Although we aim to run this list with a free and easy approach, we do need to set some limits in order to keep things running smoothly. We've tried to avoid being too intrusive, but sometimes Ygroup members forget that not everybody has the latest and mightiest computer or has an internet connection with the speed of light ...so guidelines need to be established!! ;-) 

Violating these rules and guidelines may result in removal from membership in Cafe PSP without notice.

Posting: Please compress all your gif, png and jpg files before posting in order to not exceed the maximum file size listed below. You may 'insert' images into your email or you may 'attach'.
All members are required to have anti-virus protection, updated often! When you post an image for viewing, you are encouraged to share tips on how you created your version of the tut. It would also be nice to say something complimentary to the tutorial author. When you wish to share an 'artistic' image whose subject matter may be offensive to some members (such as nudity)... please post the image to your own website and post a link to the group. Please be polite and include a warning that the page contains material some may consider "offensive". This is an artistic leniency only.....ABSOLUTELY NO porn allowed! 

File Size: It is a requirement that you keep your file size to a maximum of 125kb per image posted. If you have an image you'd like to share with the group but it is larger than 125kb, please upload it to your own website and post a link to the group. Please be polite and include a warning that the page contains a large file. It doesn't matter if the image is 400x400 pixels or if it is 20x20 pixels, 125kb is still the maximum size we want to see and even smaller  is preferred! This is the maximum file size for animated and non animated.
There may be exceptions to this guideline for posting some challenges and will be explained in the challenge. Angie has some helpful tips that we highly recommend for embedding an image in OE and how to check file size in OE. 
OE Image Embedding & Message Size

Banners:  All members are asked to provide a "portrait" banner to place on the Cafe members page. A link to your website will be provided. The banner should be a self-portrait that measures exactly 150x150 pixels in size. It can be drawn or painted, it can be a cartoon or made with preset shapes, it can be abstract or humorous, or it can be a photo that's been deformed or had filters applied. Whatever suits your style! Send it in as a regular post when it's ready and don't forget to include the url of the website you would like it linked to! 

Participation: There is no requirement to post tutorial results every day, every week, or any particular time. You may work at your own pace, however, regular participation in the group is a must. No lurkers allowed! Participation is essential in order for a group to thrive and for everyone to gain maximum benefit. The owners and moderators at Cafe PSP certainly understand that real life issues (and ISP problems) do arise and may cause your Cafe patronage to decline a little from time to time. This is definitely no problem! We understand! :o)  If you are unable to participate for an extended period (more than one month), just drop us a note to let us know what's happening. If you have not been an "active member", expect to be unsubbed from the group with no prior notice.

Tutorials: If you see a neat tutorial you would like the group to try, we heartily encourage you to share the url with the moderators. We need to know what our members want to learn, so sharing urls would be a vital and important contribution to the group. If you are a tutorial author, we would like to be notified whenever you have a new tutorial published. Please keep in mind that, for a variety of reasons, we may not be able to use every single tutorial sent in. Also keep in mind that we will never use any so-called "selection" tuts, the majority of which are merely a tracing of something that's been scanned. All members should read, understand and comply with the authors TOS from tutorials listed on the Cafe's menus. 

Stationery: Absolutely NO scrolling/singing/dancing/tickin'/bouncin'/clickin' whatever scripted stationery, please! No sounds, no scrolling, no scripts...period!! No exceptions!! 

Html email: Static, non-moving backgrounds are permissible, however, we ask that you avoid placing a patterned background over 5kb in email that contains a tutorial or challenge image (except, of course, when the background pattern is part of the tutorial or challenge). Backgrounds result in a larger file size for your email and often detract from the image being posted. 

Individual mail: Only send email appropriate for the group to the group! Any personal mail or comments that you wish to send to a member, please send it direct to their personal email address.....not to every person in the group!! Use the REPLY button in your email program.... not REPLY ALL!!! Also, when replying to the group, it is not necessary to also send a copy (cc) to the individual. They are part of the group...they will get a copy!  We require that you remove the image on replies to individuals about their graphics....some of us are on extremely slow connections and this is only common courtesy.  

Copyrights: We will avoid use of any tutorials on our assignment list where the copyright (or authorized use) for the image or clip art download is unknown. Theft of or a re-hash of someone else's artwork or tutorials will be forbidden and will be cause for immediate removal from member list. Also, sharing of software and software key codes thru the group is absolutely forbidden! To read, understand and follow the TOS of each author's tutorials listed on the Cafe's monthly menu is the responsibility of each member. 

Virus Warnings: Please don't post these through the list. It is your responsibility to keep your AV .dat files up to date! Please update at least once a week!! If you would really like to share information about a new virus that's come out, please send email directly to one of the moderators, not to the whole group. 

Vcards: Do not use visiting/business cards (vcf cards) or any form of scripts in group mail! If you are using these to avoid ads, remember these 2 points: 
(1) Advertising is paying for our free message board and this email you just received! 
(2) The ads still appear most of the time anyway. 

Spam/Advertsing: Please do not send spam/advertising through our group mail. This includes site fights, vote for me, chain letters, jokes and any other advertising. We get our fill with each yahoo e-mail and many other places on the net that we visit. 

Cracks and Warez: (sharing of software key codes, URL's of illegally offered programs or illegal sharing of programs themselves) Absolutely out of the question that this kind of stuff will be tolerated in this group. Please do not in any fashion or form discuss or approach this subject within the walls of our Cafe. 

Etiquette: Be kind and thoughtful and considerate of your fellow list members. If there is a problem, please inform the list owners ....do not bring it out into the list! We all have enough bad stuff happening in our daily lives, we don't need it coming from the group as well. We are here to enjoy our cozy Cafe environment and do not need unpleasantness or rudeness in any shape or form. Please understand that some people may not be fluent in English, sometimes things may come out a little odd... don't get offended. Ask first before biting someone's head off.  Also, this is a non-denominational, secular group, respect and tolerance for others is a must. The old adage still applies: "Do unto others as you would have done to you!" 

Last of all....Yahoo Groups! Please familiarize yourself with the way "Groups" work and refer to the HELP menu at Yahoo Groups if you have a question related to "Groups"! If the messages are not working for you, they're probably not working for us either....and we don't know why any more than you do!! All kinds of things can happen in the cyberworld! Open PSP and create a new masterpiece while you're waiting for Ygroups to start working again!!