Forum Etiquette

[paizuri]

There should be a forum etiquette post to contain guidelines on acceptable behavior here. Help us come up with some reasonable ones. Or argue about why some of these shouldn't be here.

1. Use proper spelling and grammar.
Use basic sentence structures with capital letters at the beginning and punctuation as necessary. Try to avoid needless abbreviations (like those used in l33tsp34k or however you spell it). Don't capitalize all the letters in word if you're not using them for emphasis. Just try to be as readable as you can. You don't get any points for typographical style here. Also, we assume English to be your first language, but if not, please inform us somehow (like in your profile location) so we know to allow for exceptions.

2. Don't chastise people for not having perfect grammar/spelling.
Although we want you to try to use the best grammar/spelling/punctuation you can, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Don't grill someone over it because chances are you're not perfect either.

3. Avoid pointless replies.
If all you have to say is a short affirmation("I agree", "You're right", " ", "x2", etc.) then keep it to yourself. If you want to post, make sure you have something of substance to add. The same thing goes with negations and disagreements.

4. Do not quote needlessly.
If you're going to quote someone's message and your reply only pertains to say, one paragraph out of a 20-paragraph message, just trim it down to the part that relates to what you are talking about. Be careful not to trim it down to the point where it seems out of context however.

5. Post descriptive subject lines.
Post more than just "Heeeeelp me" or "Have you ever..." or simply the name of a show. Make your subject lines as descriptive as possible, especially if you are asking a video help question.

6. Necroposting.
There is a difference between reviving old threads on purpose and doing so by accident. Most of the accidental ones occur because the users themselves are new. In that case, EVERY thread is new and so they shouldn't be raked over the coals because of it.

What else should there be in here? Or what changes to the ones I've listed?

[AbsoluteDestiny]

Don't ask what is best as this is a purely subjective thing that cannot be answered. What is best is what is best for you and match your personaly criteria.

Don't use all uppercase or useless symbols to bring attention to your post. Likewise, coloured text is ugly and hard to read so please refrain from using colours and font sizes other than the default if possible.

[AbsoluteDestiny]

No cross posting. Post your message to the appropriate forum and nowhere else. People read all the forums and it is unlikely that your post fits two different forums. Choose the forum that fits the post best.

[Kalium]

6. Necroposting.
There is a difference between reviving old threads on purpose and doing so by accident. Most of the accidental ones occur because the users themselves are new. In that case, EVERY thread is new and so they shouldn't be raked over the coals because of it.

Perhaps necroposting should be defined? Of course, that does vary forum to forum, doesn't it...

As for how to ask questions, I'm inclined to think that this would be helpful, even if only part of it is relevant.

[AbsoluteDestiny]

Keep the focus: Questions and opinions outside the scope of the thread are frowned upon as they complicate the discussion. If you have something new to comment on, please make a new thread.

Don't jump in with both feet- Lurk and get to know the forum before you post. Use the search function before you ask in case it has been asked before.

Don't "bump" threads to try and get them noticed - if nobody has responded then it might be that people haven't read the topic yet. Do not expect instant replies. If the thread is old and is not getting any more responses then it is likely that people have no more to say and "bumping" the thread will just irritate people.

Write in English only - It is possible that there are others that speak your native language but the administration may not. This is an english website and english is the preferred language for communication in forum posts.

Keep image sizes down If posting images, make sure they are not too large in frame size and file size. If posting multiple images please do not post many images in one post as it slows down the forum immensely.

[Otohiko]

Don't ask what is best as this is a purely subjective thing that cannot be answered. What is best is what is best for you and match your personaly criteria.

Bravo! 8)

[)v(ajin Koji]

Write in English only - It is possible that there are others that speak your native language but the administration may not. This is an english website and english is the preferred language for communication in forum posts.

We do get the oddperson from other countries coming here though, I'm assuming that doesn't count if they post in their native language and someone replies in their native language?

I'm assuming you don't want covert topics that are really off topic but you can't tell

[AbsoluteDestiny]

If I can't understand the language I can't help them if they need help... also I can't tell if they are behaving. I know it's ignorant but we can't be expected to be able to assist people from all countries.

As for image size, I think 800x600 would be around the maximum I'd allow but that's for debate.

[Zarxrax]

How about this one:

Try to be nice and respect one another. Don't purposefully say something that could degrade or make another member mad. While its ok to disagree or tell someone that they are wrong, its another thing to insult someone. Also, if someone says something to you and you interpret it as being negative, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. You may have just misinterpretted what they have tried to say.

[J-0080]

There should be a forum etiquette post to contain guidelines on acceptable behavior here. Help us come up with some reasonable ones. Or argue about why some of these shouldn't be here.

1. Use proper spelling and grammar.
Use basic sentence structures with capital letters at the beginning and punctuation as necessary. Try to avoid needless abbreviations (like those used in l33tsp34k or however you spell it). Don't capitalize all the letters in word if you're not using them for emphasis. Just try to be as readable as you can. You don't get any points for typographical style here. Also, we assume English to be your first language, but if not, please inform us somehow (like in your profile location) so we know to allow for exceptions.

2. Don't chastise people for not having perfect grammar/spelling.
Although we want you to try to use the best grammar/spelling/punctuation you can, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Don't grill someone over it because chances are you're not perfect either.

3. Avoid pointless replies.
If all you have to say is a short affirmation("I agree", "You're right", " ", "x2", etc.) then keep it to yourself. If you want to post, make sure you have something of substance to add. The same thing goes with negations and disagreements.

4. Do not quote needlessly.
If you're going to quote someone's message and your reply only pertains to say, one paragraph out of a 20-paragraph message, just trim it down to the part that relates to what you are talking about. Be careful not to trim it down to the point where it seems out of context however.

5. Post descriptive subject lines.
Post more than just "Heeeeelp me" or "Have you ever..." or simply the name of a show. Make your subject lines as descriptive as possible, especially if you are asking a video help question.

6. Necroposting.
There is a difference between reviving old threads on purpose and doing so by accident. Most of the accidental ones occur because the users themselves are new. In that case, EVERY thread is new and so they shouldn't be raked over the coals because of it.

What else should there be in here? Or what changes to the ones I've listed?

"x2"