Chat Rules

I’m going to be completely honest some of these rules are copied almost word for word from AOL.

AOL Chat has been around since before the “Internet” was popular, when AOL was still a walled garden.

This service resembles AOL in many ways, all users are placed in a Lobby and can move to other rooms as they see fit.
These are basically AOL’s rules with some necessary additions because of the software and platform we use.

You get 3 strikes on SpotterChat to follow the rules…

1. Your voice will be muted while the moderator discusses with you in IM what rule you are breaking. Failure to respond results in #2.

2. You will be temporarily kicked from the room.

3. You will be banned for 1 week. Then 1 Month. Then 1 year.

These rules can and will be retroactively enforced via log files if necessary.

If you are banned and attempt to re-connect or register to the network this action will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We discourage any of the following activity that:

• Repeatedly uses language inconsistent with the community standards of the area from which the chat originated.
• Using the software while in operation of a vehicle.
• Impedes or otherwise prohibits communication; disrupts the discussion including, without limitation, using screen names in topical chats that are offensive to the topic and repeatedly posting off-topic comments in a topical chat.
• Contains highly explicit or graphic descriptions or accounts of sexual acts, including but not limited to sexual language of a violent or threatening nature, directed at another individual or group of individuals, particularly when unsolicited.
• Making false statements about the weather or reporting on a position you are not in.
• Using more than one name or changing your display name more than once in a 30 day period.
• Using a display name that closely matches another member.
• Using a display name that is not commonly known to be you, implying you are someone else.
• Contains vulgarities directed toward another individual or group.
• Depicts violence in a gratuitous manner, without journalistic or artistic merit, primarily intended to agitate or cause emotional distress.
• Is intended to victimize, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Hate speech is unacceptable anywhere on the service.
• Solicits personal information from a minor (under 18 years old). Personal information includes full name, home address, home telephone number, or other identifying information that would enable “offline” contact.
• Contains or facilitates the transfer of software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment.
• Contains material that defames, abuses, threatens, promotes, or instigates physical harm or death to others, or oneself.
• Is illegal or incites illegal activity, such as instructional information on how to build a bomb and/or make counterfeit money.
• Solicits for exchange, sale or purchase of sexually explicit images, and/or material harmful to minors; including, but not limited to, any photograph, film, video, or picture or computer generated image or picture (actual or simulated).
• Infringes anyone else’s intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to, any copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, rights of privacy, or other proprietary rights.
• Attempts to harvest or collect member information, including screen names.
• Impersonates or represents any person or entity in an attempt to deceive, harass or otherwise mislead another member. You may not pretend to be an employee or representative of a company, person or this message board.
• Attempts to offer anything of a commercial nature that you or another member have a vested interest in other than simple exchanges of used goods.
• Public discussions of pending civil legal issues with other members of the chase/spotter community. (IE Lawsuits)
• Using scripts or software on the SpotterChat service not approved by the site owner.
• Mocking or causing harm to the community of SpotterChat on any external website this includes its users, owners and the site itself.
• Attempts to get a password, or other private information from a user.
• Links to and/or references content not allowed under these guidelines.
• Attempts to contact members against their wishes.
• Otherwise uses the service in a manner deemed inappropriate by the owner of the site.

Open Standards

SpotterChat server and client are built on Open Source software, source of the re-compiled binaries are available for download. You may connect to the SpotterChat service with any compliant client so long as it does not impact the service for other users. Additional services are included in the SpotterChat clients that are not available on other platforms. You are expected to immediately discontinue use of any application that causes harm to the SpotterChat network even If the error is caused by the SpotterChat service. Failure to do so will be cause for immediate account termination. As a registered user you may not promote other applications for use on the SpotterChat network other than the SpotterChat client. Doing so will degrade the user experience by eliminating features of the service, some of which may be of commercial in nature and used to support the site. The only client supported on the SpotterChat service is the SpotterChat client and is available on most platforms.

You MAY develop “SparkPlugs” for the SpotterChat client.
You may sell or provide these free once approved by the site owner as long as they do not provide harm to the SpotterChat network, interface or experience.

Privacy Policy

SpotterChat will not share your private personal information contained in your user account with third parties. Status information, properties, location, avatars, chats and other data may be shared with other networks that connect to our system. All of this data is made public and can be changed in the SpotterChat client. All conversations are recorded and will be shared with law enforcement upon request, without warrant.

Software Submittal & Volunteer Services

All work submitted for use by the community becomes property of the site for it’s use, if you choose to leave the site or are otherwise banned what you submitted stays with the site however you may use it elsewhere. All “Help” provided is without compensation, you release all rights to any information you submit. Photographs & Videos submitted for use on various portions of the site are excluded from this provision and will be removed upon request as soon as reasonably possible. Photographs submitted for the SpotterChat client cannot be removed.

These rules are intended as a guideline; your membership is a privilege and may be revoked at any time for any reason. Use of the service provided as is, no warranty is offered or implied.

SpotterChat is not affiliated with the NWS or any other agency.