NEW MEMBERS- PLEASE READ THIS - Welcome To The Fossil Forum!

[JohnJ]

Welcome to one of the best forums you can find anywhere online. We invite you to share, learn, and have fun with us as we explore the world of Paleontology and its related fields. If you have any questions about this site, please let us know. You can read more about our guidelines below:

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Forum Rules & Community Standards

RULES, GUIDELINES, and TERMS OF SERVICE

Internet forums are a little like publishing houses, in that writers submit material for publication, and the editor decides whether a submission is appropriate to their publication. Forums are unlike publishing houses in that all submissions are visible to anyone in the world with an internet connection before they are vetted for the appropriateness of their content. For this reason, writers are asked to follow a few simple rules. It is hoped that the following guidelines will assist those who wish to participate here.

The Fossil Forum is a venue for the sharing of a common interest in fossils (please note that, pursuant to this, we are fundamentally a science-based forum, wherein curiosity meets critical thinking, and topics promulgating metaphysical, paranormal, conspiracy theory, or pseudo-scientific topics will be out of place). Participants in the resulting social network expect and deserve a respectful and courteous dialog. At all times, remember that it is possible to disagree without resorting to insult or sarcasm; use reason instead. If you feel a derogatory comment or an ad hominem coming on, keep it to yourself; if you are on the receiving end, do not respond. It is never acceptable to post negative characterizations of individuals or groups of people. Prejudicial opinions based on ethnicity, religious or political persuasion, profession, place of residence, etc. are not welcome. Seriously, if the point you want to make requires disparagement of others, it is not a topic for The Fossil Forum. Remember also that two thirds of communication (inflection and body-language) are missing in the on-line environment. You know what you want to say, but everyone else has to figure it out from what you write, so write with clarity, use the emoticons to clarify your meaning, and don't be too quick to take offense at a perceived slight.

The analogy to a publishing house ends here: The Fossil Forum is not a publisher. You alone are responsible for the content of your submissions. Any opinions stated are not to be considered those of the administrators/moderators, and by posting any text or image, you are attesting that you have the copyright or permission to do so, and that you agree to the following rules:

Please understand, as a science-based forum, we do not permit requests for valuation, seller recommendations, or posting prices on the open Forums.  Also prohibited on The Fossil Forum, including private messages and the chat room (transcripts of which are recorded and monitored) are: Pornography, obscenity, illegal acts and expressing disregard for the law, flaming (personal attacks designed to disparage, berate, or insult), offensive or discriminatory remarks (racial, ethnic, sexual, theological, political, etc.), threats, defamation, providing links to any of the above, Spamming, posting of the same text again and again, nonsensical posts that have no substance, or bumping a post for the same effect.  Multiple memberships are not allowed.  Violators of the above are subject to action up to and including banishment.

If a post of yours is edited, you may be notified via the private message (PM) system as to why.  If you have any questions why a post was hidden or edited, please review the community standards in this topic.  If you have further questions, please contact the Staff via PM. All discussion of a moderator's action must be confined to the PM system. The moderator's job is to maintain a courteous and respectful environment for all to enjoy, and to do it without prejudice; allowing a statement to stand is not an endorsement of its content. Occasionally, a topic will prove to be so inflammatory as to escalate into a vehement argument, and will be removed. Members can help by calling the moderator's attention to a violation through the "report" function; your help will be appreciated!

The following is our policy on "Member-to-Member Sales" (more details can be found in that sub-forum; please read and understand them): First, The Fossil Forum is primarily a non-commercial site. Posts involving sales or any other commercial activity must be made only on the "Member-to-Member Sales" forum (and no where else; not in the Galleries, Public Chatroom, Member Profiles, nor Blogs). The "Member-to-Member Sales" forum is for sales between members: no marketing of commercial websites, including eBay. Permission to post on Member-to-Member Sales is granted to established members who achieve and maintain a level of participation, in the discussions, with posts of substance. Failure to adhere to this simple requirement may forfeit your membership. Buy and sell at your own risk: There is no recourse through the Forum for bad deals. It is not the responsibility of The Fossil Forum to mediate transaction disputes; this is solely the responsibility of the parties involved, and must be undertaken privately and off-forum.

Please understand that The Fossil Forum cannot appraise the commercial value of a fossil; this is beyond what can be done through pictures on the internet, so please don't ask.

Now, let's talk fossils!

[Auspex]

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO YOUTH MEMBERS!

If you are under the age of 13, the COPPA law requires us to have on file a letter of permission signed by parent or guardian. If you missed that part when registering, please download, print, fill out, get signed, and mail in this COPPA permission form: COPPA Permission Form.pdf

This will keep us out of trouble, and keep your valued membership in our Forum secure.

Thank you for your cooperation!