Critical Eye for the Forum Guy

Dec 8, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Cold Agony of Resolute Vacuum
"Heavy swords for sale. Suitable for most RPG Protagonists. Apply now!"
Join Date: Jan 1, 2008
Location: Elsewhere
Posts: 1973
What is this I don't even?
I'm not one to openly criticize (I tend to do it behind back) persons and policies in power, but in this case I'm going to make an exception. Following is the MiraiGamer.net rules, copy-pasted from the post by Shirofan:

Miraigamer Forum Guidelines

Hello and welcome to Miraigamer forums!

We ask that each of you review the rules of this place before posting. On the whole we are a pretty easy going group, lenient on some things and not-so-lenient on others. If you follow the rules here you should not run into any problems at these forums. Failure to follow these simple rules will open a door to new levels of pain and suffering, the likes of which none of you have ever tasted before in all of your miserable little lives.

The Rules

* I. Personal attacks are strictly prohibited, as we do not stand for the insulting of other members. This includes the use derogative terms and is something that will not be tolerated. Take any personal arguments off the board. [Kidding?]

* II. Be sure to mark all spoiler content with the [spoiler ]no spaces[/ spoiler] tag. No one enjoys having something spoiled for them if they do not wish to know anything to begin with. [Update to reflect the hide tag aswell?]

* III. No double-posting. Use the edit button instead, it's there for a reason. [Mention bumping?]

* IV. Images in signatures should only relate to videogame and must be suitable for a family audience. Signature images are restricted to 500 x 200 (width x height) pixels in size and 150KB. Any images beyond the restricted size will be removed. If you use such an image please no more than a couple of lines of standard size text; if you do not use an image in your signature then please no more text than the equivalent image. Excessively long signatures will be curtailed to sensible levels.

* V. Feel free to advertise your Videogame related site in the Advertising Forum. Advertising of non-videogame related sites is prohibited.
However we are aware that sometimes links will help make a points in posts. Provided the link suppliments the post; and is not the purpose of the post, then the link can be posted in the relevant topic.

* VI. “SPAM”, “Fluff” posts, “Me Too” posts, and off topic conversations are frowned upon here. These kinds of posts lead to pointless discussions and tend to clutter up the board.

* VII. The use of multiple smilies or images in posts is also frowned upon. Please try to keep the volume of images being used to a sensible amount.

* VIII. Threads that are designed to not promote any type of discussion whatsoever will be removed. These forums are for intelligent and in-depth discussion, thus versus style topics or polls are not welcome here. [I seem to see a lot of these...]

* IX. Threads discussing the whereabouts of pirated software, music or anything illegal will be deleted.

* X. Do not ask to become staff here at Miraigamer forums. While it is very flattering to know that you would like to help out at these forums, all requests to become staff will be denied. [Like I would want to - OHAI S.P.]

* XI. The “Have Fun, or Go Somewhere Else” rule. Enjoy it here, or just don't bother visiting. If you're not going to have fun, why visit? It's that simple. [Does this need to be a rule?]


As stated before, we try to be as [too] lenient about things here as possible in that if you make an honest mistake, perhaps posted something in the wrong forum category or the like, we are not going to fault you for it. We are all human after all… most of us anyway. If we see something like this happen, we will just move it to where it should be, no problems. Though if this occurs substantially with a member and we feel the need to notify them about the problem, we will send a notification outlining the problem to them and mention that they be a bit more careful. The disciplinary measures of these forums are more or less reserved for those that are habitual breakers of the rules or those that disregard them completely. [Uh-huh... Like a few who shall remain nameless?]

Spam & Off-Topic Discussion

What exactly is spam? Spam can be anything like a pointless thread being created or a one word reply or something to raise post counts...well, anything pointless is what we are getting at [We have a subforum for this - mention?]. We here at Miraigamer enjoy random blabbing and chitchat, but within certain boundaries. What we like to see more are well-thought out and planned replies, including but not limited to using correct spelling and grammar. Also, no one should feel a duty to reply to every topic they see as soon as they see it. They should instead look at the post and contribute to the discussion at hand if they have something worthwhile to bring to the table.

