Please take care in what you post and in judgements you make

[whole diary]

[grahame]

This is a very serious reminder to all of our members.

a) This is a public forum, and what you post can be read by "the world". If such information makes it even appear that you may be breaking some rules, even if you are not actually doing so, there are people around who will assume the worst of you.   After all, it is natural for people who spend all day looking for passengers who are breaking the rules to start making assumptions. Careful what you post.

b) If you read something on the forum that indicates to you that a rule has been broken by someone here (or someone not here) you have various things you can do. But you must absolutely NOT take on the role of judge and jury yourself, come to a verdict, and announce it here on the forum.

Users who post information which may lead others to wonder if they are breaking the rules (or give away personal or security information) are doing so at their own risk ... although the moderators may write to them to alert them to their concerns.   This will be done by favour, not by right.

Users who form their own "Kangaroo Courts" will have their posts that relate to the topic removed (otherwise a legal liability could fall on the forum owner) and other actions may be taken too. An accidental overstepping of the mark, or (as in the case that prompted this message) an obscure first time transgression, will probably be forgiven provided that the user concerned indicates he/she is aware of the issue when approached. But if it goes further ... well ... I and the other moderators don't have the time to waste on keeping this forum legal because of people who repeatedly overstep the mark, and you're likely to be banned.