Policies and FAQ

GS Services GS News & Support
1

Frequently Asked Questions

This list of questions is by no means complete since we cannot anticipate all of the questions your fertile minds manage to come up with. The following answers respond to the most commonly asked questions. If you have a question not listed below, please feel free to contact Gupshup Administration and we will endeavor to answer your question(s).

What kind of threads can I open?
There are no specific guidelines on the topic of threads that may be created – the sky’s not quite the limit, but we’re fairly lenient in allowing all sorts of discussions to be initiated. All that is expected is that threads:

· Be opened in the appropriate sub-forums;
· Have a focus, theme or subject that the author would like to share;
· Not be offensive or inappropriate for a family-friendly forum. Yes, that’s quite the ambiguous and “open-to-interpretation” guideline – but we’d prefer to trust that you will all exercise sound judgement, so please don’t prove us wrong.

When in doubt, feel free to contact moderators and they can answer questions on what is or is not an appropriate thread topic.

What kind of threads can I NOT open?

· Threads about another Gupshup member or a recognizable group that is considered insulting;
· Attention-seeking threads, such as fake good-bye threads – if you’re going to say good-bye then you really ought to leave, otherwise we’d have to point out you lied when you come back;
· Multiple threads on the same topic either in the same or several forums, unless there is a valid or justifiable reason. Duplicate threads will be merged or locked in order to reduce redundancy of thread topics. Really, the members’ responses are not likely to change no matter how many different forums you ask the same question on.

Why was my thread moved?
To help keep Gupshup organized in a user-friendly format and to help you get the feedback/responses from posters interested in the topic, moderators may move threads to the sub-forum where it is best suited based on the subject matter of the thread. You’re not as likely to get suggestions for chicken karhai recipes in the Pakistan/World Affairs, as compared to the Household Affairs forums.

Why was my post deleted?

It depends on what you wrote in your post. But the most common reasons for deleting posts are that the posts were either off-topic or offensive. Please contact the moderator or Channel Manager of the forum for more information.

Why did they edit my thread title?
There are times when thread titles are too vague or misleading and it causes confusion or prevents a fruitful discussion. Moderators may step in and edit the title to allow readers to get a better understanding of what the poster intended.

www.Threadtitle.com
Thread titles should NOT contain a website address or email address. The thread will either be locked or deleted or the thread title will be edited.

Why did I get infraction points/my post get deleted/was I banned and he/she didn’t/wasn’t?
Gupshup administration can respond to inappropriate posts and violations of the guidelines in the following ways: deleting/editing the post, issuing infraction points or banning a member either temporarily or permanently. The way in which member misconduct is handled depends on the following:

· the seriousness of the misconduct,
· the history of problems with the specific member, and
· the overall contributions of the member to this forum.

It is not an exact science and while Gupshup administrators strive to be fair, the guiding principle behind all actions is to foster a positive, respectful and enjoyable environment for all.

How do you warn/penalize members for violations of Guidelines?
As mentioned above, responding to member misconduct is not an exact science and every situation is reviewed based on the specific circumstances. But the general steps followed to warn/ban members are:

  1. Written warning. The moderator or Channel Manager will send a private message to the member advising them their behaviour is not appropriate for Gupshup and that they should cease such behavior immediately.

  2. Infraction points and warning. For a repeat offense, the member will be issued infraction points and their conduct will be under review. If they behave, the infraction points will eventually expire, but if they repeat the same or other offenses, they will receive additional infraction points and may eventually be banned.

  3. Restrict access and posting privileges to the specific channel. If a member has repeatedly been causing problems or misbehaving in one channel/forum, access to that forum will be restricted and they will be prohibited from posting in that channel for a specified period of time. Please note, this penalty applies to ALL multinicks of that member so that the member doesn’t try to circumvent the rules by posting with another multinick.

  4. Ban, either temporary or permanent. This means the member is prohibited from posting on Gupshup. The ban applies to all multinicks of that member.

The Director of Gupshup reserves the right to reverse or amend disciplinary decisions made by moderators or Channel Managers.

