Forum Rules for CHF - All members please read!!, Contains our "Imperial Edict"

<> Information for New Users - Imperial Edict
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Hi all members of CHF,

This information and forum rules (our imperial edicts) are created to help the staff run and manage this forums. While we often want to allow more freedom in using this forum, we understand that without forum rules, this forum would not be in good condition and the staffs will not have a 'legal' justification in doing certain moderation job. The forum rules need to be read and followed by all members. The information and forum rules presented here are valid for all forums of CHF.


>> Avatar Size Limits
The maximum size for avatars in this forum is 25KB and not bigger than 64 x 64 pixels. Please make sure your avatar falls within this size. You can use the forum's preloaded avatar by selecting gallery. OR you can upload your own avatar into our server.

>> Personal Photos
You can upload your own photos into your control panel. The maxiumum size for photo is 50 KB and not bigger than 200 x 200 pixels. Please make sure your photo falls within this size.

>> File Uploading in Posts
The maximum size of the file (photos or any attached file) in post is 50 KB. There is no limit for the pixel size, but should it distort the forums, the staff will edit them.

>> Long URL links
We understand that it is faster to just copy and paste the URL of a certain website onto this forum, in which the forum will automatically convert it to a link. However, if the URL link is very long, it might distort the way the forum will display into something that is not desirable.

For long URL, please use the following bbcode format, instead of simply copying and pasting the link.

For e.g.

which display

Website of music


>> Signatures
The maximum number of characters that can be placed in a signature is 255 (and this limit is enforced by the forum). You are free to use colors or link a graphics/banner but not change the font size of your signature. If you use a graphic that affect the display of our forum, we will PM you a warning to remove or modify your graphic to a smaller size. A a rule, your banner should not exceed 40 pix in vertical height. These rules improve forum readability (forums exist to have text-based conversation and to exchange knowledge) and page download times. Please try to avoid too much vertical space in your signatures. Always make sure that your graphics (in signature) do not take up too much vertical space. We will PM you if needed to.

>> Post Formatting
Please avoid changing the color of your whole post as it makes the forum difficult read (you can use color to accent post contents, however). Note that not all forummers have the same board style as you. Some may have a different color and it will affect the display if you change the color of your whole post. Do not change the default size of text in your post unless it is to accent certain points inside.

>> Post Counts
We value quality of posts rather than quantity of posts. Although your rank might increase with no. of posts, if you spam to reach a high post count, you will be respected much less than a newcomer. When it comes to applying to be a moderator, your post count or rank will not be considered. Things like contributions, grammar, knowledge, and active participation in the forum are criteria that we seek when you are applying for moderator.

>> Registered vs. Guest
Unregistered users have no posting rights, except in technical support forum. In order to participate you must be a registered user.

>> Language
This is an english-based forum. The language to be used is english, which we are complying with Invisionfree rules. If you want to provide certain quotes in chinese, please make sure that you have the english-translation beside them, not only to benefit non-chinese speakers, but also to comply with the rules. If you have problems translating chinese into english, you can ask me or any of the other staffs for help.



>> Qualities of a good member
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<> Activeness
A good member should, if possible, demonstrate his/her activeness, by participating in our chinese history debate and discussion. Some forummers come down every day to post reply or start new topics. We do not expect you to be hyper-active as in spending more than 5 hours on the forum per day. We understand that coming down here is rather voluntary, but your activeness will make the forum more vibrant and lifely. This forum would cease to exist or be dead, if no members come down for discussion.

<> Good conduct and behaviour
CHF Forum is a forum for intellectual chinese history discussion and exploration. It wasn't meant to be a forum where you can swear, spam or verbally abuse someone. We do appreciate if you can made an effort to be polite, respect all members and be friendly. Good conduct and behaviour will earn you respect from all members and you will be very welcomed in this forum. Good conduct generally means being friendly, respectful of others.

<> Follow the forum rules
Following the forum rules will make CHF forum a good and friendly place for discussion. Although moderators and administrators will be monitoring all posts and conduct of all members during posting, please try to make their jobs easier by following the forum rules. You do not want to receive constant warning from moderators, do you?

