Annoucements regarding forum policy

[SANParks]

Dear all,

The SANParks decision regarding non-SANParks (but Southern Africa) related topics is the following:

- When clients need some guidance (for example they don't know where to find info about KZN resorts), we will point them to the right direction. Diannet is busy compiling a contact list of the major Conservation bodies, which we'll publish on the forums.

- Discussions relating to Conservation are welcome.

- Advices of the sort of "On the way to Kruger, stop and visit Pilgrim's Rest" are ok, because they hold geographical meaning that helps future visitors plan their trip well. For the same reason, it's ok to advice where to buy groceries before entering the park, etc.

- Discussions on B&Bs and lodges and hotels - are not ok.

The forum activity is growing continuously and we find ourselves with quite a lot to manage online. We really do not have the manpower to keep the standards high on a forum that discusses endless number of other tourism destinations as well. Maybe SA Tourism does that... Here we talk about the Parks.

[SANParks]

Dear all,

I have noticed that some of you do not comply with the Moderators' requests for compliance with the forum rules and netiquette.

Please note that the Moderators are chosen very carefully as SANParks helpers online and this status needs to be treated with respect!

If you have valid reasons why you do not oblige with this regulation, please let us know accordingly. Else, your posts will be removed and your forum account deactivated without further notice for treating SANParks associates with disrespect.

Admin

[SANParks]

Dear all,

From the 1st of December trip reports and other posts containing many photos will be removed if they do not abide by the image posting rules.

Feel free to use the thumbnail method laid out in these guidelines, but please try to limit the amount of photos displayed to no more than 15 per post.

Members having trouble with using this method are encouraged to contact any of the moderators to ask for assistance.

[SANParks]

Dear all,

Please note that the production of any promotional material relating to SANParks - logo, names, events, addresses, etc., without official approval from SANParks Marketing, is strictly forbidden!

SANParks appreciates all ideas and initiatives that the forum community undertakes and is willing to consider various suggestions. However it is required that this be done via the Virtual Rangers platform (an extension of the SANParks Honorary Rangers onto the virtual world), coordinated by DinkyBird. In the future, please direct your proposals to DinkyBird and she will communicate these to the SANParks Marketing department and the SANParks Honorary Rangers platform for consideration.

[DinkyBird]

Forum T-shirts:

Production of any new T-shirts must stop now.

Those of you who have already produced shirts and would like to wear them must please PM your names to me asap. These names will go onto a list that will be submitted to the Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing. If your name is not on the list, you may not wear the T-shirt. Authorized members can use what they have now until such time as an official one is agreed.

[SANParks]

Dear all,

It has come to our attention that some members register and post with multiple user names online.

Please note that this is AGAINST THE RULES!

10. Do not register with multiple usernames. This undermines the trust in communication and the integrity of the Kudu ranking. Members who are suspected of posting with multiple names will be warned, deleted and banned from the system within 24 hours!

Note that in case of violation of this rule, in the future BOTH/ALL user names will be banned without any warning.

This is a necessary measure for the sake of maintaining integrity of posting online.

Best wishes,

[SANParks]

Dear forumites,

This is a reminder that political discussions are not allowed on this forum!

Please revisit the SANParks forum rules:

8. We are striving to create a friendly forum that is open to people of all ages and convictions. Keep the tone of your message or personal message (PM) civil. Personal attacks, cursing, abrasive, rude or vulgar language, pornography, adult jokes, hate speech, racism, sexism, insulting or generalizing about other cultures, provoking mudslinging, religious or political exchange, scolding, bullying, berating, making fun of, or otherwise harassing of other members online will not be tolerated! In addition, if you have nothing good to say, don't say it!

Best wishes,

[SANParks]

Dear forumutes,

It has come to the forum administrators’ attention that there are members who violate Rule 8 by sending Private Messages.