Why was he/she banned?
Moderators and administrators do not disclose the reasons for another member being banned. If the banned member requires an explanation, they may contact the Channel Manager for more information.

That moderator has a vendetta against me and treats me unfairly, what can I do?
Gupshup administration strives to recruit volunteers who are committed to keeping Gupshup the fun and interesting place it is. Moderators are expected to be fair and to treat posters with respect. We don’t claim perfection, and if you feel that a moderator has been unfair, you can contact his/her Channel Manager or Gupshup administration to discuss your concerns. We will review the situation and respond as appropriate.

I should be able to say/write whatever I want on Gupshup, no matter what the impact of my words may be – why am I being issued points/banned for it?
While we encourage you to come here and socialize with other members and to think of Gupshup as your home, we do need to put some limits on behavior. If everyone got to do what everyone wanted to do all of the time, with no checks and balances – that would lead to anarchy!

We respect your freedom to express yourself on this forum, and we welcome helpful suggestions and even constructive criticism, but those freedoms are not unlimited. What we will not allow is if a member’s posts or general behavior hinders the administration of Gupshup operations or creates a distraction or impedes other members’ enjoyment of Gupshup. Gupshup administration will review such behavior and may warn/ban such a member.

What is an obscenity and when is language considered objectionable?
According to Merriam-Webster online, an obscenity is:

*“Something (as an utterance or act) that is obscene.” *

So that begs the next question – what is considered to be obscene? Turning back to Merriam-Webster, obscene means to be:

“D**isgusting to the senses; repulsive” or “abhorrent to morality or virtue”

While we could write a dissertation on the ever-changing and relative nature of morality and virtue (Tiaras for Tots or gangsta rap videos anyone?) that would bore most to tears. So let’s make this simple. Yes, most of us are adults here, but for the few who aren’t and in order to maintain that family-friendly environment, please refrain from using obscenities that you know are unacceptable in virtually all company.

We’re not so naive that we fail to acknowledge that even Grandma might say @#%&# when she pricks her finger with the sewing needle, and we might let some naughty words go, but when the language used would make a seasoned navy sailor blush – you know you’ve crossed the line.

Oh, and before we forget – no you may not swear at another member!

Offensive words

Don’t kill the messenger, but listed below are some words/terms that are considered derogatory or offensive. It is by no means a complete list, but the use of the following terms or others like it, may be considered offensive and will be edited. Moderators may take action against the member.

· araboobs (insulting to Arabs)
· wahabibis (insulting to those who identify themselves as Wahabi)
· “cow piss drinkers” (insulting to most Hindus)
· Hindians (insulting to Indians)
· any insulting derivation on Pakistan’s name
· amerikkkans (insulting to Americans)
· matoos (insulting to those who look up to and respect maulvis)

**Why did my half my post get starred out? **
Auto censor will delete the really, really bad words and replace it with asterisks. And yes, we admit, sometimes auto censor gets it wrong. But what auto censor has missed, our quick-eyed moderators will catch. They will help to prettify your post with some lovely asterisks in place of the not-so-lovely words. Consider it the beautification of your post.

How many posts can I add to a thread?
We do not limit posts by members so long as the posts remain relevant and aid in the flow of the thread. That being said, off-topic posts or repetitive posts will be removed. Flooding is not permitted anywhere but Café. A thread may be locked if the thread has served its purpose and continuing it adds no value.
**
How many multinicks am I allowed to register?**
Gupshup does not prohibit a user from creating multinicks, create as many as your heart fancies but do try and keep in mind what each one has said (hopefully your multis haven’t been talking to each other – that’s kinda scary like Multiple Personality Disorder-esque). But remember, Big Brother is watching - Gupshup administration can track multinicks and may or will step in if they see you abusing the use of multinicks.

New multinicks created by previously banned members may be banned without any warning to the member.
**
He insulted me in that thread, what can I do?**
Gupshup administration will not tolerate slander, abusive words or personal attacks against other members. Such conduct should be reported either via private message or through the “Report Post” option and moderators will deal with it accordingly.

