# Community Guidelines ## How to Be a Good Community Member Our community thrives when everyone contributes positively. Here's how to be an excellent community member. *** ## Core Principles ### Be Helpful 🤝 **Share Your Experiences** * Post solutions that worked for you * Document your optimization discoveries * Share performance insights * Help answer beginner questions **Contribute Constructively** * Provide detailed, actionable advice * Share screenshots and examples * Follow up on recommendations * Thank those who help you **Support New Members** * Remember when you were new * Be patient with basic questions * Point to relevant documentation * Offer encouragement *** ### Be Respectful 🙏 **Use Appropriate Language** * Keep discussions professional * Avoid offensive language * Respect cultural differences * Stay on topic **Respect Different Levels** * Everyone learns at their own pace * No "dumb questions" policy * Encourage all skill levels * Share knowledge generously **Avoid Spam** * Don't promote other products * No excessive self-promotion * Stay relevant to BananaEA * Respect channel purposes *** ### Be Smart 🧠 **Search Before Asking** * Use Discord search function * Check pinned messages * Review documentation * Read recent discussions **Provide Context** * Include relevant details * Share error messages * Attach screenshots * Describe what you've tried **Follow Up** * Mark solutions that worked * Update on problem resolution * Thank helpful members * Close resolved discussions *** ## Community Rules ### Prohibited Behavior **❌ Sharing Sensitive Information** * Don't post account passwords * Don't share broker credentials * Don't reveal personal financial details * Don't expose proprietary strategies **❌ Promoting Competing Products** * Don't advertise other EAs * Don't promote competing services * Don't recruit for other platforms * Stay focused on BananaEA **❌ Unrealistic Promises** * Don't claim guaranteed profits * Don't promise specific returns * Don't make misleading statements * Be honest about risks **❌ Copyright Violations** * Don't share copyrighted materials * Don't distribute EA files unauthorized * Don't post proprietary code * Respect intellectual property **❌ Harassment or Abuse** * No personal attacks * No bullying or intimidation * No discriminatory language * No trolling or inflammatory posts *** ## Consequences ### First Violation **Warning from Moderators** * Private message explaining violation * Opportunity to correct behavior * Removal of offending content * Note added to user record *** ### Repeated Violations **Temporary Suspension** * 7-day ban from Discord * Loss of community access * Final warning issued * Reinstatement review after period *** ### Serious Violations **Permanent Ban** * Complete removal from community * Loss of all access * No reinstatement consideration * Legal action if necessary **Serious violations include:** * Harassment or threats * Illegal activity * Malicious behavior * Repeated rule breaking after warnings *** ## Best Practices ### Asking Questions **Good Question Example:** ``` I'm using v4.4.6 on EURUSD M5. EA shows error 130 when trying to place trades. Settings: RiskPercent=2%, MaxSpread=30 Broker: XM Screenshot: [attached] What could be causing this? ``` **Poor Question Example:** ``` EA broken, help!!! ``` *** ### Sharing Performance **Good Performance Share:** ``` 📊 SEPTEMBER PERFORMANCE Account: Demo €10,000 Strategy: M5_BALANCED Pairs: EURUSD, GBPUSD Risk: 1.5% Return: +4.2% (+€420) Trades: 52, Win Rate: 67% Max DD: -3.8% Key insight: Reduced risk during high volatility ``` **Poor Performance Share:** ``` Made €500 this month! ``` *** ### Providing Help **Good Help Response:** ``` I had the same issue. Here's what fixed it for me: 1. Go to Tools → Options → Expert Advisors 2. Make sure "Allow automated trading" is checked 3. Restart MT4 4. EA should now show green smiley face Let me know if this works for you! ``` **Poor Help Response:** ``` Just fix your settings ``` *** ## Channel-Specific Guidelines ### #general-support **Appropriate:** * Quick troubleshooting questions * Installation help requests * Basic configuration questions * General EA discussions **Not Appropriate:** * Long strategy discussions (use #advanced-trading) * Performance reports (use #performance-sharing) * Feature requests (use #feature-requests) *** ### #advanced-trading **Appropriate:** * Optimization techniques * Strategy development * Performance analysis * Multi-pair setups **Not Appropriate:** * Basic "how do I install" questions * Off-topic discussions * Product promotion *** ### #performance-sharing **Appropriate:** * Monthly performance reports * Success stories * Strategy results * Learning experiences **Not Appropriate:** * Complaints about losses * Unrealistic claims * Incomplete data * Marketing pitches *** ## Moderator Authority ### Moderators Can * Remove inappropriate content * Issue warnings to users * Temporarily mute users * Ban users for violations * Lock contentious threads * Pin important information ### Moderators Will * Explain their actions * Give fair warnings first * Consider context * Review appeals * Support community health * Enforce rules consistently *** ## Reporting Issues ### How to Report Violations **In Discord:** 1. Screenshot the violation 2. Use @Moderator mention 3. Provide context 4. Wait for moderator response **Via Email:** * Send to {{ variables.supportEmail }} * Include screenshots * Describe the issue * Provide user information *** ## Appeals Process ### If You Disagree with Moderation 1. **Wait 24 Hours** * Cool down period * Review community guidelines * Consider the situation objectively 2. **Contact Moderator** * Explain your perspective calmly * Provide relevant context * Ask for clarification 3. **Escalate if Needed** * Email * Request senior moderator review * Await formal response *** ## Recognition Program ### Positive Community Contributions **Helper of the Month** * Most valuable assistance * Consistent community support * Quality answers provided **Trader of the Month** * Outstanding performance * Valuable sharing * Community inspiration **Innovation Award** * Creative optimization * Strategy breakthroughs * Helpful discoveries *** **Remember:** A healthy community benefits everyone. Your positive contributions make BananaEA better for all traders! *** **Next Steps**: Learn about [Performance Sharing](https://itradeaims.gitbook.io/banana-ea/support/overview/performance-sharing) or explore [Technical Support Levels](https://itradeaims.gitbook.io/banana-ea/support/overview/technical-support-levels).