hyperadmin
10-07-2009, 11:19 PM
This section deals with suggested etiquette when posting on forums. If you have been on other internet forums, you should be fairly familiar with most of the content of this thread. However, we have many newbies join up who have never posted on a forum like ours – hence the need for this thread.
By trying to post within these helpful guidelines, it will earn you the respect of your peers and make these forums a nicer place to be. Please be aware that continual and/or significant breaches of etiquette can be considered a violation of forum rules, and can result in punishment.
Before posting a thread
Read the Stickies First
In most forum sections, you will find threads that have been “stickied” (which means that they permanently stay at the top of the page). Some stickies provide forum section specific rules, which must be adhered to. Other stickies answer questions which frequently get asked in that forum section. If you post a thread with a similar theme to that of what is contained in a sticky, you’ll most likely find your thread closed by Moderators. Please read stickies before posting.
Has it been posted already?
Look for an existing active thread on a subject before you post one about it. This is especially true if its big news, or a topic that has is likely to have been in hot discussion lately that would have likely already spawned a discussion. A quick scan over the first one or two pages is usually sufficient. Alternatively, use the Search feature (at the top of each page).
Your post count is only exciting to you
We don't care about your post count and neither does anyone else. Post count threads are not welcome here. Your contribution to the forums will be measured by more than just the number of posts that you make.
Get the discussion going
If you start a topic about something, you should add your contribution first – don’t just invite other people to talk about it. For example, if you start a topic about stupid injuries you’ve had, you should describe yours first instead of waiting for someone to add theirs.
We have forum sections for a reason
The Hyper Forums are broken up into different sections to make finding the topics you want to read easier. The easiest way to work out what forum section to post in is to read the description underneath the title (on the main page), and use your common sense. Don’t post in the wrong forum section just to gain more viewers/posters, as a Moderator will most likely just move your thread to the correct forum section, so you're back at square one.
Don't cross-post
On a similar note, cross-posting is also strictly prohibited. Cross-posting is when you post the same message multiple times in various threads or forums. It is actually in your detriment to cross-post as discussion is harder to follow.
Use descriptive thread titles
When you post a new thread, give users some idea of what it contains in the title. Thread titles like "Help" or "Check this out!" are cheap ways of getting users to look at a thread they might not care about. Instead of simply saying “Help”, be more specific, for example, “Help, my computer randomly restarts” is much more appropriate. Furthermore, it helps stop multiple threads on the same subject.
Let me explain forums to you...
If you see a thread about a topic, don't respond to it by starting your own about the same/similar subject. Doing so defeats the purpose of using a forum. Similarly, if a thread's been closed by a moderator (for any reason), don't start a new thread because you didn't get the final word in.
Where threads go to die
Threads die for a reason, and bringing them back for no good reason pushes newer threads down the page. Especially keep this in mind when you've been searching older threads. It's pretty easy to make a reply, only to realise that the thread you've posted in has been dead for many months. Unless you have something really important to say and/or it'd be pointless to create a new thread just to mention it, take care when posting in inactive threads (which are typically threads more than a few days old). Policies regarding the "bumping" threads is something that changes depending on the circumstances (forum section, thread content, your post) so the best advice we can give is use your common sense.
Mark all Spoiler Warnings
If you're going to make a post that discusses the story line of a movie, game, television show or book that may spoil it for members that haven't seen/played it yet, it's customary to make a spoiler warning in your post. Use of the spoiler tags here will be appropriate.
Be factual in your posts
When you make a post, make sure that it’s based on fact, instead of fiction. If you make a wild allegation in a post, be prepared to back it up somehow – don’t get offended if you have people hounding you for your sources. This is particularly relevant when it comes to factual discussions.
Double posting
If you make a post, and would like to add more info, please click the “edit” button, instead of making a new reply. Making two posts in a row is usually classified as spamming – a quick way to get one’s post count up.
Portraying Emotion
One issue with posting on the internet is that elements of communication that exist in real life - such as body language and facial expressions - cannot be communicated. Because of this, it is difficult to establish the poster's intended meaning. Something that you may intend to be a joke may come across to someone else as a personal attack. If you think it may be interpreted the wrong way by someone else, either clarify it better, or don't post it at all.
In before lock
If you feel that a thread is going to be locked, please don’t post in it. Comments like “in before lock” and “this is about to get locked” only serve as spam, and hence can often result in infractions.
We heard you the first time
So you bought a new game, have hardware problems, something really cool happened to you? That’s great to hear, feel free to mention it in an appropriate topic. However, you don’t need to mention it in every thread which has a vague connection to what you’re posting about. Just like in real life, no-one likes someone who's talking about the same thing over and over and over.
Thread hi-jacking
People make threads about a certain topic. If you want to make a genuine post, but it doesn’t really apply to the topic, please make your post in an existing thread relevant to that topic (if there is one), otherwise create a new thread.
