The sad truth is that we find we occasionally have to delete posts on forums. When you visit XNA.com, you are agreeing to abide by the Terms of Use and the Code of Conduct, found at the bottom of every page on this site. Still, we offer this list of conditions (which we reserve the right to change at anytime) that will guarantee your post gets deleted. Repeated abuses can result in a forums ban.
Post-deleting/thread locking offenses:
1) Illegal usage of intellectual property. Microsoft takes intellectual property rights very seriously. If you post a game/image/source that uses unauthorized intellectual property, we will delete it immediately. This includes technologies that are clearly intended to enable unauthorized use of intellectual property, such as game console emulators. In addition, Microsoft will fully cooperate with any agencies that pursue claims regarding intellectual property posted on these forums. Please respect the work of others. If in doubt, don't post it. If you do post something that might be suspicious, and you have legitimate license for the IP, please clearly indicate that in your post.
2) Off-topic posts. If the question is completely irrelevant to game development, it will likely be deleted. If it was posted in the wrong place, a moderator will probably move it. If you're not sure, put a note in your thread and one of the mods will ensure its in the right place.
3) "Lazy posts". These forums aren't a place to get other people to do your initial work for you. If your question clearly indicates that you failed to search for an answer before posting (i.e., not looking at FAQ or searching the forum, asking "How do I write games?"), you will be summarily deleted, and probably get Bad Karma to boot.
4) Offensive posts. We understand that people will complain about Microsoft products or services. That's ok -- we want your feedback, but ad-hominem or profanity-laced posts will get you sent to the Land of Deleted Bits
5) Problems related to your graphics card driver or a commercial game that's not working. Please take your issues to the GPU vendor or game company.
6) Questions about non-Microsoft technology.
7) Large Code "snippets" that generally exceed 20 lines of code. We don't want to see the entire source to your game or library. It makes it difficult to read. If you have a project to share, consider using CodePlex (or create a blog and point people to your chunk of code, there are several free blogging services now). If you have large amounts of code to post, consider instead offering to send the code to whoever volunteers to look at it.
8) Cross-posting the same question on different forums. There's a reason the system blocks you from doing this. Gaming the system to post the same question in multiple places will just get all your identical threads deleted. If you don't know where to ask, just say so and a moderator will help you.
9) Commercial posts. Do not post threads intended to drive people to your commercial site/product/book. Do not post book or product links containing affiliate links.
We do not include community sites that contain reasonable ads or affiliate links as commercial at this time. You are welcome to discuss your product and how it can help somebody in the context of a thread, but be clear that you are referring to a commercial product. Unless you are going to give someone a free copy of your software or book don't just say "Use {xxxxxxxxx} to solve your problem". If you say "The source code from Chapter 7 of my book which can be download here will solve your problem" then we will happily leave your slightly commercial post... If others link to your product or book then thats all fine and dandy with us too and a great endorsement for you. Well unless it turns out you are encouraging them in which case we will find some 'imaginative' way to deal with it.
10) Bumping your posts. If people know the answer you will get one - these are busy forums. If they don't you won't. Remember the forums are staffed by unpaid volunteers for the most part and even though your issue is of paramount importance to you you need to have some patience. Imagine the chaos if everybody thought they were as important as you? If you don't get an answer then maybe your question is too specialist, too vague or too open. Try adding a post about all the things you tried while you have been waiting or clarifying the question. However 'Bump' (or whatever phrase you used to do it) just says "My post is more important than all of the rest and I demand somebody help me now"... dont be surprised if it gets removed or locked. Repeated Bumping will get the whole thread removed and possibly a ban.
