FORUMS GUIDELINES
These Guidelines, based on the User Agreement and Privacy policy, summarize our basic ground rules.
A. ABOUT THE FORUMS
Our Forums are designed primarily as a place for visitors to share and exchange ideas on topics related to being a wise consumer. The main conversation takes place among the visitors themselves.
Moderators are assigned to maintain focus, assist with references to CR information, and to make sure the norms described below are observed.
Consumer Reports experts may participate occasionally or for defined periods. Except for specific, short-term events, CR experts and Moderators are not able to engage in extended debates with visitors. We encourage in-depth exploration of important consumer issues among visitors, and our experts may join in occasionally to add new information and perspective. But their heavy responsibilities as testers, writers, and editors limit their availability for extended dialogue.
B. ABOUT THE MESSAGES YOU POST AND READ HERE
1. This is a public forum
Anything you post here will be available to anyone on the Internet for an indefinite period of time. In addition to being accessible to visitors to this site, your comments may also appear in search engine results that reference this title.
2. Your name is posted with your messages
The name you used when subscribing to ConsumerReports.org or registering for the Forums appears with your message. Your e-mail address will not appear, but will be accessible to our Moderators.
3. Use your own good judgment
We cannot vouch for the accuracy, quality or good sense of messages posted here, and we don't claim to read or evaluate them all. You must use your own common sense to assess the usefulness of what you read here.
4. We have the right, but not the obligation, to delete, either preemptively or after posting, messages that in our sole judgment violate any of the following norms. Violation of these norms may lead to suspension, at our discretion, of posting privileges.
4. Reporting violations If you see a message that you believe violates these Guidelines, please notify us through the "E-mail Moderator" link in the "Member Center" (left side of most Forum pages).
C. ABOUT OUR USE OF YOUR POSTS
1. CR may copy or quote them
The messages you post here may be used by Consumer Reports, and we reserve the right to copy or quote them here or in other media.
2. Privacy
See Privacy for full details of how your personal information is protected. We collect your name, address and e-mail when you subscribe to ConsumerReports.org or register for the Forums. This information will only be used to either a) contact you specifically about your forum posts, or b) if required by law, for example, to comply with a court order or subpoena. We will not use any personal information provided via the Forums for any other purpose, or make it available to third parties.
3. Removing messages We have the right, but not the obligation, to remove without notice any posts that in our judgment violate these Guidelines, promote unsafe practices, or diminish the value of the Forums.
4. Making changes We do not change or edit your messages, although subscribers can edit and/or delete their own messages at any time. But we may remove personal information, move messages, and/or edit the subject line in the interest of clarity and coherence.
D. ABOUT LEGAL AND OTHER MATTERS
1. U.S. laws apply
We follow the laws of the U.S., where Consumer Reports is registered. Do not suggest or encourage illegal activity; we will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.
2. E-mail from Forums moderator
The Forums moderator may occasionally communicate with you privately by e-mail in the course of managing the Forums. Your participation in Forums indicates your agreement to accept these e-mails.
3. Guidelines may be changed These Guidelines may be changed without notice.
A. ABOUT THE FORUMS
Our Forums are designed primarily as a place for visitors to share and exchange ideas on topics related to being a wise consumer. The main conversation takes place among the visitors themselves.
Moderators are assigned to maintain focus, assist with references to CR information, and to make sure the norms described below are observed.
Consumer Reports experts may participate occasionally or for defined periods. Except for specific, short-term events, CR experts and Moderators are not able to engage in extended debates with visitors. We encourage in-depth exploration of important consumer issues among visitors, and our experts may join in occasionally to add new information and perspective. But their heavy responsibilities as testers, writers, and editors limit their availability for extended dialogue.
B. ABOUT THE MESSAGES YOU POST AND READ HERE
1. This is a public forum
Anything you post here will be available to anyone on the Internet for an indefinite period of time. In addition to being accessible to visitors to this site, your comments may also appear in search engine results that reference this title.
2. Your name is posted with your messages
The name you used when subscribing to ConsumerReports.org or registering for the Forums appears with your message. Your e-mail address will not appear, but will be accessible to our Moderators.
3. Use your own good judgment
We cannot vouch for the accuracy, quality or good sense of messages posted here, and we don't claim to read or evaluate them all. You must use your own common sense to assess the usefulness of what you read here.
4. We have the right, but not the obligation, to delete, either preemptively or after posting, messages that in our sole judgment violate any of the following norms. Violation of these norms may lead to suspension, at our discretion, of posting privileges.
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a. Safety first Posts that that promote unsafe practices are not permitted. b. Be relevant Be sure your posts are relevant to the topic and the post. c. Be clear and concise, do your homework The most useful posts are clear, concise, and based on facts. d. Show respect--the essential requirement for participation This means respect for fellow participants, and for wide differences in points of view. It means language appropriate for general conversation, with nothing insulting, racist, obscene or sexually explicit. Be aware that what you consider sharp and funny may not seem so to a distant reader and that sniping and smart remarks aimed at others are not acceptable. e. No preaching This is a shared, semi-public space for exchange and learning. It is not the place to grandstand, to preach from a personal soapbox, or for extended single-issue campaigning. f. No spamming The same or similar message or topic posted more than once may be considered spam. g. No copyright materials Post only material that is yours--to which you own the copyright or have the express written consent of the copyright holder. h. No solicitation or commercial use No advertising or solicitations of any kind, either explicit or implicit. This includes, but is not limited to, including URLs that go directly to commercial Web sites in which you have an interest, or including code designed to serve or link to advertisements i. No posting of personal information Do not post any e-mail addresses, phone numbers, addresses or other personal information, whether your own or belonging to someone else. |
4. Reporting violations If you see a message that you believe violates these Guidelines, please notify us through the "E-mail Moderator" link in the "Member Center" (left side of most Forum pages).
C. ABOUT OUR USE OF YOUR POSTS
1. CR may copy or quote them
The messages you post here may be used by Consumer Reports, and we reserve the right to copy or quote them here or in other media.
2. Privacy
See Privacy for full details of how your personal information is protected. We collect your name, address and e-mail when you subscribe to ConsumerReports.org or register for the Forums. This information will only be used to either a) contact you specifically about your forum posts, or b) if required by law, for example, to comply with a court order or subpoena. We will not use any personal information provided via the Forums for any other purpose, or make it available to third parties.
3. Removing messages We have the right, but not the obligation, to remove without notice any posts that in our judgment violate these Guidelines, promote unsafe practices, or diminish the value of the Forums.
4. Making changes We do not change or edit your messages, although subscribers can edit and/or delete their own messages at any time. But we may remove personal information, move messages, and/or edit the subject line in the interest of clarity and coherence.
D. ABOUT LEGAL AND OTHER MATTERS
1. U.S. laws apply
We follow the laws of the U.S., where Consumer Reports is registered. Do not suggest or encourage illegal activity; we will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.
2. E-mail from Forums moderator
The Forums moderator may occasionally communicate with you privately by e-mail in the course of managing the Forums. Your participation in Forums indicates your agreement to accept these e-mails.
3. Guidelines may be changed These Guidelines may be changed without notice.
