Forum Survival Guide
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:28 am
Forum Survival Guide
MithraPride is a community, a gathering for people who are playing or have played the game Final Fantasy XI.
This is what these boards are generally about so there are a few things you have to take into account before posting:
1. Community:
To start; be kind to each other. When you have a lot of people in one 'room' you can be certain that not everyone will agree with you.
There will always be people that have another view on certain things then you have. As long as opinions stay within common sense you will have to respect their opinions as they will have to do with your's please do not "provoke" fellow users.
Especially with the well known "problem" subjects you are kindly requested to think about and review your answer before you hit the Post reply button.
If you have a problem with one or a few posts made on these boards please make a post in the Need help section or PM one of the friendly moderators or administrators and let them handle it.
Chance exists that if you reply to the post that poses a problem you might make it worse.
2. Topics & Posting:
-The search function: Before you make a new topic, you might want to search if someone has posted the same topic before.
The search only works to your advantage if you type in the keywords you're looking for correctly.
-Topic titles: When you make a new topic make sure that you give it a good title so that everyone reading it knows what the topic is about.
Also put it in the right section.
- Oneliners: Oneliners mostly do not add much to a discussion, you might want to add a few words or sentences to it to describe what you mean.
Telling what you mean gives more positive replies in most cases.
- Crossposting: When you make a new topic don't go posting the same all over the boards please.
You'll only irritate people and it can never be that that one question belongs to 5 different catagories.
Double topics will be closed or removed when seen by the moderators or administrators.
- Editing posts: You can edit your own posts so it's not needed to post put multiple posts after eachother into one topic when you can edit it into the same post.
The
button can be found to the top right of the posts you make.
3. Language:
Because the reactions you type are the only way to communicate on a forum it is very important that the people reading it understand what you mean.
Especially when you start a new topic: the better the people understand you the easier it is for them to respond.
- Spelling: Because these are international boards and English is not everyone's native language it might be difficult for some people to say what they mean or use a wrong spelling.
If you have trouble understanding what someone means, feel free to ask and do not "shoot" the person.
But try to use as much correct spelling as possible.
- Please avoid using l33t Sp34|< and BrEeZaH: Some people like playing with their Shift keys while typing. or use numbers instead of letters.
Keep that limited please because |\|0t 3\/3ry0|\|3 c4|\| r34d t|-|15. (not everyone can read this)
- Smilies:Feel free to use smilies! In a text based discussion it's hard to see if someones crying, laughing or is angry. that's why it's important to show how you feel about something.
- Shouting: Don't go out shouting!
How do you shout in a text based discussion? Some might ask themselves.
By using capitals only. A TEXT WRITTEN LIKE THIS CAN BE VERY IRRITATING.
If you want to make something clear it might be better to use a Bold tag (Bold tag open [/b ] close. Without the spaces)
- Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a problem where many people suffer from.
It can happen that someone posts a story or a topic without interpunction, spelling errors and/or other kinds of errors.
It's not nice to keep pointing someone on mistakes.
On the other side when you know you have Dyslexia try to keep your posts short , try to use a text editor with spell check and occasionally use the Enter button.
Most people are willing to read, but in reality; a sea of words without enters and/or interpunction can't be read right and that of course is a shame.
4. Flamewars:
Flamewars add nothing to forums; don't let yourself be provoked.
If a moderator or administrator sees a (potential) flamewar the participators and especially the starters risk a warning or ban.
Also it's no use keeping up ranting if a thread bursts out into a fight about who's right or wrong, if you see a discussion going out of hand please be the wise {cat} and leave it to the board's crew.
5. Your fellow users:
Know who you are talking to. There's a lot of people here that know what they talk about on several subjects.
Advises and tips are not to be bashed.
If you have another view on some advise you may of course share your view, as long as you explain why you do not agree with the others view in friendly and understandable words.
6. Patience:
Be patient, not every post calls for imediate answers.
It can come within one minute but it can also take hours, so do not "bump" your topic every 10 minutes if people do not reply right away.
If you don't have an answer after 24 hours you might want to ask yourself if your subject is that interesting.
7. Bad language:
Everyone feels the need to go out and curse the entire world together sometimes.
The occasional cursing on the bds can be tolerated, but that does not include using cursing towards another poster, that will not be tolerated. The only curse you may not use here is f*** and that really because there is no need for it. If you really feel the need to you may do it in cartoon style or use smilies.
