What you're about to read is everything you need to know about how to use this board. Read it and follow it like a bible and you'll have zero problems. These are the rules of engagement.

Making a thread
Post in the appropriate forum
This one should be fairly obvious. If you've got news, post it in the news section. All off-topic threads will be deleted.

Source your material
Posting in the news forum means that when you post a new topic that you must include a link to the original source of the news or at least identify where the news came from like 2ch or mixi.jp. All threads that present news without a proper source will be deleted. If you want to discuss a rumor, please make a thread in the artists' general discussion forum.

Make your threads count
Don't start a thread by saying, "I like her hair." That doesn't stimulate discussion. Do not make a thread simply to list out things without explanation. Try to make your threads thoughtful, something that people can actually talk about.

Official threads
In some forums the most appropriate type of thread is an official one. In regards to official threads that deal with a musical artist, you are required to create a first post that serves as an introduction to that artist. It should include a sole image of the artist, a short profile/biography, relevant external links and a list of their musical releases. Do not post the single covers to all their releases. People can find covers on official sites that's what they're there for.

How to play nice without being saccharine
Language
I'm not one for censoring profanity, so I'm not going to punish you for a curse word here or there. Do not go overboard though. This is not an excuse to use sexist, homophobic, or racist language. That will not be tolerated, this is a forum for all fans no matter how far they veer from the middle.

Try to be civil
Try to be civil. People do have differing opinions and sometimes you may not like what someone else is saying. Unless someone is being outwardly malicious with their comments there is no need to bark back. If you must respond, take the high ground. Don't fall into their game.

Respect; Dealing with People You Don't Like
Sometimes people forget that behind the computer screen is a person. Try to be respectful of that person. No matter how much you don't like someone there's no reason to be vindictive towards them. Don't go after people by flaming them. If you really can't stand someone, add them to your foe list and posts by that individual will no longer show up when you browse the forum.

What not to post
Spamming and advertising
Both spamming and advertising on this site is a no-no. You may not advertise or spam links to your site or someone else's on this forum. If you're involved in a project with another site that involves a music artist, you may PM me and we can discuss the appropriateness of posting it here. Any projects that deal with soliciting money from fans for any reason will be flat-out denied. Don't even ask.

Bumping and double posting
Sometimes you make a thread no one cares about. That sucks, but you've got to learn to live with it. Do not post to bump a thread that has little to no interest.

Also try not to post in the same thread several times in a short period of time. Use the edit button if you'd like to add comments to something you've recently submitted.

You're not a bum, don't beg for stuff
You not being able to find a file is not valid reason for you to come here and make threads asking for it. You are not allowed to request video or audio files from members in this forum. You may trade files privately through private messages, but that sort of activity cannot be solicited through interaction in the open forums. Sorry, AMX is not the Amuro Namie or MAX media welfare department. No handouts!

Multimedia files; How to share the wealth
Posting images
You may post images when they are relevant. Remember that this is a discussion forum foremost. Do not spam this board with animated gifs in place of writing whatever it is you're thinking, be trendy elsewhere. Also, if you post an image on the board upload it to a image sharing site. If the image is large please use spoiler tags to conceal them so that users with slow connections don't have to suffer through long loading periods. Oh, no pornographic images of any kind.

Posting video files
You may not share video files on this forum in any thread unless you have access to the "Sights and Sounds" forum where these files are permissible. If you do have access, most files are okay, but under no circumstances are you allowed to post lossless video files including full quality videos ripped from commercial DVDs. DVD-rips are okay to post, but they must be re-encoded using a lossy codec (DivX, H.264, etc). Remember that you should buy commercially available material if you like it. I do.

Posting audio files
You may not share audio files on this forum in any thread unless you have access to the "Sights and Sounds" forum where these files are permissible. If you have access, you may post high quality CD-rips, but you may not post lossless audio rips in formats such as FLAC and Apple Lossless m4a. Remember that you should buy commercially available material if you like it. I do this too.

Using tags
There are several tags available to use on this forum including ones that will allow you to hide information and others that will allow you to embed videos in your posts. Do try to use them. They include:



For YouTube and Dailymotion, do not use the whole link. Instead all you will need is the numeric and alphabetical id at the end of the link. Use the spoiler tag to hide information people might be sensitive to or to hide large images.

Personalizing your profile
Avatars
You may use an avatar in the avatar gallery or use one of your own creations by uploading it to your own server and linking it here. The maximum dimensions allowed for avatars is 150x75. The maximum file size is 100kb. Absolutely no animated gifs may be used as avatars.

Signatures
At this time I'm prohibiting the use of signatures. An avatar should suffice.

Breaking the rules
Instant permaban
Most of you will never fall into this category. Individuals subject to this are typically spammers.

Suspensions
These are given out for offenses that lack extreme severity. First time offenders will most likely suffer these days. Suspensions will span two weeks and will cover those users would have harassed other users unfairly to those who post prohibited material.

Banning
You will be banned for repeatedly breaking rules or if you are repeatedly viewed as being highly volatile and aggressive towards other members without provocation.

Removal of abilities
If you do not follow the rules regarding posting, you may find yourself without the ability to do. Failing to follow the rules on signatures will lead you to lose your ability to have a signature. Using avatars that are prohibited will mean you will no longer have access to use an avatar.