Lounge Rules
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By registering with or using the Windows Secrets Lounge (the "Lounge"), each person ("you") agrees that you have read and will abide by the rules detailed below, so please read them carefully. To receive a notification when a rule is modified, please follow the instructions in Changes to the Lounge Rules.
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The Lounge is a great place to post questions and answers, and to have productive discussions. We find that inappropriate posts are rarely submitted, because Loungers are well known to be very helpful to each other.
The following are rules to follow when posting a message or reply, and shall also serve as the terms and conditions governing the use of the Lounge (click any link to scroll down, press Ctrl+Home to scroll to top):
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2. Observe our privacy policy
See our Privacy Policy.
3. Keep threads on a single topic
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9. Avoid personal insults or flames
This is very rare here, but there have been some misunderstandings. To avoid problems, be sure to read over your post before sending it. If you're joking, make it clear so that other members do not take it the wrong way. In other words, just try to be courteous.
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16. Do not flood forums with similar posts
"Flooding" the forums means posting similar comments or questions in different threads in a short period of time. This is a form of cross-posting, which should be avoided by posting any comment or question in the single most-appropriate forum for it.
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18. Objectionable content is specifically prohibited
We do not allow posts, display names, or attachments that are, or appear to a reasonable person to be, obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, or threatening; prejudiced against a political, religious, or racial group; or in violation of law. Avoid outraged commentaries on sensational topics.
19. Read the FAQ and the Help before posting
The FAQ links on the Lounge Lobby page and the
20. Keep your graphics small and user-friendly
Limit the number of graphics you post and keep them small, as large graphics slow down loading a thread. Nothing offensive, please, and no overly "busy" animations. You don't want to frighten people away.
21. These terms and conditions may be modified
We reserve the right to revise these Lounge Rules from time to time in our discretion. If we modify these rules, we will post the revised rules on this page, and the revised version will take effect [The following wording will be deleted Aug. 19, 2010:]
22. Don't post confidential information
The Lounge is public by nature, and any information posted on it shall be deemed non-confidential. If you don't want other people to use or copy your great ideas, don't post them on the Lounge.
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You acknowledge that any content submitted and/or discussed on the Lounge may be the subject of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights of Windows Secrets, its subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, or other members or third parties. If you consider using any ideas, proposals, suggestions, solutions, or other content submitted to the Lounge, you are responsible to undertake appropriate intellectual property clearance before using the content.
By posting or responding to a message on the Lounge, you agree that your messages and other content will be proper, constructive, and relevant and will not contain any item that may be unlawful or otherwise unfit for publication, including but not limited to items that (1) may be defamatory, (2) are intended to cause harm to any person or otherwise defame or harass any person or organization, (3) violate any legal rights of any person (including any right to privacy or publicity), (4) are pornographic, obscene, profane, vulgar, indecent, or threatening, (5) are culturally, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable, or (6) suggest or encourage any illegal activity.
[The following wording will take effect Aug. 19, 2010:] Please spell out abbreviations on their first use in a thread, in consideration of members who may not know every acronym. Avoid cell-phone jargon like CUL8R ("see you later"). Abbreviations and other shorthand terms that, when expanded, include words that are obscene, vulgar, or offensive are not permitted.
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The Lounge and these rules are governed by the law of the State of Washington and the federal law of the United States of America, without any reference to conflicts of laws principles. Any dispute, controversy, or claim that is not resolved informally shall be determined by one arbitrator in binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association pursuant to its Commercial Arbitration Rules, the Optional Rules for Emergency Measures of Protection, and the Supplementary Procedures for Online Arbitration. The arbitral award will be final and binding, and may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Date: Revised and effective 2009-12-15.