Welcome to the Orlando System Forum's Guide to Better Posting!
***The OS Forum Management Team (The folks here to help you):***
RogueScribner (Admin)
Sabacc72 (Admin)
***Q & A***
QUESTION: As a new member, what should I do first?
ANSWER: Excellent question! The first thing you should do is...wait! Thats right, its a little anti-climactic, sure, but its well-worth it. I know youve got all sorts of great ideas that you want to share with the other members of this online community, but you need to give yourself some time to familiarize yourself with the forums and their workings. Sit tight and observe for a day or so. Youll avoid a hard time if you do this, as youll be less likely to make a "rookie mistake." Try responding to other threads before you start one of your own.
QUESTION: Ive got a great idea for a thread, can I post it?
ANSWER: That is what this place is for, to be sure, but youll want to take a look around the first few pages of topics in each forum before you actually slap your thoughts down. You see, if you post a topic that is already being discussed, or has been discussed recently, that thread is what we call "redundant", and thats a "rookie mistake". Your thread will probably be hit with a couple posts declaring its redundancy, and youre going to have a hard time getting discussion going. Furthermore, whomever started the other thread on the subject will not appreciate the fact that you did not take the time to check out their thread.
QUESTION: Ive checked the last few pages or so, and I dont see my topic. Can I post it?
ANSWER: Absolutely! We are dying to hear your new thoughts! If it is not on the first few pages, it is fair game! Now, remember to give your thread a good, informative title.
QUESTION: Why can't I edit my posts?
ANSWER: Editing is reserved for Admins and Mods only. The reason being that if someone did post something against the guidelines, we want to act on it and not give someone the time to erase the evidence. There is a preview function when you post that you can use to see how your post will look. Please utilize the preview function before you post to ensure everything is as it should be prior to posting.
QUESTION: I started a thread earlier, but now it's gone! What happened to it?
ANSWER: A few things could have happened. First, have you checked on page 2, 3, 4, etc? Second, perhaps your thread was deleted for one reason or another. Make sure to check your PM messages, as there may be an explanation to why your thread is gone. If there is no message regarding your missing thread, feel free to contact an admin (via PM) about it.
QUESTION: Can I start a thread advertising my website?
ANSWER: Absolutely not. Posting a thread simply to advertise one's website is considered spamming, and is highly frowned upon by Admins and regular users alike. If you wish for others at the OS forums to know about your website, try putting your link in your signature.
QUESTION: What is a "troll"?
ANSWER: A "troll" is someone who posts with a hostile intent, aiming to malign other members and cause havoc on the boards for purely selfish reasons. A person is said to be "trolling" if he/she starts a thread with the obvious intent of riling up the other members, and to "get a rise out of them". This is a big no-no, and will get you a warning and, after that, a banning. Small infractions warrant a temporary ban, which usually last 24 to 48 hours, and are commonly referred to as "spanks". A more serious offense, or a string of repeated offenses, may warrent a permanent ban.
QUESTION: I think I might have identified a user who is "trolling." What do I do?
ANSWER: Contact an admin to report the suspected troll. Make sure you include the link of the thread(s) in which you spotted the troll.
QUESTION: What is "spam"?
ANSWER: A definition of spam e-mail is something that is unnecessary and definitely unsolicitated. I bet you all have recieved junk mail at some time. That is what message board spam is like - it is general posting and information in the forum that really should not be there. So if you want to question if a post is spam or not, look at the situation logically. Ask yourself, "would it be possible to remove this post and have the conversation be the same as it is now?" Ask yourself that and look at the post - if it has done its job in removing the subject from a thread or successfully started a multitude of similar posts like it, it is spam.
QUESTION: What is "spamming"?
ANSWER: The act of filling the forums with unnecessary or irrelevant posts is considered "spamming". It is also considered spamming to advertise excessively for other websites, and also solicit (trading, selling or buying). Other examples of spamming include: posting unnecessary comments (ie: +1) for any reason can be considered spamming, upping old threads [such as those from a year ago], posting multiple threads about absolutely nothing, flooding a pre-existing thread with nonsense posts to derail a topic, as well as bothering other people with repeated PMs. Excessive spamming will get you a warning and, after that, a banning.
QUESTION: What is "flaming"?
