RULES & GUIDELINES for participating in the Forums

A) Rules & Guidelines

The rules/guidelines, laid down here & in the following posts, are NOT optional.  If you have the time / wish to ask queries or participate in the forums & enjoy, you first need to find time to read & follow the rules/guidelines meticulously. 

The same are, however, NOT laid down to restrict or discourage anyone from writing/ participating but to encourage one & all to write good and meaningfully.

Rules & guidelines are mixed-up for better clarity & to co-relate, and to leave no scope for interpretation (different).  The same are illustrative in nature (& not exhaustive). 

Please note the following…

1. Rules/guidelines will apply impartially to one & all (irrespective of post-counts/ credits) - no member is bigger than the forums, which may please be noted. 
2. Moderators will be implementing the rules/guidelines, whenever required while conducting the forums, in the humblest possible manner without being offensive or personal.  Members/ visitors are expected/required to accept the same in an equally humble manner/fashion.
3. Any discussion/participation (or behaviour) that is not in convergence with the rules/ guidelines will be suitably edited/moved/closed/deleted etc. (to be treated as message/s from the Moderator/s).
4. The member/s concerned may also be cautioned/warned, requesting to refrain from doing/ repeating the same in future.
5. Violation of rules/guidelines & requests/warnings of the Moderator/s would be viewed very seriously, and, if deemed fit, may also invite banning the member/s concerned from the forums & CarWale site forever.

Let us all be our own moderators & ensure quality & meaningful participation, and endeavour to make this a place/community that anyone would feel proud to be a part of.

Wishing one & all a very happy & pleasant experience, and a clean & healthy environment in the forums.

Please read through the following for further clarity & finer details…

B) Language, Words, Expressions etc.

1. Please write in English and, as far as possible, be particular about correct usage of words & spellings, and also try & write as comprehensively & lucidly as possible.
2. Do not use SMS language, slang words/languages, punctuation marks here & there and smileys repeatedly.
3. Do not write the entire post in UPPERCASE or bold (readers feel as if they are being shouted at). Use Italic format only to quote something verbatim (not otherwise).
4. Use proper formatting of paragraphs, capitalization, commas, full-stops, proper spacing etc. (for better readability).
5. Avoid using uncommon abbreviations (elaborate at least once in each discussion).
6. Language & words/expressions should not be offensive, rude or sarcastic. Please write in unassuming & modest way.  Refrain from portraying arrogance, self-importance & egotism, and from blaming / making personal attacks & indulging in arguments.
7. Disagreement in views & perceptions is very obvious and in the benefit of the forums (enhances knowledge of all).  It should be done with modesty & not arrogance.  The platform of discussion/disagreement should be academic & not personal. 

C)  Sections & Threads / Queries

1. Use the Search option & discuss/post queries/views on the existing threads on the subject matters.
2. Start a new discussion if information is not available to your satisfaction in other existing discussions/threads.
3. Avoid creation/duplication of threads (threads so created would stand to be merged/closed/ deleted upon the discretion of the Moderator/s).
4. Look for different Sections/sub-sections, and read through the descriptions mentioned below each Section about the type of topics it covers.
5. In case of confusion (new comers), other/senior members may extend help in explaining the procedure/s & providing references/links.
6. Start/create a new thread in appropriate Section.
7. The title of the thread should indicate the subject matter well, so as to draw the attention & interest of all, and help in future in searching/locating discussions subject-wise.
8. The queries should be clear & self-explicit, containing the required details comprehensively.  For instance (only), in case of buying a car, it should contain details of budget, usage/run (city & highway), preferences, likes/dislikes & size of family (space requirement).

