NationStates Jolt Archive

Conventions on Forum Posting, Version 1.5:

Here is a list I compiled of guidelines that I suggest you should follow when posting on this forum. Please note that this is only about the formatting of your posts, not the content.

Also, please be aware that these are only my suggested guidelines, not rules. You are by no means required to follow them.

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1. Please spell out all numbers under 100. Please do not, however, spell out numbers 100 and over. However, please note that this does not apply to any type of computer code (including HTML, and JavaScript) and it does not apply to other people's quotes. Changing someone else's quotes is misquoting (obviously) and it is illegal.
EX: ninety-nine, not 99; eight, not 8; 426, not four hundred and twenty six.

2. When using quotes, please change all italicized words to underline, as everything in a quote is already italicized.

3. Use a spell checker please. I know that in Apple (http://apple.com/)'s Safari (http://apple.com/safari/) there is a built in spell checker, as there is in many other popular browsers. Otherwise, copy and paste in into a text editing application, spell check it, and paste it back. Please be aware, however, that a homemade or freeware browser like "Jim-Jim's Browse-O-Thon--Browse-O-Rama" is not likely to have a spell checker built in, nor is a freeware text editor.
EX: "I think that this is a great, typo-free post," as opposed to "Eye be thinkin tha this i sagreat tipoos gon epost!!"

4. Please refrain from using two emphasizing formatting options on the same word, or, for that matter, even in the same post. This means that you should not use both bold and underlined on the same word, or something like that.
EX: "Don't use bold and italics please," as opposed to "DON'T use bold and italics please."

5. Don't use to many instant message abbreviations please. That means please don't use:
a. lol
b. rofl
c. btw
d. anything along the lines of that
EX: "That is very funny," as opposed to "LOL I AM ROFL!!!"

6. Please, if you are going to post twice in a row in one thread, try to combine your posts, if possible. You should do this even if they are about different things. If something comes to you slightly later, try to edit it into a previous post of yours. This helps reduce strain on the forum, keeps threads organized, and makes it easier and more efficient to search the forums.

7. Do not use too many of those smilies in one post. It can get really annoying. Also, do you really need an icon for your message? Please think your decision over carefully before using these.

8. Don't post a poll in your thread with an insane number of options. Try to consolidate them into two or three options. It makes it easier to decide which option you are going to pick.

9. Please do not use an insanely long signature on every post. Remember that this will show up on every message you post. Do we really need to read that funny quote eight times? Try to keep it short. The signatures have a purpose:
a. it says who you are
b. it says what you have done
c. it should not tell us your life story

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The End



Version History

Note: This version history may not be completely accurate, as it was created after many changes were made. This should not be relied on as fact, as many components may be incorrect.

1.0: Origional version.
1.1: Small typo's fixed. Links added. Added version number. Added icon.
1.2: Type clarified. Typo's fixed. Rescinded sticky request. Deleted afterword text. Added copyright.
1.3: Typo's fixed. Clarified some points. Added version history.
1.4: Clarified formatting and font.
1.5: Spelling error fixed. Clarifications made.
1.6: Not created yet.






copyright (c) 2004 Travis Emergency

I disagree strongly with #1 and #2. Note that numbers can be used in various ways. For instance:
//This demo code is in Java.
//To compile this program: $ javac Demonstration.java
//This program is released by me into the public domain.

public class Demonstration
{
public static void main (String[] args)
{
System.out.println(6*7) //outputs 42
System.out.println(six times seven) //will cause a compiler error
}
}
Also, italics within quotes makes the text in the quotes non-italicized.


However, I also disagree with the idea of stickying this and making it policy. It frankly smacks of "instruction creep". I don't see the need to force style guidelines on people.

Also, italics within quotes makes the text in the quotes non-italicized.
I don't believe that to be true.
Also, #1 was not talking about numbers in computer code, or serial numbers, or the like. It was talking about numbers used to describe quantity.

I do not like this, I do not believe we should be restricted to posting how we want.

I don't believe that to be true.

Okay.

Meh. Think again.

<edit>well, they have some effect....</edit>

How about "please don't post in Technical or Moderation when you are merely expressing agreement, guessing at rules you don't actually know, or telling previous posters that a mod will come along eventually."


Yes, I'm talking to you, Jjuulliiaann ... among others.

2. When using quotes, please change all italicized words to underline, as everything in a quote is already italicized.There is a difference between an attributed quote and an unattributed quote. Attributed (Originally Posted by Jjuulliiaann) quotes are automatically italicized, unattributed quotes are not. As this takes far too long to describe accurately, this rule is an annoyance rather than an aid.
3. Use a spell checker please. I know that in Apple (http://apple.com/)'s Apple (http://apple.com/) Safari (http://apple.com/safari/) there is a built in spell checker,Use of excessive links, especially two successive links of the same word to the same page, should be discouraged.
as there is in many other popular browsers.The most widely used browser (by market share) is Internet Explorer. It does not incorporate a spell checker. Neither does Opera, nor (if memory serves) does Firefox, Mozilla, Avant or Netscape, though some of these may have plug-ins to address that deficiency. However, "many other popular browsers" does not accurately describe the availibility.
Also, please not that this is version one, Also, please note that spell checkers do not correct incorrectly-used words that are correctly spelled. The trained and practiced human eye is still the best proofreader.


