CountryFlowers
09-28-2008, 11:26 AM
-- Since the subject came up recently --
I found these guidelines at ArchLinux, and since they're available under the GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 (http://%3Cbr%20/%3E%0Ahttp://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), I thought I'd customize them for the Chieftain Forum and post them here as a reference, since the topic of forum etiquette has surfaced.
These are likely to change as the needs of the community changes.
PERSONAL DISPUTES
Please do not use these forums for personal disputes, heated debates, flame wars etc. You are expected to treat each other with respect in the forums and take any personal disputes to a private mode of discussion off the forums. If you should find that your discussion is becoming too heated or someone is becoming far too passionate about their argument, please take the discussion to private message or email.
PERSONAL TOPICS
Personal topics are threads that, while posted in public forum, are intended for a discussion between only a few members. These kinds of topics are frowned on and will be locked/removed as soon as they are discovered. Public posts should be open and inviting to all members. Personal discussions among a select group of users should take place in private message.
RESPECT OTHER USERS
Sometimes people can post marerial that you may find offensive. Before launching into a public condemnation though, please consider the possibility that the person may not have intended to cause offense. It is very easy to misinterpret a post on a forum. There is no need to resort to insults. Respect others' views even if you disagree with them.
ADVERTISING/SOLICITATION
Advertising for the sake of advertising is not allowed. This is SPAM, and SPAM posts deleted and the SPAMMER's banned.
NO TROLLING
What is a troll? It's a person who posts something which is bound to stir people up and then sits back and watches as dozens of people jump in and start arguing. Sometimes trolls get their friends to join in or post under different names. Generally they will do anything it takes to get attention. If you see a message like this, please try and refrain from replying to it - it may well be locked/deleted anyway.
Trolls are generally deceitful and may use ambivalence as a method of covertly insulting, intimidating, or inciting a person or persons for their own sadistic pleasure. They often pick their words very carefully and are therefore able to defend their masked attempts at creating unrest, often redirecting the blame onto the community and its failure to understand them properly.
Trolling is further considered one of two things; Either running a topic into the ground incessantly, or dragging up old arguments against a specific user/group/etc. long after the original discussion has been put to rest and then targeting them/it specifically and needlessly. Trolling is the first step toward outright harassment of other members. This is the single biggest no-no in the community. Letting every argument drop isn't always a possibility, but learning when to let things go is a valuable tool, and not just in this community.
POWER-POSTING
Power-posting is when board members post 'empty' messages to the board, in order to simply increase their number of posts more quickly. Examples of power-posting are replying to a message with only '+1', 'LOL' or 'I agree', but failing to contribute anything further to the discussion. Other examples include posting rhetoric or links and things that are copied and pasted, but there is no personal thought or opinion that goes along with that.) If you post or reply to a message, make sure you have something to say. Power posting clutters up the forums, clutters up the 'new posts' function, and uses extra bandwidth and server space. While we don't mind people using bandwidth to chat usefully on the board, we do mind people using it just because they want a more impressive 'post counter' or because they want to annoy other members or try to force their opinions on them. If you're not sure if you're power-posting, take a moment and think it over before you post. If all your post contains is an emoticon, a link, or something you copied and pasted, it's probably a power-post. If it adds something to the discussion, it isn't.
Once in a while replying with "LOL" or an emoticon is acceptible, or even just a link or copied and pasted content, just so long as it goes with the flow of the conversation. But when it's a thread starter or it doesn't really add to the flow of the discussion, then it may be considered a power post.
Repeated posts and new topics, similar to flooding, are also "power posts" and depending on their content may be deemed as spammish or trollish.
CROSS-POSTING
Cross-posting is posting the same question to multiple boards/topics (for example, posting the same thing in News and Community both). This is a waste of resources and is not permitted. Any cross-posted topic will be immediately deleted.
MISPLACED POSTS
Try to place your posts in the correct forum for the topic. Our forums have been carefully categorized so that most topics fit in one logical location. Any post that is deemed by the staff to be in the wrong forum will be moved to the correct location. Most users can find these on your own but if you lose your thread, it is acceptable to contact one of the forum advisers asking where it has been moved.
THREAD HIJACKING
Thread hijacking is the process of replying to an existing thread with a different topic. This is tolerated but generally discouraged. It is better to start a new thread if you have a problem that is related to an existing posted issue but clearly different. On the other hand, it is better to respond to the existing thread with additional information if you have what appears to be the same problem.
Posts that hijack a serious thread with off-topic discussion are strongly discouraged and will often be deleted or edited by forum staff.
