Guidance
The following is adopted from the community’s original charter (Tsunami Bible) and has been updated to reflect modern communities.
PUBLIC SERVERS
[1] All public servers will contain TsuGaming in its name at all times[2] Any game server that is an official TsuGaming game server will have an associated discussion channel in the official TsuGaming Discord. Any game server that doesn’t have a channel in the official Discord is not an official TsuGaming game server.
[3] In most cases, there will be a Manager appointed by the Founder to oversee all activities for the game in which a public server is established. For example, there would be a “7 Days to Die Manager” if we had “7 Days to Die” public servers. This leader would then appoint server administrators or be the head admin themselves. If there is not a Manager position associated with that game, the Founder will directly appoint and approve the head administrator for each individual game server. Server administrators have no authority in the community itself.
[4] Game server administrators are responsible for ensuring the server stays up 24/7, is reliable, cheat-free, and popular. It is their responsibility to find responsible co-admins and moderators to supervise and help manage each individual game server.
[5] Game server moderators are appointed by the Manager or lead game administrator. Game server moderators ensure that the rules created by the administrator are enforced as well as help players who have issues. Game server moderators are not authorized to change server settings or have full access to the server/server files.
[6] If the community does not already have a public server for a specific game and you would like to see one created, start a topic in the #suggest-games Discord channel. If enough people show interest, it will be considered. In order to be implemented, a qualified Manager must be appointed. A Manager cannot manage more than one game at a time. A minimum monthly donation may be required in order for the community to continue to run it.
[7] Public game servers that do not have an active Manager or which are not getting reasonable donations may be shut down. Priority will always be given to the games that regular donors are paying for.
[8] All TsuGaming public servers (including their files, configurations, modifications, etc.) remain exclusive property of Tsunami Gaming regardless of the donations and contributions of the players. This is to prevent previous admins and server staff from stealing/taking our files, configurations, or modifications. This includes access to 3rd party accounts used to track or manage server data.
SECTION III – COMMUNICATION
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A Forum Use
[1] Registration
a) Registration is required for anyone requiring support on any product, service, public server, or topic of a similar nature.
b) This includes the use of spam protection/filters and email authentication utilities that are built into our site/forum.
c) If you do not register an account, you will not be able to post or access members-only sections. Moderators will not be able to moderate unless they are properly authenticated.
d) If you need to register a new account, please use an appropriate name and follow the instructions provided.
e) Be sure to complete your registration by clicking on the link provided in the confirmation email that will be generated when you submit your information. IF THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU PROVIDE IS FALSE YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SITE/FORUM. So please provide a valid email address.
[2] Authentication
a) Our forums, website, etc may or may not require authentication (a login).
b) Please use a single account on our website/forums. Do not create duplicates.
c) If you cannot remember your login information either use the Forgotten Password function or contact someone on the Web Team.
d) If you would like a new name, we have the power to change your name if requested, as well.
[3] Former Members
a) Members who were a part of this community before its formal inception date of January 1, 2005 (whether they left or were kicked) are permitted to use the forums as long as they obey the forum rules.
b) Members who were an active part of the community in the first year or so of formal inception may be eligible for special privledges on the forums. This may expire if they become inactive for an extended period of time.
c) Members of clans, squads, or other affiliated groups that have been kicked or removed from the community will be allowed to participate in community discussions and events as long as they are registered and obey rules. However, they are subject to less tolerance.
[4] Kicks & Bans
a) If a person violates any rules the consequence will be (in this order):
1. Verbal warning by admin or moderator.
2. Subsequent use of the moderator ‘Warn’ function as needed until they are temporarily banned.
3. Permanent ban from all forums.
b) Moderators are not required to issue warnings in all cases and may request the administration issue a specific forum (or entire forums) ban at any time.
B TeamSpeak Use
[1] Server Admins
a) Server Admins (SA) is a special group that is reserved for those that maintain the server configuration (server.ini), user accounts/logins, and other server administrative tasks.
b) The SA group is the only group that is able to establish a connection to the configuration files and database that is the core of the TeamSpeak functionality. For this reason, the SA account is considered a security risk and is given to as few members as possible.
c) Council Members may be eligible for a SA account.
d) Most of the SA’s functions can also be done by Operators or Channel Admins (such as controlling voice, channel passwords, kicking, etc).
e) Regardless of who owns, runs, maintains, etc. the voice server, the Founder will decide who may have an SA account.