But rules are rules. We aren't trying to be mean, but when we see spam we have no choice but to attack it. Spam is the one thing we want to keep out of these forums and we'll do everything in our power to stop it.

We would appreciate it if you all would take care in choosing what you have to say in your posts.

Some examples of types of spam we will be looking out for especially:

1. Replying to a question with "I don't know" or something along the lines of not being able to offer anything helpful to the topic at hand.

2. Any post where the meaning cannot be ascertained in one or two readings.

3. Posts where the user simply states a one liner that is along the lines of "Cool, I'll have to try that!" or "Whoa! That’s what I did!!" These kind of one liner posts do not offer much, if anything to the discussion or topic at hand. If you would want to mention something like this as in the case of complimenting someone on something or suggesting that something is interesting to try, by all means feel free to do that. However, please include this in a post that has more meat on it rather than a simple one liner. One liners are much too bare to be welcome. [This is why I lobby for an Achievements and Challenges Subforum...]

4. In such a case where a thread is about to get off topic, perhaps due to a question about something not directly related to the discussion at hand, members tend to try and help and the usual outcome is that the thread will veer off into another discussion altogether. Members should take care to watch out for this and not feel obligated to post answers or help others out when the conversation starts to go off topic. Doing so only digs a bigger hole. Again, helping is not the real issue. If you want to mention something to another person that is not related to the topic, try to set it up so that you can include it so that your post reverts back to the original topic. [Off-topic is inevitable, it seems.]

We hope that members will read and try to understand these forum guidelines. Remember though, we are easily approachable should any members feel they have any questions regarding any of this. [Make it mandatory?]

We will be cracking down strenuously on spam, so we would appreciate a genuine collaborated effort to not create or support spam and off-topic discussion. [Enter the SPOT]

Disciplinary Action

For the most serious of offences; such as personal attacks, deliberately goading another forum member into making a personal attack or malicious spam flooding; then we will be forced to instigate an immediate and permanent ban for the offending individual. [Mention of bots?]

For minor offences then the odd mistake will not be seized upon, but persistent errors from the same member will result in a casual warning; whereby, we will politely point out what the member in question has been doing wrong and advise them on what to do in the future.

Should behaviour not improve after the casual warning then we will be forced to issue a formal warning. This will be a much less polite affair, basically becoming an ultimatum to behave better or be banned.

Finally, should the formal warning be ignored then the member in question will be banned from the forum.

Frequently Asked Questions

The vBulletin FAQ can be accessed at any time at the very top of any forum or thread index. It is full of helpful hints and tricks to better teach you about how vBulletin boards work. If there are any technical questions you have about the mechanics of these forums, please check the FAQ first. If the problem has yet to be answered then you may email Miraigamer staff members and we will try to help answer your questions as best we can.

Registration, Membership and Usernames

In order to post here at Miraigamer forums, you must fill out all of the required fields in the registration form, submit the information and verify your email address by clicking on the confirmation link sent to the specified email.

Please select your username carefully as you will have to put up with it for some time. In extreme circumstances usernames can be changed; but we would require a very good reason to be supplied as to why this is the case. [Is 'my name was too similar looking/sounding to X's name' really a valid reason?]

Avatars


To use an avatar, go into your User CP ---> User Options ---> Change Avatar. Here you may pick a new avatar or change your current avatar.

Avatar file size maximum is 30KB and dimensions cannot exceed that of 100 X 100 pixels. While we do like animated avatars, the only problem we have with them is when they move too fast and loop constantly. These are very annoying and distracting to look at when reading posts, so if you choose to use an animated avatar make sure it has some pauses in between or slow down the frame rate.

The same levels of restriction are placed on Profile Images.

