The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Discussions

The TESWiki Discussions is part of The Elder Scrolls Wiki app, which is the mobile child of the main TESWiki. Created to be a more simple and inviting way to communicate with other fans of the series, it was voted into existence in December 2015. While many updates are coming that will provide features to the app and extend upon it, it is important that all users know the set rules for this application. A link to a desktop version of the app can be found here.

The Purpose of this Policy
The Discussions are a sub-site of The Elder Scrolls Wiki, and as a result, falls under the jurisdiction of the wiki. This policy will act as a guideline and a set of rules for all users of The Elder Scrolls Wiki app, and are to always be followed.

As an application under the service of Wikia, you are subjected to Wikia's Terms of Use.

What are Discussions Moderators, Administrators, and Bureaucrats?
A discussions moderator  is someone that has been appointed to moderate and enforce rules on the discussions. While they are the enforcers, all discussions moderators are subject to the policy as well. Discussions moderators are capable of closing and locking threads and removing comments if need be. They can be recognized by a grey icon with a white talking cloud in it, in the upper-left corner of their avatar.

Administrators are a step above discussions moderators, but share the same tools. Administrators are chosen leaders and enforcers of policy on The Elder Scrolls Wiki, and as a sub-site of that wiki, their powers also effect the app. Bureaucrats are nothing but administrators with the ability to promote other users to that position. Both administrators and bureaucrats can be recognized by the gold icon with a white star in it, in the upper-left corner of their avatar.

Rules
Although discussion moderators and administrators may take in context when deciding how to enforce a rule, breaking any of them can result in punishment of the user at fault, or the closing of the post as a whole. Ignorance of the policy is not an excuse from the policy. We expect all users to be familiar with the rules. However, if you lead another user into unknowingly breaking policy, you will be held accountable.

Personal attacks
Personal attacks against another user will not be tolerated. We have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, even if the user is currently offline. We define bullying as the targeting of someone and speaking to them in a derogatory manner due to their nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, interests, sociological factors (spelling, grammar, intellect, etc), psychological state (mental illnesses), or physical appearance. Also includes goading other users with comments that you know will provoke a reaction.

Spam and trolling
Do not create spam new threads. If you see multiple threads with the same topic posted close together, it is best to refrain from posting a thread of the same topic.

Additionally, do not add spam to threads. Excessive capital letters, ACII art, "l33t" speak, nonsense posts, and alternating capitals will also be counted as spam.

Do not troll threads. Trolling is defined as purposefully irritating or annoying others. Furthermore, sexual harassment, death threats, revealing personal information, or attempting to have another user punished for something they didn't do will be met with an immediate block from the service.

Soliciting upvotes
Posts that solicit upvotes will be taken down. This not only messes with the "Trending" page, but is an annoyance. Here are some examples of posts that are allowed, versus ones that are not:

Making a post purely to say that you are leaving the Discussions is absolutely prohibited. Such posts are off-topic and cause a significant amount of drama; making one is considered attention-seeking. As such, it will be removed and you may be blocked.

NSFW content
The exchange of pornography, gore, or otherwise NSFW material is absolutely prohibited. We are attempting to build a welcoming community, and such posts are very counter-productive to that cause.

Roleplaying
Please refrain from posting roleplaying threads; share them on the TES Roleplaying Wiki instead. "Build" posts for player characters are still permitted, as long as no active roleplaying takes place on these.

Off-topic posts
Do not derail threads from their original topic. If you wish to speak of a different topic than the one being conversed, create a new thread.

Do not flood the discussions with off-topic posts. As the off-topic section is not yet part of the app, we are allowing occasional off-topic posts—but we are trusting that you will not abuse this. If it is abused, the threads will be closed by a discussions moderator. The following off-topic posts are permitted:
 * Certain technical questions and asking how to fix an issue related to The Elder Scrolls in some way is allowed. However, we are not a tech support site, so these questions should be posted sparingly.
 * If you are new to the app, you are free to make a post greeting the other users of the community, but you should refrain from making more than one of these.
 * While posts directed towards specific users are disallowed on the app, you are permitted to make a post addressing one or more staff members if you have something to say which is related to the wiki and requires their attention.
 * While modification-related questions are acceptable, but keep in mind that we are not primarily a modding community, so asking for someone to create a mod for you is not encouraged.

Here are some examples of posts that are allowed, versus ones that are not:

Social relationships
The app is not a place to host a relationship. It is not a dating service, and should not be used as one. We expect you to know better.

Foreign languages
Generally, we do not allow you to speak in real-world languages other than English. If you speak a language that does not have a Discussions feature, contact the administrators of that wiki and ask them to send a request to Special:Contact/general asking Wikia to enable Discussions.

Mini-moderating
Do not mini-mod. Mini-moderating is when you correct a user as if you have the power to punish them, when you truly do not. Instead, report them to those that actually have that power. An example of something to avoid doing is answering other users' threads in the "Moderator questions" category when unprompted, with the exception of certain technical questions.

It is important to note that simply telling a user of the rules they are breaking is not mini-moderating. Just be careful not to give the impression that you are a moderator. Also, do not impersonate any real life figure—regardless of how far-fetched it may seem—and pretend that you are that individual.

Sockpuppetry
Alternate accounts (also called sockpuppets) are not allowed. If you have an alternate account, it will be blocked indefinitely to prevent misuse. Administrators are occasionally allowed non-poweruser accounts for testing or for bot use (e.g. the operation of the bot KINMUNE).

Low-effort posts
"Low-effort"/low quality content is not permitted. Please put at least a small amount of thought into making your posts interesting, open-ended, insightful, or otherwise desirable. A low-effort post is defined as one or more of the following:
 * An observation/statement or question that does not spawn any sort of meaningful discussion.
 * An extremely short post (one that is only a sentence long or smaller).
 * A post that requires little to no thought on the part of the submitter.
 * A post consisting exclusively of a link, and no background information whatsoever.
 * An overly spam-like, immature, or otherwise unappealing post.
 * Any other sort of post that does not keep aloft the quality of content that is currently present among posts on the Discussions.

Here are some examples of posts that are allowed, versus ones that are not:

So, You've Been Blocked. Now What?
If you have been blocked from using the app, you are likely either questioning why you were blocked, or what you can do. This section will hopefully provide you the necessary guidance.

If you were blocked, a discussions moderator or administrator saw you breaking one of the rules above, or you were reported for doing so, resulting in you being punished. You will have to wait for your block to be over, as a block from the app also means a block from the wiki. Do not feel discouraged. When your block ends (assuming your offense wasn't extreme enough to warrant an indefinite block), if you chose to follow the rules above, you are perfectly able to come to the app again. A single block does not mean you are no longer welcome.

We will not give you a block that is not justified by your offense, so do not worry about being blocked for months after breaking a few rules one time. Instead, use the time you are given by your punishment to think about what you did wrong, and return without that fault. We acknowledge that one particularly bad day does not equate a bad user.

Tips to the Users of the App

 * If you take issue with any of the rules, or wish to bring up rules you believe are missing, it is recommended that you come to The Elder Scrolls Wiki via a computer during the Moot (Chat at 4pm EST) or create a Consensus Thread in the wiki's forums. If you have a suggestion related to the structure or features of the app itself, please send your feedback to Wikia at Special:Contact/feedback. If you think you have found a bug, go to Special:Contact/bug instead.
 * We are trying to build a friendly environment on this app. Feel welcome, and please, have fun. The rules are not here to stand in your way, but rather, to provide a well-needed authority.
 * Coming updates will provide the still-shaping app with much more content in the future. Enjoy your stay and watch the app grow.