Feedback Requested: New /r/networking Rules

Hi all,

As the /r/networking sub has grown over the past few years, we have come to realize that the rules need additional refinement and clarification. Below are some significant refinements to the rules that we have been working on for the past several months, and will be going live by the end of the month.

1. Rule #1: All discussions threads should directly relate to data networking, network security in a business or service provider environment.

   • Small Business networking is permitted.
   • This community doesn't exist to talk about personal software on your laptop.
   • This community is not focused on troubleshooting software features of non-networking devices.
   • Questions related to operating systems and server configuration/troubleshooting may be better answered in /r/sysadmin.
   • Discussions concerning the usage of tools that may be used for malicious activities is not permitted.
   • Moderators reserve the right to remove content or restrict users' posting privileges as necessary if it is deemed detrimental to the subreddit or to the experience of others.
   • Posts not relating to data networking, network security, or network automation in a business or service provider environment will be removed.

2. Rule #2: No home networking discussions.

   • If the device is in your home, it’s probably not appropriate to post here about it.
     
   • If you think it is, please message the moderators in advance
   • Discussions about what to purchase/utilize in your home lab is not permitted.
   • Discussions about home lab configurations or scenarios may be permitted at the moderators’ discretion.
   • Remember, /r/homenetworking and /r/homelab exist for these topics

3. Rule #3: Do not advertise or promote products or services.

   • Blogs, personal projects, etc. are welcome in the Weekly Blogpost Friday thread.
   • Links to vendor documentation that are relevant to a discussion in progress are permitted.
   • Promotional content posted outside of the BlogPost Friday thread is subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be subject to temporary or permanent bans.
   • This community gets its strength from sharing information publicly. Any encouragement of using private communication (chat, PMs, etc.) is prohibited.

4. Rule #4: No low-quality posts or threads.

   • Requests for assistance should provide pertinent and detailed information.
   • This community doesn't exist to serve as your easy-mode Google Search.
   • Members are encouraged to refer to How to ask questions the smart way and Wikipedia: XY problem.
   • Educational questions MUST show effort. Please do not ask this community to explain basic concepts to you.
   • This community does not exist to answer your homework questions.
   • Please show evidence of research and investigative effort.
   • This is not Slashdot. Posting an article with a quip in the summary is considered low quality, and will be removed as such.
   • Posts about outages are not permitted unless they have a global impact or provide in-depth technical details. Moderators may consolidate/remove threads in order to create a single announcement.

5. Rule #5: No early career advice.

   • This is not a "How to pass a certification" community.
   • Looking for help to move out of a junior role? Try /r/ITCareerQuestions, or /r/networkingJobs!
     
   • Threads discussing how to move from an intermediate to a senior role are permitted, but are expected to illustrate senior level discussion & thought-process.

6. Rule #6: No political discussion.

   • This community is a large, international community. Local politics are irrelevant here, and will be removed.
   • Inflammatory content intended to cause, or likely to cause drama will be removed.

7. Rule #7: Discussions that violate non-disclosure, right-to-use agreements, entitlements, or export laws are strictly forbidden.

   • Certification exam "brain dumps", answer keys, or detailed information sharing is NOT permitted. This will result in an immediate ban.
   • Requests for members to share copies of software you are not entitled to are NOT permitted.
   • Any content which violates the Reddit User Agreement or the Reddit Content Policy is prohibited.