Hello. My Name is Major Nelson. I am the Director of Programming for the Xbox Live service. On behalf of everyone at the Xbox team, welcome to the Xbox Live forums and the Xbox Live service. Please read this welcome post to understand what we expect of you :)
As with any thriving community, we have some rules and guidelines here. I ask that you review them and abide by them. It may seem like a lot of rules, but if you take the time to read them you’ll find that they are common sense and appeal to common socially accepted practices..which most people tend to dismiss when they sit down at their computer and have a shield of anonymity. My intention for the forums is a coffeehouse atmosphere, where we all get together to discuss features, tricks, and suggestions for getting the most of Xbox Live in a relaxed, safe environment. Let's try to behave like civilized people would act when gathered in such a public place, even though we can't see each other. Disagreements and differences of opinions are of course welcome, but personal attacks, vindictive remarks, strong profanity, and other insulting behaviors are not welcome. Otherwise, you will drive off many of the people who could help you the most, or cause them to turn a deaf "ear" to your posts.I came up the following guidelines that I ask that you all live by when on the forums and Xbox Live:
1. Thou shalt abide by the Xbox forum Code Of Conduct
2. Thou shalt remember that polite queries will elicit polite and helpful responses, likewise, that ranting and raving, bashing, and insults will prompt commensurate responses. Ye shall reap what ye sow.
3. Thou shalt be civil - anyone being abusive, calling names or generally trying to stir up trouble will not be tolerated. Do not be rude. If you think someone is wrong it may be because they are new, don't jump on them, think first. If you are repeatedly abusive you will be banned from these forums
4. Thou shalt not insult, berate, or comment upon anything personal to do with Major Nelson, the MVP's, Mods or any other person who happens to post on this forum. Major Nelson and the support team here is most likely not personally responsible for whatever is bothering you, and he works a great deal harder than many of us to try to assist those in need.
5. Thou shalt remember that although we pride ourselves on our collective ability to provide multiple responses to questions and problems very rapidly, we do all have jobs, and sometimes the demands of paid employment make quick responses impossible. Please bear with us.
6. Thou shalt remember that we love to help out, so please don't be shy and feel free to ask any question regardless of how silly you may feel asking it, and we'll be happy to help. If you don't understand the FAQ information, let us know, and we'll be happy to clarify any confusion you may have.
7. Thou shalt remember to post and let us know if your problem has been resolved, or if you are having any further difficulties.
8. Thou shalt be descriptive in your topic. This will help others find what they want to read and help you get an answer. Also, don't use "URGENT" in the subject line. Other member's sense of URGENT and your own is probably quite different.
9. Thou shalt not use "Quick question for Major Nelson!" or "Major Nelson, I want to know this" as subject line in a post. If you have a question, post it with a subject line that has MNQ (Major Nelson Question) a colon and a BRIEF synopsis of the question. Example: MNQ: When is the next R&R Night? That way people can jump on the thread and comment, and in some cases provide the answer. Then I can answer and the discussion can continue. That will allow all the question, comments and answers be contained on one thread. Questions that follow this format are the only questions I will answer.
10. Thou shall use proper grammar when posting. IF UR POST DOES NOT USAR PROPER GRMM3R WH3N POSTNG IT WONT G3T ANSWAR3D!!!! Also, we don't have a spell checker in the forum, but do the best you can.
11. Thou shalt remember that the vast majority of the posters on this forum are not employees or in any way affiliated with Xbox, Xbox Live or Microsoft Corporation, but are in fact unpaid volunteers who donate hours of their time to provide information and assistance out of the goodness of their hearts, and without recompense.
12. Thou shalt not use excessive caps - Please do not post threads in capitals, or have titles of posts in caps.
13. Thou shalt not flame - Please do not try and provoke anyone into a fight.
14. Thou shall use search in the appropriate forum for your problem. You may find the solution in a previous thread. The value of this is that there may already be several replies with good information on your question.
15. Thou shall not start a thread in one forum, then cross post in another forum in an effort to increase your chances for a quick reply. If you mistakenly post in the wrong forum, don't worry, the mods will be more than happy to move your post to the appropriate forum.
16. Thou shall not commit personal attacks; you may criticize an idea but not people on the forum and on Xbox Live
17. Thou shall not spam. No commercial posts or flooding the forum with useless content.
18. Thou shall take personal responsibility. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages on the forums and your conduct on Xbox Live . I don't want to see "Sorry about that last post it was my little brother/sister/dog"
19. Thou shall not whine
20. Thou shall thoroughly enjoy Xbox Live.
21. Thou shall not to start any "Sign petition" threads, or "Poll" threads. Please use the boards to start conversation about ideas or thoughts on Xbox Live or games. Starting a discussion is a much more meaningful way to get get a response from the community.
22. Thou shall look at the pinned posts at the top of the forum. There are frequently pinned posts that address current issues in the community. This is a pinned post, so you clearly know how to find them :)
23. Thou shall not "Bump" a topic unnecessarily and more then once in 24-hours, If you do this it will result in the bump post being deleted.
24. Thou shalt not have a large percentage of your posts that are only negative rants against anything Microsoft, Xbox, or the membership. This is a form of Trolling that only inflames the community and incites more flaming and abusive posts. If you find that your threads are always getting flamed by a lot of different members, you might have to learn to post in a more positive and constructive way that does not start fights.
25. Thou shall not discuss any topic that could violate the Terms Of Use Including any threads or posts regarding modifying the way your Xbox operates. This including 'modding' and/or 'chipping' your Xbox or otherwise altering the way it is intended to operate
26. Thou shall not knowingly post misinformation, lies or false facts.
We have created a dedicated section for Clan members to post --> Clan Group. Please contain any clan talk to that area. My overall main purpose is not to burden the forums with strict rules, but rather build a healthy, intelligent community…with your help, we can do this…and still have fun on Xbox Live.
Have fun play fair and be civil.
Major Nelson Updated: 3/1/05