OK, we tried to do this once before and some of the suggestions made it into the rules. Other's didn't.

Unfortunately the rules as they are now are so confusingly written that it is clearly difficult for a new player to understand them. So, again I would like to propose a COMPLETE RE-WRITE of the rules to make them clear to understand. The idea is not to change any of the rules, just to write them out more clarly.

Proposed reworded Rules for sequential_nmbrs

The objective of this game is to FIND and PHOTOGRAPH unique numbers in the real world (not cyberspace) and post them here in sequential order. The competitive aspect of the game is to be the first person to post a particular number. If you are a new player you do not need to read the detailed rules but you must read the 6 simple rules below.

Summary rules
1) Numbers must be FOUND in the real world (not cyberspace), not created.
2) Numbers must be PHOTOGRAPHED by the entrant
3) The photograph must be clear and in FOCUS and you must be able to see the number in the thumbnail.
4) The entry must be a photo of ONE NUMBER
5) The number must be UNIQUE
6) In general players cannot post two numbers in a row

Detailed Rules:
1) Numbers must be FOUND (outside of cyberspace)
a) No number that the photographer created to photograph is permitted. If it looks too much like it could have been created by the photographer we have to assume that it was, in particular this means no:
i) Hand written (including graffiti) numbers unless it is otherwise clear from the context that they had to be pre-existing
ii) Computer printouts and typed documents, unless it is otherwise clear from the context that they had to be pre-existing
iii) Computer or Digital displays where the user can enter numbers (calculators, cell phones, microwave ovens, TV’s etc) or otherwise control the number (e.g. by stopping a timer)
b) Numbers must be presented as found. No digital manipulation of the subject number is permitted. Cropping and placing insets to show context are allowed as is anything that does not change the main number.

2) Numbers must be PHOTOGRAPHED by the entrant
a) Entries must be pictures that you have taken yourself (this is also a requirement of the fotolog terms of service). Pictures taken by someone else are not acceptable and will be deleted. This includes scans of photos out of books or magazines and pictures from the web. Taking a picture of your monitor is not an acceptable way to avoid this rule.
b) You can arrange for another fotologger to post an entry by proxy if you know you will be away, this must be announced by the poster in the photo description, for the purposes of rule 6 the posted number is treated as if it came from the entrant not the proxy poster.

3) The photograph must be in FOCUS
a) Blurry, shakey or out of focus pictures are not acceptable, the number must be clear
b) The subject number must be CLEARLY VISIBLE when the picture is reduced to fotolog thumbnail size (100 x 75 pixels).
c) If a photograph is cropped to an unusual shape (i.e. not 3x5 aspect ratio) then the number must still be clear in the thumbnail for it to count.

4) The entry must be a photo of ONE NUMBER
a) The number must stand alone in the picture and it must be evident from the composition that the number is the subject of the picture. By “stand alone” we mean that the number cannot be part of a larger contiguous number, in particular extra zeros to the left of the number are not permitted.
b) If other numbers appear in the photo they must be clearly less prominent (i.e. smaller and otherwise visually distinct from the subject number) and they must have a clear space separating them from the subject number.

5) The number must be UNIQUE
a) Once a number has been used from a source another number from that source is prohibited unless it is visually substantially different. For example, once a hotel door number has been posted, any other door number from that hotel is not permitted; any other number that substantially resembles that number (i.e. same colour, typeface and background) cannot be used even if it is collected from a different source.
b) In the case of car license plates, only one license plate per player per block of 100 numbers (e.g. 100-199) is permitted.

6) In order to make the game an appropriate level of difficulty some number sources are prohibited as being too easy:
a) Numbers from books (page, chapter, figure numbers etc.)
b) Numbers from maps
c) Numbers from any numbered list (crossword clues, ‘best of’ lists etc.)

7) In order to keep the game open to many players we limit the number of numbers a single player can post.
a) No player can post two numbers in a row.
b) No player can post more than 10 of the numbers in a block of 100 numbers (e.g. 100-200 etc).
8) In order to keep the game moving if 36 hours pass without a number being posted then anyone who is prohibited from posting a number by rule #6 can post. A posting made after a 36 hour wait where the users was not covered by rule #6 does not confer any other privileges, specifically if a user has not already posted 10 numbers a posting after 36 hours still counts towards their count of 10 numbers. This is done to prevent users from intentionally delaying postings to earn more future slots thus slowing down the game.

9) When you see a number posted, you can post the next number, there is no need to wait for a banner or other notification

10) If the moderator must delete a number for a rules violation then that number and all of the subsequent numbers are deleted and the game starts over at the last valid number before the violation. Therefore be sure to watch the game in case you need to replay a number.

11) These rules have evolved over time and in the past some numbers may have been posted that no longer fit the current rules. Old numbers that exist outside of the current rules will be allowed to stand but they do not set a precedent for the future, all postings must adhere to the rules

12) The moderators will sometimes have to make judgement calls (e.g. if a picture looks too much like it may have been created). If you disagree you may post ONE polite and factual rebuttal to the moderators decision, any rudeness can result in banning from the game or complaints to the fotolog admin. It's just a game don't be a jerk.