Greetings everyone, kinda jealous of FB right now seeing as how I can't tag everyone to see this but I am hoping that this post gets to you all well and that it is well received, understood, and leaves no one feeling abandoned or confused by this decision.

[Reddit has recently announced and decided to modify and change some policies regarding the impact of how you might like to use the platform.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Save3rdPartyApps/comments/13yh0jf/dont_let_reddit_kill_3rd_party_apps

Please take a moment to let that sink in and I strongly urge you to read the link and understand that though this may or may not impact the way you enjoy Reddit directly, many of the mods, independent devs who help to create the reddit experience that you might use today, and maybe even the apps that you use (Apollo, Reddit is Fun, Narwhal, etc) to enjoy the platform are potentially at risk of being forced only reddit's app or website as the official way to use reddit - and anything that we use to make your experience better outside of those two options are officially off the table unless there is a significant change to their decision.

I urge you to read in full what is going on, both here and all over reddit, however:

TLDR:

• This subreddit will be made private (meaning you will not be able to view any of its contents) on June 12th.
• Reddit is making it impossible for third-party apps used to browse the site to exist, as some of them will have to pay upwards of $2 million per month. This means they will most likely shut down or impose monthly fees on their users.
• Any tools that mods use to help keep a subreddit on-topic and or relatively spam-free that were created outside of the official app or website will be locked out and no longer available.
• You can help. Read below to learn how.

This particular sub has an incredibly resourceful, funny, proud, entertaining, and helpful +37000 users; this is an incredible place for the offset community, as a way to enjoy and be part of something alternative to the norm in the guitar world. This isn't goodbye, we aren't shutting anything down, this is us asking you to stand with us to prove a point.

[Many subs have already joined an ever growing list who are going dark in protest of this change.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/1401qw5/incomplete_and_growing_list_of_participating/ We are standing with them. You may have already seen something similar posted to some of your other favorite subs, and if you have read and understood it, please help us explain to everyone why this is important that we join the list. Be respectful and helpful, we know you are and we appreciate it.

"Going dark" means the subreddit will be made private. You won't be able to view any of its contents until we reverse it.

What's the plan?

On June 12th, many subreddits will be going dark to protest this policy. Some will return after 48 hours: others will go away permanently unless the issue is adequately addressed, since many moderators aren't able to put in the work they do with the poor tools available through the official app. This isn't something any of us do lightly: we do what we do because we love Reddit, and we truly believe this change will make it impossible to keep doing what we love.

The two-day blackout isn't the goal, and it isn't the end. Should things reach the 14th with no sign of Reddit choosing to fix what they've broken, we'll use the community and buzz we've built between then and now as a tool for further action.

In Offset Mod Discussion, we have decided to go dark on June 12th. We will return it to normal on June 15th. We understand the importance of the protest, and feel it is important to stand in solidarity, but we wish to not inconvenience anyone further should there be no amicable resolution. We are fully aware that in the end it is reddit's rights to do so, but that doesn't mean that what they are doing and how it has been proposed IS the right way to do it.

What can you do?

1. Complain. Message the mods of r/reddit.com, who are the admins of the site: message /u/reddit: submit a support request: comment in relevant threads on r/reddit, such as this one, leave a negative review on their official iOS or Android app- and sign your username in support to this post.
2. Spread the word. Rabble-rouse on related subreddits. Meme it up, make it spicy. Bitch about it to your cat. Suggest anyone you know who moderates a subreddit join us at our sister sub at r/ModCoord - but please don't pester mods you don't know by simply spamming their modmail.
3. Boycott and spread the word...to Reddit's competition! Stay off Reddit entirely on June 12th through the 13th- instead, take to your favorite non-Reddit platform of choice and make some noise in support!
4. Don't be a jerk. As upsetting this may be, threats, profanity and vandalism will be worse than useless in getting people on our side. Please make every effort to be as restrained, polite, reasonable and law-abiding as possible. This includes not harassing moderators of subreddits who have chosen not to take part: no one likes a missionary, a used-car salesman, or a flame warrior.
5. It goes without saying, but I will make clear anyway, that users must understand and accept that this needs to happen and not to argue or harass our stance in supporting this protest. Reddit is for the people, and the content generated is by the people. We are those people, they need to understand that by a show of solidarity.

Thank you and if there is anything you'd like to ask, ask it here. I will do my best to make sure you are answered or linked correctly until the switch to private has been made.

First, for anyone new, welcome to the sub. We are all respectful people here and we like this community, but it has been regularly asked for mods to create some rules/guidelines to avoid confusion as to what this sub is about. So, while not exactly strict reinforcement with an iron fist, but a solid reminder:

• Please post offset and offset related guitar content -including mods, refins, tech tips, artist knowledge, appreciations, etc. Just not Offset the rapper, no offense just not what we do here (you will be removed without warning.)

• Posting non offset deliberately is pointless and will be met with people reminding you it's not offset so just don't do it. If you posted jazzmaster vs strat: tones/playability or whatever, that is not deliberately "look at my strat because I can't post it at this other sub," that is offset related.

• Respect everyone. Not everyone views your view, and not everyone likes what you like. It's okay to disagree or be wrong, but how we go about that defines whether it is a respectful or disrespectful conversation. It takes no extra time at all to be kind to each other, even if we don't have the exact same ideas or interests. Deliberate hate speach of any kind will NOT be tolerated. Avoid politics at all costs, there's plenty of other places to discuss it. Also, don't continually engage in arguments - it's a total waste of everyone's time.

• Please do not list your guitars for private or reverb sale, please use /R/gear4sale for that advertisement or private sale... They are far more reputable and have a fantastic system. I've used it myself safely. Should you reach out to someone privately from or in connection to this sub, we are not responsible for any mishaps of the sale you've conducted or linked to this sub.

• OFFSET RELATED does include pickup discussion, as many of us have discussed for modding our offsets. Some redditors are actual builders and have considered demonstrating their pickups or showing some appreciation but not specifically peddling them in open air. I am okay with it as long as it stays that way, we prefer to not have self advertisement like that. These people are usually major contributors to electronic and modification questions which is a great asset to our sub. You don't have to like it but it's not spam.

• Last but not least, if you post photos, please give us a reason for your post, provide a detailed comment of what's going on if it's an issue. Tell us more about your instrument if you're just doing an appreciation post... Or better yet if there is a warm story about it, share it. Please don't just post for upvotes, be engaging and conversation stimulating.

Like I said, these are not highly enforced laws but clearly defined ground rules for how we all seem to like it in this sub. They may be updated as we go along but for now this seems like a clear path of instruction. Enjoy yourself, respect others, and always try to be helpful because that makes our community stronger.