The AMA welcomes people to visit it's forum and have civil discussions and share with each other. Like any forum, it has rules. They are pretty in line with
most other forums out there. Just to verify, here they are:
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc. is a family-oriented organization, and the forums are "G" rated.
Keep in mind that this is a discussion board. Posts that are off-topic, better suited as e-mail back to the original posting member, or one-line zingers (member harassment) will be removed.
HARASSMENT: We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and views, so this is our most important rule: Healthy debate and the exchange of ideas are encouraged; threats, abuse, hate speech, personal attacks, and harassment will not be tolerated.
Think of it this way: Attack an idea, not a person. Post: "That's a stupid thing to say," instead of: "You are the stupidest person in the world!"
VULGARITY AND MASKED VULGARITY: Many members find that certain words make them uncomfortable. We ask you to refrain from using vulgar language on our boards. Masked vulgarity is using curse words and trying to "mask" them with other symbols or letters, so that the word isn't spelled out.
BOARD DISRUPTION: We want you to enjoy the topics you discuss on the boards. Any postings that might interfere with the flow of discussion (e.g., off-topic posts, clutter posts [eg., "me too"], etc.) will be removed without notice at the board monitors' discretion.
UNACCEPTABLE DISCUSSION: We don't allow the promotion of illegal activities on our boards. We reserve the right to remove posts that we believe involve nonconsensual activities or would likely result in serious harm to an individual.
CLASSIFIED, COMMERCIAL, OR SOLICITING POSTS: Posts soliciting or advertising events, items or businesses, which include phone numbers, Web sites, buy/sell items, SPAM, etc., are not permitted and will be removed.
All posts with signature lines that include links to other forums and message boards that are not associated with The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc. will be deleted this includes copy and pasting posts in other forums to the AMA forum.
SINGLE POSTS ONLY: In order to avoid the appearance of SPAM, please do not post the same message more than once per board and make sure it's relevant to the board and/or folder in which you post it. If you post the same message in more than one folder on a board, or more than once in the same folder, the board manager will leave one copy of the message in the most appropriate folder and delete the rest without notice.
POSTING PERSONAL INFORMATION: Addresses, phone numbers (fax, pager, etc.), and other private information doesn't belong on the boards.
The only exception to this rule is contact information for legitimate resources and non-profit organizations. All posts containing phone numbers may be removed without notice.
Keep things positive. Even if you've decided you don't like someone, at least respect his/her opinion. And if you don't share an interest in a topic or you think it's lame, don't post there. Your comments about not liking the topic will be removed.
We will do our best to judge posts on their own merits and in context; however, we do reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. If you have any questions concerning your use of the boards, please refer to our Terms of Service, which you agreed upon during your registration.
And a while back, these were added to by the AMA President due to quite a bit of rule violations on the site:
So, today I am asking that we do not make any posts that (and I’ve seen all of these):
1. Reference another individual in a critical manner.
2. Reference any other Internet forum in a critical manner.
3. Link to a thread on another Internet forum for the purpose of negativism.
4. Include personal (copy & paste) emails which could be considered an attack of any individual, internet forum, or other entity.
5. Contain personal information about any individual without that individual’s permission.
6. Attack either an individual or an opinion (debate without being argumentative).
7. Argue for the sake of arguing.
8. Make snide, sarcastic remarks in response to another post with the obvious intent of getting a “reaction”.
9. Has as its subject an individual and making negative comments about that individual.
10. Contain blatantly false and misleading information about an individual, Internet forum, or other entity.
11. Contain any other negative thing I haven’t thought of.
12. All of this supplements the policy we already have in place.
If any posts like the above appear on the forum they will be edited or removed. In some cases the poster may be notified but this is not a requirement. The decision as to whether or not a post crosses the line will be at the sole discretion of a moderator. I realize this may be a little subjective but if everyone uses their best judgment; is respectful and considerate of others, there should be few problems.
The consequences for not conforming to this policy will be a first time warning. After that a further occurrence, depending on the severity of the infraction, will result in either a second warning or a 30 day ban. Once a poster has been banned once, any subsequent infractions may result in a permanent ban. These decisions, again, will be at the discretion of the moderators.
I apologize to the 90% of us, to whom this is not intended, for having to read this. Yesterday we added a new section dealing specifically with insurance issues. It will be moderated by the chair of our Insurance Committee and the head of our Safety & Member Benefits Department. This will supplement the Safety Discussion section and make the forum a more valuable resource. We will continue to add new sections as we move forward.
At the end of the day that’s what we’ve always wanted this forum to be. A resource to our members and a place where non-members can visit to learn more about AMA. That’s our goal. Please help us achieve that.
They are pretty straight forward. I will say again, as I did in another RC forum when some of the similar people started a similar thread complaining:
The AMA forum is supposed to be a resource for members and non-members alike. It is not a place for petty bickering and troublemaking. That sort of stuff reflects poorly on the organization.
As has been put down to the moderators in the past, there are rules, they are to be followed, they are to be enforced. It matters not one bit who is doing the enforcing of those rules, they expect anyone put in the position to perform the same way.
All actions are reviewable by those at the top, there is no 'secret agenda' or favoritism. If there was, upper management would see it and remove moderators.
As we have been told, users follow the rules, or they get warned, if they continue, they get banned. It is that simple, it is that black and white.
It is obvious some are not happy, and some want to cause some sort of drama. So be it. The rules are still the rules there, and they will continue to be enforce as requested by management.
There have been many claims, but the reality is the forum is moderated as those in charge in the AMA wish. To think that Dave and others have selected people to moderate their site who run amok, or play games, is an insult to Dave and the others in charge over there. Everything that Frank and I do is PM'd or put in a message for all in charge to see. Nothing underhanded is going on, no matter how much some wish to believe that to be the case.
The fact is, as has been said again and again, there are rules there, they differ from other places, but they must be followed. Think about how what you post there can be viewed by others outside of the AMA, what does it make them think of the AMA and their members... Nobody want's to see attacks and bickering. Don't like it, then hang out somewhere else.
Now those that feel the need may be free to continue on with their slander, I have said what needed to be said and am out of here.