[weedtracker]

This is your *OFFICIAL* notice as set forth in the terms of service that the terms of service have changed. Some new rules have been added, many old rules have been removed or updated to reflect current community conditions.

Please review the rules by clicking here.

[MadRiverTurtle]

Some folks have asked us to identify the new rules &/or changes to the TOS. Many of the changes involved removing redundant statements and providing elaborations on current rules. A few of the rules have existed for a while but were informally written in text and not listed. Here is a run down:


1. A new addition has been added to the "Deals Offered By Co-Ops" forum in section XII:

Rule #7. Free items must include a description of the product

Our Interpretation of Rules for Posting Deals

All posts in the "Deals Offered by Co-Ops" forum must be bona-fide deals posted by Co-Op users. Co-Ops may not abuse the "Deals" forum by including but not limited to- the posting of menus, lack of original donation price, and flooding of the forum. Please note that if you are going to post a deal for a "free" item you must include a description of that item. For example, an acceptable post for an offer of a free gram may be "Free top-shelf gram (orig. donation price of $20) of your choice with a minimum donation price of $55". Posting the description and original price of an item helps reduce deceptive advertising and/or miscommunication.

2. This rule was added a few weeks ago and is listed in section I:

rule #8. No posts that contain threats to another user or co-op.

Threats, especially threats that pertain to violence, are not welcomed on the board. Please take your aggression/revenge/retribution/etc. somewhere else :)


3. A previously informal rule has been added and clarified in section I:

rule #10. Harassment via Private Message, Visitor Profile Message, or Reputation Comment

If flaming/attacking continues to occur between parties we will ask that you add each other to your ignore lists and cease communication. Pms have the report feature and will be sent to the Mod forum for review. Warnings/Infractions can be issued in certain cases. Excessive abuse of either the rep system or PM system can lead to a loss of those privileges.

4. A clarification has been made to an old rule, see change in bold-faced font:

Posts that contain excessive use of foul language and/or obscene content- including but not limited to graphics and photos.

I think the best way to explain this update is to give an example. Let's say User X knows that they can't attack User Y by calling them some expletive. Instead, they bypass the rule by posting a picture that either contains the text they wish to type themselves or a picture representing their sentiment. Yes, this situation is more likely to be considered as flaming but the clarification/update needed to be added.

5. A new addition has been listed under section III:

rule #4. Failure to comply with a Moderator or Administrator's request will result in an infraction and/or loss of access.

This rule usually applies to situations pertaining to profiles or user-groups. For example, we require all Co-Op accounts to declare their status w/in a certain time limit. We need to know who you are, ensure that you have agreed to registration terms, and be able to correctly add your permissions. Sometimes it has to do with shilling as well. This rule is basically used as a last resort in regards to situations with other users. If we've asked you to do something and you don't do it we usually give you an ample amount of time and reminders to do it. If it gets to the point where you just flat out refuse to follow the rules, then yeah, you should and will get infracted for it. Your registration on this site is your agreement to the rules. If you have questions about what a Mod has asked you to do then by all means ask, don't just ignore us. We don't like that :). We are here to help!

6. Two new editions, listed under section V:

rule #3. No postings of menus for a co-op unless you are a declared representative.

This rule has been implemented for two reasons- 1. it is possible that Co-Op owners don't appreciate you posting their info for them. Keep in mind a menu is considered as a full or nearly full representation of current items on a Co-Op's board, especially if this is a recurring post activity for a user. We wish to respect the privacy of Co-Op's information in situations like this. The second reason is due to shilling (see our definition under section X).

the other edition under that same section....

rule #4. No continuous harassment towards a co-op.

This rule was added a little while ago but has been included in the actual listing rather than text. We've added this rule due to situations caused by Co-Op rivalry, shilling, and general drama. Rather than posting numerous positive shill reviews people have taken to posting numerous neg reviews in their competition's forum. With this rule we ask that you let your service and products speak for your Co-Op instead of using deceptive tactics. However, users who violate this rule must show some kind of intent- this means that you Co-Op owners cannot make a claim against a user who has not shown intent. We will not take your word that "this user is my ex-employee/girlfriend/insert revengeful person here" based on little or no postings or activity seen. Additionally, if you just have a whole lot of hate in your heart and need to continue to "beat a dead horse" by harassing a caregiver and flooding the forum with the same messages then you need to just move on. This idea is basically the same as the rule for harassment between regular users.

