Forum rules and etiquette (The rules about writers responsibility and liability need to be clear, Lyle has done a good job in bringing the etiquette guide together)

I would like to suggest that a rule be made about new members not being allowed to start a new thread until they have reached a certain number of posts or perhaps after a set period of time (say two weeks) they have been members

There are too many register, post once and run type of threads, some of these threads would be obviated by the suggestion (elsewhere) for a section specific FAQ.

I'm not so keen on this because if n00bs can't start a thread to ask their question, they might resort to hijacking other threads and taking them off topic. Or else they'll register and think 'bugger that' and disappear.

If they ask a question in a new thread that is already covered, then mods should point them to the answer or existing thread and close the thread down IMHO.

I have noticed that there are first time posters that start a thread which is actually informative. Banning someone from posting a new thread until they have got a certain number of posts doesn't work.

What does work is closing threads and merging threads if this situation does arrise.

One of the reason why I mentioned a time lag was also so that they can start a thread (as a first post) but only after they have been forum members for two weeks or thereabout, so that they have time to think and read before posting.

I think most ppl aren't that patient. Maybe a 30 minute delay would work better? Then they could do some searches and read some threads while they wait, rather than having them forget about it and never come back?

I like the (original) idea, though I suspect many won't because of the attitude that this forum should be heading in the direction of a cross between an A/V auto trader, and the idiot's guide to turning on the tv!

Many newbies join the forum just to get a question answered. They login, skim the forum to see the level of expertise and ask the question. It never even enters there head to search the topic first, or they do do a search but fail to find anything. (I can relate to that - I had a question on 6.1 and of course searching on 6.1 finds nothing). One has to think laterally and get the right keyword like "surrounds" or something.

I know you don't like to hear this but I think the search engine could be improved. There are tricks to using it effectively. Most newbies, unless they have experience on other forums, are going to fail miserably when they try to use it the first time.

Not just for newbies, we need a pinned thread or help topic that is dedicated to using the search engine with specific examples. Albonau's FAQ goes some way down this track but showing the keywords to use and how to use them.

Will the 2 and 3 character problem be addressed?

I don't think banning newbies from starting a topic will work because then they will not join. On the other hand I only just noticed today how many unregistered guest there are. Which suggests a high level of reading going on without joining. (Edit: As I re-read this I'm starting to change my mind on this - perhaps a small time limit is worthwhile. OR could there be a pop-up in bold red asking HAVE YOU SEARCHED THIS SUBJECT before starting a new thread (maybe for the first 5 or so threads))/

I will update the etiquette list I have in the pinned thread when I get a minute as there are a couple of things that came up in the last few days that probably should be added. (And 'shame faced' I have to admit I took am guilty of taking a thread OT today!).

Hopefully I have not drifted off here.

Am I being silly, but could we turn our signatures off for this sub-forum?

Edited February 24, 200620 yr by Lyle

I think a reply email when people register taking them to the etiquette page is a good idea.

AVS forum does not let you post an internet link for the first few number of posts. Think that is a good idea for here - will stop those spammers.

Don't think we should stop newbies from startign a thread.

I do agree though it is frustrating when you put some effort in answering someones question and then find you never ever hear from them again.

I find it really frustrating the ofrums search capabilities as mentioned by lyle. We really should be able to search for 2-3 charecter words.

Having a Google search page could help immensely with finding 2-3 character words. Kinda like this:

http://www.overclockers.com.au/search/

All it does is take the search term and automatically add the site for you. In this case, let's say I want to search for ABC. In Google, you'd type:

ABC site:http://www.dtvforum.info

Having the Google search page like above would add the site: part for you.

I guess this is the right place to post this one in relation to ettiquette.

I think that the space allowed for the signature area in posts should be strictly limited (perhaps 2 lines at the most. Given high frequency posters have signature blocks that typically comprise 50% of the total post space (sorry Santa - no pressies I guess this year) it just makes navigating around that bit more tedious than it need be.

