Post by MontiLee on Jan 11, 2010 18:25:36 GMT -5
It's funny, in this day and age we shouldn't need a Rules To Live By section, and yet it's because of this day and age that we need one.
1. Posts which are deliberately antagonistic or inflammatory may be edited or deleted at a moderator's discretion. Personal attacks are unacceptable -- try to remember to debate the issue, and not the poster.
2. If you'd like to post a story idea, stick it under Plot Bunnies but beware - sending it out into the Universe means anyone else might could use a version of it. Ideas are not copyrightable - stories are.
3. No spammers. This means no unsolicited advertisements, or links to items unrelated to the topic at hand. If someone says, "Where can I find a nice blank book?" feel free to post a link... but don't put up links for Viagra, goat porn or Nigerian get-rich-quick schemes.
If you do have a website of your own, feel free to include a link in your sig line, so that your URL will show up every time you post on the Forums.
4. Prosetylization will not be permitted, nor will hate speech directed at any group. It's okay to say "Religion X was a bad experience for me, and here's why" but it's NOT okay to say "All members of Religion X are a bunch of evil stoopid poopie-heads!" This goes for politics as well. If necessary we'll open an Anything Goes board for people who just feel the need to express an unasked for opinion, but I'd rather not.
Also, remember that not everyone here is a writer, or a good writer. This means that you shouldn't assume everyone here follows the same rules (MLA, Chicago Style, Hunt and peck) that you do.
5. GLAHW is not limited to just Horror - we welcome Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy, maybe we'll get in a little slipstream. -- if someone asks you to clarify a statement, to make a general comment more specific, or to explain what the heck you're talking about, understand this is not a personal attack. It's simply another poster asking you to make your communication more effective.
If you present information that is incorrect or false, be assured someone will point it out to you. This isn't out of spite, but because the spreading of misinformation does no one any good at all. If this happens, accept the fact that you've gained some new knowledge, and don't stomp out in a huff because of it.
6. Basic rules of grammar and spelling apply. Take the time to type out "you" and "are." Too much IM/chatspeak is distracting, and will practically guarantee that the more mature posters ignore you. You can also guarantee you will be mocked mercilessly. This is a messaage board of writers and readers - take your time to check your spelling and grammar. You write like a three year old, we'll treat you like one.
7. Hopefully this won't be an issue, but do NOT give out personal information on this board. If anyone emails you and asks to meet you in private or asks for personal information, know that you do it at your own risk. No one from GLAHW will ever contact you asking for this information (generally we already have it). Anyone who wishes to contact you off-board may do so by clicking on your profile. Start treating this like your own private AOL Sex Room and we'll use your liver to wipe our feet.
8. Items posted in the Member's Only Section - Meeting Minutes, Special Events, Elections - are for Members Only. Please do not spread this information around in the general sections
9. Understand that sometimes when a new person arrives in a community, there can be a period of adjustment. It's rather like moving into a new neighborhood -- you don't get to know everyone immediately, and there's always a possibility you'll like some of us and think the rest of us are a bunch of jerks. That's okay, really. But before you start posting anything, it's a Really Really Good Idea to read the Forum FAQs, just to get an idea of what sort of community this is.
If I have missed anything due to sloth or ignorance, blame the person I lifted these guidelines from - but do let me know and I'll add them.
1. Posts which are deliberately antagonistic or inflammatory may be edited or deleted at a moderator's discretion. Personal attacks are unacceptable -- try to remember to debate the issue, and not the poster.
2. If you'd like to post a story idea, stick it under Plot Bunnies but beware - sending it out into the Universe means anyone else might could use a version of it. Ideas are not copyrightable - stories are.
3. No spammers. This means no unsolicited advertisements, or links to items unrelated to the topic at hand. If someone says, "Where can I find a nice blank book?" feel free to post a link... but don't put up links for Viagra, goat porn or Nigerian get-rich-quick schemes.
If you do have a website of your own, feel free to include a link in your sig line, so that your URL will show up every time you post on the Forums.
4. Prosetylization will not be permitted, nor will hate speech directed at any group. It's okay to say "Religion X was a bad experience for me, and here's why" but it's NOT okay to say "All members of Religion X are a bunch of evil stoopid poopie-heads!" This goes for politics as well. If necessary we'll open an Anything Goes board for people who just feel the need to express an unasked for opinion, but I'd rather not.
Also, remember that not everyone here is a writer, or a good writer. This means that you shouldn't assume everyone here follows the same rules (MLA, Chicago Style, Hunt and peck) that you do.
5. GLAHW is not limited to just Horror - we welcome Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy, maybe we'll get in a little slipstream. -- if someone asks you to clarify a statement, to make a general comment more specific, or to explain what the heck you're talking about, understand this is not a personal attack. It's simply another poster asking you to make your communication more effective.
If you present information that is incorrect or false, be assured someone will point it out to you. This isn't out of spite, but because the spreading of misinformation does no one any good at all. If this happens, accept the fact that you've gained some new knowledge, and don't stomp out in a huff because of it.
6. Basic rules of grammar and spelling apply. Take the time to type out "you" and "are." Too much IM/chatspeak is distracting, and will practically guarantee that the more mature posters ignore you. You can also guarantee you will be mocked mercilessly. This is a messaage board of writers and readers - take your time to check your spelling and grammar. You write like a three year old, we'll treat you like one.
7. Hopefully this won't be an issue, but do NOT give out personal information on this board. If anyone emails you and asks to meet you in private or asks for personal information, know that you do it at your own risk. No one from GLAHW will ever contact you asking for this information (generally we already have it). Anyone who wishes to contact you off-board may do so by clicking on your profile. Start treating this like your own private AOL Sex Room and we'll use your liver to wipe our feet.
8. Items posted in the Member's Only Section - Meeting Minutes, Special Events, Elections - are for Members Only. Please do not spread this information around in the general sections
9. Understand that sometimes when a new person arrives in a community, there can be a period of adjustment. It's rather like moving into a new neighborhood -- you don't get to know everyone immediately, and there's always a possibility you'll like some of us and think the rest of us are a bunch of jerks. That's okay, really. But before you start posting anything, it's a Really Really Good Idea to read the Forum FAQs, just to get an idea of what sort of community this is.
If I have missed anything due to sloth or ignorance, blame the person I lifted these guidelines from - but do let me know and I'll add them.
Credit to Patti Wigington who runs one of the best damn forums on About.com for the majority of these.