Deepsea
03-03-2007, 09:47 PM
I made this thread, because I just seen 2 people register, and not knowing how to post correctly, so I made this thread, so us as in (Forum Members) will teach the new people how to be respected posters.
People Being Fixed
1. wadup
2. Deepsea
I see alot of advice (FAQ's, Threads) for newcomers on advice to the game. But I dont see any about the forums. So, I decided it would be a good idea to write a "tutorial" on how to become a contributing member of the community.
Banners
To become a good forum poster, it doesnt necessarilly mean you have to have the biggest or the coolest banner. But, it puts alittle life into your posts. So if you feel you have an appropriate banner (Banner rules).
Here is a quick expmlination of how to use your banner (By Snarr) :
1) First get a banner made, you can either make it yourself OR request to get one made in the Banners thread
2) Next upload your banner onto a site, try: www.walagata.com or www.imageshack.us
3) To add the banner to your signature all you have to do is:
1. Go to user CP on the upper left hand corner of the screen when your on the forum page.
2. Go to edit profile when you enter user CP.
3. Go down to where its says signature.
4. Type in this (note do not put the periods in). [.img] URL of banner [./img]
5. Hit save setting.
Avatars
Why cant I change my avatar? - Most likely because you're not a Gold account.
I have a gold account but I'm not gold on the forums. Why?
Once your gold, send a Ticket (See Ticket section) in and request a forum upgrade. When your account has been upgraded you will be able to change yout Avatar and the text underneath it (Custom User Text - CUT)
Getting Started in the forums
So, it must be pretty exciting to finally be part of a good community! Well, you should be. But before you go and hit the new thread button, consider this.
Really, your first thread you should be in the Newbie Board. A friendly introduction of yourself. And then, once you got the feel of how posting goes on here. You can expand yourself across the whole board.
Thread Guidelines
Is this thread really neccessary? Or could it just be done elsewhere and/or by any other means. Eg : [New thread] Hey danny dont forget to bring in your football at school tommorrow. [/New thread]
In this instance, they could have sent something called a Private Message (See Private Message section) This means you dont have to make a new thread for everything you need to say.
Am I making this thread in the right board? If you are going to make a thread, you have to make sure your making it in the right section. Eg : [New thread in Bug Reports] I think they should make an extra golem unit! [/New thread]
Is it neccessary to read the stickies first? You dont have to read the stickies, but it is advised that you do. They are stickied for a reason. Most likley because they are highly important. Ex : Rules, guidlines. See Forum Rules Section.
Posting Guidelines
Dont be insulting - Really simple, as true here as it is in real life. Now this isn’t to say that insults aren’t sometimes justified and useful. But if you give the perception of being an insulting person, especially if you insult prominent members, you will be highly disliked. As a simple rule, just don’t insult anyone.
Don’t insult n00bs either. A lot of n00bs seem to think that attacking each other will increase their status in the forum; this is very false, it just makes you look more stupid.
Don’t be arrogant - Don’t brag about how great you are. We don’t care, and it really doesn’t look good.
You will be flamed - Everyone here is attacked by someone at some point. Live with it. Its part of what makes this place fun. Don’t overreact to being attacked. And don’t make leaving threads just because a bunch of people attack you, that just makes you a coward.
Using Correct Grammar - Try to use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, all that good stuff
The use of good grammar is forum etiquette. Capitalize correctly. Use “you” rather than “u”. A few extra seconds of your time will increase the perception many of us have of you by incredibly amounts. While some vets can get away with bad form, virtually every n00b uses bad grammar and spelling-this is a really easy way to separate yourself from them.
Post intelligently
If you have something to say that fits the topic of the thread, hasn’t already been said before, and that you think will interest the members of the forum, post it!
Very simple concepts, right? Pretty much anyone can follow these rules. Yet how many people can you think of who have followed all of them and are still considered n00bs? I can’t think of a single person who has followed all of the above and is still disliked on this forum. Anyone can depart from n00bdom just by trying a little bit!
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list. You won’t become a theburning or Northwind overnight, that takes a level of wit, intellect, and pure posting prowess that most of us simply don’t possess at this point of our lives. But you can at least become an Office_shredder or Bottle (or Realist ), and for most of us, that’s good enough.
Forum rules
[Originally posted by Duffman]
1. Posting
1.1 Spamming.
Spamming is the excessive creation of posts and/or threads with no or repeated content. Malicious spamming, where a member continually spams trying to flood the board will result in an instant permanent ban. Non-Malicious spamming will incur anything from just a PM warning to a 3 day ban depending on how excessive. If the member continues to spam after their first warning the user will receive the full 7 day ban.
