1) What is MZO?

MZO is a free internet forum which was created in April, 2003 with a focus on the game Sid Meier's Civilization. Over the years it has transformed itself into a larger and more eclectic community where members discuss politics, news, entertainment, sports and any other topic which comes to mind as well as many other games which captivate our interest. Being a constantly evolving site, new forums are frequently created at the petition of members with common interests.

2) The First Rule of MZO is...

You MUST talk about MZO! This site gets its membership entirely by word of mouth. If you like this site, tell your friends, family, pets, lovers or alien kidnappers about it.

3) The Staff

The Staff of MZO is in charge of maintaining the site and overseeing the discussion which takes place. The composition of the staff may be changed if deemed necessary by the site owner, or after discussion by the existing staff members.

3a) Forum Moderators

Certain forums (such as team competitions or private forums) may have a specific forum moderator assigned if deemed necessary by the staff or by members. Forum moderators are not counted as part of the staff and they are only in charge of forum issues.

3b) Moderators

Moderators are in charge of overseeing and regulating discussion as well as being in charge of forum issues anywhere on this site. Moderators may also bring up any issue for discussion or voting in the staff. Currently there are 7 moderators and they are identified by a blue login in the active users section.

3c) Admins

The Admins have access to the site's control panel and are in charge of all site, forum and member issues. Admins also have the same powers and responsabilities as the moderators. Currently there are 2 admins and they are identified by a red login in the active users section as well as an Admin tag under their avatar.

3d) Site Owner

One admin (Master Zen) is the Site Owner and has all the powers and responsibilities of the admins in addition to being in charge of domain and hosting issues. The site owner is the only unremovable member of the site and has the last word on any decision which relates to the forum or its members.

4) Rules of Behavior

4a) Flaming

Insults and flaming between members is explicitly prohibited unless there's an existing understanding between the members concerned. The staff has the final word on how an insult or flame is defined and their judgment supersedes any excuse or attempted justification by the offender/offended.

4b) Trolling

Trolling and other content which potentially crosses the line of what is acceptable will be judged according to a simple rule: content which is satirical in nature will be generally permitted. Content which is mocking in nature will be generally prohibited unless there's an existing understanding between the members concerned. The staff has the final word on how content is defined and their judgment supersedes any excuse or attempted justification by the offender/offended.

4c) Heated Arguments

Heated arguments are permitted insofar they stay within the margins of civility. A moderator is free to edit/delete posts, or close threads which threaten to degenerate into bickering, trolling or flaming.

4d) The Three Rules

There are three basic rules of behavior which members should take into consideration before engaging in discussion. I) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". It is expected that members understand the limits and allowances of social interaction with each other, and that they base the tone and content of their posts accordingly. II) "Two Wrongs Don't Make One Right". Objectionable content which is in response to a percieved offense is not justified in any way and will be dealt with in the same manner as the original offense. III) "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all". If you have a problem with someone, don't waste your time making rude or offensive remarks at every opportunity. Unless something is said directly at you, show restraint and just ignore heated arguments instead of making them worse.

5) Rules of Content

5a) Avatars, Photos and Signatures

Avatars, Photos and Signatures may not be used for flaming/trolling other members nor can they contain objectionable material such as pornography. No images of any kind are allowed on signatures and members are encouraged to use signatures which do not unduly distract attention from the post itself. A member may be asked to change his avatar, photo or signature if deemed particularly unacceptable or excessivly large and distracting according to the staff.

5b) Double Logins

Members may only have one login on this site. Any additional logins (DLs) will be deleted. An exception will be made with "historical" DLs, as well as the extreme case of a member not being able to access the site with his/her original login due to technical issues. The staff may also allow the use of certain humor-related DLs if considered appropriate.

5c) Pornography & Illegal Content

Soft-core pornography is allowed on this site insofar as it is limited to designated threads. These threads must be clearly labeled in their title as containing pornographic material. Non-pornographic sexual or gore-related images should also be given previous warning. Hard-core pornography is explicitly prohibited as is any other type of illegal content. This includes but is not limited to, copyrighted or illegal images, music, videos or software.

5d) Spam

Spam is permitted (and encouraged!) in The Barn which has post count disabled. In all post-count enabled forums, spam is encouraged to be kept to acceptable standards. Creative spam will be tolerated, sensless spam will not. Moderators have the final word on whether spam is acceptable or not.

5e) Languages

MZO is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual site. Threads may be started in any language and it is encouraged that all posts be in that same language. However, the base language of MZO is english, and all rules and announcements will be given in english. Language-specific forums may be created at the request of members and it is encouraged that all threads in such forums be in the corresponding language.

6) Moderation

6a) Moderator Action

Any content which is considered objectionable by a staff member is subject to editing or deletion without previous warning. Furthermore, a member may be warned or banned for a determined period of time depending on the severity of the offense. Recurring misbehavior and flaunting of the rules will be dealt with progressive severity up to the point where the member may be permanently banned from the site. All staff rulings are final.

6b) Members' Rights

No staff ruling will be undertaken without previous discussion among the entire staff. Nevertheless, a member which feels that a staff member has behaved unfairly or who wishes to appeal a staff ruling has a right to bring up the issue in private with any admin or moderator which then has the obligation of discussing the problem with the rest of the staff. If the issue is not resolved in private, the member has a right to bring the issue in public insofar as it is done in a civil manner. Complaints which degenerate into bickering/whining/trolling/flaming as well as those which are not dealt with in private first will immediately be deleted and action taken against the offending parties according to the established guidelines.

6c) Technical Issues

Members may ask a forum moderator or a staff member to perform a number of moderator actions such as pinning/unpinning threads, moving or merging threads, deleting posts or threads, renaming thread titles, etc.. Members may also report posts which they believe contain objectionable content either by using the Report Post button, or by PM to a staff member.

7) Disclaimers

The staff of MZO pledges to uphold the rules contained in this Constitution. The staff also reserves the right to interpret the rules according to their judgment at all times. This Constitution is subject to ammendment if deemed necessary by the site owner or the staff and members are free to discuss any aspect of this Constitution, as well as to suggest changes to it.

And just in case you forget, remember... you MUST talk about MZO!