7. A new section has been added in regards to Vendors, listed under section VII:

VII. Rules for Vendor Users

1. All vendors must declare their vending status by selecting "Yes" in the vendor profile field.
2. Vendors may only use the "Vendors" forum to discuss and announce their products' location.
3. All vendor product discussion must be related to co-ops listed on The Website.

Our Interpretation of Rules for Vendor Users

All Vendors must declare themselves as such. Due to an excess of shilling, solicitation, and other inappropriate behavior Vendors are not allowed to post reviews in Co-Op forums. However, Vendors may use the "Vendors" forum to discuss and announce the location of their products at specified WeedTRACKER listed Co-Ops. Solicitation and sales is prohibited (See the "No Classifieds and/or Items for Sale" section).

This should be explanatory to anyone who is a long-time member. Part of these rules have been around due to shilling but it also pertains to the rules in section VI. Sales and solicitation can cause large ramifications for multiple parties, not just wter. Vendors, please be courteous and considerate in your actions here. We would like to keep the site, plzkthx :).

8. Clarifications have been made to Member Signature and Avatar Rules, listed under section VIII. Interpretation provided in quote:

1. No reference to any co-ops of any kind- including but not limited to names, addresses, phone numbers, specials, and deals.
2. No trademarked or copyrighted material
3. No obscene or derogatory content, either text or graphic.

Our Interpretation of Member Signature and Avatar Rules

The Member Signature and Avatar Rules exist to minimize spam and unwanted advertising. In order to maintain a safe posting environment we do not permit the use of inflammatory and/or obscene graphics or text. Continuous failure to follow these rules will result in a loss of signature and avatar privileges.

9. An addition to Co-Op Membership Rules has been added under section IX:

rule #2. Advertisements and menus may only be posted in a Co-Ops forum, the "Deals Offered by Co-Ops" forum, the "Clones" forum, and in the Co-Op Photo Menu section.

This info was contained in the text but has been added to the list of numbered rules for clarification. What this basically means is that you can't take advantage of patients looking for info/help in the social forums by advertising your Co-Op. This will be considered spam.

10. The section on spamming and shilling has been re-written. No major changes have occurred since the last update:

X. Spamming and Shilling

1. No unsolicited advertisements sent to patients- including but not limited to forum messages, Private Messages, Reputation Comments, and Visitor Profile Messages.
2. Co-Ops are prohibited from sharing a computer with any non-co-op user.
3. Posts made in the Multiple User Detector forum will not be deleted.
4. No Co-Op product reviewing by Co-Op owners/employees, product vendor, or paid outside reviewers.

Our Interpretation of Spamming and Shilling

Spam. No one likes it. So don't do it. How do we define shilling and spam?:

Shilling: an associate of a person (Co-Op) reviewing or posting about goods or medicine that does not announce that association and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer to stimulate the market and/or reputation of said person (Co-Op).

Spam: unsolicited, unwarranted and/or unapproved advertising which is similar to shilling. Spam is also considered a willful act or post which sometimes has malicious intent to either annoy, bump post count, troll, and such acts. Please see: ADDITIONAL SPAM POLICY located below for more details.

Due to an abundance of shilling we do not allow Co-Ops that provide public computer access to log onto our site. If a Co-Op trips the Multiple User Detector with non-coop usernames you will receive an infraction and the accounts will be banned from that co-op's forum and/or site. Repeated violations will result in a ban. Also note that posts made by the Multiple User Detector will not be deleted under any circumstance.

I think that's it! If you haven't already read the new rules please do so! We thank you for your cooperation!

Best,
mrt




edit:

I forgot to mention that there are some new additions and clarifications to the registration requirements:

* All users must be 18 years of age or older
* All users must be a legal Medical Marijuana Patient, as defined by the laws of their state
* All user accounts must register with a unique and valid email address
* Registration from encrypted sources, anonymous re-mailers, or proxy servers is prohibited.
* Registration from and/or use of a TOR program is prohibited
* Registration of username may not include any email addresses or websites