Site rules

Rules for the use of ProZ.com

The following rules have been created to extend and protect the pleasant, results-oriented atmosphere of the ProZ.com translation workplace. By using the site, you indicate your acceptance of, and agreement to abide by, these rules.

Site Rule

2.1	One term is allowed per question. Including multiple terms for translation in a single KudoZ posting interferes with the process of generating glossary entries.
2.2	Texts posted for translation via KudoZ should be limited to approximately ten (10) words. For longer texts, it is recommended that the directory or job posting system be used to locate an appropriate professional. See a more detailed description here.
2.3	KudoZ questions must be properly classified. When posting a question, care should be taken to select the language pair, category (PRO vs Non-PRO), general and detailed subject fields, that are most suitable. The "general" and "other" subject fields should not be used when a more specific field is applicable.
2.4	Askers must close "help" questions. Close questions by selecting the answer deemed most helpful (and awarding it points, unless the question was posed as "not-for-points"). Askers who do not close their questions within an appropriate period of time are not permitted to ask further questions. (Note that when no answer is deemed helpful, it is possible to close a question without selecting a most helpful answer.)
2.5	Glossary entries should be made upon the close of the question. At the time a question is closed, an asker is expected to make a glossary entry--with source and target terms both in dictionary form--using the form provided. Questions that do not lend themselves to inclusion in a glossary are exempted.
2.6	There is a limit to the number of "help" KudoZ questions that can be posted per day and per week. Limits are automatically imposed based on an asker's membership condition. Taking steps to bypass these limits is prohibited.
2.7	Labeling of certain types of questions is required. Term questions that are either derived from a translation test, or which contain content that may be perceived as offensive by others, should be marked using the checkboxes provided in the posting form.
2.8	Sufficient time should be allowed for responses to be made. In order to ensure this, askers can close their questions after at least twenty-four (24) hours have passed from posting. Before that point, they can post their recommendation but leave the decision to the community.
2.9	Guidelines: "Help" KudoZ should be used for requesting terms help after having searched the KudoZ term search and other resources. When asking a question, sufficient context should be provided. Even when there is no other context, the subject area and type of document should be indicated. It can be helpful to enter sentences or paragraphs where the term in question occurs. See a more detailed description here.

Adherence to the above rules is a condition for continued right to access and use the site.

Enforcement

Staff members and moderators may take any of the following actions to enforce the above rules:
* contacting site users to call attention to specific rules
* refraining from approving (or removing/hiding) postings that violate a rule
* causing a message related to the rules to appear to certain users when they undertake certain actions
* suspending, temporarily or permanently, access to site features that have been used in violation of the rules.
* termination of profile or membership (staff only)

Moderators and staff members must act in accordance with, and are protected by, site rules in exactly the same way as other members.

Termination

In rare cases of severe infraction, ProZ.com staff members may terminate a profile (and membership) with immediate effect. In most cases, however, ProZ.com uses a "yellow card/red card" policy, akin to yellow-card/red-card practice in the sport of football/soccer, for terminations.

Yellow and red cards are issued only by staff members. Rules are cited by number, and the date of the card is logged. The terms "yellow card" or "red card" are used explicitly; if an email is sent, the terms appear in the subject line.

A site user who has been issued a yellow card may continue to use the site (sometimes with certain restrictions), but is otherwise under notice that further infractions will lead to termination. A person whose profile has been terminated will not be readmitted to ProZ.com.

Outsourcers are subject to the site's Termination policy.

Clarification

For clarification regarding any of the above rules or rules enforcement, please submit a support request.