Last Updated on June 7, 2000
by Tuggy Boonstra-Curran

 Hello there, and Welcome to CuddleLand! We welcome all into this
land with a warm caring *NEWBIE*HUG!*. CuddleLand (alt.cuddle) is a
highly affectionate, caring, and cuddly newsgroup. We partake of
pillow fights, tickle attacks, Princesses *POOF!*ing up right next to
you, handing out cookies, hugs and snuggles, wonderful little ambush
hug attacks, and many stories which are told amongst the inhabitants.

As such, CuddleLand is always a happy, friendly and warm place, and
of course, we would love to keep it this way. We welcome you, and
ask that you partake of our joy and happiness during your (hopefully
extended) stay here. In order to be as affectionate as we are,
there are a few things which we all must to, to keep CuddleLand
safe, and a  very friendly place for everyone.

 In CuddleLand we have a few simple guidelines which help keep the
character of the group; to let everyone enjoy and bask in the
warmth of cuddles. In the end, the courtesy must come from you. This
courtesy can take many different forms, and a few of the more
important guidelines are listed here:

Cuddleland's Guidelines ...

  Posting for the first time:

• People will always reply (especially to newbie postings!!!). Be patient.
•  Sometimes it takes a few days for messages to get around the world,
  and/or many of CuddleLand's inhabitants are too busy at the moment.
• alt.cuddle is an international group, since hugs, snuggles and
  cuddles are an international language. Make sure that your
  newsreader's Distribution is set appropriately. (World)
  Multinationality might also cause some misunderstandings
  starting from language barriers. If you approach them as a
  possibility to learn something new about other countries and
  about people in them, you should be able to resolve them.

  Posting:

• Send cuddles, newbie attacks, snuggles, hugs, stories, friendship-
  type feelings. Basically anything, and everything you want to.
• CuddleLand is a friendly place, so in keeping with the spirit,
  keep your postings friendly as well. Use your own judgment.
• Pictures, and ascii-art is always welcomed. Keep it to a
  manageable level as a courtesy for those who pay for their
  connection.
• Signatures should be of a respectable size, not outlandishly huge.

  Editing a previous Post:

• Quote only relevant material from a post, and delete all the
  unnecessary text. (Again, kindness to those who must pay for connection).
• Please also cuddle away someone's signature. Even though it's
  beautiful to look at; it will appear again in their next posting.
• Add your own comments, and be generous with them.
• Add a description line if you're talking about something, instead
  of quoting the entire article. As an example:
         "[Xxxxx's wonderfully detailed ambush hug cuddled away]"
•  Include a blank line between quoted material, and your new
  words of wisdom. It just makes things much easier to read.
• Never post any private E-Mail which you have received from anyone,
  unless you have their permission to do so.
• Don't change the Subject Line, unless you want to start a new
  thread of discussion, or the subject matter has changed. Many
  newsreaders can organize the articles into order, if they all have
  the same title.

  The Royalty - who are they and what can you expect? :

• In CuddleLand there are some folks who have been designated as
  Royals.  They are really just Cuddlers who set a really good
  example and have been in alt.cuddle for awhile.  They are selected
  and honored with the title by the existing Knights and Princesses
  as recognition for their contributions to the spirit of the group.

   What Royals Do:

• Exactly the same as everyone else!  They help preserve CuddleLand
  as a place of fun, friendship and support for everyone to enjoy.
• The Royals have been around awhile, and generally have more
  experience in dealing with certain kinds of issues that plague alt.cuddle.
• If a spam or flame thread is disrupting the group, a Royal or
  experienced Oldbie might step forward to address it, but this is by
  virtue of greater experience not because of the title.
• If you have a question or a problem that you aren't sure should be
  addressed in the newsgroup, turn to one of the Royals, or to one of
  the other Oldbies in the group for advice.
• The Royals can be viewed as role models, but they must not be mistaken
  as the leaders of alt.cuddle.  alt.cuddle is an unmoderated newsgroup.
• As with all aspects of net life, please remember that the Royals are
  people first, with faults and opinions, and none of us are perfect.
  Each acts individually, following their own ideas and ideals.
  Like all Cuddlers, the opinions and actions of One does not mean that
   _ALL_ agree.

