Five

Listed below is the Code of Conduct.

Please don't just read numbered points and say "I'd never advertise!" and skip over it, because there are things you may not realize are categorized as advertising, or anything else, that are and you might have already broken them. If you have any questions regarding this, please ask, and have a good time and be sure to follow the rules!
 

1. ADVERTISING [ADV]:
 

Rule: Advertising to other users inside the CoDz Forum, whether it be via a post, personal message, or profile/signature links, to buy or view any products, websites, or other service is strictly prohibited. Non-intrusive links in signatures to personal YouTube accounts may be allowed, but that is case-to-case and each will be reviewed individually.
 

Consequence: The infringing user’s account will be banned, as well as the IP address. Any post with the intentions of advertising will be immediately and permanently deleted.
 

Example: If you are a spam bot, a hired advertiser, or a desperate website/business owner, this may apply to you. Signing up and making your only post a promotion for your zombie gameplay YouTube channel is breaking the rule. However simply sending links to a fellow forum goer who wants to know where to buy a capture card is not breaking this rule, PMing your buddy a link to a funny YouTube video isn't, etc.
 

2. DOUBLE ACCOUNTS [DBLE]:
 

Rule: Creating another account when a a user already has one account on CoDz is not allowed. There is little to no need for a separate account. If you've forgotten your password and need access back to your main account, use the Forgot Password link. Should there be a logical reason outside of forgetting credentials for the double account, contact a staff member immediately with details of the situation..
 

Consequence: The secondary account created by the original user will be permanently banned given with evidence of double accounts. In addition, the original account held by the user will be temporarily banned as well. Using the secondary account to avoid a suspension/ban on the main account will result in both accounts being permanently banned.
 

Example: A user creates a double account because they've been banned. If that account matches up the original user and no case has been made to the staff about the reason for the double account, both accounts will be banned after contacting the user.
 

3. SPAMMING [SPAM]: Spamming is defined as many things, and all of them aren’t allowed. As a CoDz user, you should hold yourself to a high standard and use common sense when posting.
 

Duplicate Posts -

Rule: Creating a thread that discusses a topic that has already been brought up in another thread is generally frowned upon, as each user is responsible for finding the pre-existing thread and making their remarks there. Cross-posting violations (making more than one post of the same question/answer across multiple forums) is prohibited.
 

Consequence: The infringing duplicate thread will be either merged (with the original thread), locked, or deleted, depending on the situation. When dealing with two duplicate threads, the staff will sometimes exercise their own personal judgement with regard to the thread’s posts, to avoid conversations being broken up and posts losing their cohesion, as all the comments in both threads are merged and arranged by the date they were posted.
 

Cross-posting violations will be dealt with by deleting all cross-posted threads. Users are responsible for figuring out the appropriate section in which to post their topic. If you have any trouble you may ask any staff member for advice!
 

We always welcome PMs from the users! 
 

Example: If two threads are created that both discuss the exact same element of a newly released Zombie Map trailer, they become ‘duplicate posts’, as they consist of identical, or very similar, material. However, if someone makes a thread about, for example, who they think the Pentagon Thief is, and then someone else makes a thread in which they argue that it is actually someone completely different, they would not be breaking the rule.
 

Moreover, if someone made a thread that came to the same conclusion as the first user’s thread did, it still wouldn’t necessarily break the rule, as long as they brought new evidence to the table (or reevaluated old evidence) while doing so. If they reach the same conclusion, then they will be merged, in which case the older thread will remain, and the newer thread will become a reply to the older post.
 

Post Pumping -

Rule: Any user that makes a post just to increase their own post count is considered disruptive to the community, and is interfering with the other members’ usage of the CoDz forum.
 

Consequence: Violations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis - some users will be warned verbally by PM, others may receive an official warning, and posts/threads may also be deleted (which will make your post count drop again!). Repeat offenders will suffer a Permanent Ban of their account on the forum.
 

Example: If a user makes a post saying “I agree,” or “We know,” or something similar and they do not further the conversation or productivity of the thread, that would be grounds for deletion of the post. The specific details of post pumping are left for staff to decide case-by-case, as there are a broad range of possibilities, which are quite dependent on the circumstances.
 

4. FLAMING [FLAME]:

Rule: Posts, signatures, avatars, or PMs that are intended to harass, threaten, embarrass or cause the distress or discomfort to another member of the CoDz Forum Community or any other individual or entity is unacceptable. (For this reason, the emoticon known as “facepalm” has been removed from the forum.)

Consequence: In some cases, warnings may be issued, but flaming is likely to result in Permanent Banning. It is therefore advisable to always be respectful to your fellow members; this does not mean you cannot disagree with someone, but you do not need to tear a person down in order to prove your point, so be careful with sarcasm! The response “I was only joking” will not get you much sympathy.

Example: If a user says to another on the forum that they are stupid, dumb, illogical, incompetent, etc., that is an example of a user tearing another down, and is considered to be ‘flaming’. Even sarcastically saying “Wow, you’re a bright one, aren’t you..” or “Did you figure that out on your own?” would qualify as a form of harassment.
 

5. OFFENSIVE CONTENT [OFF]:
 

Rule: Using offensive language in any context is not allowed here at the CoDz Forum. We believe that our intelligent members can make their points and offer their contributions WITHOUT the necessity of vulgarities. Included in this would be racism, sexism, or any other form of discrimination that may end up causing the distress or discomfort of a user or any group in general. Along with offensive language, displaying or linking to offensive content is not allowed at CoDz. Please be sensitive towards others and how they may react to sensitive material.
 

Consequence: Posts, signatures, or profiles containing offensive language, content, or links will be edited and/or deleted by the Forum Moderators and Warnings will be issued as appropriate. Repeat violations of this policy may result in more severe actions, up to and including Permanent Banning.
 

Example: You can come up with your own examples for sensitive language, I trust we all have at least a few in our heads, but simply starring out a letter or putting a strike through the word does not excuse its usage, such as f*ck, sh*t, etc. An example of offensive content could be an avatar of the Twin Towers falling with the caption “Burn baby burn!” This is very offensive to many people, and although it may not be so to you, please respect the feelings of other users.
Examples of offensive links include Pornographic, Racial, Defamation, or any other derogatory content. If it does not pass our CoC do not link to it on our site.
 

6. SIGNATURES [SIG]:
 

Rule: A user’s signature may only be 5 lines high, 15 pixels high per line and 65 pixels wide per line. A signature must follow all of the above guidelines concerning offensive language and material, and also concerning advertising.
 

Consequence: If a user creates a signature that violates the above rules, they will first be contacted and asked to change their signature. If they do not comply, someone will change it for them. Particularly horrid offenses will be dealt with by staff in an appropriate manner.
 

Example: A “good” signature could contain a few links to some threads (as long as they follow previous rules), zombie round numbers, a small image, or something personal, such as a saying or quote. A “bad” signature would contain any annoying “flashy” .GIFs, or any content that would not comply with previous CoC rules.