Rules, and the ribbon cutting event

[Gem]

Hi guys,

I've decided to add this forum early into the discussion as everyone seems to be keen on it.
I'd like this forum to be structured with as little spam as possible, and no personal insults please. If the discussion gets too tense someone will step in, or lock it.
In regards to the topics you can choose, keep it PG-13.

That's all!

*cuts rubbon*

I now declare this forum open!

[Hellstromm]

I wish to remind everyone to use the REPUTATION system. It's fun, people like it, and it's a good way of providing agreement/disagreement without having to spam a thread with one-liners like, "I agree" and "QFT."

[Hellstromm]

Hi all,

We're going to be taking the Debates and Discussion (DnD) forum in an entirely new and refreshing direction. As such, many things that were previously accepted will now be discouraged. With respect to all, here is how it is going to be going:

Rule #1 --- RESPECT (give it, receive it, or be infracted --- within the framework of the forum rules)
Rule #2 --- Original Poster (OP) defines the parameters of discussion, within reason
Rule #3 --- Posts must be legible (no spam, no incoherent rambling)
Rule #4 --- No plagiarism (if you copy/paste a portion of an article, cite your source. Note: posting an entire article is copyright infringement.)

We will endeavor to lock threads of this nature:

• Conspiracy Theories
• Religion vs Science Debates (fallacy)
• Religion Bashing (debate is not bashing)
• Science Bashing (debate is not bashing)
• Hate-Directed Discussions

We will endeavor to encourage threads of this nature:

• Topical (newsworthy) issues
• Events that are troubling us as a Human Race
• Events that are troubling the Earth and its creatures.
• Theme-oriented topics (now a weekly event)
• Op-Eds that do not revolve around the lockable issues
• In-depth/esoteric debates

You will find many threads, of recent debate, now locked. Respect the intent of this community and do not restart a thread by creating a new one on the same topic matter. If you encounter any violations of forum rules, send me a report.


Hellstromm
Deputy Sheriff (and I got a bigger gun than you)

[Hellstromm]

A new rule is being imposed in this forum section. After 10 pages, a thread will be locked. This is to ensure discussions remain relevant and fresh. Any attempt to spam a thread in an effort to get it to 10 pages, or any effort to toss in a comment such as, "in before lock," will result in an infraction.

To answer the question: This rule is being imposed after lengthy research on this issue. Relevance, post quality, participation and interest is increased by ensuring a thread is limited in length. In addition, it's just friendlier for new members to the community, as they don't have to read 100+ posts on a topic just to get caught up. Ultimately, community members have had their say by 10 pages, and anything after results in incidents of redundancy, with people who did not read the posts repeating the same ol' arguments, resulting in others having to quote themselves rather than argue the same ol' points.

Let's give it a shot, see how it works out. I think it will work out great, but trying is the true test. All threads over 10 pages, which are are presently undergoing debate, will be locked within the next few days, so enjoy the Debate rat race.

[Hellstromm]

Hi all, just want everyone to know that since we've been having entirely too many topics being derailed, I'll now be diligently enforcing the off-topic rule in D&D.

• Spam and off topic comments will be deleted. This includes comments such as “In before Lock” and one word posts. If you wish to let the poster know you approve or disapprove of their post, please use the reputation system.

Yes, this is a heads-up and a general warning to all you tangentializers. Stay on topic, do not bring up something that is not topical, try not to derail a discussion by imposing your views on hot topics other than those presented in the original post, and make sure if you start any threads that they are specific. Science isn't part of every discussion, religion isn't part of every discussion, violence and sex are definitely not part of every discussion.

If you find someone posting off-topic, do not correct them, do not respond, please just report the post. If you do wish to respond to them, copy their comment and create a new thread entirely. That's the one way to participate in off-topic comments, by making them on-topic.

That's it, stay on topic or be warned/infracted and have your entire post deleted. And do know that even if you have a part of your thread on topic, inclusion of derailing off-topic debate in your post will result in the entire post deleted. No leeway, no holding back, spam-hammer is out. Thanks and you're all great.