Here is what Rule 8 stipulates:

8. We are striving to create a friendly forum that is open to people of all ages and convictions. Keep the tone of your message or personal message (PM) civil. Personal attacks, cursing, abrasive, rude or vulgar language, pornography, adult jokes, hate speech, racism, sexism, insulting or generalizing about other cultures, provoking mudslinging, religious or political exchange, scolding, bullying, berating, making fun of, or otherwise harassing of other members online will not be tolerated! In addition, if you have nothing good to say, don't say it!

To those who breach this rule: Please be aware that we will be monitoring your transgressions from now on and warnings will be issued in all cases!

To those who receive these messages: Please report them to the Moderators immediately. Your reports will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Best wishes,
SANParks

[SANParks]

Dear all,

Please note the amendment to Rule #15 from this:

15. In case of rule transgression, 2 warnings may be issued. After the third violation, the member may be suspended for a period of time, or banned without further notice. Members who violate the rules repetitively, members that are deemed to be guilty of gross misbehavior and banned members who register again without approval from the SANParks E-Business Manager, will be removed and banned immediately without any notification. Posting on behalf of banned members is not allowed.

To this:

15. In case of rule transgression, the perpetrator may be banned for a 24-hour cooling period. Thereafter 2 warnings are issued. After the third violation, the member may be suspended for a period of time, or banned permanently without further notice. Members who violate the rules repetitively, members that are deemed to be guilty of gross misbehavior and banned members who register again without approval from the SANParks E-Business Manager, will be removed and banned immediately without any notification. Posting on behalf of banned members is not allowed.

[SANParks]

Dear all,

Please note that Rule 18 has been amended.

It changed from this:

18. Copying materials from other sources and linking to smilies or images hosted by a third-party website is not allowed, unless the members have a prior permission to do so. In addition, all photos posted on this forum need to adhere to the size limitation set in Netiquette.

To this:

18. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. When copying materials from other sources, strict citation guidelines apply. (Refer Manual A or Manual B). In addition, linking to smilies or images hosted by a third-party website is not allowed, unless the members have a prior permission to do so.

[SANParks]

Dear all,

Please maintain respect and civility towards each other at all times on the forums.

We will be very strict with the forum rules and once again we need to draw your attention to Rule #8:

8. We are striving to create a friendly forum that is open to people of all ages and convictions. Keep the tone of your message or personal message (PM) civil. Personal attacks, cursing, abrasive, rude or vulgar language, pornography, adult jokes, hate speech, racism, sexism, insulting or generalizing about other cultures, provoking mudslinging, religious or political exchange, scolding, bullying, berating, making fun of, or otherwise harassing of other members online will not be tolerated! In addition, if you have nothing good to say, don't say it!

Likewise, please note that any abuse directed at the forum Moderators, or SANParks personnel, will not be tolerated.

For anyone who is treated with disrespect from a Moderator, please email me immediately at [email protected] and we will investigate further.

If you have issues with other forum members, please raise them with the Moderators directly.

When you post, always bear in mind: Diverse opinions are welcome. Attacks are not!

[SANParks]

Dear forumites,

For the sake of clarity, please see the amendment to Rule #5:

You may only promote causes that are endorsed and supported by the SANParks' Forum Management.

Best wishes,

[DinkyBird]

10. Do not register with multiple usernames. This undermines the trust in communication and the integrity of the Kudu ranking. Members who are suspected of posting with multiple names will be warned, deleted and banned from the system within 24 hours!

15. In case of rule transgression, the perpetrator may be banned for a 24-hour cooling period. Thereafter 2 warnings are issued. After the third violation, the member may be suspended for a period of time, or banned permanently without further notice. Members who violate the rules repetitively, members that are deemed to be guilty of gross misbehavior and banned members who register again without approval from the SANParks E-Business Manager, will be removed and banned immediately without any notification. Posting on behalf of banned members is not allowed.

The moderators are aware that some members are breaking these rules at present. Please regard this announcement as the warning referred to in the quoted rules.