** WARNING - everyone please read BEFORE registering criticism *

[Marco]

On AoS, we have no problem whatsoever with people making critical comments, in the appropriate area, about the forum itself or the behaviour of any of its members, moderators or admin.

We WANT to hear about any problems people are having or what annoys or irritates them. That is precisely why we have an area like this, as we believe that, done constructively, criticism is good and ultimately makes our community stronger. It's much better getting things out into the open, and dealt with appropriately, than bottling up grievances.

Therefore, when registering a complaint or any form of criticism, members have two options:

1) Via PM, to their chosen member of the management team, and the matter will be dealt with in private.

2) By starting a thread in this section of the forum, outlining exactly what their issue is.

Now this bit is of the utmost importance, so please pay very close attention:

If 2) is chosen, then valid examples, in the form of direct quotes, from the discussion(s) where the issue has arisen from, MUST be supplied, whereby the matter will then be discussed appropriately, by everyone, and resolved to the satisfaction of the majority.

The ultimate decision on the outcome, however, will be taken by the management team, which will then be final.

If criticism is raised on the open forum, without being accompanied by valid examples of exactly what is being criticised, then the offending thread and/or remarks will be removed immediately and the member(s) responsible warned that if it happens again, a one week ban will be imposed.

We're taking a hard line on this, as simply moaning about something or someone you don't get on with is utterly counter-productive and a complete waste of eveyone's time. Therefore the message here is very clear:

We value your feedback, but when it comes to registering criticism on the open forum (as discussed above), either 'put up' or shut up.

Thanks in advance for your co-operation!

Marco.

[Marco]

Furthermore, if making a complaint about something, then a possible solution to the perceived problem MUST also accompany any complaint made, otherwise it is simply a moan, and moaning has no constructive purpose.

Should any member not comply with the above, then the offending thread, containing the 'moaning', will be removed immediately and a warning issued to the member concerned.

Marco.