Post by ydoaPs on Dec 8, 2009 2:23:50 GMT
Welcome!
In the beginning, TeabagSalad created the forums as a response, and somewhat of a refuge from, the behaviour of the staff at CARM. We have since gone past our roots to become a forum for all to rationally discuss religion, science, philosophy, and politics.
Statement of Faith
We don't have one. All viewpoints and all faiths are welcome and encouraged to engage in discussion. No viewpoints are protected and as such are open to rational and civil criticism.
Site Features
Quote
The quote feature is very useful. It lets others know to whom you are responding and it also gives a sense of context to your reply. Click the quote link in the top right corner of a post to quote that thread. That will place the quoted post within the BBCode quote tags.
Bookmark
This feature lets you keep track of threads from your profile page. Click the bookmark link in the top left corner of a thread to bookmark it. This is similar to the 'Subscribe' feature of most forums.
10 Most Recent Posts
This lets you view the 10 most recent posts; it is similar to the 'New Posts' feature of most forums.
Exalt/Smite
This is used to give a rough idea of which posts are good and which are not. If you like a post, click 'Exalt'; if you dislike a post, click 'Smite.' It should be noted that these are NOT to be based on whether the post in question agrees or disagrees with you.
Rules
As the great Bill & Ted once said, Be Excellent To Each Other. Basically, don't use profanity or be deliberately offensive. It should go without saying, but the proboards rules also apply.
Excessive trolling will get a thread moved to Troll Noms, but that's about it(unless it's blatant offensive behaviour).
Guidelines for Good Posting
Grammar and Punctuation
Please try to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation when you post. It is much easier to understand a post when it is not full of run-on sentences and such. Sure, this may add a few seconds to the time it takes to post, but are you in that much of a hurry? If English is not your native language, and you don't have good grammar, that's fine; we don't bite. Just try to do your best. Grammar Nazis, however, should note that Skitt's Law applies.
Spell Check
Eloquence can be severely hampered by words that don't exist. If you are on the Internet, use spell-checkers or reread your posts to make sure you don't have errors. You can also use the Preview Post function to see what your post will look like, before you submit it. Most decent browsers these days have a built-in spell check. If you see a squiggly red line, try right-clicking it!
Don't Flame
Just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't mean you need to insult them. They may be ignorant, but try not to flame them out of the forum. If they're intentionally insulting people, don't reply; Feeding trolls only makes them come back like stray cats.
Be Coherent
When you reply, try to make as much sense as possible. Organize your post into paragraphs or sections as to make it easier to understand. If nobody knows what you're saying, they aren't going to learn anything from it, or try to reply to it.
If you are going to say "it" or "one" or "they" then make sure we know what you are talking about. "It" is not a very descriptive word and people may get confused as to what you are trying to say.
Don't Spam
Make your replies relevant to the topic. If there is a side conversation going on that is not related to the original post, don't reply to it. Keep everything spam-free.
Give Sources
If you're telling us about a study or a theory that you've heard of, try to give links to a web site about it. If you're the only person saying it, not many people are going to believe you (many people are skeptics). Try to provide good links which support your point, and remember, dictionary.com is not a technical resource.
Linking
When you link to another website, don't do the "Click Here" gimmick. It gives people no idea what you're linking to. Rather, you should make the link text descriptive of what the link actually is about.
Use Quotes
If you want to reply to a specific post, press the "Quote" button on that post. This will make your reply include the quoted text, so users will know who you are replying to.
Don't Strawman
Don't strawman. It is quite annoying and you will lose your credibility, and seriously undermines any argument. The Nizkor Project is a great resource in learning about various fallacies. Learn them, love them, but don't use them.
Read Links
If a user provides a link for more information, and you don't believe them, read the link. It may provide better information for you; if you ignore it, you may be missing vital information that supports their point. Purposefully ignoring it is strawmanning, and nobody likes that.
Don't be Mean
If you don't agree with someone, don't attack them. Tell them politely why you think they're wrong, and give them evidence. Insulting people won't get you anywhere but suspended.