Why do they keep expecting all of us to sing Kumbaya together?
Here’s the deal, we’re not all going to get along all of the time. We may tick others off with our opinions or remarks from time to time (or maybe even all of the time). But at the core of this forum is an expectation that each member will treat other members as they want to be treated – with respect and consideration. Does that mean we will gather round the circle and sing Kumbaya? No. But it does mean that flaming posts that insult another poster are not okay. We ask that rather than retaliate in the thread, if a member disagrees with a post, they report the post using the “Report Post” option or send a private message to moderators. Moderators will review the post and take appropriate action.

So be nice and follow the golden rule: do unto others as you want others to do unto you.
**
Yes, I am a troll – can you help me?**
Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Aside from posting fun and entertaining (and maybe purposeless threads) in Café, trolling for the sake of trolling is frowned upon in all non-Cafe forums. A thread needs to have a central idea that can be the basis of a discussion by members. We’re not trying to suck the fun out of your posting experiences, have fun and be merry. But posting a thread that is distasteful or to start flaming war or to incite the passions and sensitivities of others, well, we’d rather you not.

Oh, and calling someone a troll is a capital offense – while he/she may very well be a troll, please do not call them a troll – you might hurt their feelings.
**
Can I change my user name?**
Kind of like buyer’s remorse after the return policy has expired, Gupshup does not generally allow users to change their users. Think twice before choosing a name for yourself. But we never say never, and in very rare situations we may make an exception. Send a private message to the Director of Gupshup and if you make a compelling enough case, we may consider your request.

Can I delete my Gupshup account and therefore all of my posts as well?

The short answer is no. Once a member has begun to post on the Gupshup forums, their contribution to a thread impacts the flow of thread conversations. If we were delete a user account and all of the accompanying posts, the threads would lose the flow and the conversation would not make sense. Members are requested to simply stop using their account if they don’t want their account to be active anymore. If you have a concern that someone else can or is using your account, please send a private message to the Director or any Administrator and he/she can block the posting privileges of that account to prevent misuse.

Can I edit my posts?
Gupshup has been set to allow a poster to edit their post up to 24 hours from the time of the original post. Unfortunately, a member cannot edit their own original post, in another member’s quoted response. If you have a good reason to want or need your post edited, please contact the moderator for the forum or they Channel Manager and they will assist where possible.

I feel like Gupshup is biased towards Pakistani and Pakistanis – that’s not fair!

While it may have escaped your attention, but Gupshup is a forum originally created by Pakistanis for Pakistanis and people interested in Pakistan. Yes, Gupshup has evolved since that time, but the common or overriding theme remains discussions about and sharing of all things Pakistani. While criticism of Pakistan if done constructively is not objectionable, insulting or disparaging Pakistan and Pakistanis is not permitted. Further, Gupshup will not tolerate posts that support people or agendas of those acting against the solidarity of our nation or who encourage the killing innocent citizens of Pakistan. Such posts will be removed and posting members conduct will be dealt with by moderators.

I think Muslims are treated better than people of other faiths – that’s not fair!
Just as this forum caters mainly to Pakistanis and people interested in Pakistan, the majority of the members participating here are Muslim. Respectful debate and discussion about Islam is acceptable (it will be monitored), but remarks that are insulting and disrespectful will not be tolerated. Specifically, posts insulting Allah (swt); His divine texts; His Prophets and Messengers and their families (wives, children, grandchildren etc.) will not be tolerated. Posts about religious books and laws; the companions or disciples of any of the messengers or any other religious practices, personalities, places, items etc. are sensitive topics and should be treated with respect.

While respectful posting is expected for topics related to Islam, the same principle applies to discussions about all faiths. Informative discussions about other faiths to help gain a better understanding or share ideas is fine, but insults or in any way disparaging or disrespectful posts are not permitted. The posts will be edited or deleted and moderators will take appropriate action.

