Welcome to the S-max owners club

Forum Rules

In the interest of maintaining the smaxownersclub.com message board services as media for the open exchange of helpful comments and information about modifying the S-MAX, I must insist that you adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

Use of the Message Boards is a privilege. We reserve the right to deny your use of this area at any time, without stated reason.

    * Slanderous, defamatory, false, obscene, indecent, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening or harassing images or comments are not appropriate.

       * Any form of direct or indirect personal attack or harassment is unacceptable behavior and is not tolerated. If you find something extreme or offensive posted on the boards, do not respond to it, privately or publicly. A site moderator will be reviewing the forums daily, if appropriate, will edit or delete it.

    * By all means however, email lee@smaxownersclub.com with a link to the post and it will dealt with accordingly.

    * Do not "flame" people either publicly or privately via email. A flame is typically a nasty personal attack on a person.

    *Any comment that calls for unlawful or illegal behavior or might result in harm to others is not allowed.

    *Any form of direct or indirect marketing, unless otherwise authorised by the SMAXOC is strictly prohibited.

    *Remember that the SMAXOC provides the message boards for you to discuss matters of interest with fellow owners/enthusiast. Please stay on topic.

    * SMAXOC does not condone racing on public highways, any topics/posts relating to racing on public highways will be removed. This also includes links to both pictures and videos of         owners hosted on other sites. Members who break this rule will be subject to a suspension if the rules are continuely broken.

    *Please do not post unauthorized, confidential or copyrighted information on the message boards.

    *The SMAXOC reserves the right to remove usernames it deems inappropriate.

    *By registering on the SMAXOC forum, you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct. The SMAXOC forum moderators reserve the right to edit, move or delete postings that violate the above guidelines and may, in its sole discretion, warn, eject or ban users for violating this Code of Conduct.

ZERO TOLERANCE RULE

From now on the ADMINISTRATOR and the moderators are issuing a zero tolerance rule on this board of flamers.

    * Flamers: a person who continually uses swear words, makes insulting remarks and/or defamatory remarks to other members or the SMAXOC.

    * Pornographic Material: The SMAXOC does not allow any pornographic material OF ANY KIND on it's forum. This is inclusive of any links to pornographic sites/pictures. Any forum user found to be posting pornographic material will be banned with immediate effect.

Definition of Pornographic: Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.

The SMAXOC is a car club not a pornography site and our beliefs are that people come to the SMAXOC because of their love of the Ford S-MAX not to view pornographic material. No pornographic material is present in locked or secure areas of the forum or website.

We are willing to accept that certain car show events display nudity and we prefer you to use your discretion on the content before posting. With this, the SMAXOC reserves the right to be flexible and retain its car club and family orientated ethos.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the message boards or this Code of Conduct, please feel free to e-mail lee@smaxownersclub.com

Street racing

There are an increasing number of street racing related posts appearing on forums. The SMAXOC wish to state that they do not endorse street racing or the use of excessive speeds on public roads in any way, shape or form. Any posts deemed to be of an irresponsible manner may be deleted.

Avatars

The SMAXOC is a family club therefore Avatars must conform to a small set of rules.

    * Pornographic Avatars are not permitted in any way.

    Definition of Pornographic: Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.

    * Avatars should be no bigger than 250 x 250 pixels and 29kb in size.

    * All tasteful avatars are permitted, and the SMAXOC strongly suggest that you refrain from making them of a naked or half naked nature, this includes body painting.

We are willing to accept that certain car show events display nudity and we prefer you to use your discretion on the content before posting. With this, the SMAXOC reserves the right to  be flexible and retain its car club and family orientated ethos.

If an avatar is viewed to imply, suggest or in breach of the above, you will be notified and asked to delete or replace it without question by the ADMINISTRATOR or a Moderator.

SMAXOC Banning procedure

In conjunction and reference to the SMAXOC 'code of conduct', in direct relation to misconduct and wrongdoing that falls outside of this framework, which would possibly or automatically come subjected to or give rise to the follow:

* First Warning: a gentle reminder/warning (indicating/placing reference to a more formal warning - if applicable)

* Second Warning: a more formal warning (indicating/placing reference to first warning/and continued action of misconduct) - this leading to a possible Temporary or Automatic ban.

* Temporary Ban: constitutes a one month ban - if applicable (placing reference to ALL previous warnings).

* Automatic Ban: an immediate ban (with reference to ALL previous warnings including Temporary Ban).

Note: This particular ban means that all traces of your details will be removed/deleted from the SMAXOC database permanently.

Execution of Warning/Ban/Resignation

Only the ADMINISTRATOR or a member within, on behalf of the ADMINISTRATOR reserve the right to administer or impose a warning or ban.

Right of Appeal

In the event of a member or forum user wishing to raise objections or is in disagreement with the application of such a ban, has the 'right of appeal' from the outset of the imposed ban and ALL appeals should be put to the ADMINISTRATOR through lee@smaxownersclub.com

All appeals will be acknowledged, and each case addressed on its own merits and with due consideration and in strict confidence.