ANSWER: Insulting any other member or antagonizing another member can be considered "flaming". This is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and will result in a stern warning, and if it is repeated, a banning. Here is the important thing to remember: We are here to discuss ideas and theories, not each other. If youre attacking an argument, thats OK. If youre attacking a person, thats not.
QUESTION: What do I do if I find myself being flamed by another member?
ANSWER: Contact an admin immediately via Private Message (PM). To send a PM, click on an admin's name and then click the "Send Me a Message!" link near the top of the page. Make sure you include the link of the thread(s) in which you were flamed. If the flaming occurred via PM, then include a screen shot of the PM (if possible).
QUESTION: Is it OK if I use profanity? Are any words outright banned?
ANSWER: We try to keep it clean, but common uses of profanity will not be edited as long as it is kept to a minimum. Basically, let's try to keep things PG-13. Anyone using harsh language will be edited and warned. For anyone familiar with George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television," words 4, 5, and 6 are not allowed, and word 3 should be used sparsely. The reason for this is that anyone can be browsing the boards, and our members could be underage, so let's try to keep it clean. This is a Star Wars fan community, not a David Mamet discussion group.
QUESTION: What's involved in banning? What's the story there? Can people come BACK from bannings? What do I do if I get banned? I need more info!
ANSWER: As outlined above, there are temporary bannings for first and/or minor offenses. However, if you are on a permanent ban list, you may not come back. If you register another account and we discover your true identity, you will be banned again. If you think you were banned in error, please inform an Admin.
***Food For Thought***
Think before you post - Did your post add something of value to the conversation? Did you use any questionable words? Did you say something that might be misunderstood as inflamatory by others? What would your mother think of your post? If you have any doubts about anything that is in your post, edit the questionable material before you click post.
Be nice to the new kids on the block - Every single user on this board was at once a "newbie." Remember this, and be kind to new users - always treat others they way in which you wish to be treated. Attacking a newbie will only draw the attention of the mods for flaming. If you spot a new user, offer your assistance and show them the ropes of the OS Forum. You never know, you might discover an incredible person and a new friend along the way.
We are all in this together folks, and if we all work together, the Orlando System Forum can be a terrific online community in which to spend time.
Thank you.
***The OS Forum Management Team (The folks here to help you):***
RogueScribner (Admin)
Sabacc72 (Admin)
***Q & A***
QUESTION: As a new member, what should I do first?
ANSWER: Excellent question! The first thing you should do is...wait! Thats right, its a little anti-climactic, sure, but its well-worth it. I know youve got all sorts of great ideas that you want to share with the other members of this online community, but you need to give yourself some time to familiarize yourself with the forums and their workings. Sit tight and observe for a day or so. Youll avoid a hard time if you do this, as youll be less likely to make a "rookie mistake." Try responding to other threads before you start one of your own.
QUESTION: Ive got a great idea for a thread, can I post it?
ANSWER: That is what this place is for, to be sure, but youll want to take a look around the first few pages of topics in each forum before you actually slap your thoughts down. You see, if you post a topic that is already being discussed, or has been discussed recently, that thread is what we call "redundant", and thats a "rookie mistake". Your thread will probably be hit with a couple posts declaring its redundancy, and youre going to have a hard time getting discussion going. Furthermore, whomever started the other thread on the subject will not appreciate the fact that you did not take the time to check out their thread.
QUESTION: Ive checked the last few pages or so, and I dont see my topic. Can I post it?
ANSWER: Absolutely! We are dying to hear your new thoughts! If it is not on the first few pages, it is fair game! Now, remember to give your thread a good, informative title.
QUESTION: Why can't I edit my posts?
ANSWER: Editing is reserved for Admins and Mods only. The reason being that if someone did post something against the guidelines, we want to act on it and not give someone the time to erase the evidence. There is a preview function when you post that you can use to see how your post will look. Please utilize the preview function before you post to ensure everything is as it should be prior to posting.
QUESTION: I started a thread earlier, but now it's gone! What happened to it?
ANSWER: A few things could have happened. First, have you checked on page 2, 3, 4, etc? Second, perhaps your thread was deleted for one reason or another. Make sure to check your PM messages, as there may be an explanation to why your thread is gone. If there is no message regarding your missing thread, feel free to contact an admin (via PM) about it.
