link to the Terms of Service was substituted with a link to the Knowledgebase as we believe that these Forum rules cover the most important topics.

We don't need Forum Rules to have an answer for every imaginable situation. In the end, admins make a decision based on the context of a particular case, which can sometimes even go against the official rules.

Generally, if anything is not covered by the rules, chances are it is allowed (please apply the common sense, though). If it's not, you will be told so, maybe even warned, but almost never banned without a fair warning - you've experienced a similar situation yourself and I believe it was ruled out in a satisfactory manner for all involved parties.

Just don't overthink things, if you want to have a national flag of your country as a profile pic, or have its name mentioned in your forum signature - go for it, it is not a crime.

 

[Gass]

the link to the Terms of Service was substituted with a link to the Knowledgebase / as we believe that these Forum rules cover the most important topics.

So there is no way to get to the TOS except the link - https://forum.adguard.com/index.php?help/terms that someone may not know or only see once when signing up to the forums? Then no quick link in the forums UI to these Forum Rules at all.

We don't need Forum Rules to have an answer for every imaginable situation. / you will be told so, maybe even warned, but almost never banned without a fair warning - you've experienced a similar situation yourself and I believe it was ruled out in a satisfactory manner for all involved parties.

That case you mentioned - it was true as I clearly understood the principle involved and where I crossed the line, and I agree not everything has to be spelled out, I was in the US Military USMC and even if something wasn't clearly spelled out or covered they had an article 13 that caught everything else imaginable. Not to say dang if you do or dang if you don't - same principle an iron-clad catch all that you were wrong. It's just I'm not in the military anymore, and like the color purple to my knowledge, I know is a mix of blue and red together - a simple understanding.

I guess to be more specific, politics talk is at question here, and then common sense allows for if - I were to say my leader in power (named specifically) is so blatantly ignoring the facts that clearly are in front of his face as his nose is and acting like an ostrich with his head in the dirt - would definitely catch a warning.
But if I were to say the leader of my nation didn't weight out what he said against his counsels advise before voicing his opinion - would that be considered political speech and get a warning? Parties, running/held positions, elections, policy stance are all political things but a nation, leader, country, flag wouldn't be political unless it's the contents their used in.
You must know every 4 years here in the US and even months before and after a national election there is going to come up such talk and comments being political related that are not covered in the forums rules and clearly then understandable.

https://forum.adguard.com/index.php?threads/fcc-to-make-waves-again-this-week.21721/ your post #7 - that's all I'm trying to understand here, as politics, and religion have no guidelines to understand a warning then of what's the difference in general speaking and to hate talk except #3 and possibly #6 in regards to another - of site rules.
Would it not be better to just say that all political and religious mentions has no place on the Adguard Forums at all. As any one of these subjects will not lead to praise and goodwill comments and lead in a tug of war to heated opinions that have no place here.

I'm not trying to over think this as much as I'm looking for guidance.
Banning all talk and speech of ones cultural, religious and political comments (good or bad) would be the simplest way out and stating this in the rules then to be understood by all. I'm not in anything else to add and stated a possible solution to use.
I'll stop now and thank you,
Gass

 

[vasily_bagirov]

So there is no way to get to the TOS except the link

Technically, there is. You can click on this button: https://www.screencast.com/t/UpFBmm1P and then "Help" in the bottom left. But the point is. this TOS is a stock one for Xenforo forums. As I've already said, the topics we feel are important are covered by the Forum rules, so no need in this TOS.

Would it not be better to just say that all political and religious mentions has no place on the Adguard Forums at all.

Basically, yes. The problem with politics (and some other topics like religion) is that it's almost impossible to discuss them without getting engaged into some kind of a rant. On the other hand, take an example of a music sharing thread - it is totally fine since it doesn't make people headbutt into each other. It is not easy to draw a single line - "this is allowed and this is not".

You have a fair point though, in a sense that Forum rules could be more specific, and I hope I will lay my hands on it one day and expand the Rules.

 

[Gass]

Technically, there is. You can click on this button: https://www.screencast.com/t/UpFBmm1P and then "Help" in the bottom left. But the point is. this TOS is a stock one for Xenforo forums.

I think the stock or default theme is "Simplicity" for new - most users not changing it.
So this would apply then-
1.

2.

3.

You have a fair point though, in a sense that Forum rules could be more specific, and I hope I will lay my hands on it one day and expand the Rules.

May I suggest, added in the next revision of the rules, that each member is to act as an ambassador of goodwill towards other forum members. Nothing any less.
Not as in the case, where it's seen in other web forums where members have a go at each other with rude wisecracks, cut-downs, flaming, etc...

The topics discussed here matter to us, and we want you to act as if they matter to you, too. Be respectful of the topics and the people discussing them, even if you disagree with some of what is being said.
Be Agreeable, Even When You Disagree, You may wish to respond to something by disagreeing with it. That’s fine. But, remember it remains to be critical of their ideas, not of addressing the people in your tone and focus to them personally.
Instead, provide them with your reasoned out counter-arguments that improve the conversation.

Noting - Adguard forums are viewed not only by members, but from visitors the world over - in it's audience reach.

Maybe at signup, offer a box [ ] that new members agree as a forum member to be a goodwill ambassador on the forums in their community conduct, underlying direction of posts, and in general on the forums.
[x} Yes - I agree to be an Adguard Ambassador of goodwill here.
Gass

 

[vasily_bagirov]

May I suggest, added in the next revision of the rules, that each member is to act as an ambassador of goodwill towards other forum members. Nothing any less.

The whole 6th paragraph is about this:

6. At all circumstances, remain respectful to others.

It is fine to disagree with another user. You have every right to express your point of view to other members of this forum. However, remember to stay within the boundaries of politeness while doing so.

Is it possible we can make it more clear? I don't know, maybe.

Maybe at signup, offer a box [ ] that new members agree as a forum member to be a goodwill ambassador on the forums in their community conduct, underlying direction of posts, and in general on the forums.
[x} Yes - I agree to be an Adguard Ambassador of goodwill here.

Sounds a bit too pompous to my taste, but generally offering a box to check that you have read and agree with the Forum rules will not be a bad addition. I'll see if it can be done.

 

[Gass]

Is it possible we can make it more clear? I don't know, maybe.

Sounds a bit too pompous to my taste, but generally offering a box to check that you have read and agree with the Forum rules will not be a bad addition. I'll see if it can be done.

As I stated it's only in some suggestions - then again, "can we make it more clear", I wouldn't want you to confuse non-English or native speaking English users - I do speak English only and have difficulty with it at times, so shorter explanations is better by all means as long as it's clear and concise.
So as I reevaluate things - I think everybody would understand the term "Adguard Ambassador of Goodwill" and maybe just add that to #6 in someway if you'd see fit, or something saying that this is a goodwill environment at it's core. I think the prior has a nice sound to it - and, then not just in being a forum member, but a role or responsibility that's being maintain by the forum member.
I do like #6 (don't think I don't - please), being in and to the main point of - speaking to others as you'd like to be spoken too.
(which is solely my definition or understanding to #6)

Again there is no rush for changing anything rules wise - just as you said, when you find the time - do please consider some users suggestions. Open a discussion before hand for members attributed content to be considered.
I think Adguard is the best ruled and run forum I've had the pleasure in being a part of.

Gass