I cut and pasted the entire chapter from a reference book and my post was edited/deleted – how come?
First of all, remember to always provide sources for articles or other reference materials if it is not your original work. If it is your own original work, please indicate this information in your post. We also suggest that you only include the relevant excerpts from the source materials as it helps to keep the discussion focused. Irrelevant posts may be edited or deleted to keep the thread flowing.
**
I want to grow up to be a hacker, can Gupshup help me?**
Gupshup would prefer to know that its members are not going to end up in jail. Gupshup does not support hacking, nor does it allow cracking or illegal technical talk. Do not tell us your hacking or cracking experiences, we simply don’t want to know. If you are using cracked software and have issues, keep it to yourself. Sharing of serial numbers, keys and other instructions (or links to other sites with this info) to bypass security is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
**
What is a copy wrong and what about copyrights?**
Copyright laws apply to all members of Gupshup, without exception and any violation of a copyright law will be dealt with by Gupshup Administration.
Examples of copy wrongs, and conduct which is therefore prohibited on Gupshup are:
· When a member attempts to share licensed software;
· Initiating or participating in discussions that talk about bypassing security and copyright rules of another system;
· Discussions on the use of torrent trackers or p2p software to obtain copyrighted material;
· Posting about other IT related conduct that is illegal under US federal or state laws. Be mindful of the laws of your jurisdiction, since illegal conduct will not be supported or permitted to be promoted on Gupshup.
Gupshup respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our members to do the same. Neither Gupshup nor any of its operators or administrators have any responsibility for content originating on other websites that members publish or display on our community forums and website. Material available on or through other websites may be protected by international and/or country specific copyright and intellectual property laws. The terms of use of those websites govern the use of that material.

You as members are solely responsible for the content that you post, publish or display on any of Gupshup forums and sites, and also for any material or information that you transmit to other members through our services. By using this site and its services, and posting content (which includes photographs, videos) here, you warrant that your content does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights of any person or business.
**
What is the difference between Bazaar Talk and the Classified Ads forum?**
Bazaar Talk is intended to allow members to talk about their choices, experiences with vendors, about their likes and dislikes for a particular brand or product. Classified Ads on the other hand is a platform for vendors to advertise their product or services or for buyers to solicit an expression of interest from vendors to provide a product or services.

Can I advertise in someone else’s thread?
No you may not advertise in someone else thread. Advertising your own products or services in another vendor’s thread is like walking into the Apple Store and telling customers to walk across the hall and buy from the Microsoft store. Also, each vendor should limit their advertising to a single thread. Multiple threads advertising the same vendor’s products or services will be merged and a repeat violation of this policy will be dealt with by the moderators.

How much is that doggy in the window?
For all vendors advertising in the Classified section, Gupshup has introduced a new rule: when you post a product to sell in the Classified section, you MUST post prices with products advertised. Do not ask that members contact you for the price – prices must be displayed in the thread with the product.

I got ripped off by a vendor who advertised on Gupshup, what can I do?
Gupshup does not warrant the products, services or reputation of any vendors who have signed up as members or are advertising on Gupshup. It is buyer beware at all times.

You may post a review about your experience with a vendor and it is recommended that you resolve your complaint privately, but if you post a thread to attempt to resolve your claim, remember all claims against a vendor must be substantiated. False accusations are not acceptable and such posts may be removed.

I’ve come up with the next best business idea (or want to sell the lehnga that was out-of-style last decade) and want to advertise it to the whole wide world, why won’t Gupshup let me?
Gupshup has provided all of our budding entrepreneurs with a forum Classified section, in which you can advertise your products or services. There is a reason advertising is limited to that space – to make it easy for buyers of products to find the advertisement and to avoid cluttering up other forums. Also, for those wily posters who think to get around this rule by adding links to their signature lines, we see what you’re doing and we will remove the advertisement and may take action against the member.

I followed a stock tip from another member and I’ve lost all my monies** - what now?**
Gupshup does not provide business or investment advice and nor does it endorse any information provided by another member. It is that member’s opinion and if another member chooses to act on such information or advice, they are solely responsible for any outcome.

Are my Private Messages truly private?
Other than the owner/administrator of Gupshup, no other moderators or Channel Managers have access to view members’ private messages. And while you may be exchanging interesting gossip in your private messages, private messages are not viewed by anyone – unfortunately the off-line lives of the Gupshup administrators keep us too busy to read through the multitude of private messages exchanged between members. Mind you, we never say never, and there may be limited circumstances that would require viewing private messages, but those are extremely rare situations. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • If another member has received a private message and in turn forwards it to Gupshup administration, we may be viewing private messages not intended for us.
  • If a criminal act is suspected or the administration of Gupshup receives a court order compelling production of the information, we will consult with our lawyers but may have to turn over private messages.

