Guidelines
1. Be Respectful and Supportive
• Treat all members with courtesy.
• Critique ideas, not people.
• Encourage beginners; celebrate expertise without gatekeeping.
• No harassment, insults, or inflammatory behavior.
• All posting must be done in English. Posts created by online translators are acceptable.
________________________________________
2. Stay On Topic
• Keep discussions focused on ship modeling, maritime history, tools, techniques, and related subjects.
• Use the appropriate sub-forum for your topic.
• Off-topic posts may be moved or removed at moderator discretion.
• Please don't post meme topics as these can cause offence and be unsuitable for a larger, family audience.
• Topics not related to modeling or maritime subjects may be posted in the General Discussion area.
________________________________________
3. Share Knowledge Responsibly
• When giving advice, be clear whether you’re sharing personal experience, historical information, or speculation.
• Avoid presenting unverified claims as fact.
• Credit sources when referencing research, plans, or historical material.
________________________________________
4. Protect Intellectual Property (IP)
This forum takes intellectual property and copyright seriously. Because copyright issues can be complex and easily misunderstood in an online community, members are expected to follow a few simple guidelines to help keep Dry Dock Modeler open, respectful, and supportive of the businesses and creators who contribute to the hobby.
DDM's purpose is to build a community focused on learning, craftsmanship, and enjoyment of ship modeling. While piracy and copyright disputes are increasingly affecting the industry, we believe members are capable of making informed decisions about the products they choose to buy and use. We encourage everyone to educate themselves and use good judgment.
As a forum, we aim to remain neutral regarding manufacturers and vendors. We do not believe it is appropriate to dictate how members spend their money or enjoy their hobby. Members are free to build and post about kits or products from any manufacturer, including build logs.
At the same time, discussion about intellectual property concerns is permitted, provided it remains respectful and constructive. Personal attacks, bullying, or inflammatory behavior will not be tolerated.
The strength of this community comes from its members, and we appreciate your continued contributions and support.
4.1 No sharing of copyrighted plans or instructions
• Do not upload, request, or distribute copyrighted plans, scans, manuals, or digital files unless you own the rights or the material is explicitly public domain.
• Small excerpts for discussion are allowed only under fair-use principles.
4.2 No posting of stolen 3D models or STL files
• 3D assets must be your own work or shared with permission.
• Links to pirated STL repositories are prohibited.
4.3 Respect designers, artists, and manufacturers
• Give proper credit when showing work based on someone else’s plans or research.
• Do not claim another person’s design as your own.
________________________________________
5. Marketplace Rules (if applicable)
• Only sell items you legally own and have the right to transfer.
• Counterfeit kits, unauthorized reproductions, and pirated digital files are strictly forbidden.
• Sellers must accurately describe condition and provenance.
• Moderators may remove listings that appear suspicious or violate IP rules.
________________________________________
6. Posting Images and Media
• Upload only images you own or have permission to share.
• When posting reference photos, ensure they are allowed under copyright law.
• Avoid hotlinking images from sites that prohibit it.
________________________________________
7. Build Logs and Tutorials
• Build logs should document your own work.
• If you use someone else’s technique or research, credit them.
• Do not repost another modeler’s build log without explicit permission.
• When creating a new build log, please consult the naming guidelines posted in each build log subforum.
________________________________________
8. No Illegal or Unsafe Content
• Do not post instructions for unsafe tool use, explosives, or harmful materials.
• Do not discuss illegal acquisition of kits, plans, or artifacts.
________________________________________
9. Moderator Authority
• Moderators may edit, move, or remove posts that violate guidelines.
• Repeated or serious violations may result in temporary or permanent bans.
• Moderator decisions are final; disputes should be handled privately and respectfully.
________________________________________
10. Keep the DDM Community Welcoming
• This forum is for hobbyists of all ages and skill levels.
• Avoid profanity, graphic content, or hostile behavior.
• Help maintain a friendly, collaborative atmosphere.