I Hate You
Not everyone will agree with you, no matter how supergreat you are. Understand this, plus the difficulties involved in altering someone's deep-felt views over a text-only forum, and accept it. Don't try to force them into other beliefs.
One Source Arguments
If you can't provide more than one source, don't try to argue that position. Substantiating an event/opinion/theory requires more than just one source, even if the source happens to be the President/Prime Minister(unless, of course, the topic is what that president/prime minister thinks and/or says).
Me So Great
You may be intending to become a moderator by impressing the forum staff your superb skills, impressive vocabulary, witty sense of humor and ability to make derogatory comments to newbies. That's all fine and good, but do it quietly and don't annoy the rest of the forum members.
Hijacking
Try not to hijack a thread and bend the topic to your will. Nobody likes a megalomaniac. Try to stay on topic and keep to what the original poster said.
Pointing Out the Obvious
If you don't think anyone will care, why not keep it to yourself? Posting just for the postcount and not for actual content annoys people.
Acronyms
Try not to use too many acronyms in your posts. Not all of us know what they mean, so be sure to provide the full text the first time, to avoid confusing people.
Editing Posts
Please refrain from editing posts after replies to that post have been made. This will minimize confusion with following threads. Also, it is encouraged to show where you've edited a post if it has been edited to add content( e.g. EDIT: blah blah blah).
Use the Search Function
Before you post a thread, use the search function to see if anyone else has posted the same topic. It's better to post in an existing thread than to start a new one.
Give Sources
If you are asking a question or making a point, give references and links so users can see what you are talking about. If they have context, they can better understand you.
Give Details
When you're asking a question, give plenty of details. Don't just say "my computer crashed, what do I do?" Give use details about what you're asking that will help us answer the question well.
Use a Descriptive Title
When you title your thread, give it a good title that will catch users' eyes and give them an idea of what it is about.
Bad title:
"Help!"
Good title:
"Computer virus. Help!"
Allow Comment
If you're posting an idea, be receptive to comments. If someone criticizes you, don't get mad at them. Take the comment well and, if necessary, reply to them to defend yourself (without being mean or nasty).
In the beginning, TeabagSalad created the forums as a response, and somewhat of a refuge from, the behaviour of the staff at CARM. We have since gone past our roots to become a forum for all to rationally discuss religion, science, philosophy, and politics.
Statement of Faith
We don't have one. All viewpoints and all faiths are welcome and encouraged to engage in discussion. No viewpoints are protected and as such are open to rational and civil criticism.
Site Features
Quote
The quote feature is very useful. It lets others know to whom you are responding and it also gives a sense of context to your reply. Click the quote link in the top right corner of a post to quote that thread. That will place the quoted post within the BBCode quote tags.
Bookmark
This feature lets you keep track of threads from your profile page. Click the bookmark link in the top left corner of a thread to bookmark it. This is similar to the 'Subscribe' feature of most forums.
10 Most Recent Posts
This lets you view the 10 most recent posts; it is similar to the 'New Posts' feature of most forums.
Exalt/Smite
This is used to give a rough idea of which posts are good and which are not. If you like a post, click 'Exalt'; if you dislike a post, click 'Smite.' It should be noted that these are NOT to be based on whether the post in question agrees or disagrees with you.
Rules
As the great Bill & Ted once said, Be Excellent To Each Other. Basically, don't use profanity or be deliberately offensive. It should go without saying, but the proboards rules also apply.
Excessive trolling will get a thread moved to Troll Noms, but that's about it(unless it's blatant offensive behaviour).
Guidelines for Good Posting
Grammar and Punctuation
Please try to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation when you post. It is much easier to understand a post when it is not full of run-on sentences and such. Sure, this may add a few seconds to the time it takes to post, but are you in that much of a hurry? If English is not your native language, and you don't have good grammar, that's fine; we don't bite. Just try to do your best. Grammar Nazis, however, should note that Skitt's Law applies.
Spell Check
Eloquence can be severely hampered by words that don't exist. If you are on the Internet, use spell-checkers or reread your posts to make sure you don't have errors. You can also use the Preview Post function to see what your post will look like, before you submit it. Most decent browsers these days have a built-in spell check. If you see a squiggly red line, try right-clicking it!