D)  Replies & Discussions

1. The replies/discussions should address/cover the queries appropriately & comprehensively. 
2. While addressing the queries pertaining to buying a car, recommendations/ suggestions should be more or less in line with the requirements, as requested for in the queries.  Misconceptions or unawareness of facts, if any, may, however, be cleared/explained to the askers, and suitable alternatives may be suggested.  Personal preferences, for whatsoever reasons, may not be imposed.
3. Please avoid being / passing critical comments on any car (all cars are good in themselves, and that, there’s always a better car & there is no end to it).
4. Facts, figures & related matters of any car should be stated in an unbiased manner (irrespective of ownership / personal preferences).  For instance (only), a few cars come with maintenance packages etc. but the packages, though may have been projected as free by the manufacturers/dealers, may not necessarily be so in reality, as an additional cost for the same may have been included in the price (at whatever stage) & may also be optional in nature.  Facts (any), if known or once brought to the notice, should be elaborated upon to give a correct picture.
5. Discussions to be restricted to the subject matters/topics.  Diverting to other topics – even though related/meaningful – is unwarranted for (though it may not always stand true). In case of need, new threads may be created for the purpose.
6. Avoid repeating views (own or that of others) again & again (same thread).
7. Statements like ‘I agree’, ‘Thanks’ or the like should be avoided to the extent possible.
8. The views/posts should be meaningful & not out of context or in the form of chit-chatting. 
9. Occasional off-track remarks/comments, if any (nothing wrong), should be in good humour & like a pinch of salt – and should not, in any way, divert the discussions/topics.

E)  Posts / Participations

1. Participate only/generally when there is disagreement in the views/perceptions or have something more/else to add or discuss other aspects/angles of the subject matter (otherwise, it is not necessary to say something only for the sake of it / or for increasing the post counts).  
2. Do not post/discuss for the sake of unnecessarily prolonging the discussions.
3. Do not post/register subsequent posts (one followed by another).
4. For after/subsequent thoughts, please use Edit Tool till it is available (10 minutes). Avoid using Edit Tool (though available) if another post is already registered immediately thereafter.  However, if it needs to be used/edited, put Edit remark in / at the end of the post so edited.
5. Consolidate the views/ information in one post (to the extent possible).
6. In case the reply/post is longer than the space restriction of one post, post the balance in the succeeding post (in sequence).
7. ‘Quote’ facility may be utilised to reply to a particular post/portion, if required. Previous post itself should not be quoted unless the reply pertains to a particular portion thereof (in that case, quote the relevant portion only).
8. Do not reply to each post separately. The views may be consolidated in one post itself keeping in view the discussions that have advanced.
9. Please do not dig/revive old threads/discussions that have ceased to continue for whatsoever reasons - unless the askers revert back with further queries OR new askers post queries (therein) relevant to subject matters.

F)  References, Photos etc.

1. References/links to the source of information etc. derived from other websites/ elsewhere may please be provided in the discussion to give due credit to the writer/original source – else, it may invite violation of copyrights.
2. Photo/s may be uploaded in the post/discussion but avoid uploading series of photos.  The same may be uploaded in the Photo Section (My CarWale > Community > Album/s) & a reference/link may be provided thereto in the post.
3. Please avoid quoting names & mentioning telephone numbers, e-mail IDs etc.
4. Please also avoid mentioning your e-mail ID & telephone no. or the webpage etc. you may otherwise be associated with.
5. Do not take away the discussions off the forums to personal level by way of giving/ exchanging e-mail IDs & Telephone Numbers.
6. The threads/posts are strictly prohibited from containing propaganda material/s (in any form) of other websites, products, professions, unwarranted references or listing of vehicles for sale etc.
7. Please report immediately the posts that contain material unwanted / unwarranted for, to the Moderators/Administrators, by using/clicking the tool made available for the purpose alongside each post.

G)  Off- track topics & threads (General Discussion/Introductions/Announcements)

1. Off-track topics, if any, can be discussed in ‘General Discussion’ (Your Own Place) – under different threads.  The discussion should be meaningful & for academic purpose, and not for or in the form of chit-chatting.  The same will by & large apply to ‘Introductions’ (of members).
2. Jokes can be posted in the Jokes thread (General Section).  Needless to add, the jokes should be decent/presentable enough to find place in public forums. Please do not discuss or post appreciative remarks therein – unless, it is immediately followed by a joke (within the same post).
3. Starting threads/discussions in ‘Announcements’ is generally restricted to Moderators/ Administrators of the Forums.