HârnList & HârnForum
The information site for the e-mail discussion list and web-based forum.
here aren't may rules for the HârnForum, but the ones that exist are strictly enforced. A copy of the rules can be found in the Scrolls of the Apprentices, but they have been repeated almost verbatim below.
(0) Infallibility
The List Admins are always correct. 
(1) Behaviour
Be polite. Do not troll for flames, or flame anyone or you may earn a swift ejection. If you disagree with someone's post, say so in a constructive manner that fosters debate, not argument.Impoliteness will not be tolerated. If part of someone's post is deemed to be insulting or abusive to another board member, it may be deleted by the List Admins or Moderators. While the meaning of the post will be retained, abuse or insults add nothing to civilised debate and so can be removed without affecting the post. Some people see this as censorship. While everyone has a right to their opinions, it doesn't change this policy; civilised behaviour between members is valued more highly.
(2) Purpose
The focus of this board is Hârn, HârnMaster and HârnWorld. If you wish to discuss something other than Hârn, then put it in The Warferret's Soapbox. If you don't put it there, a Moderator will. See Rule 8 for information on advertising. Other game systems (primarily their use with Hârn) can be discussed in Alternate Realities.
(3) Posting
Here are a few tips on posting to the HârnForum:
- Try to use the different forums for their intended purpose. For example, if you wish to discuss using a different rules system with Hârn, use Alternate Realites, not The Concordat, which is limited to HârnMaster discussions only. Moderators may sometimes move topics that they believe are not appropriate, or split topics that have drifted away from the original subject.
- Don't post the same message to multiple forums. This just annoys other members and wastes bandwidth. Most especially, don't create new topics which say something like "Go to the <blah> forum for a discussion on XYZ!". When a new topic is created, it is automatically put at the top of the forum index, and flagged so that everyone who logs in later will see there is a new topic to be read.
- Try to avoid "me too" posts. This isn't always possible, but try to at least add some value to the discussion other than "yeah, what they said".
- Members may only create polls in The Warferret's Soapbox. Only Administrators (not Moderators) can create them in other forums. If you believe a poll has a useful purpose for the Hârn community in general, or you can convince an Administrator that it's worth it, then they may -- completely at their own discretion -- create one for you in another forum. To contact an Administrator, use the private message function or email help@harnlist.com.
(4) Topic Subjects
When you create a new topic, please make certain your Subject line is descriptive of the topic. Don't do something like this:
Subject: "How is...."
Body: "...this rule applied??"
Whenever someone looks at the topic index of a forum, all they will see is "How is...", which tells them nothing about the topic whatsoever. You may find your topic being renamed, maybe moved, or maybe even RE-moved (although this is unlikely unless you have broken one of the above rules, too).
(5) Questions
Please don't assume that you are the first person to ever ask a question. Read the HârnFAQ, read through the other topics in the Scrolls of the Apprentices forum, and in Wisdom of the Ages, which is the primary archive forum. Use the HârnForum's Search function (there is a button in the menu bar) to search through the rest of the forums on the web site. The database behind the HârnForum is massive, and it's mostly to allow very rapid searching. By all means make use of it.
(6) Emoticons or Smilies
Use the Emoticons to let everyone know when you are joking, etc. We've had an unfortunate incident where a new member made very off-colour comments about Hârn and other Hârniacs, and when everyone else got upset, claimed he was joking. With the proper placement of emoticons, the whole feeling of his post would have been changed. As a result of leaving them out, however, he wasn't popular, and he didn't stay long, which is a pity, because he had some unique and interesting things to say. WARNING: do not use smilies to attempt to conceal insults to other forum members!
(7) Newbie Warning
The majority of highly active members (those with large post counts) have been HârnForum members since the beginning (this forum was started on February 20, 2002), and are also very active in other Hârn communities. They will sometimes come across as being a bit...unbearable. They aren't like that really; it's because they've seen all your questions and topics before. They will correct mistakes or confusion on the part of newbies quite tersely at times. But they are not being intentionally rude. Whatever you do, don't let this put you off the HârnForum. As I said, it's not personal. This is a long-standing community, and like all human communities, the old timers think they own the place.
If you feel the need to complain, complain to me. You can contact me via email (see Rule 9 for details) or via the the private message facility of the HârnForum software. I'll sort them out for you. They will accept a rebuke from me where they may not from you. I've slapped them before, I'll do it again, but I prefer to do that privately. Public spats and name calling will be deleted as soon as I or the Moderators see it (see Rule 1).
(8) Advertising
Any advertising of any product not related to Hârn in any way is banned from the HârnForum. The only advertising allowed is limited to second-hand Hârn modules, and must be a "For Sale" or "Wanted" notice in Gossip of the Scribes forum. These may carry the poster's email address but may not include prices. This Board is not to be used for commercial purposes, except by special arrangment. N. Robin Crossby and Columbia Games Inc. have such special arrangments, and while it is unlikely that other organisations will be granted the same, each case will be examined on its merits. For further information, see Rule 9 below for cotact details.
(9) Contact for Assistance
If you have any questions, or you need any assistance at all, please send an e-mail to help@harnlist.com, and I'll see what I can do.