Which rule, if any, do you always want on your sites (and possibly the sites you join)?

Mine would be... Not too many or no MySpace/emo kids as face claims. LOL. I don't really have a problem with them in real life (okay, I do sometimes make fun of the trends...), but roleplaying has just ruined the emo/scene PB for me. Ugh. Probably because I've seen so many BellZ and Audrey Kitchings and Alex Heartbreakers and Brendon Uries that are all... cookie-cutter Sues. Eugh. And I don't like RPing on sites that are all emo/scene, because I feel like my actor PBs don't fit in. Boo.

I also like it when members are cautioned about serious plot lines like rape, pregnancy, death, etc. On my sites, I ask that members PM us about things like that, just so we know things aren't too over-the-top and so the boards don't overflow with baby mamas.

So, what rules do you like to see and use?

...

No, I'm kidding. I like this one because font alterations for no reason (other than 'omg so pretty!') is annoying.

I've worded and re-worded this thing over and over to try and convey what I want. Basically, 'don't piss in my pool', but apparently that was too aggressive. Drama basically destroyed my last board and my last admining experience, so this is a rule I'll carry with me wherever I go. It's also a personal rule I take with me as a player. The second things kick off, whether I'm involved or not, you won't see me for dust.

Sunday, your signature wins. I just had to tell you that.

Anyhow! My mandatory rules are definitely those on behavior and attitude. Nothing's worse for an RPG than a site full of drama llamas, so I tend to emphasize that. The PG-13 rule I'm willing to bend a bit (specifically, exceptions in language, substance use, and violence) if I know the players are responsible and doing something that makes sense for their character. But I won't tolerate bad attitudes OOC.

I tend to throw up godmoding/powerplaying rules, as people just don't seem to understand that unless you have permission, others do not appreciate it. Same goes for character killing, which is also another rule I like to see across sites. Keeping the drama out is another - I don't know how often I see people squabbling on sites and it has nothing to do with the site itself but something that happened offline and it's like... Wow. Can't we take this to something more PRIVATE people? Another good one is no 1337 speak XD.

I like this thread, it also helps for anyone having issues with writing rules or having issues and unsure whether it is a good idea to put a rule about it in... Like the posting in neon fonts and really small text. I do admit I colour font, I don't know why, I like to stand out from other people, I think thats my main reason, but currently, most of my characters jsut have the text bold or perhaps in a different colour, because its easier to tell the difference between thought and speech for those people who you speech marks for font and then tell you after that they weren't speaking alloud... Sorry, rant over.

But here is a rule I carry on all sites as of late.

I logged onto my site one day top find a member I really loved for the long, well structured posts that had a perfect balance of detail, speech and thoughts but was always long and witty in places to keep you smiling at what he had written... But anyway, I found him being 'attacked' by other members that were telling him to get a move on and actually complaining about the length of time he spent on posts when theirs were only a few sentences. Don't you think its rude too? He quit and I lost this great member because a few rude, terrible RPers ruined his fun. :(

I also never let someone post in text speech when RPing, it makes me cringe coming across:
OMG! I know. Do you think I hve a shot @ asking him out?

It makes me want to scream. I don't mind so much if it was on say something like a High School RP where they are texting each other or talking over IM's, but as I am on Harry Potter sites, seeing Hermione or Draco talking in slang makes me want to hit them. Can anyone actually see Draco talking in Muggle text language or even knowing what that is? lmao.

I have other rules that are a must when I make sites, I love the one about Drama, Panda, Thats a good one. My last site just become boring when the biggest plot of all was some stuoid love triangle that appeared to be the basis for talk in EVERY thread, mainly because the characters involved kept joining everyone's threads to make sure they weren't forgotten. AH! lol.
Good rule.

I'm..not sure what you think the drama rule pertains to, but it's OOC drama. Players bringing their crap to the board and publicly displaying it. These are otherwise known as pleas for attention, trolling, making other members feel uncomfortable--it isn't a restriction on people's storyarcs, which is something I don't like interfering with unless it threatens canon foundation.

See? Now I has to go reword it again ;_;

Ick. That was. I'm sorry that happened to you. :[ And I hope it doesn't happen again.

Yes I much agree with "Keep out of character crap out of character" (forgive my paraphrasing) nothing kills an rp faster. And really, you're not there to like one another out of character. You're there to enjoy an rp.

As for me, my group is pretty tight knit right now. (It's a wonder I still have rules with these guys but we're wanting new players and the rules ARE tradition.)

I like rules that in general protect the players from corruption from the admin...or that focus more on the ebb and flow of the role play rather than the rules being there. One of those "Spirit of the law" kind of deals I guess?