User Profiles and Images
Private Messaging is a wonderful feature
Don't start a topic that is directed at one person that could be put into a Private Message to them. Don't intrude on someone else's topic with off-topic questions directed at a single person either. And don't be surprised if personal conversations which intrude on thread discussions are removed by the Moderators.
Yes, it is a nice avatar...
To check if your avatar or signature is working, please check one of your old posts. It doesn't warrant a new thread to check.
Signature limits
The size restriction for individual sig image is 500x100 at 89kb, (no exceptions, no excuses, no arguing), it is your responsibility to ensure that the image does not exceed these dimensions. Those going over the limit will have their IMG sigs taken away.
You are allowed a maximum of two images in your signature. The number of characters per sig, and the max number of allowable lines is enforced by the software.
The same content restrictions apply to signatures as to normal posts.
Usernames
1. Business names are not to be used as forum membership names, except where permission by Administrators or Moderators has been granted.
2. Avoid uppercase membership names (such as NEWMEMBER) or excessive use of special characters (such as $$NEW_MEMBER$$) as such accounts may be deleted including associated posts.
3. Administrators reserve the right to delete accounts whereby their usernames contain abusive, vulgar, defamatory, and sexually-orientated terms.
Image size
A good rule of thumb is that if any in-line image is more than, say, 800 pixels wide, it should go as a thumbnail. This is because at the common 1024x768 screen resolution, anything larger would cause the user to have to horizontally scroll to view the image. A thumbnail is a small (150-200 pixel) preview image that links to the full-size image.
While broadband is commonplace these days, it does not mean that you can go rampant when posting images. Some users are stuck on dialup, others have download caps to worry about. Make sure you compress images to a sensible level. If you're going to post a large series of images, consider using thumbnails entirely, so that users can select which images they'd like to view in their entirety.
Quoting posts with images
When quoting another users post with an image in it, remove the image itself – the easiest way to do this is just to remove the and tags, leaving the bare link behind.
User Behaviour and Attitude
Don’t troll
The working definition of this is “attempting to be as annoying as possible while still technically obeying the rules”, and it's not the way to go about getting attention. Attempting to derail threads, posting off-topic material, or flame-baiting are all verboten. There also tends to be a thin line between being abusive and immature and simply being argumentative. Crossing it persistently will lead to a ban.
Don’t be a tool
This rule is both terribly simple to understand and terribly simple to follow. Acting civil and respectful will avoid 99% of the problems that anyone would ever run into on these forums.
By trying to post within these helpful guidelines, it will earn you the respect of your peers and make these forums a nicer place to be. Please be aware that continual and/or significant breaches of etiquette can be considered a violation of forum rules, and can result in punishment.
Before posting a thread
Read the Stickies First
In most forum sections, you will find threads that have been “stickied” (which means that they permanently stay at the top of the page). Some stickies provide forum section specific rules, which must be adhered to. Other stickies answer questions which frequently get asked in that forum section. If you post a thread with a similar theme to that of what is contained in a sticky, you’ll most likely find your thread closed by Moderators. Please read stickies before posting.
Has it been posted already?
Look for an existing active thread on a subject before you post one about it. This is especially true if its big news, or a topic that has is likely to have been in hot discussion lately that would have likely already spawned a discussion. A quick scan over the first one or two pages is usually sufficient. Alternatively, use the Search feature (at the top of each page).
Your post count is only exciting to you
We don't care about your post count and neither does anyone else. Post count threads are not welcome here. Your contribution to the forums will be measured by more than just the number of posts that you make.
Get the discussion going
If you start a topic about something, you should add your contribution first – don’t just invite other people to talk about it. For example, if you start a topic about stupid injuries you’ve had, you should describe yours first instead of waiting for someone to add theirs.
We have forum sections for a reason
The Hyper Forums are broken up into different sections to make finding the topics you want to read easier. The easiest way to work out what forum section to post in is to read the description underneath the title (on the main page), and use your common sense. Don’t post in the wrong forum section just to gain more viewers/posters, as a Moderator will most likely just move your thread to the correct forum section, so you're back at square one.
Don't cross-post
On a similar note, cross-posting is also strictly prohibited. Cross-posting is when you post the same message multiple times in various threads or forums. It is actually in your detriment to cross-post as discussion is harder to follow.
Use descriptive thread titles
When you post a new thread, give users some idea of what it contains in the title. Thread titles like "Help" or "Check this out!" are cheap ways of getting users to look at a thread they might not care about. Instead of simply saying “Help”, be more specific, for example, “Help, my computer randomly restarts” is much more appropriate. Furthermore, it helps stop multiple threads on the same subject.
Let me explain forums to you...
