We are generally pleased to receive all sorts of postings on relevant topics.
If you are hesitant about posting for the first time remember that the electronic medium is relatively new to most of us.
This blog site will be more effective and helpful to all users if we abide by the same rules of appropriate behaviour. These ‘Terms of Use and Guidelines’ state the rules that we must all follow and includes guidelines on sticking to them.
By posting content, you agree to comply with these Terms of Use. Please read these pages and become familiar with them.
In BRIEF:
Do respect each other.
Do use these forums to explore rights and social change.
Do welcome new users. Do have fun!
Do Not use offensive language or images.
Do Not threaten or promote hatred towards individuals or groups.
Do Not use the message boards to abuse, harass, or threaten.
Do Not pretend to be someone you are not.
• When you send a message to the blog it will be read by a large and varied number of people. Please be aware of this and be considerate towards your fellow blog users
• Postings must not abuse, harass, threaten or offend
• Postings must not contain pornography, violence, copyrighted material, or directions to unlawful acts (e.g. drug dealers)
• You agree that your email address and computer IP address may be confidentially stored by ACON (see section 5 below for details of your privacy)
• You agree that inappropriate use of the blog may result in postings being removed and users being banned
• Do not reveal the identity of third parties without their explicit prior consent – this is especially important when writing descriptions of work or situations that may inadvertently reveal the identity of people living with HIV or any other conditions.
Terms of Use
This document clarifies your various responsibilities as a user of the Nomorebutts blog. Its terms are retroactive and agreed by ACON and a working group made up of ACON clients and staff (referred to as the ‘ACON Team’ for the rest of these guidelines).
Note:
Moderators:
A group of ACON clients or staff who have been assessed as appropriate moderators for this blog.
ACON staff:
Are responsible for the operation and availability of the blog software
By using this blog, you agree to abide by the Terms of Use and the Guidelines:
1. You will respect the rights of users of the nomorebutts blog.
2. It is your responsibility to determine whether the content submitted by you is suitable for the blog. You must ensure that any content submitted by you (including your username or signature) does not:
- embarrass, defame, harass, abuse, threaten or offend anyone, including other blog users and members of the ACON Team,
- depict violence, pornography, or give instructions in crime or drug use,
- contain poems, logos, trade marks, or other material that is not owned by you (or which you do not have a licence to use), or
- contain material that is otherwise inappropriate, slanderous, hateful or unlawful.
Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned.
The IP (computer) address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions.
3. We recommend that you not post any contact details or other material that identifies you or anyone else (for example; phone numbers, websites, your email address, etc).
The nomorebutts blog Team cannot, and does not, take responsibility for any communication or relationship between blog users.
4. The nomorebutts blog Team is not obliged to review content submitted to the blog, however, it reserves the right to do so at any time. The nomorebutts blog Team may, for any reason or none, reject content that has been submitted, or remove the whole or any part of that content from the blog at any time without notice to you, and if necessary refer you to the relevant section in these Terns of Use and Guidelines.
While the nomorebutts blog Team will attempt to remove or edit any generally objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message.
Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the nomorebutts blog Team (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.
You agree that the nomorebutts blog Team have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should they see fit.
5. As a user you agree to any information you have entered above being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent the nomorebutts blog Team cannot be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised.
The e-mail address is used only for confirming your registration details and password, for sending new passwords should you forget your current one, and for correspondence between yourself and the nomorebutts blog Team and/or ACON.
6. In certain circumstances, the nomorebutts blog Team may take steps to notify law enforcement, public or community health authorities if it considers that you are in danger or that you may be a danger to yourself or others. You authorise us to fully co-operate with law enforcement authorities in relation to such activities, including by disclosure of your personal information.
7. Without limiting the above, the nomorebutts blog Team may take any steps that, in its view, are desirable or necessary to ensure that all applicable laws and codes of practice are complied with. This may include the removal of certain content from the forums (including content submitted by you), editing the content made available to users, or restricting your access to the forums. We may take these steps at any time without liability and without notice.
8. If you fail to comply with these Terms (or we suspect that you have done or will do so), the nomorebutts blog Team reserves the right to restrict your access to the blog without notice.
9. We cannot guarantee that all users joining the forums are legitimate in their motivation to become a member. In these cases we will attempt to detect such circumstances ASAP and act accordingly, but accept no liability.
Guidelines for using the forums
10. Users should post in a way that is respectful of other users. Please recognise that everyone has different opinions, and show respect for others. Try not to say anything to others you would not say to them in person in a room full of people. Please be thoughtful about your wording and how you might come across - re-read your comments before you post. This will help make the forums a safe place for all. Flaming or abusing users in any way will not be tolerated and will lead to a warning.
