-=Rules of the Game=-

1. No repeating threads - I will close the first one. If that author makes yet, another thread that repeats it will be deleted and that member will be issued a warning.

2. No constant replying - I've wanted this to be policy for a long time, but now I'm making it a rule in here. Do not constantly reply after every other post, wait for a few others (at least one other) to get their word in before you make your statement. This will reduce spam, reduce the chances of going off-topic, and it will lengthen posts. This isn't chat, it's a forum. Do try to post like such because if I find a user in here who is constantly throwing posts after everyone else replies I will issue them a warning PM.

This is an example of what I don't like seeing:

Author A posts
Author B posts
Author A posts
Author B posts
Author A posts
Author C posts
Author A posts


3. Minimal Grammar/Punctuation is a must! - At best, I'd like to expect people who post in a mature forum to write logically coherent, idiomatic English prose that follows the established rules of spelling, usage, diction, grammar, and punctuation. Of course I can't expect perfection (not even from myself) but there is a certain level I do expect to read. If I find garbage like "haha thats funny ok bye" it will be deleted without warning. Post accordingly to the thread, if it's about jokes then I expect little, but if it's a serious debate (ie - Homosexuality) then I will not tolerate posts that are below a highschool level of writing.

Debates are logical arguments and if you cannot keep up then you should reconsider participating. This may sound like a big deal but it isn't. All I'm expecting to see are commas, periods, and statements that go longer than one sentence (though the one sentence reply is ok if it's not spam). Basically, use colloquial writing at your discretion but use it wisely!

4. Do not use long quotations from an author - These make for redundancy. Just narrow down the quote to a relevant passage.

5. No creation of immature/senseless topics - This shouldn't need to be stated but I'm just giving a select few a reminder.

6. Keep Role Play to a minimum - There's a forum for this, keep it to a minimum level if possible. If someone does make a little "<smack>" then don't start replying with actions.

7. Smilies should be used properly - Using these in moderation is already a rule, but I'm going to strictly enforce this. If I see a bunch of then I'm going to edit your post and reduce the amount. No more than two consecutive smilies please.

This a mature forum, so I expect... I hope to do as little moderating as possible and just spend my time posting like everyone else. So far I'm pleased with how things are in here, a lot of you have shown fantastic originality and creativeness. Things are basically good so lets keep them this way.

Post comments and suggestions here so that together, we can make a worthwhile forum.

This message was edited by Section 9 on Feb 10 2002.

Posting every other time is alright on occasion, just don't make it a habit. The only acceptance is when I see a significant portion of time between the posts. Something like this would be alright:

Author A posts June 12
Author B posts June 13 AM
Author A posts June 13 PM
Author B posts June 14

That's fine by me because it's not taking place like a conversation and it allows time for others to get their input in while the forum is still young.

Real discussions will occur. I just don't want to see a constant conversation within a 20 minute time span between 2 members, it doesn't give others a good chance to read what's important. I've been here for a while, believe me this is the no.1 way threads go off-topic. If people allow others to post before they make an instant reply, they'll most likely have more to talk about and an allowance of a more indepth view of the topic can take place. Basically, I get annoyed at seeing threads develop 3 pages within a day while only having 2 or 3 authors participating. I've found some of the best posts come from users who don't frequent as much. Unfortunatly those users are also the first to feel "left out" because they don't want to keep up with an extremely fast paced forum. I don't want the post count of this forum to grow without a proportional growth in its member population.

quote

why should I have to wait another hour for somebody else to post? That will just slow the forum to a crawl, and no real discussions will get going.

Think about that statement and remember this is a forum. Things slow to a crawl when the post count drops to 2 a day (right now we're over 90). I advise waiting 4 hours before making another post or wait until 2 people have posted after you.

Like I said, I don't mind the instant reply occasionally. Sometimes you just can't wait to get it out and that's understandable, but I'm going to issue warnings if I see a member doing it on a frequent basis.

quote Section 9

2. No constant replying - I've wanted this to be policy for a long time, but now I'm making it a rule in here. Do not constantly reply after every other post blah blah blah...

i think that there are a few members in loungin that could use this advice. *coughkaxiocough*

maybe you should add it to the rules in there too?