If you see a thread about a topic, don't respond to it by starting your own about the same/similar subject. Doing so defeats the purpose of using a forum. Similarly, if a thread's been closed by a moderator (for any reason), don't start a new thread because you didn't get the final word in.
Where threads go to die
Threads die for a reason, and bringing them back for no good reason pushes newer threads down the page. Especially keep this in mind when you've been searching older threads. It's pretty easy to make a reply, only to realise that the thread you've posted in has been dead for many months. Unless you have something really important to say and/or it'd be pointless to create a new thread just to mention it, take care when posting in inactive threads (which are typically threads more than a few days old). Policies regarding the "bumping" threads is something that changes depending on the circumstances (forum section, thread content, your post) so the best advice we can give is use your common sense.
Mark all Spoiler Warnings
If you're going to make a post that discusses the story line of a movie, game, television show or book that may spoil it for members that haven't seen/played it yet, it's customary to make a spoiler warning in your post. Use of the spoiler tags here will be appropriate.
Be factual in your posts
When you make a post, make sure that it’s based on fact, instead of fiction. If you make a wild allegation in a post, be prepared to back it up somehow – don’t get offended if you have people hounding you for your sources. This is particularly relevant when it comes to factual discussions.
Double posting
If you make a post, and would like to add more info, please click the “edit” button, instead of making a new reply. Making two posts in a row is usually classified as spamming – a quick way to get one’s post count up.
Portraying Emotion
One issue with posting on the internet is that elements of communication that exist in real life - such as body language and facial expressions - cannot be communicated. Because of this, it is difficult to establish the poster's intended meaning. Something that you may intend to be a joke may come across to someone else as a personal attack. If you think it may be interpreted the wrong way by someone else, either clarify it better, or don't post it at all.
In before lock
If you feel that a thread is going to be locked, please don’t post in it. Comments like “in before lock” and “this is about to get locked” only serve as spam, and hence can often result in infractions.
We heard you the first time
So you bought a new game, have hardware problems, something really cool happened to you? That’s great to hear, feel free to mention it in an appropriate topic. However, you don’t need to mention it in every thread which has a vague connection to what you’re posting about. Just like in real life, no-one likes someone who's talking about the same thing over and over and over.
Thread hi-jacking
People make threads about a certain topic. If you want to make a genuine post, but it doesn’t really apply to the topic, please make your post in an existing thread relevant to that topic (if there is one), otherwise create a new thread.
User Profiles and Images
Private Messaging is a wonderful feature
Don't start a topic that is directed at one person that could be put into a Private Message to them. Don't intrude on someone else's topic with off-topic questions directed at a single person either. And don't be surprised if personal conversations which intrude on thread discussions are removed by the Moderators.
Yes, it is a nice avatar...
To check if your avatar or signature is working, please check one of your old posts. It doesn't warrant a new thread to check.
Signature limits
The size restriction for individual sig image is 500x100 at 89kb, (no exceptions, no excuses, no arguing), it is your responsibility to ensure that the image does not exceed these dimensions. Those going over the limit will have their IMG sigs taken away.
You are allowed a maximum of two images in your signature. The number of characters per sig, and the max number of allowable lines is enforced by the software.
The same content restrictions apply to signatures as to normal posts.
Usernames
1. Business names are not to be used as forum membership names, except where permission by Administrators or Moderators has been granted.
2. Avoid uppercase membership names (such as NEWMEMBER) or excessive use of special characters (such as $$NEW_MEMBER$$) as such accounts may be deleted including associated posts.
3. Administrators reserve the right to delete accounts whereby their usernames contain abusive, vulgar, defamatory, and sexually-orientated terms.
Image size
A good rule of thumb is that if any in-line image is more than, say, 800 pixels wide, it should go as a thumbnail. This is because at the common 1024x768 screen resolution, anything larger would cause the user to have to horizontally scroll to view the image. A thumbnail is a small (150-200 pixel) preview image that links to the full-size image.
While broadband is commonplace these days, it does not mean that you can go rampant when posting images. Some users are stuck on dialup, others have download caps to worry about. Make sure you compress images to a sensible level. If you're going to post a large series of images, consider using thumbnails entirely, so that users can select which images they'd like to view in their entirety.
Quoting posts with images
When quoting another users post with an image in it, remove the image itself – the easiest way to do this is just to remove the and tags, leaving the bare link behind.
User Behaviour and Attitude
Don’t troll
The working definition of this is “attempting to be as annoying as possible while still technically obeying the rules”, and it's not the way to go about getting attention. Attempting to derail threads, posting off-topic material, or flame-baiting are all verboten. There also tends to be a thin line between being abusive and immature and simply being argumentative. Crossing it persistently will lead to a ban.
Don’t be a tool
This rule is both terribly simple to understand and terribly simple to follow. Acting civil and respectful will avoid 99% of the problems that anyone would ever run into on these forums.