What is the lesson in this for members of Gupshup? Exercise caution when exchanging private messages and make sure the recipient welcomes your communication.

I have applied privacy settings on my blog; can anyone other than my friends and contacts see it?
Private blogs cannot be seen by members of Gupshup who are not on your contacts or friends list, except for by the Blog moderators, Channel Managers and members of Gupshup’s administration team. Despite the technical ability to see a private blog, all of us do our best to respect a members’ privacy and will only enter/read a blog if another member has reported the blog or its comments as inappropriate. So yes, exercise care in what you are posting in your blog, or what others are posting in it as well. The intention of the Blog moderators is not to invade your privacy but to prevent the posting of distasteful content. And before you cast stones and rally the privacy czars, remember a private blog can only be reported by the people who are part of your blog, so you should make sure that you know who your friends are.

Why was the video, audio or image I posted removed?
Gupshup does not permit posting of videos depicting human death or killing, nudity or obscenities and these posts or links will be removed immediately.

There are specific sub-forums that encourage the sharing of images and audio/video posts (Rangon ka shajar and the Multimedia forums), please post in the appropriate forum. Keep in mind the following rules:

  • The images must be upload on Gupshup instead of external links;
  • If there are no images at the time the thread was opened and the thread opener wants to discuss those images, then the thread will be locked until the images are uploaded on Gupshup;
  • The work posted cannot contain nudity. Images containing nudity will be removed and the thread may be locked;
  • The work posted should not offend other members and/or a certain group belonging to certain religion or ethnicity;
  • When a picture is posted by a participant (especially personal pictures) no tampering/editing/modifying of the picture is allowed without the prior permission of the participant. All of the copyright rules are applicable;
  • The work posted should have some topic which other members can discuss;
  • Posters should acknowledge the actual artist if they are posting someone’s paintings or original work and should post the title of the work and the name of the artist if known;
  • Posters should be aware not to infringe copyright laws.

I don’t like her wedding dress, how can I let her know?
Just because you do not like someone’s fashion sense does not give you license to post offensive, racist or derogatory comments regarding photographs posted. Yes, many of the pictures are of models, but more often than not, these are personal pictures (especially in the Wedding and images forums). Any comments that are offensive or insulting, regardless of whether the person in the photo is a celebrity or not will be removed. It is possible to express your opinion with taste and tact.

Why didn’t he laugh at my joke, I thought it was funny?
Once again please remember, Gupshup is a family-friendly forum. Any jokes posted MUST be G-rated. This means, the joke is appropriate for people of all age groups and genders. If it’s a joke that you can’t tell your parents or your younger sibling, then it’s not appropriate to post. Avoid ethnic jokes (i.e. jokes about sardars, pathans or any other identifiable ethnic/religious group)or jokes about specific members of Gupshup - these types of jokes are not allowed. A joke can be changed to remove ethnic/religious references and be made generic.
**
I’ve been posting for three whole days and think I deserve a custom avatar, can I get one?**
Having a custom avatar is considered a privilege and is reserved for members who have demonstrated they enjoy and contribute to Gupshup. For a custom avatar/title you must have 1500 posts, at which time you should automatically be able to change it on your own by accessing your user control panel. If you still have a question, please contact the Director of Gupshup for assistance. **

What are the Chatiquettes for posting in Chat rooms (text or audio/video chatting)?**
There may be a number of conversations taking place simultaneously in the chat room. If your conversation in chat is disrupting others’ chat room experience, you may be requested to take the conversation into a private chat room. Members have the right to refuse a request for a private chat from another member.

Be aware that exchanging photos and personal information in Chat is at your own discretion and Gupshup is not responsible for any misuse of that information by other parties. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution while sending photos especially personal pictures. Images uploaded during Chat sessions are not removable. Think before you upload them.