[2] Operators/Auto-Ops
a) Operators have the authority to administratively control the channel that they have operator in. This means they can…
b) Assign and revoke CA’s within the channel that they have o/AO for.
c) Change the description of the channel that they have O/AO for
d) Create subchannels in the channel that they have O/AO in
e) Kick players in their channel from the server
f) Set a password/remove password for any channel they have O/AO in.
g) Clan Leaders will get AO for their clan’s channel and may assign CA’s however they see fit.
h) Operators can only be assigned by a server admin.
i) O or AO should not be given to anyone who does not actively moderate a channel.
[3] Channel Admins
a) Channel Admins have the authority to moderate a channel that they have CA in. This means they can…
b) Give/take voice from any player in the channel they have CA in.
c) Kick players in their channel from that channel (moves them to the public lobby)
d) Any active and responsible Tsunami Gaming Network member may have CA in the public channels.
e) CA should not be given to anyone who does not actively moderate a channel.
[4] Voice Rights
a) Any unregistered user that follows the rules of the TeamSpeak server may have voice.
b) Any registered user that follows the rules of the TeamSpeak server may have auto-voice.
c) Any person found to be irritating users, getting in the way, or causing a disturbance may have their voice rights revoked.
[5] Kicks & Bans
a) If a person violates any rule the consequence will be (in this order):
1. Verbal warning by an admin. A private message in the forums may also be used.
2. A kick from the server with reason listed
3. A 24-hour ban.
4. Each subsequent ban will be twice (x2) the previous length of time.
b) All kicks (for reasons other than disturbances) and bans will be documented in the teamspeak forum. Be sure to include the time zone in your post.
c) All ban start times will be the kick time rounded up to the next ‘midnight’.
d) Ban end times will be no less than the full length of the ban.
e) Un-banning is not automatic. The user must request to be unbanned after their ban has expired.
f) The Council must approve lifting a ban early. Exceptions are slim.
[6] Miscellaneous
a) If you feel a SA, OP, or CA is abusing their authority please make a post in the teamspeak forums.
b) Server Admins may move users as needed. Moving people without warning should be avoided.
c) This is a gaming voice server. Channels/subchannels are reserved for those in game. If you are not in a game, please do not loiter in a game channel so that others may use it.
d) The Founder must approve the creation of new moderated/permanent channels. This rule applies even if you are on the Server Administration Team!
C IRC Use
[1] Authentication
a) Users on our IRC network are STRONGLY encouraged to take the time to register their nicknames. Though this is not required for standard chat, it is required for any special permissions and to register private channels of your own.
b) It is against our Acceptable Use Policy to knowingly register a nickname or channel that you know is already used by someone else.
c) Our IRC network is provided as a gaming service to our users. For this reason all bots and scripts must be created with this intention. Malicious, offensive, annoying, or otherwise distracting scripts will be removed or you will be banned.
d) To apply for staff, complain about abuse, etc. please use our IRC forum.
D Other Items
[1] MSN Messenger
a) MSN Messenger is the official messenger of our community.
b) Active members of the community should download and actively use MSN.
c) Please be sure to share your MSN account information with all Tsunami members for all games by making a post in the forums.
[2] Xfire
a) Xfire is strongly suggested for anyone in a Tsunami Gaming Network sponsored clan.
b) Xfire is strongly suggested (and desired) for anyone that wants to be an active member of the Tsunami Gaming Network.
c) Please share your Xfire account information with all Tsunami members in the forums.
[3] Keeping in touch
a) Staff members that are going to be away for more than 5 days are required to make a post on the public forums for all to see.
b) Staff members that are going to be away for more than 5 days are also required to private message any ‘bosses’ they have.
c) Council Members that are going to be away for more than 7 days are required to make a post in the Council forum.
d) Any staff member found missing, unexcused, inactive, etc for one week is considered Missing In Action (MIA).
e) Any staff member that is MIA for more than 2 weeks shall have their accesses removed.
f) Any leader that is MIA may be removed from leadership without notice. Leaders should lead by example and are held on a higher standard.
g) If you make a post and/or talk to a leader you are considered Excused and not MIA.
h) Excused members are exempt from any requirements such as meetings. Anyone that is frequently excused should be considered for removal.
SECTION IV – RULES & ETHICS
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A Forum Rules
[1] No offensive avatars / posted pictures.
[2] No pornographic, racial, or generally offensive media/links/topics permitted.
[3] Do not post links to any sites, which contain excessive popups, malicious code, or scripts that may affect the stability of someone’s computer.
[4] If you are going to start a topic that may not be suitable for minors (i.e. displays sexually suggestive material, strong and consistent foul language, etc … PG13 and above) then please ask yourself if you should post it at all.
[5] If you do post material that may not be suitable for all ages, you must keep the tone of the conversation MATURE. No immature tangents!
[6] Play nice. Do not instigate arguments. If you have a flame, make sure it is done in the flame forum.
