Chat rules

Why do we need rules? What about "free speech"?
We are in favour of "Free Speech" as long as it isn't used as an excuse to deliberately cause conflict and division, to upset other users, or to otherwise spoil chatroom. Rules only needed to ensure that common decency prevails and that the chat-room remains a pleasant, welcoming and useful resource. Un-moderated chat-rooms and forums elsewhere ALWAYS descend into chaos and unpleasantness bullying and conflict. We will not allow that to happen here.

By using our chat room you are agreeing to the following :

Rules :

• Insulting or intimidating behaviour of any kind, will NOT be tolerated. Nor will racism, sexism or any form of abuse or aggression directed towards a particular group or individual.
• Swearing / profanity is not allowed. We have a mixture of age-groups in chat. Opinions will differ as to which words are acceptable and which are not. Please respect the opinions of others in this matter.
  This includes abbreviations and words disguised with symbols and numbers.
• Do not discuss or give personal details (especially email address, phone numbers or street address).
• Have ONE suitable username which respects the above rules. Multiple accounts are not allowed.

Additionally, the following guidelines will be applied at the discretion of the moderators :

• This is railway-themed chatroom. Whilst chat needn't be "on-topic" all the time, we expect users to exercise some common sense and avoid posting pointless comments which are of no interest to others. Off-topic subjects shouldn't be allowed to take-over the chatroom, since that discourages the on-topic chat.
• The cameras are not there to allow us to criticise or police those that work on the railway. Discussion of that sort is not appropriate.
• The cameras are for watching trains NOT people. Please do NOT comment on people who are unitentionally seen on the camera
• Events involving injury or death on the railway are not suitable topics for discussion.
• Politics, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation are not suitable topics for a rail-themed chatroom. Whilst these will inevitably be touched-upon in passing, opinions must not be expressed about these divisive topics.
• Promotion of products and services, especially those which compete with Railcam UK, are not allowed. 
• Repeated links to sites, including YouTube, Flickr and Facebook pages are considered spamming and not allowed.
• Spreading false information or "gen" will not be tolerated.
• Use English only. Use a translator if required. Do not post in CAPITALS - this is interpreted as shouting.
• Chat needs to be inclusive. It's for everyone to use, so do not make it about you. 
• Please DO NOT fill the chat with a running commentary of what you see on the cameras.

The above lists are not exhaustive and moderators may ask you to stop a particular subject or pattern of behaviour - please respect such a request.

In all but extreme cases, a moderator will warn any user who does not follow the above rules & guidelines before resorting to a "timeout" or ban. Bans will usually be short in the first instance, but can be permanent where it is warranted.

Moderator decision is final. If you disagree, email us. DO NOT argue about it in chat. Do not openly criticise moderators in chat. That will only result in a ban