Da Rulez

Ok - just to put one thing forward. We created a few rules, to make Skywatch workable for all.
We're no pea counters or hair splitters and we don't need perfection.
But to provide a nice experience for all involved - some rules needed to be put in place and we ask you the nicest way we can, to follow them - and we will even explain, why we have them.

Skywatch gives you quite a bit of latitude - on what kind of images can be shown.
From classic sunsets to using the sky as a backdrop for your image almost everything is possible. Almost? Yes - the moment your image leaves the range of being family friendly, chances are that we will remove your entry. But that is not really a big issue - has happened only once or twice in thousands of submissions. It is also quite obvious that it should be your own image (or that of a family member or close friend), that you have the right to publish.
Please do not! snatch images from the internet to show as Skywatch contribution. Where's the fun in that?

NOTE: While Skywatch posts should not be combined with other memes, we're pretty relaxed about that. However, we will not accept Skywatch Friday contributions, that link to Memes that copy the original Skywatch Friday concept
and take advantage of our efforts and hard work and we reserve the right to delete links at our discretion.



And now for the Rules:

1. Have your Skywatch post posted on your Website BEFORE entering in Mr. Linky.
Why? Visitors come to see a Skywatch Post. So standing them up is not very nice!

2. You have a Skywatch post. Right? So please mark it as a Skywatch Post!
Why? That pretty much is self explanatory. You can note that in the title or at the beginning of the text.

3. Invite others to watch and join with a link back to the main Skywatch Site.
Why? We have no commercial interest in ranking of search engines. We don't place ads or take any advantage
of you linking to us - other than promoting the Skywatch community itself. You yourself probably came to Skywatch
first, because you clicked a link back. Right? So please, be a sport and invite others, too! If you have a badge with link in the sidebar - point it out! You don't NEED to have an image or a badge, though it is cooler. But saying something like:
Go and check out more Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site! will do!

4. Take the time and check your Link entry for errors BEFORE you submit!
Why? Mistakes are made quite often, double links, not working links etc. are the result. And we don't
see them all the time, to fix them. (If you already made one - check the Mr. Linky Help, and you can fix it on
your own!

5. Read this BEFORE you submit!
Why? Because we will edit your entry if you enter any additional info other than name or Blogname, and country.
We understand, if you are excited about a special image and want everyone to see it. Or have a special day on your blog, a special action etc. However - in order to provide equal chances for all - we will !! delete all promotional content - and this entry will be set back to the end of the field.

6. Keep your Name entry short and sweet. Please: No All Caps, Special characters and complete
Life Stories or promotions. Please keep it under 25 characters
Why? Well for one - we want to make sure that everyone linking has the same chances. So we think, that - while understandable - the decorating your entry with special characters or All Caps writing, to make your entry more visible, puts you at an advantage to those who don't. So - since this is not a competition, we level the playing field.
Aside from that - just imagine what it would do to the readability, if every entry would be decorated....
Mr. Linkies links appear in three columns. Whenever an entry is made that goes over 25 characters, a new
line is being created and the table doubles in height - meaning all of us have to scroll much more. And since nobody
likes scrolling too much - be kind and stay under 25 characters.

7. If you have a commercial Site (meaning you earn money with it), you need the permission of the Skywatch Team, to participate!
Why? We do not want to send visitors to sites with questionable content or business practices. While getting paid for Blogging for example might just be ok, when properly disclosed in each post. Doing so without disclosure in each post! is something we do not condone, and will not tolerate it to be associated with Skywatch.
The same holds true for sites, that use Skywatch only to get traffic and potentially harvest email Addresses.

8. Please be considerate, when commenting!
Why? Even if you have a nice product, Website or whatever comes to mind - Skywatch is not the place to
promote it. Participants who incorporate advertising in comments they make on sites of our participants,
will be warned and if they continue to plug their product, banned from participating at Skywatch.
We are strictly non-commercial - we don't advertise, place ads and we ask you to respect, that Skywatch's
only agenda is having fun - everything else has to stay out. Thank you for your understanding.


What if...
Your Link is gone or suddenly at the end of the field.
Why? Two possible reasons: Technical glitch (a one in ten chance) or we deleted it. Here's a lowdown, when your
link will or may be deleted. Breaking Rules 1-4 will most likely result in deletion. When possible we try to contact you.
if only either rule 2 or 3 is involved. If it isn't fixed after a while - we delete. We also immediately delete any kind of promotion or when links point to commercial or scam sites. If your Link appears all over sudden at the end - you probably went overboard in length. It will be deleted and re-entered re-formatted at the end.

Do you censor?
No - and Yes.
Huh? Usually it is none of our business, what you write, show or sell in your blog. But to give you an example, where we will act. If you have a happy Porn site going and decide to make a Skywatch Post - chances are, that your link will be history. Skywatch is family friendly and parents are doing Skywatch with their kids. So - while we really don't judge what exactly it is, that you are doing, there are sites we consider not family friendly and will remove the links to them from the Skywatch site. We follow up on complaints, and act upon them if necessary. In short - Racism, Violence, Porn, Hate or Scam site owners - not a chance! And purely commercial sites that try to sell you, stand a good chance
to be removed, when the skywatch post is pretty lonely on a page between: "Buy this now" and "125% off - if you act now!"

Direct questions to the questions page or drop us a mail!
skywatchmyworld AT gmail DOT com

Link Help

Since mistakes are made - we're all human - here's how to get them sorted out.

1. At the bottom of the page you find the button to enter your entry:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Enter your info:
   
   

 

The you will be directed to a page that let's you select your thumbnail

Click "Select me" for the one you want - and you're all set.




Please do NOT:

• Submit more than once
• Add something like "Corrected" or "Working" in a fixed link.
  
• Avoid writing a book, instead of your name. We will delete overly long entries
  and re-post them in a shorter version.
• Submit more than one post per site
  
• Submit the same image on two different sites.
• Do not use URL Shorteners
• Do not use ALL CAPS
• Do not use any special characters other then the trusted comma.
  

Hope that helps!
Your Skywatch Team