(Example: #@$$^%* or
)
Abuse of this will result in an immeadiate banning.
8. Moderator's actions:
Moderators are also just visitors, we just have the extra responsibillity to keep the boards a fun place to come to and to clean up messes.
Moderators too are only human and make mistakes, so if there has been an action you don't agree on please don't go ranting up you don't like the action and put the boards vs the crew.
Most things can be resolved by speaking to the mods directly through PM or through the Need help section.
When you do not agree with an action please also explain why you don't.
We from our side will explain why we did it and will try to find a way to keep everyone happy.
9. Extra sidenotes
Advertising:
MithraPride does not allow advertisements of any commercial nature.
If you have a product to advertise please do so in magazines, on TV or other websites that do allow so.
Hit and run posts will be deleted and the user will be banned on spot.
MithraPride does however allow you to advertise your website/work etc. in your profile or signature.
Third party programs and Playonline ToS.
MithraPride will not provide help or support on third party programs.
It is also strictly prohibited to link to or advertise any programs or plugins breaking the Playonline ToS.
We do however allow discussions about them.
Personal Problems
Everybody has personal problems in his or her life.
The Internet is a good place to express them anonymously.
MithraPride does request you to solve your personal problems in private.
If you have a problem with a certain player we also request that you do not bring those problems to the boards.
Topics regarding personal problems or problems with other players will be locked and removed, the starter will also recieve a warning.
Avatars and Signatures
Please be courteous of others environments and bandwidth limitations when posting avatars and modifying your signatures. Nothing that would get someone in trouble with parents/school officials/bosses for viewing.
Size limitations:
Avatars: 100w x 150h <= 20KB
Signatures: <= 8 lines of text or 4 lines of text plus 1 image of 500w x 200h <= 100KB
We're less concerned with the size than we are with the resolution though.
So there you are, rules regulations for one and all. Thank You to Shirai for coming up with this and Golddess for the extra input. Good Work!
2006 Feb 23 - Added avatar and signature information (Golddess)
2009 Feb 04 - Adusted avatar and signature information (Shirai)
MithraPride is a community, a gathering for people who are playing or have played the game Final Fantasy XI.
This is what these boards are generally about so there are a few things you have to take into account before posting:
1. Community:
To start; be kind to each other. When you have a lot of people in one 'room' you can be certain that not everyone will agree with you.
There will always be people that have another view on certain things then you have. As long as opinions stay within common sense you will have to respect their opinions as they will have to do with your's please do not "provoke" fellow users.
Especially with the well known "problem" subjects you are kindly requested to think about and review your answer before you hit the Post reply button.
If you have a problem with one or a few posts made on these boards please make a post in the Need help section or PM one of the friendly moderators or administrators and let them handle it.
Chance exists that if you reply to the post that poses a problem you might make it worse.
2. Topics & Posting:
-The search function: Before you make a new topic, you might want to search if someone has posted the same topic before.
The search only works to your advantage if you type in the keywords you're looking for correctly.
-Topic titles: When you make a new topic make sure that you give it a good title so that everyone reading it knows what the topic is about.
Also put it in the right section.
- Oneliners: Oneliners mostly do not add much to a discussion, you might want to add a few words or sentences to it to describe what you mean.
Telling what you mean gives more positive replies in most cases.
- Crossposting: When you make a new topic don't go posting the same all over the boards please.
You'll only irritate people and it can never be that that one question belongs to 5 different catagories.
Double topics will be closed or removed when seen by the moderators or administrators.
- Editing posts: You can edit your own posts so it's not needed to post put multiple posts after eachother into one topic when you can edit it into the same post.
The
button can be found to the top right of the posts you make.3. Language:
Because the reactions you type are the only way to communicate on a forum it is very important that the people reading it understand what you mean.
Especially when you start a new topic: the better the people understand you the easier it is for them to respond.
- Spelling: Because these are international boards and English is not everyone's native language it might be difficult for some people to say what they mean or use a wrong spelling.
If you have trouble understanding what someone means, feel free to ask and do not "shoot" the person.
But try to use as much correct spelling as possible.
- Please avoid using l33t Sp34|< and BrEeZaH: Some people like playing with their Shift keys while typing. or use numbers instead of letters.