IGNORE SPAMMERS AND TROLLS
Spam and trolls are a blight upon the face of the net. Despite our best efforts, you wil occasionally see spam and/or trolling on these forums. You can identify the post as SPAM or send a moderator a PM to report the post for deletion, too.
Repetitive posts by one user, or posting a new thread when one is already easily accessible may be considered SPAM. People don't need to wade through two dozen threads about the same thing every day.
DO NOT FLAME
Flaming, in the most common sense definition, is saying something negative in an attempt to get a more negative response. This is completely and totally unacceptable. It will not be tolerated, and in most cases will be punished by deletion and the offending participant may be put in time out or banned. Never resort to personal insults, never extend a debate beyond the topic on hand needlessly, and try to avoid patronizing language.
DO NOT FLAME THE STAFF
Forum staff have the final say. This forum isn't a democracy. Your vote doesn't always count. We try to please everyone we can, but in the end, we're charged with making this community as enjoyable for as many people as possible. We can not always be right, nor can we please everyone with the decisions made, but we're doing our jobs and hopefully we can all agree that we're doing our best to ensure a good community here.
If you feel that an egregious oversight has been made, then pm the moderator. You may also use the feedback topic to respectfully post your concerns.
WARNINGS, USER LOCKING, BANNING
If the Moderation Team feels that a user has "crossed the line", they will typically issue the user a private warning, (unless the occurrence is especially distasteful, in which case a ban may become imminent). Disciplinary measures administered to any member will not be discussed with other members unless the other members have been so upset by the behavior of the disciplined party that they need to be made aware of the action. Even then, details will not be dispursed.
If the warning goes unheeded, further action will be taken. This can be anything from locking the offending user account, to deletion and banning of the user. Action is generally on a case by case basis.
If a user is apologetic, interested in a peaceful solution and wishes to have their account reinstated, they may be reinstated at the discretion of the Moderator or Administrative staff.
LEGALITY
Do not post, discuss, or link to illegal acts, content or topics. This includes, but is not limited to, pirated software, warez, or sites which provide torrents to such content.
FORUM RULES
As a reminder, here are the FORUM RULES that we all agreed to abide by when we registered here:
Forum Rules
Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below. If you would like to cancel the registration, click here to return to the forums index.
Although the administrators and moderators of Pueblo Community Forums will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of Pueblo Community Forums, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message.
By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.
The owners of Pueblo Community Forums reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.So, if there are any questions about whether someone is minding the rules, please refer to this post.
Thank you, and have a nice day. :)
I found these guidelines at ArchLinux, and since they're available under the GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 (http://%3Cbr%20/%3E%0Ahttp://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), I thought I'd customize them for the Chieftain Forum and post them here as a reference, since the topic of forum etiquette has surfaced.
These are likely to change as the needs of the community changes.
PERSONAL DISPUTES
Please do not use these forums for personal disputes, heated debates, flame wars etc. You are expected to treat each other with respect in the forums and take any personal disputes to a private mode of discussion off the forums. If you should find that your discussion is becoming too heated or someone is becoming far too passionate about their argument, please take the discussion to private message or email.
PERSONAL TOPICS
Personal topics are threads that, while posted in public forum, are intended for a discussion between only a few members. These kinds of topics are frowned on and will be locked/removed as soon as they are discovered. Public posts should be open and inviting to all members. Personal discussions among a select group of users should take place in private message.
RESPECT OTHER USERS
Sometimes people can post marerial that you may find offensive. Before launching into a public condemnation though, please consider the possibility that the person may not have intended to cause offense. It is very easy to misinterpret a post on a forum. There is no need to resort to insults. Respect others' views even if you disagree with them.
ADVERTISING/SOLICITATION
Advertising for the sake of advertising is not allowed. This is SPAM, and SPAM posts deleted and the SPAMMER's banned.
NO TROLLING
What is a troll? It's a person who posts something which is bound to stir people up and then sits back and watches as dozens of people jump in and start arguing. Sometimes trolls get their friends to join in or post under different names. Generally they will do anything it takes to get attention. If you see a message like this, please try and refrain from replying to it - it may well be locked/deleted anyway.
Trolls are generally deceitful and may use ambivalence as a method of covertly insulting, intimidating, or inciting a person or persons for their own sadistic pleasure. They often pick their words very carefully and are therefore able to defend their masked attempts at creating unrest, often redirecting the blame onto the community and its failure to understand them properly.
Trolling is further considered one of two things; Either running a topic into the ground incessantly, or dragging up old arguments against a specific user/group/etc. long after the original discussion has been put to rest and then targeting them/it specifically and needlessly. Trolling is the first step toward outright harassment of other members. This is the single biggest no-no in the community. Letting every argument drop isn't always a possibility, but learning when to let things go is a valuable tool, and not just in this community.