[7] The Tsunami Gaming Network has a strong fellowship and friendship amongst our players and guests. Be respectful to all forum users.
B TeamSpeak Rules
[1] No pornographic, racial, or generally offensive links permitted.
[2] Do not post links to any sites, which contain excessive popups, malicious code, or scripts that may affect the stability of someone’s computer.
[3] Do argue or continue arguments publicly. Take your arguments to a private channel or off our TeamSpeak.
[4] Respect and obey all admins at all times. If you disagree with an admin, complain on the forums not in TeamSpeak.
[5] Never attempt to circumvent the integrity of the TeamSpeak system (i.e. port flooding, sharing accounts, spamming, etc)
[6] One account per person. If you forget your password please ask an admin to either reset your password or delete your old account.
[7] Accounts that are created (registered) and not used (for about two weeks) will be deleted. So make sure you log out and back in after you create a new account.
C IRC Rules
[1] No pornographic, racial, or generally offensive links permitted.
[2] Do not post links to any sites, which contain excessive popups, malicious code, or scripts that may affect the stability of someone’s computer.
[3] Do argue or continue arguments publicly. Take your arguments to a private channel.
[4] Respect and obey all owners, netadmins, and opers at all times. If you disagree with the staff, complain on the forums not in front of everyone.
[5] Never attempt to circumvent the integrity of the our IRC network and servers (i.e. port flooding, sharing accounts, spamming, etc)
D Community Ethic
[1] Cheating Policy
a) The Tsunami Gaming Network has a ZERO TOLERANCE cheating policy. This means if you are caught cheating or found by decision to be cheating you will be permanently banned from the game server.
b) You may still be permitted to post on the forums and use our teamspeak/irc services as long as you do not use them to ban evade, harass members or staff, and accept a ‘CHEATER’ tag on the forums for an extended period of time.
b) Experimentation of cheats online is not permitted UNLESS:
1. You are using it on a private server where it is known to all users that cheats are being used
2. You receive approval from the server owner(s) to conduct a test.
c) The use of cheats is strongly frowned upon and is discouraged no matter what the reason.
d) TsuGaming considers any offensively advantageous file (skin/mod/patch/etc) to be a cheat. Any realism enhancements (ie. bullet tracers) or graphical/defensive customizations (explosives illuminations) are tolerable. All decisions are made by the public server admins on a case-by-case basis.
a) Sportsmanship is an important ingredient of any game.
b) Sportsmanship is defined by Merriam-Webster as “conduct (as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport”
c) Our players must accept that they will not always win games, or may in fact suffer a brutal loss. This should not deter your motivation for participation or learning the game.
d) Poor sportsmanship is frowned upon and may even be grounds to remove you from a clan or squad. Keep your chin up and rely on your teammates to make you better. No one likes a sore loser.
e) ‘Cyber-bullying’ is not tolerated. We have a Free Speech forum where users may speak freely. However, this does not excuse topics opened with the explicit purpose of harassing another member, starting up fights or drama, or continuing arguments from one thread in a completely separate thread.
[3] Agreed Rules
a) All gamers that are in a squad or clan for our community must abide by any rules that are agreed upon at the beginning of the game. This includes items such as (but not limited to):
1. No base rushing, use of super weapons, etc. for RTS games.
2. No wall jumping, base defense glitching, etc. for FPS games.
b) Any rule that is set in place before the game is started will be followed by all members unless a non-TSU member breaks the rule first. If one TSU member breaks a rule there is no justification for other TSU members to break the rule(s) as well.
c) If terms are agreed upon by both teams, it would be unethical to break those terms and thus is not permitted in our community. We promote ethical gameplay. If you cannot accept these terms you must organize your clan somewhere else.
[4] Common Sense Rules
a) Every game has a set of rules that are considered “Common Sense” or “Good Ethic” rules.
b) If a server has a specific rule or a community has a specific rule, you are to follow those rules while using their resources. It is their server, not yours; so respect their rules even if you do not agree with them.
c) Respect admins and moderators of other websites, forums, voice servers, and game servers at all times. If you disagree with them, do not start a flame war. Instead, report the problem back to our community so our Council may address it responsibly.
d) ‘Rules & Ethics D4d’ (this rule) is a general rule, which says “Use your head” and shall be used as the ‘Miscellaneous Rule’ for any rule not covered, yet is considered common sense.
[5] Miscellaneous
a) File Sharing
1. Do not abuse the html/flash/file upload, etc capabilities of our site/forums.
2. Never share a file with anyone (member or non-member) that is known to be corrupt or infected with malicious code.
3. Do not pirate games, music, or other digital media that you do not have explicit rights to through Tsunami Gaming Network resources.
b) TsuFiles.com
1. TsuFiles.com is an emulated Peer-to-Peer platform for use by community members.
2. This site requires a TsuGaming.com account in order to download files. There are no other file transfer restrictions.
3. Upload privleges will be given to approved users. Never upload files you have not checked first. Files which are infected with malicious code are your own fault and will result in your upload privleges being permanently revoked.
