I've started this section up, because I've been getting WAY too many pictures from a combination of my regulars. My status lights weren't working to their fullest, so I've had to expand on the lights.
The quota limit is on everything that can be sent in, such as MP3 files, links, and especially pictures, real, hand drawn, or otherwise.
Example: I set the quota limit at 40. That means that you cannot send more than 40 items my way. You can send the 40 in any combination you please, such a comination is:
a) 3 MP3 files, 36 railroad crossing pictures, and 1 link.
b) 12 Train simulator pictures, 3 artwork drawings, and 25 railroad crossing pictures.
If the quota limit goes underneath the pictures you've sent me, you're not allowed to send anymore without penalty. For example, if you send 40 items, and I lower the quota to 25, there will be no penalty unless you send more in.
You can send more items in when I upload them to the website. For example, if you send 3 MP3 files, 36 railroad crossing pictures, and 1 link. I decide to save the link and MP3 files for later, but upload the 36 crossing pictures, then 40-36=4. You can then send 36 more items, unless I lower the quota limit, which I do quite often. ALWAYS CHECK THE QUOTA LIMIT BEFORE SENDING ITEMS IN. PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THIS LATELY.
Pictures sent in that are not supposed to be shown on the website are welcome without penalty, but don't abuse this privilege by saying they aren't meant for the web, when they are.
The quota limit will be the same color as the status lights, to eliminate confusion.
I've had numerous violations with people sending in too many items, especially railroad crossing pictures. At first, I was just kindly reminding people, but that doesn't seem to work for some odd reason, so I'm going to have to get more serious about this issue. (NOTE: previous violations don't count, everybody's starting out at zero effective immediately.)
Violations 1-5 : Your items will be delayed 3 calendar days, and will be noted on the waiting list, with a lock graphic, followed by a number. The number will countdown 1 day and when it reaches zero, then it will become a regular waiting list item. Even just going over by 1 item will lock ALL items you've sent me.
Violations 6-10: Your items will be delayed for 5 calendar days. The above paragraph applies here.
Violation 11: I've had enough. You are banned from sending me anymore items. You cannot even email me for general chat anymore.
When sending in pictures of railroad crossings, both real, or Microsoft Train Simulator related, do NOT split up crossings. Keep them all intact. For instance if you have 40 pictures to send in, and the quota is set to 20, do NOT split the pictures into two groups of 20. Splitting up the pictures ruins the excitement of seeing something really exciting. Splitting crossings up also counts as a violation, and will count as a delay in your pictures.
Most of the time, the quota limit will be below 30. Sometimes it will be between 30-50, but it will rarely be over 50. Keep this in mind when sending stuff in. One person has over 90 pictures of ONE CROSSING to send me, so I will have to raise it high temporarilly, but this will RARELY happen, and at the earliest might not happen until 2006.
One more thing: If three people go over the quota limit, the status light on the website go out, and the website will shut down for 7 calendar days from anyone. I will not answer emails during this period.