<> Helpfulness
Helpfulness means that if a member is asking a question or need some form of help, one is able to respond and help him/her. Helping someone will not only make him/her grateful for your assistance and you will earn more respect, but also make the forum more attractive in the internet world. The reputation that "CHF" has many helpful forummers will spread around the internet and more forummers will pour in to get some sort of help. This is typically how we CHF members can all play to help this community grow.

<> Maturity
Even if you're only 12, this doesn't make you any difference from a 30 year old historian. This is because we are all here to learn and discuss chinese history. You can demonstrate your maturity by learning from how other forummers debate and argue, in a polite way rather than a hostile childish manner. We are a forum that help all members learn and grow. Therefore, you will learn to be more mature when you come down to this forum more often.

<> Knowledge and Wisdom
We not only would love to see your chinese history knowledge increases, but also your wisdom. This doesn't come in a day if you're just arrive. However, if you participate daily in our discussion, you will not only realise that your chinese history knowledge increases daily, but also your wisdom. That's because you are learning during the process, and your mind will develop ultimately.


>> Participation Suggestions
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<> New Topics
If you want to make a new topic please go through the old pages and use the search feature to see if someone has already made the topic you have in mind. Some forums also have 'Common Topics' lists that you may check. If someone has already made a topic you are interested in, please feel free to reply to the old topic no matter how long it has been inactive. We encourage members to revive old threads. You don’t need permission to make new topics and, in fact, making good new topics is a great way to earn respect from administrators and moderators. Take a moment out to think of the proper forum for your new thread so the moderators don’t have to move it.

<> Getting Along and Fitting In
CHF has a very friendly environment for chinese history discussion. A newcomers will be able to get along and fit right in as soon as he/she is here for quite some time. All CHF members should always strive to be polite and humble, and avoid verbal attack, slandering or bragging.

<> Activeness and Contribution
The functioning of CHF community relies not only on our staffs but also all forummers. Without your active participation, the forum would be dead. You can contribute to the community in several ways as follow:

1. Initiate new discussion topics
2. Posting reply and contribute your view on certain discussion topics
3. Provide accurate answer to chinese history questions.
4. Contribute article
5. Contribute links to chinese history sites
6. Invite new friends to come over to this forum, which help to increase membership
7. Helping to spread words about us in the internet, in other forums or add links to your website

<> Becoming a Moderator
There are a few requirements in order to be a moderator. You must have knowledge regarding the forum to which you are applying, you must have demonstrated your skill through productive posting and following the rules, and you must have respect from the moderators. Breaking rules in this thread and being unkind to people will prevent you from ever being a moderator. If you're interested in becoming a staff moderator, you can PM or e-mail me.


>> Tips on History Debate and Discussion
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<> Attack ideas and not person.
This is a forum where you can share views on certain discussion topic. It wasn't meant to be a verbal abuse forum, where you can attack someone saying "how stupid you're?"..or "you're a moron" etc. Such attack doesn't make discussion more fruitful. Instead you will only receive a warning from the staff or make others resent you.

<> Support your argument
A good debator should always support one's argument with good historical information and evidence or even sources. Though you may not remember all the details, sometimes referring to a book is what is needed. Be on the look-out for more senior members. Learn how they debate and do the discussion, as well as how they counter-argue when they disagree.

<> Types of Topics
There are different types of topics in this community, separated into many different forums. There are various types of topics which are listed as follow:
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1. Question type of Topic
Normally, a forummer will ask a certain history question for e.g "How did the Mongols attack the Jin Empire?". Please try to answer it so that he obtains an answer. If you can't find the answer, you can ask your teacher, or surf the internet, or research into books. All members wish to get an answer, so please be helpful towards all.

2. Debate or verification type of Topic
Usually, the historical view has been mentioned in lots of book. But you discover that it might be wrong or inaccurate or just want to verify it with others, or hear different perspective and views . So you post a question asking "Is it justified for Mao to launch the Great Leap Forward?"
Please participate in such discussion and put down your view. Such type of discussion are normally very interesting.