11. This blog is:
NOT a replacement for professional help, counselling and support
NOT a dating service or 'pick up' place
NOT the place for personal abuse directed towards yourself or others
NOT the place for any posts or images that could be in any way offensive, harmful or hurtful to yourself or others.
12. It’s OK to use the blog for discussion and support around illicit drug use.
However, this is NOT the place to boast about drug use. It is also not appropriate to encourage other people to take illicit drugs. Anyone who tries to use this blog for finding a dealer, dealing drugs, or for anything connected to the smuggling, sale or manufacture of illegal substances will be banned. We cannot allow people to use this forum for any illegal activities.
13. Users should remember this board is aimed at a diverse audience of gay and straight men and women. Posting pornographic or generally offensive text, images, links, etc. will not be tolerated.
14. Users are asked to respect the copyright of other users, sites, media, etc.
15. Users should not SHOUT or use excessive punctuation in topic titles or posts.
16. Please use an appropriate, descriptive title when posting a new Discussion.
17. Spam is not tolerated here under any circumstance. This includes offering hosting services (charged and free), installation services, solicitation etc. Unauthorised recruiting of any sort, for paid or unpaid work, is not permitted either. Users posting spam will be warned and their post removed.
19. The nomorebutts blog Team reserves the right to edit or remove any post at any time. The determination of what is construed as indecent, vulgar, spam, etc. as noted in these points is up to the nomorebutts blog Team and not users.
20. We do not encourage the posting of phone numbers or other personal information on the forums about you or anyone else – including email addresses.
21. Posting any medical or legal advice, including recommendations that people change or stop their medications, is dangerous and you will be warned if you do so.
Policing these forums
These forums are moderated by ACON clients who have been assessed by ACON staff who are responsible for the operation and availability of the forums. Together, these are the ‘nomorebutts blog Team’.
22. Moderators will at all times –
• Address an issue, not a person
• Address issues offline with outcome notifications on the board
• Remain objective
• Seek advice from other moderators
• Maintain awareness of user capabilities before taking any action – e.g. visually impaired users may inadvertently type in capitals (interpreted as ‘SHOUTING’)
• Require proof of any breach in rules
23. Posts that have inappropriate content will be edited or closed. The nomorebutts blog operates a three strike policy: Users will be warned a maximum of three times for any and all offences. If the need arises for a fourth warning a temporary ban will be put in place of between 1 to 7 days.
24. Arguing with the Moderator Team after having receiving a warning will lead to a second warning. Should this exceed three strikes a temporary ban will be put in place – as above.
25. Users who feel they have been unfairly warned are welcome to contact the nomorebutts blog Team Leader (ACON staff). If they feel you were treated badly they may remove a warning. If you feel their decision is also unfair you may contact the Manager of Positive Services & Health Promotion at ACON. Their decision is final.
26. Any attempt to circumvent a temporary ban will lead to that ban being made permanent. Circumvention includes; re-registering under a non-banned username, changing IP addresses to evade an IP ban, registering a new email account to evade an email ban.
27. An exception to the three strike rule applies when users post (via any method) insulting, aggressive, threatening or indecent material. Such users may be subject to an immediate permanent ban.
28. Permanent bans are a last resort and thought is given before implementing them. While the nomorebutts blog Team may consider lifting permanent bans from time to time this is a rare occurrence.
Complaints
29. ACON’s Code of Practice outlines the values we hold and our commitment to client-centred practice in our work. The Code of Practice aims to maximise client satisfaction and communicate to people their rights and levels of service they can expect from us. A key component of building and maintaining satisfaction with services is a clear and effective complaints procedure.
If you would like to complain about anything that has happened on the ACON Nomorebutts blog , or anywhere else in relation to ACON’s work and/or staff, you are encouraged to use the ACON Complaints Form, which you can access on the ACON website: www.acon.org.au/about-acon/feedback
Disclaimer
30. The nomorebutts blog is a free resource on an "as is" and "as available" basis. ACON does not warrant that the services or content will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free. ACON does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information posted on the forums, especially where such information is of a legal, medical, counselling or similar nature. As a convenience, we may provide links to resources to other sites, but because these other sites are not within our control ACON accepts no responsibility for the content of sites offered as links.
If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions after reading these guidelines you can contact the Team Leader (staff member) at ACON: hivliving@acon.org.au . (02) 92699 8756
We hope you enjoy your time on the nomorebutts blog!
