Here is what I'm leaning towards being the case. Once I get the avatars cleared out completely, which is taking time, since the turning them off, doesn't clear off the ones on here *grumble grumble*. I'm manually removing them as I can, its not going to happen in 5 minutes, but hopefully not in too long of a time. After that, I can turn the ability back on but not have them on by default (such as why some have them now, others dont and the ones who dont cant add them back, or at least I think). When someone requests to have an avatar on, I will explain them to what the rules are (nothing too far over the edge, with it being at mine or other mods opinion, but rest assured, unless Jim comes back on, the final buck will stop with me since I'm the one who will get the yelling *lol*) I will, if there is some 'problems' with it, ask the others mods and/or admins and take their opinion under advisement (believe it or not I do). If someone doesn't like one that is ok'ed, then I will listen to them ONCE and only ONCE, if they make a good argument, the person who has the avatar will be messaged and asked to change things of their own will and will explain why. If they do not, the avatar will be removed and they will not be permitted to have an avatar for a set length of time, probably a month at least. If the person complains and I do not think they have a valid reason or point, they are of course free to not like it, turn it off, turn them off for their computer or account, whatever the case, if they continue on, they will be banned for a month probably as well. It's not that I'm trying to be an ogre, or have things my way and only my way, but likewise, the board is for everybody, not a handful of people, be that to the too decent level, or the not so decent level as the case may be. This will mean that the forum is not going to be responsible for making everybody happy, making sure that everybody agrees or thinks that too little is allowed or too much. If you think its too restrictive, then maybe you'll have to visit some other boards that allow a bit more or limit your posting to the old timers or other forums, if you think that they are too limited, then take the steps you need to , be that not coming on when a child may be there, blocking images, turning them off, downloading firefox so you can block particular images etc.
Again, this board in the grand scheme of things is not that bad. Maybe I, and others, or just I give people too much freedom and too much credit, but this board may not be for everybody just like I would say that there are boards dealing with nearly every subject in the world that aren't for everybody. I will also not tolerate the badgering of persons, be they gay, straight or just annoying. If you don't like someone, if you can't deal with someone, you have options, you can choice to not talk to that person, if you get a PM from them, you can be an adult and delete it without even reading it. If someone of an alternate lifestyle comes on here, if they conduct themselves to a set of standards, then they are more than welcome to be here. There have been many guys over time who have been warned to calm their jets with regards to hitting on anything that has 'female parts' and there have been some girls who have been told likewise. This is a place to enjoy yourself and while there is nothing wrong with a guy hitting on a girl or vice versa, if this gets to the point of harassment or annoyance, it can be stopped and the guilty party removed. If it happens that a guy is hitting on a guy or a girl hitting on a girl, since this isn't a majority action, please try to talk to the person without immediately asking the person if they're gay or bi, and then if you ask them, and they say no or ask you to stop, stop. I don't want a bunch of messsages on the boards with boyfriends/girlfriends husbands/wives sweet talking, nor do I want boyfriends/boyfriends or girlfriends/girlfriends sweet talking. There is private messages, and that is what they are intended for. If you have a problem with these rules, please go up and click the button to allow yourself to be removed from this forum, or ask a mod/admin too, and we will be more than glad to assist you and hope that you find a place that fits your needs/wants more. If you have any questions about this, ask and accept the response you get, even if you don't like it. I guarantee you that if you are a member of this forum for any length of time, I or another mod will do something you don't like, say something you don't like or decide that something is to bad or not that bad. It is afterall America, and you do have that ability to not agree. If I don't agree with something, I have the options to not be involved or associated with something and if something is that objectionable or upsets you that badly, you have the same options, to disassociate yourself with this board.
(This is preliminary and subject to spelling glitches/tweaks/clarifications/modifications) but I am putting them here so people can start preparing, one way or the other.
Bookmarks