- Joined
- Dec 21, 2002
- Messages
- 18
Most of the following are rules and some are suggestions. Using them will not necessarily guarantee that you do not break the rules in other ways, but will help you be welcomed as a polite member of the group.
Vulgarity:
1. The quality or condition of being vulgar.
2. Something, such as an act or expression, that offends good taste or propriety
(American Heritage Dictionary).
This is in opposition to being polite, which is what you agreed to when you registered. "Creative" attempts to get around the language filter are not acceptable. They are an obvious disregard for other members and THR's mission of reaching out to the uninformed and undecided people that we have a chance to better inform on RKBA issues. Such a violation of the principles of civil discussion may subject you to disciplinary action. There are words that are not blocked out by the language filter, usage of which will demean what you have to say and that will lower the level of conversation to the "locker room". The bottom line is, "If you wouldn't say it in front of Art Eatman's sainted Grammaw, then don't say it here."
Don't insult people, but challenge arguments. Correcting factual information or discussing how your experience varies from another member's is very different from slinging personal insults. If a poster has been sufficiently challenged already, don't gang-post them and put them on the defensive .. give them a chance to respond to the first challenge.
Insults:
In the same vein, don't insult others indirectly by posting stories, articles, jokes, etc., for the sole purpose of disparaging a group, profession, state, or country. We have a wide variety of members from many professions, states, and countries; nothing is gained by attempts to belittle them, but a great deal can be lost.
Posting off topic posts: These can range from confusing to distracting to being rude so it needs to be avoided. We see frequent complaints about someone asking about experience or recommendations about an item or product and someone chiming in with something outside of their scope (e.g. get a revolver in question about a specific semi, get a semi in a question about revolvers, get a shotgun in a question about carbines, etc.). If you can't address the OP's question your post may be deleted to keep from derailing the discussion.
"Colorful" stories: Less is more. No one will be impressed at your deft comparison of any action with a firearm with any type of sexual act. You reduce the maturity of the board and firearm owners in general. Also, we are completely uninterested in your sexual exploits of any type. This equates to vulgarity and can result in deletions, warnings, or infractions that may limit your activity.
PM's: Private messages are considered just that. In general, sharing or posting the contents of a private message will be considered inappropriate, unless the message violates the law (containing a physical threat, for instance, in which case notifying staff is more appropriate).
Try to be as courteous in PM's as you would in any of the open forums.
Introductions: You are welcome but not obligated to post an introduction in the New Member thread in the General Discussion forum. You may also include an introduction if you begin a thread or reply to one.
Goodbyes: If you decide for any reason that you will no longer share your time with us here, posting a public goodbye will only make us think you are an attention-seeking drama queen. If you decide to go, do so quietly and with decorum. You may always change your mind at your leisure.
Posting links: Don't post a link to a news article and let it go at that. Please post the first paragraph or a summary of the article. That would help members decide if they want to go to the linked article for the remainder of the story.
It is also considered to be bad form to post a link to a site that requires "sign up" before the article can be read. Only post links that are accessible by all and a description of the article in your own words along with a link. Remember that copyright rules and "fair use" don't allow us to post the entire article or even parts thereof as freely as we used to so until there's a change in the fair use laws or the courts establish limits don't excerpt any part of material from anyone other than solidly pro2A sources.
Please take our low bandwidth members into consideration when posting links to a large file or a picture heavy site. A warning given along with the link will help them decide if they want to continue to the link.
Searches: The search engine exists for more than one purpose. If you have an exciting news article to report or you are looking for information on a particular subject, the chances are very good that the article has been posted or the information you seek is already available. Try a search before posting if there is any chance that the information already exists on THR. Never assume you are the first to the forum with a fast breaking story.
On the other hand, if by chance another member does post an old article or asks a question that has been answered a thousand times in the past, please don't be so rude as to simply say "Try a search". If you don't have useful information for the member such as a link to the old info, simply don't post.
Closed threads: If a Moderator closes a thread that you think should have stayed open please send a civil well reasoned PM to them explaining why you think the thread was on topic or relevant before posting a rant in Technical. This will accomplish two things: It will allow you to express your position on the thread and permit the Mod to explain theirs, and it will prevent you from suddenly having a large number of other members remind you to PM the Mod before posting in the open. If there's no indication about which Mod closed a thread, you should PM one of that forum's Mods about it.
If you're not satisfied with the answer to your PM then you may start a civil reasonable thread in Technical seeking an explanation. Be sure to note that you have already PMed the Mod to avoid having others remind you to do so.
The Grammar Police: If someone has made a spelling or keystroke error, and which of us has never done that, there's no need to point it out unless there's no way to tell what they meant. Asking for clarification isn't poking fun at another member, but making fun of them or correcting their spelling is pointless and mean spirited and is low road behavior. Consider that their contribution to the forum, regardless of spelling and grammar, may be greater than that of the "schoolmarm" that makes no other contribution than picking at spelling.
Much of the above can be summarized by our simple slogan: "Think twice, post once."
*********************************************
We have left this thread open, not for comment, but to encourage any member who has a good addition to the primer to append it. Please don't use this thread for commentary or conversation on grammar, courtesy, etc.
Please note that all additional posts will be eventually deleted. So if your contribution disappears, don't take it personally, we simply want to keep the thread simple. If your contribution is considered to be worthwhile, you will see it added to the primer above.