POWER-POSTING
Power-posting is when board members post 'empty' messages to the board, in order to simply increase their number of posts more quickly. Examples of power-posting are replying to a message with only '+1', 'LOL' or 'I agree', but failing to contribute anything further to the discussion. Other examples include posting rhetoric or links and things that are copied and pasted, but there is no personal thought or opinion that goes along with that.) If you post or reply to a message, make sure you have something to say. Power posting clutters up the forums, clutters up the 'new posts' function, and uses extra bandwidth and server space. While we don't mind people using bandwidth to chat usefully on the board, we do mind people using it just because they want a more impressive 'post counter' or because they want to annoy other members or try to force their opinions on them. If you're not sure if you're power-posting, take a moment and think it over before you post. If all your post contains is an emoticon, a link, or something you copied and pasted, it's probably a power-post. If it adds something to the discussion, it isn't.
Once in a while replying with "LOL" or an emoticon is acceptible, or even just a link or copied and pasted content, just so long as it goes with the flow of the conversation. But when it's a thread starter or it doesn't really add to the flow of the discussion, then it may be considered a power post.
Repeated posts and new topics, similar to flooding, are also "power posts" and depending on their content may be deemed as spammish or trollish.
CROSS-POSTING
Cross-posting is posting the same question to multiple boards/topics (for example, posting the same thing in News and Community both). This is a waste of resources and is not permitted. Any cross-posted topic will be immediately deleted.
MISPLACED POSTS
Try to place your posts in the correct forum for the topic. Our forums have been carefully categorized so that most topics fit in one logical location. Any post that is deemed by the staff to be in the wrong forum will be moved to the correct location. Most users can find these on your own but if you lose your thread, it is acceptable to contact one of the forum advisers asking where it has been moved.
THREAD HIJACKING
Thread hijacking is the process of replying to an existing thread with a different topic. This is tolerated but generally discouraged. It is better to start a new thread if you have a problem that is related to an existing posted issue but clearly different. On the other hand, it is better to respond to the existing thread with additional information if you have what appears to be the same problem.
Posts that hijack a serious thread with off-topic discussion are strongly discouraged and will often be deleted or edited by forum staff.
IGNORE SPAMMERS AND TROLLS
Spam and trolls are a blight upon the face of the net. Despite our best efforts, you wil occasionally see spam and/or trolling on these forums. You can identify the post as SPAM or send a moderator a PM to report the post for deletion, too.
Repetitive posts by one user, or posting a new thread when one is already easily accessible may be considered SPAM. People don't need to wade through two dozen threads about the same thing every day.
DO NOT FLAME
Flaming, in the most common sense definition, is saying something negative in an attempt to get a more negative response. This is completely and totally unacceptable. It will not be tolerated, and in most cases will be punished by deletion and the offending participant may be put in time out or banned. Never resort to personal insults, never extend a debate beyond the topic on hand needlessly, and try to avoid patronizing language.
DO NOT FLAME THE STAFF
Forum staff have the final say. This forum isn't a democracy. Your vote doesn't always count. We try to please everyone we can, but in the end, we're charged with making this community as enjoyable for as many people as possible. We can not always be right, nor can we please everyone with the decisions made, but we're doing our jobs and hopefully we can all agree that we're doing our best to ensure a good community here.
If you feel that an egregious oversight has been made, then pm the moderator. You may also use the feedback topic to respectfully post your concerns.
WARNINGS, USER LOCKING, BANNING
If the Moderation Team feels that a user has "crossed the line", they will typically issue the user a private warning, (unless the occurrence is especially distasteful, in which case a ban may become imminent). Disciplinary measures administered to any member will not be discussed with other members unless the other members have been so upset by the behavior of the disciplined party that they need to be made aware of the action. Even then, details will not be dispursed.
If the warning goes unheeded, further action will be taken. This can be anything from locking the offending user account, to deletion and banning of the user. Action is generally on a case by case basis.
If a user is apologetic, interested in a peaceful solution and wishes to have their account reinstated, they may be reinstated at the discretion of the Moderator or Administrative staff.
LEGALITY
Do not post, discuss, or link to illegal acts, content or topics. This includes, but is not limited to, pirated software, warez, or sites which provide torrents to such content.
FORUM RULES
As a reminder, here are the FORUM RULES that we all agreed to abide by when we registered here:
Forum Rules
Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below. If you would like to cancel the registration, click here to return to the forums index.
Although the administrators and moderators of Pueblo Community Forums will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of Pueblo Community Forums, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message.
By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.
The owners of Pueblo Community Forums reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.So, if there are any questions about whether someone is minding the rules, please refer to this post.
Thank you, and have a nice day. :)