Maybe it can be a single line and allow hyperlinks to a much larger range of information if it is seen to be desirable or needed.

It is of course appropriate that the signature block contain a declaration which identifies a pecuniary or commercial interest

Edited February 25, 200620 yr by murrayt

I guess this is the right place to post this one in relation to ettiquette.

I think that the space allowed for the signature area in posts should be strictly limited (perhaps 2 lines at the most. Given high frequency posters have signature blocks that typically comprise 50% of the total post space (sorry Santa - no pressies I guess this year) it just makes navigating around that bit more tedious than it need be.

Maybe it can be a single line and allow hyperlinks to a much larger range of information if it is seen to be desirable or needed.

It is of course appropriate that the signature block contain a declaration which identifies a pecuniary or commercial interest

agree on this one two. a few lines allowing links to say user info that has more info such as interestes system details and what not. half page signatures are jsut plain ridiculous

Agree 100% totally to on the "declaration which identifies a pecuniary or commercial interest" which really wish could be made madatory on this forum.

too often people post and then it dawns on you that they are jsut a bit biased given their commercial interests. Often too if they don't say - you don't realise, not very good in my opinion.

I used to be a bit of a ultra-long-signature-hater ... especially when combined (in the case of a well-known poster! ) with obligatory verbatim quotations of the prior post(s)...

Now, just for you ... I've pruned my sig a bit. (BTW: It only really grew so bloated recently when I added the HT(PC) section).

If you could use even simple html table formatting, it would cut down the size even more!

Personally, I think my signature is the max size that you would want to have. A field in the profile information would be better for the masses of HT systems/sillyness.

I would of course prefer something about 4-5 lines max and 2-3 lines min.

I like my sig. Thats why I use it!

anyway we can have more info able to be listed under user info

eg system details such as listed by santa

that was can jsut have a few lines in the sig rather than try and cram all the system info in the sig as santa has done.

have a look at HTguide forum - thats how they do it there.

I think that the space allowed for the signature area in posts should be strictly limited (perhaps 2 lines at the most. Given high frequency posters have signature blocks that typically comprise 50% of the total post space (sorry Santa - no pressies I guess this year) it just makes navigating around that bit more tedious than it need be.

Maybe it can be a single line and allow hyperlinks to a much larger range of information if it is seen to be desirable or needed.

I have come to really hate these long signatures. When a discussion is going on they get repeated over and over again and become a huge clutter to a thread. If there was a limit I could certainly cut mine down.

What if there was a way, like in emails, where the first post in a thread allowed the signature but all subsequent ones didn't? I imagine that that would be very hard to implement?

Probably just restricting it is best. Even 4 lines would make a huge difference to the impact.

Should we have a poll on how many lines should be allowed.

Only joking.

You can turn sigs off

You can turn sigs off

I have in these discussion threads. And in the spirit of what I've been saying I've shortened mine.

Oh I see what you mean, I can turn off everyones, right? I actually enjoy reading them. It's a kind of sharing of information, don't you think.

I just don't think they need to be quite so long.

You can turn sigs off

Nominated for Post of the Century.

Read & weep.

End of signature size arguments.

!

Nominated for Post of the Century.

Read & weep.

End of signature size arguments.

!

ps santa all that equipment listing is crowding the political statements and cramping the true Santa style !

hehehe lets just edit your sig for you santa

Ho Ho Hooooo Santa!

Will the last to leave please turn off the analogue...

Forewarned is antibrachiumed! You can't take the lies out of pollies.

Clueless apologists for unaccountable governments are the real traitors to their country.

~zipped->Link

4 lines there you go and create yourself a santa blog where you can empty out your exploded heads contents !

ps santa all that equipment listing is crowding the political statements and cramping the true Santa style !

hehehe lets just edit your sig for you santa

4 lines there you go and create yourself a santa blog where you can empty out your exploded heads contents !

Yeah .. I was actually planning on that, but thought I might leave the stuff in for the moment, whilst the debate raged!