  What a Royal is *NOT*

• CuddleLand Royalty is NOT a ruling body.
• They are NOT moderators, alt.cuddle is an unmoderated group.
• While some decisions, like designations of future Knights and
  Princesses are decided among the existing designees, they don't govern.
• While they are helpful with problems, it is NOT required that they
  assist.  To have the designation of KiTA or PiTA does NOT mean
  automatic arbitrator of disputes.

  Opinionated Posts:

• Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on matters.
• Avoid accidental flames. Be careful when you follow-up to
  someone's posting. Remember we are all friends here.
• Also don't take what you read as a flame. It may have not been
  intended as such. Words can be so vague sometimes.

  Personal Space:

• Everyone has a "personal space", and be careful not to cross
  someone's limits. Sometimes a little innocent flirting can be
  taken the wrong way:

• *hugs* *snuggles* *cuddles* *nuzzles* *kisses*on*the*cheek*
  *holding*hands* *backrubs* *massages* *schnuzzles* etc., are
  always welcomed, and encouraged.
• *kisses* *smooches* *caresses* etc., are getting very
   affectionate, and can possibly offend.

• Get to know the person first, before becoming too affectionate.
• Too much affection (or the wrong kind) can offend some Cuddlers.
  Use your discretion when cuddling.
• Flirting, and cuddling is alright, but keep the romance private.
• If you at any point feel that someone has crossed your personal limits,
  discuss it with the person in question so that the person understands
  what your limits are. This is preferably done by email.

  Flames and Harassment:

• Do NOT respond to any "trolls" or flames on the newsgroup.
• Do NOT respond to their provocation.
• Do NOT "become the hero", and charge off into battle.
• Postings, or Cross-Postings will always appear from other users
  who have a malicious intent. They are just creating trouble, and
  looking for it.
• Ignore the posting. Read it once if you must, and then you won't
  have to see it again.
• Be careful with cross-posting! Make sure that your letter is going
  to the group you intend it to go to!
• If you wish to do some Cross-Posting "incursion" fighting, post a
  valid followup (not just "please keep this out of" type messages),
  and remove alt.cuddle from the newsgroup line. Don't even mention
  the removal.
• Do NOT criticize or "Flame" someone for making a mistake. We're
  all very friendly here. Talk about things in a clear and concise
  manner. Don't get into petty personal put-downs. We forgive, and
  then cuddle.
• If you feel the need to flame please reconsider. Polite words
  achieve more. Also keep in mind that if what you would like to post
  "feels" to you like it might be a flame, it will most likely feel that
  way to others.
• Do NOT harass someone for their personal preferences.
• This extends to: Their age, colour, creed, religion, sexual
  preference, computer preference ... anything which is personal.

  Uncuddly Topics:

  Certain topics do not belong in CuddleLand. Please do not post
       anything which falls into these (or similar) categories:

• NO Spams, Pyramid Schemes, or Chain Letters.
• NO Advertising, "Join this Club", or "personal betterment" postings.
• NO Money Making Opportunities, or sales pitches.
• NO Personal Ads, or "seeking XXXX" postings.
• NO disdainful, spiteful, or malicious postings, either criticizing 
  the group's purpose, or slandering some of it's inhabitants.
• NO "What women/men want" type threads. They've been talked to
  death, and are still continuing on alt.romance. Please take your
  discussion there for subjects of that nature.
• NO blatant sexual references. Flirting is alright, but indicate
  the thread's nature, by using an appropriate subject header.
• NO stories which would better be kept in alt.sex.stories.
  CuddleLand is kept (mostly) non-sexual. Blatant sex stories have
  no place here.

   Every alt.cuddle citizen is responsible for their own actions; the
   other citizens are not responsible, and cannot be held responsible
   for the actions of another.

   Remember that all of these things here are only guidelines. They
   are not rules or laws which you must obey. Use your own judgment
   when posting, and keep in mind the feelings of others. Also keep in
   mind that we are all equal in the Realm.

   No one is given the right to "enforce" these guidelines. Alt.Cuddle
   is an unmoderated newsgroup. If you object to something, write the
   original poster in E-Mail. Don't put it on the group.

   Above all, be courteous to your fellow net inhabitant.

Cuddler home