Forum Etiquette

[just4kix]

Of late, there were many instances when threads were deleted, apparently for no reason. Naturally this caused a great anguish and anger amongst those who lost their posts. All those cried "Foul". Then there started a small war of reporting threads/posts - 'if my thread/post was deleted then similar post by someone else should be deleted also'. Some were genuine reports whereas most others were not.

Members complained, 'what rule have I broken?', 'where is this stated that I should not do this?', etc.

So in this thread I intend to discuss Forum rules and etiquette. Note that this is not a thread where exhaustive list of rules and directions are being laid out. This is a thread that contains informal and impartial set of guidelines. Note that a railway track is impartial too. But once you lay it down, that is where trains can go. This is not a railway track where we shall tell you where to go.

Forum rules are hard and fast rules. These must be adhered to. But the forum rules are not a set of Criminal Procedures Code of a state's judiciary. Forum rules are designed to keep peace and harmony amongst members, ensure that forum is clean and works for the purpose that it is designed for and finally it allows a frank exchange of ideas without causing hurt to feelings of others. To that extent, forum rules have been successful.

When it comes to forum etiquette, there are no firm directions. It is left to the sensibility of the poster to decide whether the best interest of the community is being served or not. This leaves a wide scope for interpretation. I will not be blaming any member for what happened; nor shall I apologize on behalf of Admin and Mod Squad.

So what is forum etiquette? What guidelines should be followed?

Thread Creating
When creating threads, do not create a thread just for the heck of it. Think carefully. Does the thread evoke common feelings, problems, mass hysteria, etc.? What seems important to you may not be important to the majority.

One of the major rule is, do not create a duplicate thread. PLEASE DO A FORUM SEARCH ON THE ARTICLE. Only create a new thread when you are unable to find the problem/solution/issue that you are looking for.

Fonts, writing style, etc.
It is bad manners to write in large fonts, bold letters, capitalized/uppercase only text, etc.

We can all read in normal font also. Using such writing style as mentioned above means that you are shouting. So please follow this rule strictly.

Similarly, avoid using too small a font, unless really required.

Also, "Verdana" (this font) and "Arial" and such sans-serif fonts are best for forum posts. Any other fonts are not recommended.

Bumping old threads
One of the major transgression that has been observed is bumping old threads. The thread starter starts an issue. Some solutions/checks/suggestions are posted. Usually, the thread starter has left without notice. Out of the blue, nearly a month or two later, someone replies to the thread, 'I have a solution. Try this.'.

But before you do this, please ask yourself:

• Is the thread starter interested any more? Check the number of posts by the thread starter. If the post count is less than 15 and thread is more than 4 weeks old, the thread starter has no more interest or his problem is solved or both.
• Are you contributing anything?
• Is the solution available in another thread?

What is the problem of bumping old threads? Simple. It disturbs the Search function. For no reason at all, an old thread suddenly appears in the top list. This is a great dis-service for not only people who have urgent issues but also to people who are helping them solve it.

Let the thread starter come back and bump his own thread.

Polls
Polls are a good way to garner opinions. But sometimes opinion polls are not required. For example, "How many times you have crossed the maximum usage limit and paid extra bucks?". Think logically about a poll. Will the poll add any value to the subject? Does it really interest anyone?

Multiple User Id's
Some people create multiple id's. Multiple id's are not permitted on the forum. If they are discovered, they will be banned or deleted immediately. Repeat offenders may get banned permanently.

Rapidshare
If Admin/Mods see a new thread selling or buying or gifting Rapidshare or any other megaupload accounts here or any other uploading sites accounts...

We wont just delete the thread, WE WILL DELETE YOUR ID AS WELL.

If you are looking to buy a Rapidshare account just go to rapidshare.com and buy one there.

Copy/Paste of Articles from the Web
First decide clearly whether the web article is of any interest to general community. A new press release is fine. But one member was simply posting all kinds of useless press releases just because he had an access.

