Important Notice:

Spammers and recruiters are not welcome here. If you'd like to discuss advertising of any kind, please visit www.uponthemoster.com and click Contact Us.
Thanks,
the Up On The Monster Message Board Administrators

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Moderation

This board is moderated. The Moderating Board consists of six members who perform their duties on a volunteer basis.
Up On The Monster's mission is simple - we want it to be a fun, interesting, stimulating, open minded, free spirited, thoughtful, and comfortable place for Red Sox fans from all over the world. In other words, the members are what makes this place special, and the less we have to moderate, the better. We need your help to satisfy that mission and that's the purpose of these Rules and Guidelines.

Membership Requirements

Membership is restricted to fans of the Boston Red Sox. Others, such as those who've given interviews, may be invited to join as guests, but it is assumed that they will respect the safe haven atmosphere while they're here.

Posting Prohibitions - These rules apply to message board threads and to private messages (PM's or email sent from this website) if brought to the attention of the moderators

1. Illegal or improper use of copyrighted material:

- Please abide by the rules of Fair Use. Link to Definition
- Always cite a source if you copy anything from another website.
Note: Citing the source of material you use will not protect you from copyright infringement if you violate fair use, but it will protect you from accusations of plagiarism.

2. Obscenity and pornography aren't welcome and we'll know them when we see them. Everyone's tolerance is different, but this board is co-ed and multi-generational and that will be taken into account in borderline cases.

3. Any form of threatening, harassment, or derogatory remark directed at another member is prohibited and will be taken seriously.

4. Frequent provocation, flaming, trolling and baiting are common internet message board problems and they're not welcome here. Wikipedia is one source for definitions of those terms which will give you a general idea of what we consider cause for concern and moderator action, but we reserve the right to apply those definitions as appropriate for our community.

This rule applies only to message board threads

5. While Up on the Monster encourages and hosts a wide variety of topical discussion, we ask our members to refrain from making solicitous posts.
Examples of posts that qualify as solicitation:
- Item for sale: Please do not advertise items for sale. Regardless of whether it is anything from cars to video games, used CDs to lawnmowers, we are not a classified ad service. Baseball tickets are exempt from this rule.
- Dating ads: Again, we are not a classified ad service.
- Petitioning: Please refrain from asking the general membership to sign a petition or join an organization.
The moderators will determine what qualifies as solicitous on a case by case basis.

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Disciplinary Procedures

Except in extreme cases, members will be contacted via PM and given a chance to understand and correct problem posting. If the behavior continues suspension or revocation of membership will follow.

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Posting Guidelines

1. Please familiarize yourself with the Invision interface. There is a Help section and if you're having trouble with a something please ask one of the mods or experienced posters - we'll be glad to help (or sympathize!).

2. The board has different areas for different kinds of posting: the game threads are usually fast paced and casual, the Red Sox Action threads are for topical discussions and they're more thoughtful, The Eliot is for members only and almost any subject is fair game.

3. This is a diverse membership you are joining. Be aware that derogatory remarks about a fellow member’s race, ethnic background, lifestyle, employment, sexual orientation, political or religious affiliation or other personal matters are not welcomed. Keep in mind this rule applies whether or not a fellow member is being addressed directly or not and will result in a warning, suspension or banning.

4. Doom and Gloom posting is one of the things this board was created to escape. While it is a fact of life that the Red Sox will not play perfect baseball and its fan base will certainly voice their displeasure, this board prides itself on creating conversation that has thought and substance behind it. Repetitive, inflammatory, substance-free commentary on the failures or shortcomings of the Red Sox players, field management or front office detract from the overall quality of the board and may even discourage positive members from visiting the board. At some point, excessive negativity can become a violation of rule 4.

5. The moderators can't always read every message every day. We may miss a problem message or miss the problem in a message. If you feel something needs our attention please report the post or send a PM to one or more of us. Confidentiality will be maintained and we'll respond as quickly as possible.

6. The Moderating Board encourages spirited productive debate on a wide variety of topics discussed in the forums of the Up On The Monster message board. The key to the success of the board is to keep your emotions in check and respect your fellow members. Please take some time to put careful, respectful thought and substance into your posts on the message board. Humor is always welcome. The result will be enjoyable, informative and productive conversation that will keep you coming back for more.

7. Please remember that the message is fair game, but the member isn't. If you attack a post you'll be forgiven eventually, if you attack the poster, Rule 3. may appy.

8. Please check you ego at the door. Not every argument has to end with a winner and loser. Sometimes it's OK, even best, to agree to disagree.

9. Human communication is often non-verbal, and verbal communication includes sound as well as words. We only have words here and that means misunderstanding is inevitable. What we do have are the "smilies" or "emoticons" that you see in the toolbar when you compose a message, and they can be very helpful. You can also put hints in you message in a variety of ways. CAPTITAL LETTERS usually indicate an raised voice and should be used with

care. ::sarcasm to follow:: can be a useful hint.

Finally, allow us to repeat: The members are what makes this place special, and the less we have to moderate, the better. We need your help to make this a fun and informative environment, and that's the purpose of the Rules and Guidelines.