Don't Flame
Just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't mean you need to insult them. They may be ignorant, but try not to flame them out of the forum. If they're intentionally insulting people, don't reply; Feeding trolls only makes them come back like stray cats.
Be Coherent
When you reply, try to make as much sense as possible. Organize your post into paragraphs or sections as to make it easier to understand. If nobody knows what you're saying, they aren't going to learn anything from it, or try to reply to it.
If you are going to say "it" or "one" or "they" then make sure we know what you are talking about. "It" is not a very descriptive word and people may get confused as to what you are trying to say.
Don't Spam
Make your replies relevant to the topic. If there is a side conversation going on that is not related to the original post, don't reply to it. Keep everything spam-free.
Give Sources
If you're telling us about a study or a theory that you've heard of, try to give links to a web site about it. If you're the only person saying it, not many people are going to believe you (many people are skeptics). Try to provide good links which support your point, and remember, dictionary.com is not a technical resource.
Linking
When you link to another website, don't do the "Click Here" gimmick. It gives people no idea what you're linking to. Rather, you should make the link text descriptive of what the link actually is about.
Use Quotes
If you want to reply to a specific post, press the "Quote" button on that post. This will make your reply include the quoted text, so users will know who you are replying to.
Don't Strawman
Don't strawman. It is quite annoying and you will lose your credibility, and seriously undermines any argument. The Nizkor Project is a great resource in learning about various fallacies. Learn them, love them, but don't use them.
Read Links
If a user provides a link for more information, and you don't believe them, read the link. It may provide better information for you; if you ignore it, you may be missing vital information that supports their point. Purposefully ignoring it is strawmanning, and nobody likes that.
Don't be Mean
If you don't agree with someone, don't attack them. Tell them politely why you think they're wrong, and give them evidence. Insulting people won't get you anywhere but suspended.
I Hate You
Not everyone will agree with you, no matter how supergreat you are. Understand this, plus the difficulties involved in altering someone's deep-felt views over a text-only forum, and accept it. Don't try to force them into other beliefs.
One Source Arguments
If you can't provide more than one source, don't try to argue that position. Substantiating an event/opinion/theory requires more than just one source, even if the source happens to be the President/Prime Minister(unless, of course, the topic is what that president/prime minister thinks and/or says).
Me So Great
You may be intending to become a moderator by impressing the forum staff your superb skills, impressive vocabulary, witty sense of humor and ability to make derogatory comments to newbies. That's all fine and good, but do it quietly and don't annoy the rest of the forum members.
Hijacking
Try not to hijack a thread and bend the topic to your will. Nobody likes a megalomaniac. Try to stay on topic and keep to what the original poster said.
Pointing Out the Obvious
If you don't think anyone will care, why not keep it to yourself? Posting just for the postcount and not for actual content annoys people.
Acronyms
Try not to use too many acronyms in your posts. Not all of us know what they mean, so be sure to provide the full text the first time, to avoid confusing people.
Editing Posts
Please refrain from editing posts after replies to that post have been made. This will minimize confusion with following threads. Also, it is encouraged to show where you've edited a post if it has been edited to add content( e.g. EDIT: blah blah blah).
Use the Search Function
Before you post a thread, use the search function to see if anyone else has posted the same topic. It's better to post in an existing thread than to start a new one.
Give Sources
If you are asking a question or making a point, give references and links so users can see what you are talking about. If they have context, they can better understand you.
Give Details
When you're asking a question, give plenty of details. Don't just say "my computer crashed, what do I do?" Give use details about what you're asking that will help us answer the question well.
Use a Descriptive Title
When you title your thread, give it a good title that will catch users' eyes and give them an idea of what it is about.
Bad title:
"Help!"
Good title:
"Computer virus. Help!"
Allow Comment
If you're posting an idea, be receptive to comments. If someone criticizes you, don't get mad at them. Take the comment well and, if necessary, reply to them to defend yourself (without being mean or nasty).