• A new development in the field of computers, broadband, etc. is of interest to the forum.
• But Amitabh Bachchan spending his holidays in Bahamas with his whole family, is not in the interest of the forum (though it may interest a few people).
• Daily movement of the Sensex is not of interest but a sharp decline may be.
• New channel/package introduction on a DTH service is of interest to many
• Generic BSNL circulars are not of interest unless it is affecting our lives directly.

Then the proper way to copy/paste articles from the web is to QUOTE it properly. Enclose the full article in the BBCode QUOTE Tags. At the bottom or the top, the source of the article must be mentioned by the URL.

Thread Hijack
Never hijack a post from the thread starter. This does not happen deliberately but happens because slowly the topic goes off subject.

• Suppose a member starts a topic on health issues, say, "Importance of an eight hour sleep".
• The first few posts are in line with the subject.
• Then one members says how s/he is missing sleep because s/he has to stay awake till 2 AM because that is the time when BSNL happy hours start.
• Then other members reply how it is possible to schedule download, automate things, etc.
• The previous member is not clear "how to" and then the whole thread turns completely around and looses the original focus.

This causes some frustration on the part of the original thread starter that her/his topic has completely lost the track and good/honest intentions have been wiped off. Such incidences are called as thread hijacking and going offtopic. As the forum rules state, please do not hijack a thread; instead open a new thread or post in a thread dealing in that subject.

Please do report such incidences.

Offtopic posts
Any thread that does not belong to a particular section should be created in the offtopic forum. But please note that even offtopic posts have a subject. The thread is posted in offtopic section, because it does not deal in any of the mainstream sections.

But thread hijacking applies here also. Just because the thread is posted in offtopic section does not mean you can go offtopic with the subject.

So called 'spam' posts
Such posts are pure fun and enjoyment posts. You can post anything in such posts. An example is "The Crapiest Thread in the Forum". You can hijack this thread, go completely offtopic, etc. Many rules and etiquettes will be relaxed for such posts (e.g., "Ban the poster above you" thread).

Flaming/Inciting
Please do not post threads that hurt the sentiments of a person or a community. For example, do not call anyone 'noob' or 'newbie'. Just remember, that you were not born with your knowledge. We all were also a 'newbie' once and maybe still are in many aspects of life.

Do not post threads that cause an uproar. Do not hurt the religious sentiments of a person. And above all, you will not threaten any other member - by physical threats or verbal abuse. And absolutely no profanity.

Language
You should use a language that is not offending someone's ego and sensibility.

Do not show a superiority over others. Not all are of the same intellect level. Remember you were a newbie once too. And every person has a specialty in some facet of life - so respect every human being.

You may be calling someone a 'duffer' in the friendliest way and meaning no disrespect. But the situations of real life voice conversation and text communication are entirely different. The tone in which you write may not be the tone in which the reader reads. So unless you are having the complete confidence of the second party, best to avoid "avoidable" words.

SMS Text like Language
We have a thread on this. On all mainstream and technical section, please avoid SMS text like language. It is not only insulting the language but you are also bringing disrepute to yourself, and the forum. There are others who visit us as guests and they will be totally be put off by such language.

Threads/posts with SMS Text like language will be deleted or edited out completely without warning.

Thread reporting
When you report a thread you are objecting to the author as well (many times). So do take utmost care and a sensible judgment on reporting threads. No harm in reporting thread but put the forum's benefit before anyone else's.

What Admin and Mods will do?
Admin and Mods may delete entire threads or selected posts that breach forum rules and/or imbalance forum etiquette. They may issue infractions (Yellow and Red Card), dock off points, and issue many such warnings. In extreme cases, the offenders may be banned temporarily or permanently.

And finally ...
Please note that the above list is not an exhaustive list. There can never be an exhaustive list because as stated earlier this is not a Criminal Procedure Code. Even a CPC is sometimes found inadequate. You must make your own sensible judgment on your forum actions. Because forum actions are public. Also note that Admin and Mods may not agree on all issues and actions but they will advice and suggest each other.

Please post your valuable feedback on this article and help us grow bigger, better and valuable.

Thank you.