Keep that limited please because |\|0t 3\/3ry0|\|3 c4|\| r34d t|-|15. (not everyone can read this)
- Smilies:Feel free to use smilies! In a text based discussion it's hard to see if someones crying, laughing or is angry. that's why it's important to show how you feel about something.
- Shouting: Don't go out shouting!
How do you shout in a text based discussion? Some might ask themselves.
By using capitals only. A TEXT WRITTEN LIKE THIS CAN BE VERY IRRITATING.
If you want to make something clear it might be better to use a Bold tag (Bold tag open [/b ] close. Without the spaces)
- Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a problem where many people suffer from.
It can happen that someone posts a story or a topic without interpunction, spelling errors and/or other kinds of errors.
It's not nice to keep pointing someone on mistakes.
On the other side when you know you have Dyslexia try to keep your posts short , try to use a text editor with spell check and occasionally use the Enter button.
Most people are willing to read, but in reality; a sea of words without enters and/or interpunction can't be read right and that of course is a shame.
4. Flamewars:
Flamewars add nothing to forums; don't let yourself be provoked.
If a moderator or administrator sees a (potential) flamewar the participators and especially the starters risk a warning or ban.
Also it's no use keeping up ranting if a thread bursts out into a fight about who's right or wrong, if you see a discussion going out of hand please be the wise {cat} and leave it to the board's crew.
5. Your fellow users:
Know who you are talking to. There's a lot of people here that know what they talk about on several subjects.
Advises and tips are not to be bashed.
If you have another view on some advise you may of course share your view, as long as you explain why you do not agree with the others view in friendly and understandable words.
6. Patience:
Be patient, not every post calls for imediate answers.
It can come within one minute but it can also take hours, so do not "bump" your topic every 10 minutes if people do not reply right away.
If you don't have an answer after 24 hours you might want to ask yourself if your subject is that interesting.
7. Bad language:
Everyone feels the need to go out and curse the entire world together sometimes.
The occasional cursing on the bds can be tolerated, but that does not include using cursing towards another poster, that will not be tolerated. The only curse you may not use here is f*** and that really because there is no need for it. If you really feel the need to you may do it in cartoon style or use smilies.
(Example: #@$$^%* or
) Abuse of this will result in an immeadiate banning.
8. Moderator's actions:
Moderators are also just visitors, we just have the extra responsibillity to keep the boards a fun place to come to and to clean up messes.
Moderators too are only human and make mistakes, so if there has been an action you don't agree on please don't go ranting up you don't like the action and put the boards vs the crew.
Most things can be resolved by speaking to the mods directly through PM or through the Need help section.
When you do not agree with an action please also explain why you don't.
We from our side will explain why we did it and will try to find a way to keep everyone happy.
9. Extra sidenotes
Advertising:
MithraPride does not allow advertisements of any commercial nature.
If you have a product to advertise please do so in magazines, on TV or other websites that do allow so.
Hit and run posts will be deleted and the user will be banned on spot.
MithraPride does however allow you to advertise your website/work etc. in your profile or signature.
Third party programs and Playonline ToS.
MithraPride will not provide help or support on third party programs.
It is also strictly prohibited to link to or advertise any programs or plugins breaking the Playonline ToS.
We do however allow discussions about them.
Personal Problems
Everybody has personal problems in his or her life.
The Internet is a good place to express them anonymously.
MithraPride does request you to solve your personal problems in private.
If you have a problem with a certain player we also request that you do not bring those problems to the boards.
Topics regarding personal problems or problems with other players will be locked and removed, the starter will also recieve a warning.
Avatars and Signatures
Please be courteous of others environments and bandwidth limitations when posting avatars and modifying your signatures. Nothing that would get someone in trouble with parents/school officials/bosses for viewing.
Size limitations:
Avatars: 100w x 150h <= 20KB
Signatures: <= 8 lines of text or 4 lines of text plus 1 image of 500w x 200h <= 100KB
We're less concerned with the size than we are with the resolution though.
So there you are, rules regulations for one and all. Thank You to Shirai for coming up with this and Golddess for the extra input. Good Work!
2006 Feb 23 - Added avatar and signature information (Golddess)
2009 Feb 04 - Adusted avatar and signature information (Shirai)
Oh, and btw I am an admin *reminds Ambrey by reducing post count to 1* 
j/k