3. Alternative History Topic
This is the "What-if" type of discussion, for e.g. "What if Qinshihuang had not unified China, what would happen?" Well, just put down your view. Be analytical, normally 'what-if" type of discussion are meant to test your ability to interpret historical facts, understanding history pattern and consequences and your prediction of the future from history.

4. Polls type of Topic
You get tonnes of such discussion in the forum. For e.g. "who is your favourite chinese emperor in history?". It can be in the form of polls (listing different historical figures or options). Put down your view, and say why you choose that particular option. Normally, polls type of question are used to do some form of statistical ranking of certain qualities (such as "the best", "most favourite", "the greatest", "the most influential" etc.)

5. Research Type of Questions
This is usually posted by people doing research and are having problems finding information. For e.g. "Where I can find more information about Han Wudi?". Sometimes, such question can range from history information, maps or even graphics etc. Be helpful towards all members asking such research question. You can put down the link, books or even try to answer the question for him if possible. Like I say, all members wish to obtain answer. If a new member arrives and do not get an answer, he will just leave and get on to another forum (something that we don't love to see). If we want to be the best chinese history forum on the internet, please try to be helpful.

Above list the most common type of posting in this forum. Of course, there are other types of posting.


>> Forum Rules (Important)
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<> Spam
Do not spam in the CHF forums. Spam is any post that does not directly further the objective of a thread, which includes off topic posts, posts which only contain a few words and/or emoticons, and inappropriate replies to a thread. All Spam will be deleted by moderators/administator without warning.

<> Plagiarism
If you post information found somewhere else or written by another person besides you, make sure you indicate the source or author. We consider this a very serious issue; make sure you don’t break this rule.

<> Unwholesome and Illegal Content
You may not post anything that is porn-related or are illegal such as hacking, mp3 etc. Anything that is unwholesome or illegal will be deleted or moderated without warning.

<> Vulgar Language
Vulgar language is not allowed in this forum. Though we have a filter against certain vulgarity, the vulgar text will be displayed as "*****". If your text is displayed in such a manner, you will most likely not be so welcomed in this forum. We value polite and courteous members, as opposed to rude and vulgar ones.

<> Member Relations, Flaming and Verbal Attack
Do not blatantly attack another member because you don’t like them or because you disagree with their opinion on a matter. If you have personal words to share with them do it via private message. Open attacks will result in warnings or banning (temporary or permanent). Unwanted private attacks (flames sent via PM to a member), if brought to our attention, will cost you the loss of your private message abilities. What is a flame? A flame is a blatant attack on another member (not their argument). If you insult another member purposefully to any degree, even in a foriegn language, it will result in a flame warning.
If you encounter cases of flame, please report it to the staff, so that the staff can take action in the form of warning or even in the worst case ban.

<> Racism
Racist attacks are not allowed in our forum. Just because you believe your race is more special than others doesn't make you a different or more superior person. Respect for other races or ethnicity will in turn earn you better reputation for being a CHF member.

<> Listen to the Administrators and Moderators
These people run this forum. It is his or her job to make sure this is a friendly and rewarding place for everyone that participates. If you get a message from one of them pay careful attention. Do not assume a moderator has no power in forums they don’t moderate, because they do.

<> Complaint
We appreciate your complaint about a certain person or his/her action for e.g. flames, insult. However, this will have to be done in private through PM or e-mail. If it's a complaint about the staff, the staff will investigate and respond to you quickly.

<> Warning
Breaking any of these rules will result in a warning from the administration and moderation team. Persistant breaking of rules despite several warnings (more than 3) will result in a total ban. All justification has to be done in private through PM. Public complaint/justification will be deleted without warning

This post has been edited by General_Zhaoyun on Aug 10 2004, 02:28 AM

Make sure all of these fit in with invisionfree rules. If not we will add some rules. GZ how long did it take you to make all these rules or did you take some from SMQ?

Most were taken from SMQ..some were added after that..for instance, the language rules are to comply with Invisionfree's rules. (Anyway, those rules at SMQ were drafted by me anyway)