# 🤝 Community Guidelines ## How to Be a Good Community Member[​](#how-to-be-a-good-community-member "Direct link to How to Be a Good Community Member") Our community works best when discussions stay practical, respectful, and evidence-based. *** ## Core Principles[​](#core-principles "Direct link to Core Principles") ### Be Helpful 🤝[​](#be-helpful- "Direct link to 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 🙏[​](#be-respectful- "Direct link to Be Respectful 🙏") **Use Appropriate Language** * Keep discussions focused and respectful * 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 🧠[​](#be-smart- "Direct link to 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[​](#community-rules "Direct link to Community Rules") ### Prohibited Behavior[​](#prohibited-behavior "Direct link to 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[​](#consequences "Direct link to Consequences") ### First Violation[​](#first-violation "Direct link to First Violation") **Warning from Moderators** * Private message explaining violation * Opportunity to correct behavior * Removal of offending content * Note added to user record *** ### Repeated Violations[​](#repeated-violations "Direct link to Repeated Violations") **Temporary Suspension** * 7-day ban from Discord * Loss of community access * Final warning issued * Reinstatement review after period *** ### Serious Violations[​](#serious-violations "Direct link to 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[​](#best-practices "Direct link to Best Practices") ### Asking Questions[​](#asking-questions "Direct link to Asking Questions") **Good Question Example:** ``` I'm using v4.5.1 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 Test Results[​](#sharing-test-results "Direct link to Sharing Test Results") **Good Test Result Share:** ``` Test type: Demo Strategy: M5_BALANCED Pairs: EURUSD, GBPUSD Risk: 1.5% Trades: 52 Main observation: Spread increased during one session Issue: Two trades opened later than expected Question: Is this normal for this broker symbol? ``` **Poor Test Result Share:** ``` It works great. What should I change next? ``` *** ### Providing Help[​](#providing-help "Direct link to 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[​](#channel-specific-guidelines "Direct link to Channel-Specific Guidelines") ### #general-support[​](#general-support "Direct link to #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[​](#advanced-trading "Direct link to #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[​](#performance-sharing "Direct link to #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[​](#moderator-authority "Direct link to Moderator Authority") ### Moderators Can[​](#moderators-can "Direct link to Moderators Can") * Remove inappropriate content * Issue warnings to users * Temporarily mute users * Ban users for violations * Lock contentious threads * Pin important information ### Moderators Will[​](#moderators-will "Direct link to Moderators Will") * Explain their actions * Give fair warnings first * Consider context * Review appeals * Support community health * Enforce rules consistently *** ## Reporting Issues[​](#reporting-issues "Direct link to Reporting Issues") ### How to Report Violations[​](#how-to-report-violations "Direct link to 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 * Include screenshots * Describe the issue * Provide user information *** ## Appeals Process[​](#appeals-process "Direct link to Appeals Process") ### If You Disagree with Moderation[​](#if-you-disagree-with-moderation "Direct link to 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[​](#recognition-program "Direct link to Recognition Program") ### Positive Community Contributions[​](#positive-community-contributions "Direct link to 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 [Sharing Test Results](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/support/performance-sharing.md) or explore [Technical Support Levels](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/support/technical-support-levels.md).