Lately there have been a number of problems from abusive members in our online chat here, and the following will outline the steps we have decided to take to ensure this ceases. First off, a new official 'Chat Moderator' position has been introduced and bestowed upon OpheliaBlue; any other moderators present in the chatroom still have moderator rights of course. Second, Ophelia has outlined a number of rules specifically for chat that must be followed, and will be provided below. Third, although a last resort and not an option I personally favour, we can at any time enable chat logging to ensure all culprits are caught.

If none of the above proves to work we will either render the chat on an invite-only basis to be regulated by the staff, or completely remove it altogether.


DV Chat Rules

Dream Views Chat asks all users to abide by the rules and policies. This is not to restrict your rights to free speech but to create a pleasant chatting environment for everyone. The rules have been developed by the forum’s staff members over time and do not reflect any one person’s arbitrary sense of morality.

The rules are enforced by moderators called Chat Moderators who may kick users for offensive or unacceptable behaviour. Members who are being abused or harassed can PM the Chat Moderators and report abuse so that the problem can be dealt with.


The Rules

1. Be civil, polite and follow common net etiquette.
2. Do not post pornographic or otherwise offensive links.
3. No racial, religious, or sexually inflammatory language.
4. Do not spam or advertise.
5. Use English. Move non-English conversations to private messages or create a private room.
6. Please do not flood the window with characters, caps, links, or smilies.
7. Do not create an inappropriate number of new chat rooms, public or private.
8. Do not harass other members.
9. All members are expected to follow the instruction of the Chat Moderator, or any other staff member in chat. If a member feels that a moderator is wrong, or has been unfair in some way, it is not to be discussed in chat. The member can take it up with the administration via private messaging. Arguing publicly in chat will result in a kick and possible formal warning.
10. Do not attempt to circumvent a kick from chat; doing so will necessarily result in a permanent ban.
11. Please report all abuse to the Chat Moderator (OpheliaBlue) immediately.


Typical* Abusive Members will be handled as follows:

1. First chat offense: a warning.
2. Second chat offense: a kick from chat.
3. Third offense: a formal warning from a moderator to stop the behaviour at the risk of banishment.
4. Fourth offense: temporary ban of no less than 1 week.
5. Fifth offense: permanent ban.


*Note that these are only guidelines for how abusive members will be handled. Depending on the individual circumstances, a ban may be required immediately w/o warning.