New Rules for Avatar/Graphics Shops Updated: 5/27/09

[fairlyoddmom]

When we first instituted the application process to host an avatar/graphics shop, it was due to many reasons. There was lots of hot linking going on. Many were using images that should not have been redistributed. Many people were being rude to one another and abusing the responsibility it took to host a shop.

We now feel like most of you know the rules so we are removing the application process. PLEASE NOTE: the rules still stand. We will continue to conduct periodic searches of shops to make sure you're abiding by the rules and we hope that our community will help keep an eye out too.

We truly dont want to go back to an application process but will institute it once again if need be. For now, here are the new rules. We cannot stress enough that if you do not understand one of the rules, please ask!

AVATAR/SIG/GRAPHICS SHOP RULES

1) All graphics must be original - you may not use other members' images or images from other sites that have not been properly credited. If the original creator of the graphic is not known and the graphic appears to be commonly distributed, do not take credit for it.

2) You may have one graphics shop ONLY - you may only create another thread when your first reaches 1000 posts. [This applies to any change in your shop - ie: a holiday shop. You are still only allowed one thread and must work off that one thread only.] The new thread is a "part two" of your current shop. You may not say "My solo shop hit 1000 posts, please close it so I can open a partner shop." If you open a duplicate thread, all of your shops will be closed and you will not be allowed to have a graphics thread. If you chose to open up a shop with a friend, that is counted as your one thread. You cannot have one solo thread and one with a partner. Consequently, if you have partners in a shop, you must drop out of that shop in order to have one of your own. If you are a "helper" at a shop, that counts as your shop. You may not own your own shop and help in another person's shop; you may not help in more than one shop.


If your shop closes due to inactivity, you must ask a staff member to reopen it as opposed to starting a new thread.

3) No rude behavior will be tolerated - graphic shoppers must be patient and never rush a shop owner.

4) You may not charge WW items, WI bucks, rep points, or anything else for your work.

5) Do not advertise your shop on another shop or any thread here on WI. The only place you can advertise it is in you signature.

6) We do not allow hotlinking on WI. When you see a graphic on here or any other website, that image is hosted somewhere and uses that site's "bandwidth" to display the graphic. If you copy the link location of a graphic then paste it in your post as an image, you're using the other site's bandwidth to display it on WebkinzInsider. This is called hotlinking (also called "stealing bandwidth"). This can sometimes cause performance issues for both websites.

Your choices are to upload the image to WI (you are restricted how much bandwidth you get to use on here) or to host the image somewhere else like your own website or an image hosting account like Photobucket, ImageCave or TinyPic. Display your images wisely and considerately to each individual website and the internet community at large.

7) All shops previously not approved are still not approved.

8 ) In order to post a shop, members must meet the following requirements:

Shop owners must have 50 non-fluff posts and be in good standing on WI.

Breaking the rules elsewhere on WI can result in losing your graphics shop.

9) You must abide by the rules of this section including not using graphics you are not allowed to use. Some of those are listed here, however, it is still your responsibility to find out if you can use the graphics or not.

If you are found in violation of any of these rules, your shop will be closed and you will not be allowed to open another. If you do not understand a rule, ask before you open your shop.

Update as of 5/27/2009:

Shops no longer need to receive staff approval. However, as stated above, if you have previously been told you cannot open a shop, that decision still stands. All rules still apply and will be enforced.