(The gear list was only supposed to be temporary, mainly put there in case anyone was interested in specifics with the new PC, after the 'head saga! )

Might be a good idea to not allow "Missed Chasers War on Everything, could you send it to me" type posts as it could land DBA in trouble for promoting this practice when it is currently illegal to do (and most likely will stay illegal as it isn't recording for personal use anymore and gets into distribution (especially when any form of money is exchanged (even if it is for the cost of media)).

When someone registers they should be

1. notified of their legal responsibility:

"Considering the real-time nature of this message board, it is impossible for DBA to review messages or confirm the validity of information posted. Please remember that DBA does not actively monitor the contents of posted messages and is not responsible for any messages posted. That legal responsibility remains with the forum member who is the author of the message.

Any matter deemed illegal will be referred to the relevant authorities if warranted.

Misuse of the forum should be reported to DBA using the reporting facility available on each forum message."

2. made aware of the rules of the forum:

Misuse of your account by being an annoyance or hindering the experience of other forum members is not acceptable. Such misuse may include, but is not limited to:

• No gratuitous advertising, that is advertising that is not called for in context of the forum
  
• Spamming (malicious or not) any forum or subforum;
  
• Misuse of the Private Messaging System and/or Email System;
  
• Harassment of other members;
  
• Continually ignoring the description of a forum. That is, posting non-related threads in non-related forums.
  

3. advised of etiquette when paticipating in any forum

This is where Lyle's list is added

• Read and adhere to the rules and guidelines of the forum and the forum terms and conditions.
  
• Never use UPPER CASE. It's considered shouting and rude.[/size]
  
• Read the help and FAQ's. Links are here for help, here for posting, and here for my assistant and here for Searching topics and posts and here topic options
  
• Search before posting a new topic to make sure it has not been posted before
  
• Learn the differences and use appropriately the "Reply, Fast Reply and Add Reply" options
  
• When replying to a previous post, delete all the unnecessary bumf from the previous message. There is nothing worse than seeing a huge text repeated over and over again in each succeeding message. If none of the text is relevant use "Fast Reply" (It helps to have it enabled in your profile).
  
• Consider including your location (Suburb/Town) in your profile (it helps people make the correct and relevant reply).
  
• Learn how to use the "link" features when posting.
  
• Report abusive and unsuitable posts to the moderators
  
• Ask the moderators to "sticky" or "pin" relevant threads (eg Pinned Example here). They may refuse but you can ask anyway. Polls are not stickied (pinned).
  
• Learn the acronyms of the forum (there is a thread on this here).
  
• Keep your signature short.
  
• Give new topics a meaningful name (eg "PVR question" is less than helpful. Better is "Brand name PVR problem". Where the "problem" is stated. Use the 2nd line of the topic title to give useful additional information
  
• People should stick to discussions at hand rather than personal attacks as responses
  
• Do not make multiple posts in multiple threads/forums. Place it once in the correct one. (It is easy to make a mistake (I have). If you do just ask the Moderators to move it for you).
  

Anyting to add to each of these categories?

I would like to suggest that a rule be made about new members not being allowed to start a new thread until they have reached a certain number of posts or perhaps after a set period of time (say two weeks) they have been members

There are too many register, post once and run type of threads, some of these threads would be obviated by the suggestion (elsewhere) for a section specific FAQ.

I've thought a lot about this for the last couple of weeks and it is now my opinion that I agree 100%. I think the limit should be based on both time and number of posts (5, like I think Foghorn suggested, is not a bad number). In fact I think the based on number of posts is the better option because it will force newbies to do searches or find a relevant thread.

If someone tries to make a post before that time or number, perhaps they could receive a prompt asking them if they have done a search?

Would this be hard to implement?

When someone registers they should be

1. notified of their legal responsibility:

2. made aware of the rules of the forum:

3. advised of etiquette when paticipating in any forum

Anyting to add to each of these categories?

That is a very good start. Mabe reminded to do searches before posting and advised of the limits suggested by me above.