4. Any file may be uploaded to the system. If you need a category created or a file moved, contact an admin.
E Harassment & Bullying
[1] One of the principles the Tsunami Gaming community was founded on was the understanding that gaming is meant to be enjoyable. If someone feels like they are being picked on or verbally abused, they will no longer have fun and will most likely leave the community. For this reason, the following rules have been amended to this document:
[2] At no time, not in any forum or on any server, shall a person harass or bully another person with the sole intention of putting them down in a personal way. This includes, but is not limited to:
a) Creating a topic on the forums with the intention of putting down, defaming, hurting the feelings of, etc. another user
b) Creating a topic or following the person around, which perpetuates an argument that is not about cheating or other unethical behavior
c) Using excessive foul language or negative terms (n00b, idiot, retard, etc.) to describe someone simply because they’re not in agreeance with the person
[3] In all other topics and posts, competitive arguments or harsh exchanges may be tolerated so long as the posts are in compliance with the previous rule and the person does not request that they stop. If the offended person requests that they “back off” and stop flaming them in a personal way when there is no justification to do so, the offending person must stop. A lack of defense does not constitute agreement of the accusations nor a request to stop the argument.
[4] If there is sufficient evidence to support an accusation of cheating or other unethical behavior (such as stealing, copying, manipulation, ban evasion, impersonations, etc.) a topic may be created in the Wall of Shame forum. This forum will be moderated heavily and each new topics will have to be manually approved before it is displayed. All subsequent posts must be factual and to the point. Any posts that aren’t factual or go off-topic will be removed without notice. Under this condition, the person the topic is about may not request it to be removed or that people stop talking about them.
[5] The Free Speech forum will NOT be an exception to these community rules. This means that although you may discuss racist, controversial, and otherwise objectional content in the Free Speech forum, you may not use the argument of “free speech” to break these harassment & Bullying rules.
[6] Forum and server moderators have the right to instruct users to stop arguments, regardless of intentions or rules, if they feel it has got out of hand. They should not, however, lock/edit/delete topics in the Free Speech forum unless it explicitly violates one of the rules listed above or a greater offense.
F Accountability
[1] General
a) It is in the interest of good order and discipline to hold accountable all members and leaders for their actions.
b) Under no exception is anyone exempt from the rules, policies, etc. that are outlined in this document.
[2] Member Expectations
a) All users (especially those who represent the community through clan/squad membership or by holding a staff position) of The Tsunami Gaming Network are required to read this entire document and agree to obey it.
b) Any user that has not read this document is not allowed to wear a clan/squad tag and is not allowed to participate in clan/squad events or conversations.
c) If there is any portion of this document that is not understood by the user it is their responsibility to seek explanation. Otherwise it is believed that they understand and agree completely.
d) If a person is using our forums, teamspeak, irc, etc. it is assumed that they have read this document and agrees to comply with it. Lenience may be given to new community members in the event that they claim they haven’t had the chance to read the document yet or didn’t know about it (depending on the offense).
[3] Leader Expectations
a) All leaders are required to not only read this document and understand it, but to become familiar with it and all of the rules in it so they can enforce it on their subordinates.
b) It is the responsibility of the leader(s) to show this document and explain it to their members. If a member is coming from another Tsunami squad or clan do not assume they have already done this. You must still verify that they have read this document and agreed to follow it.
c) If there is any portion of this document that is not understood or is felt to be inaccurate/unfair/etc it should be brought to the attention of The Founder.
[4] Founder Expectations
a) The Founder is the sole designer, implementer, and enforcer of this community and all policies/rules set in this document.
b) The Founder is NOT above any rule set in this document but may interpret or modify it as needed, without explanation or notice, in the best interest of the community.
c) If the Founder is believed to have broken a rule and it is felt that action should be taken, it is up to the person who is making this accusation to discuss it with The Council.
d) Though this document is very clear and direct, it is impossible to address all concerns. For this reason it shall remain flexible and under negotiation with all of the current leaders of the community.
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This document is subject to change without notice. It may only be modified by the Founder.
Last updated: 13 May, 2008 @ 2am EST
Previously updated: 15 September, 2007 @ 8pm EST (and before this, on: 15 August, 2006 @ 11pm EST)
All of the infrastructure concepts that make up The Tsunami Gaming Network, including the design and data content of
this page/document are hereby claimed as intellectual property of Sean a.k.a “fl00d3d”. © 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.