Thank you,
The THR Staff
Vulgarity:
1. The quality or condition of being vulgar.
2. Something, such as an act or expression, that offends good taste or propriety
(American Heritage Dictionary).
This is in opposition to being polite, which is what you agreed to when you registered. "Creative" attempts to get around the language filter are not acceptable. They are an obvious disregard for other members and THR's mission of reaching out to the uninformed and undecided people that we have a chance to better inform on RKBA issues. Such a violation of the principles of civil discussion may subject you to disciplinary action. There are words that are not blocked out by the language filter, usage of which will demean what you have to say and that will lower the level of conversation to the "locker room". The bottom line is, "If you wouldn't say it in front of Art Eatman's sainted Grammaw, then don't say it here."
Don't insult people, but challenge arguments. Correcting factual information or discussing how your experience varies from another member's is very different from slinging personal insults. If a poster has been sufficiently challenged already, don't gang-post them and put them on the defensive .. give them a chance to respond to the first challenge.
Insults:
In the same vein, don't insult others indirectly by posting stories, articles, jokes, etc., for the sole purpose of disparaging a group, profession, state, or country. We have a wide variety of members from many professions, states, and countries; nothing is gained by attempts to belittle them, but a great deal can be lost.
Posting off topic posts: These can range from confusing to distracting to being rude so it needs to be avoided. We see frequent complaints about someone asking about experience or recommendations about an item or product and someone chiming in with something outside of their scope (e.g. get a revolver in question about a specific semi, get a semi in a question about revolvers, get a shotgun in a question about carbines, etc.). If you can't address the OP's question your post may be deleted to keep from derailing the discussion.
"Colorful" stories: Less is more. No one will be impressed at your deft comparison of any action with a firearm with any type of sexual act. You reduce the maturity of the board and firearm owners in general. Also, we are completely uninterested in your sexual exploits of any type. This equates to vulgarity and can result in deletions, warnings, or infractions that may limit your activity.
PM's: Private messages are considered just that. In general, sharing or posting the contents of a private message will be considered inappropriate, unless the message violates the law (containing a physical threat, for instance, in which case notifying staff is more appropriate).
Try to be as courteous in PM's as you would in any of the open forums.
Introductions: You are welcome but not obligated to post an introduction in the New Member thread in the General Discussion forum. You may also include an introduction if you begin a thread or reply to one.
Goodbyes: If you decide for any reason that you will no longer share your time with us here, posting a public goodbye will only make us think you are an attention-seeking drama queen. If you decide to go, do so quietly and with decorum. You may always change your mind at your leisure.
Posting links: Don't post a link to a news article and let it go at that. Please post the first paragraph or a summary of the article. That would help members decide if they want to go to the linked article for the remainder of the story.
It is also considered to be bad form to post a link to a site that requires "sign up" before the article can be read. Only post links that are accessible by all and a description of the article in your own words along with a link. Remember that copyright rules and "fair use" don't allow us to post the entire article or even parts thereof as freely as we used to so until there's a change in the fair use laws or the courts establish limits don't excerpt any part of material from anyone other than solidly pro2A sources.
Please take our low bandwidth members into consideration when posting links to a large file or a picture heavy site. A warning given along with the link will help them decide if they want to continue to the link.
Searches: The search engine exists for more than one purpose. If you have an exciting news article to report or you are looking for information on a particular subject, the chances are very good that the article has been posted or the information you seek is already available. Try a search before posting if there is any chance that the information already exists on THR. Never assume you are the first to the forum with a fast breaking story.
On the other hand, if by chance another member does post an old article or asks a question that has been answered a thousand times in the past, please don't be so rude as to simply say "Try a search". If you don't have useful information for the member such as a link to the old info, simply don't post.
Closed threads: If a Moderator closes a thread that you think should have stayed open please send a civil well reasoned PM to them explaining why you think the thread was on topic or relevant before posting a rant in Technical. This will accomplish two things: It will allow you to express your position on the thread and permit the Mod to explain theirs, and it will prevent you from suddenly having a large number of other members remind you to PM the Mod before posting in the open. If there's no indication about which Mod closed a thread, you should PM one of that forum's Mods about it.
If you're not satisfied with the answer to your PM then you may start a civil reasonable thread in Technical seeking an explanation. Be sure to note that you have already PMed the Mod to avoid having others remind you to do so.
The Grammar Police: If someone has made a spelling or keystroke error, and which of us has never done that, there's no need to point it out unless there's no way to tell what they meant. Asking for clarification isn't poking fun at another member, but making fun of them or correcting their spelling is pointless and mean spirited and is low road behavior. Consider that their contribution to the forum, regardless of spelling and grammar, may be greater than that of the "schoolmarm" that makes no other contribution than picking at spelling.
Much of the above can be summarized by our simple slogan: "Think twice, post once."
*********************************************
We have left this thread open, not for comment, but to encourage any member who has a good addition to the primer to append it. Please don't use this thread for commentary or conversation on grammar, courtesy, etc.
Please note that all additional posts will be eventually deleted. So if your contribution disappears, don't take it personally, we simply want to keep the thread simple. If your contribution is considered to be worthwhile, you will see it added to the primer above.
Thank you,
The THR Staff
Last edited by a moderator:
Is that from star wars?