There are multiple other things in your initial list that I disagree with (and a few that I agree with), but I'll stick to the factual mistakes in this post. I don't think you've adequately demonstated your case for making a sticky of this topic.

Conventions of Forum Posting, Version 1.0:

1. Please spell out all numbers under 100. Please do not, however, spell out numbers 100 and over.
EX: ninety-nine, not 99; eight, not 8; 426, not four hundred and twenty six.


Way too restricting. This is just going overboard with restrictions. Yea, I understand that in english, we learn that numbers should be written majority of the time, rather than typed out in # form, but still, a lot of people don't know that, seeing as this is a world-wide game.


2. When using quotes, please change all italicized words to underline, as everything in a quote is already italicized.

Again, this may be used in every day life, in the English language, but it shouldn't be enforced on nationstates. On here, it's all about how you present yourself, and how you type things out. Personally, I don't like underlining anything that I say, that is in quotes. It just doesn't look right in my opinion.


4. Please refrain from using two emphasizing formatting options on the same word, or, for that matter, even in the same post. This means that you should not use both bold and underlined on the same word, or something like that.
EX: "Don't use bold and italics please," as opposed to "DON'T use bold and italics please."

Another thing I strongly disagree with. Here's an example:
Secret Communique to Tuesday Heights
"Blah Blah Blah, I'm sending you a secret message."

Again, in my opinion, this just looks better, and I see majority of nations doing so. It's all about personal preferences. One way shouldn't be looked down upon just because someone suggested that it isn't, in their mind, aligned with the English language.

6. Please, if you are going to post twice in a row in one thread, try to combine your posts, if possible. You should do this even if they are about different things. If something comes to you slightly later, try to edit it into a previous post of yours. This helps reduce strain on the forum, keeps threads organized, and makes it easier and more efficient to search the forums.

Again, I disagree. Sometimes, people don't re-check posts after they're read, therefore, missing the EDIT all-together. Can you imagine how hard it would be to read a thread over, just because someone might have edited their post? (depending on the length of the thread.)

8. Don't post a poll in your thread with an insane number of options. Try to consolidate them into two or three options. It makes it easier to decide which option you are going to pick.

Sometimes, you need many options. There aren't always 2-3 answers to something, such as an election poll. Too restrictive man...


9. Please do not use an insanely long signature on every post. Remember that this will show up on every message you post. Do we really need to read that funny quote eight times? Try to keep it short. The signatures have a purpose:
a. it says who you are
b. it says what you have done
c. it should not tell us your life story

Goodness, its their sig, let them do what they want to it. You shouldn't tell someone what they should post in their own sig.


I'm not trying to tear your thread apart cause I know you had good intentions with this. But its just getting to the point where you're restricting every aspect of free-form roleplaying too much.

Nations are going to post however they want, they're also going to use their signature as they desire; this isn't going to be regulated, as is really can't be regulated.

This is simple Netiquette, slightly tweaked, but largely unchanged from when I first started going online, back in 1992.

This isn't anything new. If people don't know it by now, they aren't going to learn it from a sticky they'd never read. I see no reason for this to be a sticky.

Use of excessive links, especially two successive links of the same word to the same page, should be discouraged.
Not true. These are two different links. The first is for apple.com, and the second: apple.com/safari.

Also, these were not meant to be rules or restrictions, they were merely meant to be guidelines, hence the name.

But its just getting to the point where you're restricting every aspect of free-form roleplaying too much.

This has nothing to do with role-playing.

I actually agree with Hack here. Jjuulliiaann, I think you're trying to be noble, but we have our own preferred way of writing. We should be worrying more about the actual contents of the posts, particularly the RPs (ie not Godmoddery) than how they're written.

If you don't like how they're playing, politely tell them to leave (as is your right, to an extent, if it's your thread) or just plain ignore them.

Not true. These are two different links. The first is for apple.com, and the second: apple.com/safari.
I believe if you go back to the version I quoted (before you edited the duplicate from the first post), you'll clearly see three links in a row - apple, apple, and safari.


Editing your original post after the fact (to make it look like you didn't do something you did) is pretty poor netiquette, Jjuulliiaann.

I believe if you go back to the version I quoted (before you edited the duplicate from the first post), you'll clearly see three links in a row - apple, apple, and safari.

Is that true? I didn't realize. I have made maybe five edits to this since it was first posted and it is possible that what you say it true. I have corrected so many typos that I don't really remember. OK. Sorry about that then.


Also: I have officially rescinded my request for this to be made into a sticky due to The Most Glorious Hack's response.