1.2 Content
"Your Content shall not: (a) infringe any third party intellectual property, other proprietary or publicity/privacy rights; (b) violate any law or regulation; (c) be defamatory, obscene, or pornographic; or (d) contain any viruses"*
1.2.1 Swearing
All language must be PG-13. Obscene language can mean the deletion of your posts and further action. Small infringments will incur a warning. Excessive use of inappropriate words will incur a 3 day ban and each infringement after this will incur the full 7 day ban.
1.2.2 Flaming
Excessive insulting of a user is not accepted and a warning will be issued. If the user does not comply with the warning they will be given a 3 day ban. Please respect the mods and the job they are doing. Any insults directed at them will result in a temporary ban, so you may take time and reflect upon your actions.
1.2.3 Pornographic.
Any pornographic material posted on TAO will result in an instant permanent ban.
1.2.4 Malicious links
Users posting links to malicious content will incur a temporary ban. If the content of the link can disrupt the integrity of the viewers computer system not only will they receive a permanent ban but their ISP might also be contacted.
1.2.5 Schemes/Advertising
The TAO forums are not to be used for advertisement or promotion. Posting of referal programs, pyramid schemes or such are not permitted. A warning will be given on the first offense and a temporary ban if the warning isn't complied with.
1.3 Trolling
Trolling is the act of constantly posting negative comments about TAO and it's members/staff. It is a serious offense. Users that troll will be given a temporary ban. Repeated trolling will incur a permanent ban.
2. Bannings
Bannings are at the discretion of TAO mods and admin.
2.1 Returning during a ban period.
Any user who has been given a temporary ban and returns under a new name can be issued a permanent ban. Leniency will be given to those who return for one post to apologise, however anything more than that will be dealt with harshly. Any user who returns under a new name from a permanent ban will be issued with an IP ban.
3. Threads
3.1 Creating threads
While not a rule it is important to note that Mods will lock all uninteresting threads, threads with no topic and threads that don't allow members to contribute to the thread.
3.2 Recreating locked threads
Once a thread is locked you are not permitted to recreate the same thread. If this is done a temporary ban will be issued.
4. Signatures
All signatures must also comply to the posting content rules (1.2). Banner limit rules can also be found here
4.1 Banner restrictions.
You can have one banner size 600x140 or less and an additional 2 lines of text. Or you can choose to have the equivalent size in just text.
5. Rules
5.1 Changing of rules
Rules will be changed as the mods see fit. It is important to keep up-to-date with the rules. We ask that evertime you see an updated date on this thread title that you read the rules for the updated sections.
People Being Fixed
1. wadup
2. Deepsea
I see alot of advice (FAQ's, Threads) for newcomers on advice to the game. But I dont see any about the forums. So, I decided it would be a good idea to write a "tutorial" on how to become a contributing member of the community.
Banners
To become a good forum poster, it doesnt necessarilly mean you have to have the biggest or the coolest banner. But, it puts alittle life into your posts. So if you feel you have an appropriate banner (Banner rules).
Here is a quick expmlination of how to use your banner (By Snarr) :
1) First get a banner made, you can either make it yourself OR request to get one made in the Banners thread
2) Next upload your banner onto a site, try: www.walagata.com or www.imageshack.us
3) To add the banner to your signature all you have to do is:
1. Go to user CP on the upper left hand corner of the screen when your on the forum page.
2. Go to edit profile when you enter user CP.
3. Go down to where its says signature.
4. Type in this (note do not put the periods in). [.img] URL of banner [./img]
5. Hit save setting.
Avatars
Why cant I change my avatar? - Most likely because you're not a Gold account.
I have a gold account but I'm not gold on the forums. Why?
Once your gold, send a Ticket (See Ticket section) in and request a forum upgrade. When your account has been upgraded you will be able to change yout Avatar and the text underneath it (Custom User Text - CUT)
Getting Started in the forums
So, it must be pretty exciting to finally be part of a good community! Well, you should be. But before you go and hit the new thread button, consider this.
Really, your first thread you should be in the Newbie Board. A friendly introduction of yourself. And then, once you got the feel of how posting goes on here. You can expand yourself across the whole board.
Thread Guidelines
Is this thread really neccessary? Or could it just be done elsewhere and/or by any other means. Eg : [New thread] Hey danny dont forget to bring in your football at school tommorrow. [/New thread]
In this instance, they could have sent something called a Private Message (See Private Message section) This means you dont have to make a new thread for everything you need to say.
Am I making this thread in the right board? If you are going to make a thread, you have to make sure your making it in the right section. Eg : [New thread in Bug Reports] I think they should make an extra golem unit! [/New thread]
Is it neccessary to read the stickies first? You dont have to read the stickies, but it is advised that you do. They are stickied for a reason. Most likley because they are highly important. Ex : Rules, guidlines. See Forum Rules Section.
