Don't Be A Dick.
This rule is both terribly simple to understand and terribly simple to follow. Acting like a dick on these forums, especially if you are new here, will bring no goodness your way. Acting civil and respectful will avoid 990f the problems that anyone would ever run into on these forums.

No Racism, Sexism or Homophobia.
Society has evolved beyond homophobic insults, so should you. We have a high tolerance for vulgarity on these forums, but we draw the line at this most controversial of slang words. This is not open to debate. As an example, using the n-word or variations of it on these forums will result in strict punishment.

Don't post nudity, porn, 'shock' images/videos or disturbing medical photos/videos.
Don't PM them, either. Same goes for any other explicit content, including YTMND's. This is a forum for 13+'s, and a lot of people browse from work or school (and no, we don't care if you think they 'should' do that or not. Shut up). NB: Some images may be borderline, or necessary in the context of the thread. After asking a mod about it, you may link these using the "url" rather than the "img" tags, and tag the link with "NSFW" and a short description of what you're linking to. So long as you provide fair warning, its OK.

Don't post enormous images and gif's
Link them if the file size is over 100kb or so (again, link, not spoiler). Give people a choice about how much they download; not everyone has an intertube as big as yours. If you must post large images in-line, label the thread "NSF56k" (which means "Not Safe For 56k"), and keep all in-line image posts below 500k. Read up on file sizes and image formats, we have done our best to ban ridiculous file types (BMP's anyone?), but it would help if you knew a little about image file types.

Don't Troll.
This has a working definition of "attempting to be as annoying as possible while still technically obeying the rules," and it's not the way to go about getting attention. Attempting to derail threads, posting off-topic bullshit, or flame-baiting are all verboten (except in Wild West, where the somewhat looser "Don't Be a Dick" standard applies). There also tends to be a thin line between being abusive and immature and simply being argumentative. Crossing it persistently will lead to a ban.

No "Thread Assassination".
You don't like a particular topic? Don't post in it. You don't get to dictate the topics of conversation here, that's the mods' job.

Don't act like your opinions are sacred.
No matter what they are. We're not in the business of protecting you from being challenged.

Don't make threads like:
* Hi, I'm New!!!" - Man, we don't care. We get tons of new users every day; if they all made a thread, this place would be nothing but threads by new users.
* "Look at my site! Buy my stuff!" - Um, how about no. Go away, sitewhore. Its totally fine to put a link in your signature if you want to show off your work, or hock some gear, though.
* Redundant threads - One is enough. Look before you start something new.
* Threads in which you bitch about the rules, the mods, the thread that just got locked, or your "worst forum enemy." PM us if you have a problem. Mind you, if you have a "worst forum enemy," seek mental help instead. Corollary:

Don't pull this crap in established threads either. Mod decisions are to be discussed in private.

DO stick to the topic.
As best you can. Don't be scared to start a new thread on a tangential issue if you want to talk about it, rather than waiting for the mods to split it off (this rule does not apply in Wild West).

DO Pay attention to grammar and spelling.
We're not total Nazis (have you ever read an issue of POP?), but don't expect us to accommodate your wacky ideas on how the English language works. This isn't 'Nam, dammit, there are rules. Stupid crap like coloring all your posts pink is out, too. And dear god, no leetspeak without a heavy dose of irony, and keep the smiley's to the bare minimum.

DO Read the topic.
This can't be emphasized enough. You're not that special; if the thread is over 5 pages long or so, someone's probably already said what you want to. Check where the thread is at before you post, or things just go in circles, and the forumers get dizzy and fall over, then we have a lawsuit, and Dave's got to tell some poor mother that little Johnny's not coming home.

DO Know the rules.
before berating others about them. Attempting to stifle discussion or play Mod by waving the rules around is pretty goddamn annoying, so just don't. If you think a post is seriously breaking the rules, report it. Speaking of which...

DO Use the report button.
The moderators are unpaid volunteers, who moderate these forums out of the goodness of their hearts. Most of us have real lives, and do not read every single post posted in our forum. If you report a post, it will be looked at; if you don't see anything done, it probably wasn't breaking a rule. SIDE NOTE: Abusing the report button can earn you an infraction.

Otherwise, here is some legal stuff:
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By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative any laws.

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