QUESTION: Can I start a thread advertising my website?
ANSWER: Absolutely not. Posting a thread simply to advertise one's website is considered spamming, and is highly frowned upon by Admins and regular users alike. If you wish for others at the OS forums to know about your website, try putting your link in your signature.
QUESTION: What is a "troll"?
ANSWER: A "troll" is someone who posts with a hostile intent, aiming to malign other members and cause havoc on the boards for purely selfish reasons. A person is said to be "trolling" if he/she starts a thread with the obvious intent of riling up the other members, and to "get a rise out of them". This is a big no-no, and will get you a warning and, after that, a banning. Small infractions warrant a temporary ban, which usually last 24 to 48 hours, and are commonly referred to as "spanks". A more serious offense, or a string of repeated offenses, may warrent a permanent ban.
QUESTION: I think I might have identified a user who is "trolling." What do I do?
ANSWER: Contact an admin to report the suspected troll. Make sure you include the link of the thread(s) in which you spotted the troll.
QUESTION: What is "spam"?
ANSWER: A definition of spam e-mail is something that is unnecessary and definitely unsolicitated. I bet you all have recieved junk mail at some time. That is what message board spam is like - it is general posting and information in the forum that really should not be there. So if you want to question if a post is spam or not, look at the situation logically. Ask yourself, "would it be possible to remove this post and have the conversation be the same as it is now?" Ask yourself that and look at the post - if it has done its job in removing the subject from a thread or successfully started a multitude of similar posts like it, it is spam.
QUESTION: What is "spamming"?
ANSWER: The act of filling the forums with unnecessary or irrelevant posts is considered "spamming". It is also considered spamming to advertise excessively for other websites, and also solicit (trading, selling or buying). Other examples of spamming include: posting unnecessary comments (ie: +1) for any reason can be considered spamming, upping old threads [such as those from a year ago], posting multiple threads about absolutely nothing, flooding a pre-existing thread with nonsense posts to derail a topic, as well as bothering other people with repeated PMs. Excessive spamming will get you a warning and, after that, a banning.
QUESTION: What is "flaming"?
ANSWER: Insulting any other member or antagonizing another member can be considered "flaming". This is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and will result in a stern warning, and if it is repeated, a banning. Here is the important thing to remember: We are here to discuss ideas and theories, not each other. If youre attacking an argument, thats OK. If youre attacking a person, thats not.
QUESTION: What do I do if I find myself being flamed by another member?
ANSWER: Contact an admin immediately via Private Message (PM). To send a PM, click on an admin's name and then click the "Send Me a Message!" link near the top of the page. Make sure you include the link of the thread(s) in which you were flamed. If the flaming occurred via PM, then include a screen shot of the PM (if possible).
QUESTION: Is it OK if I use profanity? Are any words outright banned?
ANSWER: We try to keep it clean, but common uses of profanity will not be edited as long as it is kept to a minimum. Basically, let's try to keep things PG-13. Anyone using harsh language will be edited and warned. For anyone familiar with George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television," words 4, 5, and 6 are not allowed, and word 3 should be used sparsely. The reason for this is that anyone can be browsing the boards, and our members could be underage, so let's try to keep it clean. This is a Star Wars fan community, not a David Mamet discussion group.
QUESTION: What's involved in banning? What's the story there? Can people come BACK from bannings? What do I do if I get banned? I need more info!
ANSWER: As outlined above, there are temporary bannings for first and/or minor offenses. However, if you are on a permanent ban list, you may not come back. If you register another account and we discover your true identity, you will be banned again. If you think you were banned in error, please inform an Admin.
***Food For Thought***
Think before you post - Did your post add something of value to the conversation? Did you use any questionable words? Did you say something that might be misunderstood as inflamatory by others? What would your mother think of your post? If you have any doubts about anything that is in your post, edit the questionable material before you click post.
Be nice to the new kids on the block - Every single user on this board was at once a "newbie." Remember this, and be kind to new users - always treat others they way in which you wish to be treated. Attacking a newbie will only draw the attention of the mods for flaming. If you spot a new user, offer your assistance and show them the ropes of the OS Forum. You never know, you might discover an incredible person and a new friend along the way.
We are all in this together folks, and if we all work together, the Orlando System Forum can be a terrific online community in which to spend time.
Thank you.
