I've always enjoyed when threads go so far off topic that someone announces "This thread is now about ugly cats" and everyone starts posting ugly cat pictures.  So that sort of behavior will be encouraged in this thread.

The Rulez:

1) Stay on-topic!  Whatever the thread is currently about, your post must at least have some connection to that topic.  So if the thread is currently about ugly cats, you can post an ugly cat picture.  You can also talk about your ugly cat.  What you can't do is post about William Shatner, unless you're going to tell a story about his ugly cat, or post a picture of an ugly cat head on his body.

2) At some point of my choosing, I will announce the thread is open again.  The next person to post "This thread is now about..." will turn the thread into that subject. (REVISION: See Rule #19) (REVISION AGAIN: See Rule #22)

3) Threads cannot be about certain subjects.  I'm sure you can figure out most of them, for instance, no boobies.  Incidentally, it will not be a beautiful woman thread either, 'cause I don't want to have to worry about my wife wondering why I'm staring at a bunch of beautiful women.  Handsome men are ok, however.  She's reasonably sure I'm not gay, not that there's anything wrong with that.  REVISION #1: Quoting a post that violates this rule will also be considered a violation of this rule.  REVISION #2: Making an on-topic post that violates this rule, well, violates this rule.  REVISION #3:  Don't forget the general OT.com rule:

Don't post "work unsafe" images, post a link instead with a NSFW warning. Avoid posting anything that could be considered grossly offensive.

4) Anyone who fails to follow the rules will be placed on PROBATION.  PROBATION will last a duration of my choosing.

5) Anyone who fails to follow the rules while on PROBATION will be nominated for the HALL OF SHAME.  You will have 24 hours to change my mind.  If you fail, you will join the HALL OF SHAME.  Your membership is permanent, unless I decide otherwise.  REVISION: 24 hour waiting period no longer applies - it's too much work to keep track of.

6) Other rules will be made up as necessary.

7) I am exempt from all the rules except #3 and #7.

8) Simply quoting all or part of your own or someone else's previous post doesn't count as staying on-topic.  You must provide new material related to the current topic.

9) If you feel you have been unfairly treated in the handing out of PROBATION, please provide evidence that you have posted on-topic.  Your plea will be heard promptly.

10) Anyone who fails to follow the rules while in the HALL OF SHAME will be placed in PURGATORY.  This is even more permanent than the HALL OF SHAME, unless I decide you've suffered enough.

11) Rules #5 and #9 have been revised.  Original Rules #5 and #9 are no longer applicable.

12) If you are listed on the PUNISHMENT LIST below, and wish to get off the list, make me laugh.  You'll receive a FULL PARDON immediately.  If your post violates another Rule but still makes me laugh, you may receive PUNISHMENT followed by a FULL PARDON.

13) This Rule has been deleted.

14) I reserve the right to REJECT topic choices.  If this happens to you, simply try again.

15) Anyone on the PUNISHMENT LIST may not suggest a new topic.

16) When you change the thread topic, you must include something related to that topic in the same post.

17) If you fail to follow the rules while in PURGATORY, you will be transferred to DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION.  Didn't your parents teach you any manners?

18) Links to an on-topic subject do not count as an on-topic post - the content must be within the thread.

19) Topics are not active until I have changed the thread title to that topic.  ADDENDUM: The thread is not open until the thread title says so.

20) If I catch you in violation of a rule, you cannot edit your offending post in order to avoid PUNISHMENT.

21) Pictures that don't show up when I look at the thread will not be considered on-topic.  It's too much work to load the picture directly, clean my cache, or whatever else I have to do.  You should have thought of that before you linked to a picture I can't see straight away.  REVISION 1 (KNOWN AS THE "NONE RULE"): If you make your picture so small that I don't even notice it, it will be considered off-topic regardless of the content.

22) Only Gaffer Tape has the ability to declare the thread open.  Revision 1: Gaffer cannot suggest new topics.  Revision 2: Gaffer can suggest new topics, but his/her chances of success are slim.

23) I can change the topic to whatever I want, whenever I want, without any notice.

24) Repeating a previously posted picture will not be considered on-topic unless there is additional new on-topic content included in the same post.

25) "Hidden" words count as on-topic only if clearly marked.  Examples (with the topic of "Nerf"):
          25a) "Can I be co-winner for the thread" is off-topic
          25b) "Can I be co-winner for the thread" is on-topic
          25c) "Can I be co-winner for the thread" is on-topic

26) Simply stating the topic in your post does not count as on-topic.  It's really not that hard to say something about the topic other than the name of the topic, is it?

27) Insulting the thread is cause for punishment even if the post is on-topic.

28) For the purposes of these rules, ")" and "#" mean the same thing.  All other types of nomenclature also mean the same thing.  And anything else I decide means the same thing, also means the same thing.  Not only that, I will decide what "the same thing" means on a case-by-case basis.  So don't even try it, bub.

29) Staying on-topic in the "reason for edit" field does not count as on-topic.  You must put your content in the main post.

30) Avatars do not count as on-topic posts.  As per other rules, the content must be contained in the post itself.  This rule also applies to usernames, signatures, and other similar workarounds.

*********************************************************

PUNISHMENT LIST

PROBATION: empty

HALL OF SHAME: empty

PURGATORY: empty

DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION: empty

INELIGIBLE: ABC, CompMovieGuy

*********************************************************

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