The information within these forums are not to be posted outside of the forums. If you have questions that are for advanced locks post them to the correct forum.
{edited by Varjeal: moved rules post into here for easier, one time reading, so no excuses for not knowing the rules now.}
1. If you have less than 50 posts(old rule was: 40 posts) and/or less than 50 days membership time (old rule was: 3 months (90 days), please don't apply. You'll get denied, guaranteed. This first one is important and iron-clad. Really, don't bother...I check the list at least every second or third day and constantly am denying people who have applied with one or two posts. (No, you won't receive a pm about it either.)
2. If you have applied but are not granted access, you will receive a PM to inform you that your request has been denied at this time. You are welcome to reapply at a date no earlier than 60 days later. Please do not apply sooner or your request will be removed altogether and you will not be notified of such. This will only mean that it will take even longer. Please note that you will not be given reason for this decision and all decisions are final, and thus, not open for discussion.
3. Here are some things the entire mod team will look for when examining your previous posts:
a.) Quality. (50+ posts of "search you newbie" and "I bought picks" are not considered quality.)
b.) Informaton. (how much info did you provide to others? how much was provided to you? both are good things.)
c.) Growth. (Some of those already given status have come a long ways.)
d.) Quantity AND time in of at least 50 days(old rule: 3 months)(helps to get to know you before you are approved/invited.) In other words, a good 50 (old rule was: 40) posts at LEAST.
e.) Getting along with others. (Pretty important stuff there. Not so much as never arguing, but being able to resolve disputes and getting along regardless.)
f.) In line with point (e), being respectful of others and of the site rules is very important.
4. Access to the secure forums is not a "right". There are experienced people on this site who have no interest in the restricted information and are content with the wealth of information provided in the open forums, and helping others to enjoy a fun hobby/trade. The rules that apply to the open forums (with the exception of "sensitive" information) apply to the secure area as well. Status within the secure forum is revokable. In other words, that status CAN be removed.
5. Those who are granted access to the secure forums are expected to continue participation in the open forums. This is not a "club", nor is it elitist. It's just a different area for a different type of information.
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To request access and contribute to the advanced forum you must be logged in and make the request by clicking here... HERE... H.E.R.E... for the love of all that's good and holy, the link to apply for advanced access is HERE.. If you do not have at least 50 useful posts or at least 50 days membership, don't even bother applying.
Check out the new points.
db edit: I have edited the above to reflect the new admissions procedures.
db EDIT: Ok... so you apply... what happens next? Please understand, the frequency that we post new lists for moderator consideration is determined in part by the volume of applicants. If there have not been a lot of applicants, we may not post new lists as frequently. Also, it is determined by the time constraints of the Admin and Mod teams. PLEASE BE PATIENT. It really CAN take some time. If you aren't enjoying the rest of the site enough to feel it's worth waiting around for, then I assure you it's not worth waiting around for.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: If you have been a locksmith for the last 412 years, if you're a member of law enforcement, or if you're the revived ghost of Patrick Swayze and you can do mad, mad things with a pottery wheel, it really doesn't matter. Please don't PM me and tell me all the reasons you should be granted immediate access to the Advanced forums. We've made it clear why we have people jump through hoops, and what we're looking for in considering you. I will no longer be responding to those PMs, as the volume of them has gotten a little out of hand. Thanks.
(I've added this because it is clear to me that people applying had no idea what happened after they applied, and I receive a lot of "ok, so I applied and didn't hear anything PM's. This should clear things up.)
{edited by Squelchtone to reflect new 2013 50 Posts / 50 Days rule- January 2013}
