FAQ

What is Snow Plow News?
Snow Plow News is a carefully managed online community of snow and ice professionals. We strive to be a complete, easily-navigated resource for expert information, up-to-the-minute news and most importantly, a place where professionals can easily find and interact with their peers. Whether you're a plow operator at an airport, a snow blower manufacturer, a contractor, or in charge of clearing railways of snow and ice, we're certain that you'll make lasting connections at Snow Plow News.

What do you mean "managed" online community?
Snow Plow news is read and managed daily by real human beings with over 20 years of snow and ice industry experience. We employ full-time administrators to ensure the site stays full of relevant information and free of clutter. We read every post, and blog, we watch every video, we're constantly looking to help members connect, and we'll actively introduce members to each other. Instead of searching through endless, scattered posts and forums, we'll point you directly to the member or page that will help you get the information you're looking for and get on with your life.

Why is there a fee to join?
Put simply, you get what you pay for. Snow Plow News is free to browse, but only members are allowed to contribute content to the site. We collect membership dues annually to ensure our community stays committed to serious snow professionals. In addition to keeping the lights on, the fees help employ administrators dedicated to helping you meet and interact with progressive, experienced peers.

What's a "Blog"?
"Blog" is short for Web Log. Simply put, it's a public, online journal. Specifically, the blogs on Snow Plow News are intended to be extended posts related to the snow and ice industry. Think of a blog post like a story you'd tell at a party. You can share your specific experiences, information or questions in one, organized space.

Can Anyone Blog?
All memberships include a blog space. Blogs are the perfect way to share your snow and ice experience with everyone who reads Snow Plow News. Members are free to write about any subject, but please understand that we intend blogs to be a credible source of relevant information for our members. If you'd like to write about your quirky cat, or lovely wife, go ahead, express yourself! Just do it somewhere else, please. Snow Plow News distinguishes itself exactly because we read and review all blogs before they are posted. We encourage informed opinions, and passionate ideas, but inappropriate, completely unrelated or inaccurate blogs will not be approved. For more information please review our rules

I'm not a member, but I've got a question
We want Snow Plow News to be your #1 snow and ice management resource. Members have exclusive rights to post and reply to questions; if you'd like to be part of the community, please check out our membership page. If you've simply got a question related to snow and ice management, please submit it via email. We'll do our best to answer it, and if we feel it might help our members we reserve the right to use the question and answer on our site.

What's a group and how do I start or join one?
Groups are collections of members who communicate with each other regularly. Groups are created by the site administrator when a group membership is purchased. In order to join a group, you need to get permission from the person who purchased the group membership.

What are the rules of the site?

Snow Plow News takes great care to ensure our site maintains exceptional standards to include content created or uploaded by our members. Please adhere to these site rules to ensure your content is included on the site and your membership stays in good standing. Thank you.

The Following rules remain in order to facilitate a relaxed, yet professional online environment.

• Snow Plow News welcomes all our members' opinions; however, offensive language, rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks, purposeless, or inflammatory content will not be tolerated.
• With the exception of watermarked photos and YouTube videos, all site content remains the property of Snow Plow News and may not be used or reproduced without prior permission.
• Nude pictures or videos are not allowed. The Media Center is for snow and ice related content. Objectionable material will be deleted.
• Illegal activity specifically but not limited to intellectual property violation is prohibited.
• Each member may use only one unique login account. Members may not use other members' accounts without identifying themselves.
• E-mail addresses will be verified and member account requests without valid e-mail addresses will not be approved.
• No SPAM. Unauthorized advertising of any kind on this site is prohibited.
• Please use common sense. We cannot list every possible actionable scenario. If you're unsure whether your post or upload is appropriate for Snow Plow News, please take a minute and email us. We'll respond quickly with a decision.
• The owners and administrators of www.snowplownews.com reserve the right to take action against anyone who willfully violates the rules of the site in accordance with the law. Action includes but is not limited to: deleting posts or uploads without notice, suspending members, and permanently banning members from the site.
• These rules are subject to change at any time and therefore should be reviewed regularly.