There are members of various age groups using the chat room(s), which includes children and teenagers. Do not use offensive language, promote a hate agenda or send/post obscene video links or pictures in the chat rooms.
Any discussions of a nature that is distasteful to the other users or includes obscene, suggestive or foul language or personal attacks on other members whether they are present in chat or not at the time, warrants a BAN
Keep in mind, moderators have access to voice/video/text chat sessions. Moderators will review conduct and will take appropriate and necessary to address such misconduct.
**
Tell me all about Café**
Some of the Gupshup forum posting rules are relaxed in the Café forum since it is a meeting place where members can socialize. Nevertheless, the guiding principles of Gupshup must nevertheless be respected at all times – remember to always treat other members with mutual respect, courtesy and tolerance.
Here are the rules intended help maintain order in the spontaneous space that is Café. Some of these rules are repeated from the main Gupshup forum and some are specific to Cafe:

· All threads must have some focus, a theme or a subject that the author would like to share or discuss. Any threads without any other central idea will be closed;
· Refrain from opening threads about other members unless you have their permission and the thread content would not be deemed insulting to them.
· Attention seeking threads such as fake goodbye threads are discouraged.
· Threads started with images, audios, and videos of all kind in the first post, whether for the sake of discussion or sharing, should be posted in respective forums. To inquire about exceptions, please contact cafe moderators.
· Multiple threads with same/similar (copied) titles or same content (such as multiple birthday threads) are discouraged and will be merged or closed.
· Posts-milestone threads: Threads can be opened for members completing their 100/1000/5000 and each increment of 5000 posts only.
· Stay on topic. We will allow greeting posts to an extent so as to not divert the topic being discussed with unnecessary flooding. You cannot create new threads for “hello, how are you, bye” posts.
· Language used should be decent. Café is a family oriented forum and this should always be kept in mind while selecting words and gestures to express yourself.
· Flooding: Posting 3 or more consecutive replies (text or smilies) is considered ‘Flooding’. It is a serious waste of services provided by Gupshup. Therefore, members cannot reply consecutively three (3) or more times to increase post count or any other reason.
**
Violation of Cafe policies:**

Cafe policies are guidelines and not rigid boundaries. Violation of cafe policies will be dealt with by the moderators in the following manner:

  • Threads: Each thread/case will be handled individually and a decision will be made at the moderators’ discretion. If the thread violates the cafe policies, it will be closed and/or removed from the forum. Repeated violation of the policy will result in infraction points followed by temporary or permanent bans.

  • Posting etiquette: Abusive language and personal attacks will result in direct bans.

  • Flooding: A “moderator’s warning” will be posted in the thread in question as a friendly reminder for everyone to refrain from flooding. Ignoring this warning and repeated violation of the policy will result in infraction points followed by temporary or permanent bans.

  • Advertising: Spam posts and threads will result in direct bans.

**
I have complaint, who’s going to listen to it?**
If a member has a cause for complaint against another Gupshup member or the action of a moderator, this should first be reported and discussed with relevant forum moderator via e-mail or private message. If a member still feels that they have not received a satisfactory explanation, the next step should be to contact the Channel Manager and or Administration team at Gupshup, again via e-mail or private message. Hopefully this will resolve the matter. But, as a last resort, members can post the complaint in the Feedback forum. But please be patient and wait for a response from either a moderator or Administrator.

The “Report Post” button is a great tool and all are encouraged to use that to report an abusive post, blog or even a private message. As soon as you report it, a copy of that report self-creates a thread in the Mod Forum (hidden from general member) and if it’s a genuine report, appropriate action will be taken. And please, don’t abuse the “Report Post” tool. While all reports are reviewed by moderators and/or Channel Managers, abuse of the tool damages a member’s credibility, sort of like the boy that cried wolf.
**
What can I ask in the Feedback forum?**
This forum is primarily for genuine feedback such as queries, suggestions, or comments in general about Gupshup that members might wish to make. The primary function is not to complain about other members, moderators or Administrators but to provide genuine feedback.
Do remember Feedback is not Café and banter or off-topic posts are discouraged. Any irrelevant comments will be deleted or moved, for this reason.