Post by Andúnë on Feb 23, 2004 14:49:26 GMT -5
Recently our forums have seen a burst of activity and growth, astonishing for such a new forum, and so few registered members. This is excellent.
However, with this change, there are now issues we need to give thought to. The only thing worrying us at the moment is the proliferation of non-relevant posts, but we thought we'd put up a full set of forum guidelines anyway, in case any of these problems come up in future.
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Ithilien strives to provide a flame-free, spam-free environment for discussion of the Tolkien, our Society at Loughborough High School, and other subjects.
Superficial posts, i.e. posts made for no discussional value, but are fun, will be allowed, but please limit such chit-chat to threads specially provided for this purpose ( e.g. "muck about", or "NJR's bit for very general posts" ).
The content of topics in the two non-general forums should definately try to be relevant. If a thread has exhausted all possibilities for discussion, then let it die. Continue any new trains of thought in new threads.
Please do not post your age, if you are under 18.
We do not preview or approve content for posting. We therefore accept no liability for whatever content is posted to our forums, although we reserve the right to remove any content, which we deem to be inappropriate.
Arguments and disagreements are permitted in our forums, provided they do not descend into exchanges of personal recriminations or subtle attacks and provocations. It is acceptable to be blunt and direct, as when you say, "You're wrong", "There is contrary evidence", "Your information is incomplete", "I disagree", etc. It is not acceptable to disagree by saying things like: "You always think you're right".
It always helps when you are expressing your opinion to make it clear by saying things like: "in my opinion", "I believe", "I think", "I conclude", etc. While it may be obvious to you that you are only expressing an opinion, it may not be so obvious to others. Although it is not necessary to support every statement of fact with a link or citation of some sort, you will certainly strike people as being more credible if you do so. You stand a better chance of convincing others to accept your point of view if you provide complete and well-thought-out arguments. Simply offering sweeping generalizations or statements of fact often invites a contrary reply which may be detailed and filled with citations. Do not be intimidated by the other person. Try not to feel defensive or put upon. If you think the other person has crossed the line, report his or her post to a moderator. Do not respond to provocations, or followup to abusive messages.
Reposting copyrighted material in its entirety without permission from the copyright owner is not acceptable. Generally speaking, "fair use" requires that less than 25% of copyrighted material be used without seeking permission. If you wish to share an interesting news article from another Web site, it is best to post the first few paragraphs and then provide a link to where the entire article may be read. Original creative material such as stories, poems, songs, images, etc. should be linked to if it is provided on the Web. Please indicate you have permission to repost material if you did indeed get permission. Don't falsely indicate you have permission.
The only way to ensure that no one else uses a screen name is for you to register it. The registration system gives out screen names on a first come, first served basis. If you really want to use a screen name that no one else can use, then you MUST register one. Contact us if you have problems registering or feel compelled to create a secondary account.
Links to Web sites which provide illegal content or explicit sexual content are not permitted in our forums. Explicit sexual content includes but is not necessarily limited to images, movies, or stories depicting sexual acts or behaviors, private body parts or functions. Inclusion of explicit language or images in your messages is not permitted.
Profanity is filtered at our discretion. The lack of specific filters does not constitute prior approval to post obscene or offensive language in our forums. Screen names, whether registered or unregistered, should not include profanity or obvious insults.
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That sounded very stern, didn't it? We love you guys, and happy posting!
If you have any concerns or further questions, please feel free to contact either me or Lufa by private message.
Comma.
However, with this change, there are now issues we need to give thought to. The only thing worrying us at the moment is the proliferation of non-relevant posts, but we thought we'd put up a full set of forum guidelines anyway, in case any of these problems come up in future.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ithilien strives to provide a flame-free, spam-free environment for discussion of the Tolkien, our Society at Loughborough High School, and other subjects.
Superficial posts, i.e. posts made for no discussional value, but are fun, will be allowed, but please limit such chit-chat to threads specially provided for this purpose ( e.g. "muck about", or "NJR's bit for very general posts" ).
The content of topics in the two non-general forums should definately try to be relevant. If a thread has exhausted all possibilities for discussion, then let it die. Continue any new trains of thought in new threads.
Please do not post your age, if you are under 18.
We do not preview or approve content for posting. We therefore accept no liability for whatever content is posted to our forums, although we reserve the right to remove any content, which we deem to be inappropriate.
Arguments and disagreements are permitted in our forums, provided they do not descend into exchanges of personal recriminations or subtle attacks and provocations. It is acceptable to be blunt and direct, as when you say, "You're wrong", "There is contrary evidence", "Your information is incomplete", "I disagree", etc. It is not acceptable to disagree by saying things like: "You always think you're right".
It always helps when you are expressing your opinion to make it clear by saying things like: "in my opinion", "I believe", "I think", "I conclude", etc. While it may be obvious to you that you are only expressing an opinion, it may not be so obvious to others. Although it is not necessary to support every statement of fact with a link or citation of some sort, you will certainly strike people as being more credible if you do so. You stand a better chance of convincing others to accept your point of view if you provide complete and well-thought-out arguments. Simply offering sweeping generalizations or statements of fact often invites a contrary reply which may be detailed and filled with citations. Do not be intimidated by the other person. Try not to feel defensive or put upon. If you think the other person has crossed the line, report his or her post to a moderator. Do not respond to provocations, or followup to abusive messages.
Reposting copyrighted material in its entirety without permission from the copyright owner is not acceptable. Generally speaking, "fair use" requires that less than 25% of copyrighted material be used without seeking permission. If you wish to share an interesting news article from another Web site, it is best to post the first few paragraphs and then provide a link to where the entire article may be read. Original creative material such as stories, poems, songs, images, etc. should be linked to if it is provided on the Web. Please indicate you have permission to repost material if you did indeed get permission. Don't falsely indicate you have permission.
The only way to ensure that no one else uses a screen name is for you to register it. The registration system gives out screen names on a first come, first served basis. If you really want to use a screen name that no one else can use, then you MUST register one. Contact us if you have problems registering or feel compelled to create a secondary account.
Links to Web sites which provide illegal content or explicit sexual content are not permitted in our forums. Explicit sexual content includes but is not necessarily limited to images, movies, or stories depicting sexual acts or behaviors, private body parts or functions. Inclusion of explicit language or images in your messages is not permitted.
Profanity is filtered at our discretion. The lack of specific filters does not constitute prior approval to post obscene or offensive language in our forums. Screen names, whether registered or unregistered, should not include profanity or obvious insults.
----------------------------------------------------------------
That sounded very stern, didn't it? We love you guys, and happy posting!
If you have any concerns or further questions, please feel free to contact either me or Lufa by private message.
Comma.