Posting Guidelines
Dont be insulting - Really simple, as true here as it is in real life. Now this isn’t to say that insults aren’t sometimes justified and useful. But if you give the perception of being an insulting person, especially if you insult prominent members, you will be highly disliked. As a simple rule, just don’t insult anyone.
Don’t insult n00bs either. A lot of n00bs seem to think that attacking each other will increase their status in the forum; this is very false, it just makes you look more stupid.
Don’t be arrogant - Don’t brag about how great you are. We don’t care, and it really doesn’t look good.
You will be flamed - Everyone here is attacked by someone at some point. Live with it. Its part of what makes this place fun. Don’t overreact to being attacked. And don’t make leaving threads just because a bunch of people attack you, that just makes you a coward.
Using Correct Grammar - Try to use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, all that good stuff
The use of good grammar is forum etiquette. Capitalize correctly. Use “you” rather than “u”. A few extra seconds of your time will increase the perception many of us have of you by incredibly amounts. While some vets can get away with bad form, virtually every n00b uses bad grammar and spelling-this is a really easy way to separate yourself from them.
Post intelligently
If you have something to say that fits the topic of the thread, hasn’t already been said before, and that you think will interest the members of the forum, post it!
Very simple concepts, right? Pretty much anyone can follow these rules. Yet how many people can you think of who have followed all of them and are still considered n00bs? I can’t think of a single person who has followed all of the above and is still disliked on this forum. Anyone can depart from n00bdom just by trying a little bit!
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list. You won’t become a theburning or Northwind overnight, that takes a level of wit, intellect, and pure posting prowess that most of us simply don’t possess at this point of our lives. But you can at least become an Office_shredder or Bottle (or Realist ), and for most of us, that’s good enough.
Forum rules
[Originally posted by Duffman]
1. Posting
1.1 Spamming.
Spamming is the excessive creation of posts and/or threads with no or repeated content. Malicious spamming, where a member continually spams trying to flood the board will result in an instant permanent ban. Non-Malicious spamming will incur anything from just a PM warning to a 3 day ban depending on how excessive. If the member continues to spam after their first warning the user will receive the full 7 day ban.
1.2 Content
"Your Content shall not: (a) infringe any third party intellectual property, other proprietary or publicity/privacy rights; (b) violate any law or regulation; (c) be defamatory, obscene, or pornographic; or (d) contain any viruses"*
1.2.1 Swearing
All language must be PG-13. Obscene language can mean the deletion of your posts and further action. Small infringments will incur a warning. Excessive use of inappropriate words will incur a 3 day ban and each infringement after this will incur the full 7 day ban.
1.2.2 Flaming
Excessive insulting of a user is not accepted and a warning will be issued. If the user does not comply with the warning they will be given a 3 day ban. Please respect the mods and the job they are doing. Any insults directed at them will result in a temporary ban, so you may take time and reflect upon your actions.
1.2.3 Pornographic.
Any pornographic material posted on TAO will result in an instant permanent ban.
1.2.4 Malicious links
Users posting links to malicious content will incur a temporary ban. If the content of the link can disrupt the integrity of the viewers computer system not only will they receive a permanent ban but their ISP might also be contacted.
1.2.5 Schemes/Advertising
The TAO forums are not to be used for advertisement or promotion. Posting of referal programs, pyramid schemes or such are not permitted. A warning will be given on the first offense and a temporary ban if the warning isn't complied with.
1.3 Trolling
Trolling is the act of constantly posting negative comments about TAO and it's members/staff. It is a serious offense. Users that troll will be given a temporary ban. Repeated trolling will incur a permanent ban.
2. Bannings
Bannings are at the discretion of TAO mods and admin.
2.1 Returning during a ban period.
Any user who has been given a temporary ban and returns under a new name can be issued a permanent ban. Leniency will be given to those who return for one post to apologise, however anything more than that will be dealt with harshly. Any user who returns under a new name from a permanent ban will be issued with an IP ban.
3. Threads
3.1 Creating threads
While not a rule it is important to note that Mods will lock all uninteresting threads, threads with no topic and threads that don't allow members to contribute to the thread.
3.2 Recreating locked threads
Once a thread is locked you are not permitted to recreate the same thread. If this is done a temporary ban will be issued.
4. Signatures
All signatures must also comply to the posting content rules (1.2). Banner limit rules can also be found here
4.1 Banner restrictions.
You can have one banner size 600x140 or less and an additional 2 lines of text. Or you can choose to have the equivalent size in just text.
5. Rules
5.1 Changing of rules
Rules will be changed as the mods see fit. It is important to keep up-to-date with the rules. We ask that evertime you see an updated date on this thread title that you read the rules for the updated sections.