Permission to upload custom avatars and profile images is given to members who have had at least 10 counting posts and have been registered for 7 days. [Highlight this? It's a common question.]

Ranks

Firstly it should be noted that post count only increases for posts made in the sections relating to the specific websites, not those made in the Launchpad section. And that post count will decrease as posts are deleted.

You must be registered to post at these forums.
New Members have the rank of Neophyte Member: they cannot upload avatars, profile pictures, send private messages, upload or download attachments.
When the member has both been registered for at least 7 days and have at least 10 counting posts then they move to the Junior Members rank.

Junior Members can upload both avatars and profile pictures, can send private messages and can download attachments. However they cannot upload attachments at this rank.
When the member has been registered for at least 30 days and have at least 50 counting posts then they move up to the Senior Members rank.

Senior Members can do anything that Junior Members can do, except now they can upload attachmnets up to a total of 50KB per member.
When the member has been registered for at least 100 days and have at least 250 posts they move up to the Veteran Members rank.

Veteran Members have their attachments folder increased to 100KB, their Private Message inbox doubled and can now give themselves a custom rank should they so desire. [Didn't the ranking system get an overhaul?]

Permissions can be increased or decreased on a case by case basis; although such instances will be in unusual circumstances only; requesting increased permissions will in general see a reduction in the permissions already granted. [Really?]

Those associated with the sites in the forums will be given their own set of permissions as a reward for services rendered; all will be at least equivalent to the Veteran Member user level.

And that’s it! As long as you follow the rules here you should have no problems! [What about other people?]

Enjoy your stay here at Miraigamer forums!

Best regards,
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Miraigamer Staff:

Skyewelse (MiraiGamer,Gameflaws)
S. P. Gardebiter (Cave Story Forums)
Darkannex (Zen Gaming)
Shirofan (PALCorner)
[Shouldn't andwhy be listed here?]

Assuming you didn't tl;dr the entire thing, you might have noticed the additon of a few comments. I propose, in light of the changes the forum has recently undergone, that these rules be updated. If there was one thing I would ask for out of this is that every member be required to read the rules - Not that it will change people in a dramatic Hollywood fashion, but it might cut down on early forumlife stupidity (that, and it could stop spambots by having users required to post in a special subforum that they have read the rules before they're allowed (manual approval?) to post elsewhere).

... Just saying.

And as a bonus for boring yourself half to death, I give you a lol:
 

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Dec 8, 2009 at 3:18 PM
graters gonna grate
"Heavy swords for sale. Suitable for most RPG Protagonists. Apply now!"
Join Date: Jul 2, 2008
Location: &
Posts: 1886
Age: 31
I'm pretty sure the rules already have been updated for the reasons you mentioned. The ones you quoted are old and outdated.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 3:21 PM
In front of a computer
"Man, if only I had an apple..."
Join Date: Mar 1, 2008
Location: Grasstown
Posts: 1435
Forcing people to read the rules is sadly almost impossible.

Updating the rules sounds like a great idea, though.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Cold Agony of Resolute Vacuum
"Heavy swords for sale. Suitable for most RPG Protagonists. Apply now!"
Join Date: Jan 1, 2008
Location: Elsewhere
Posts: 1973
wedge of cheese said:
I'm pretty sure the rules already have been updated for the reasons you mentioned. The ones you quoted are old and outdated.
Linkz or it didn't happen. >_>
Celtic Minstrel said:
Forcing people to read the rules is sadly almost impossible.

Updating the rules sounds like a great idea, though.

Is possible.
Just... Hard.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 5:33 PM
graters gonna grate
"Heavy swords for sale. Suitable for most RPG Protagonists. Apply now!"
Join Date: Jul 2, 2008
Location: &
Posts: 1886
Age: 31
S. P. Gardebiter said:
Since the old rules are kinda outdated and a lot happened in the community recently, I will post some new rules:

1. No spam posts allowed. (Including one-liners) Spam shall be classed as any post that does not follow or does not contribute to the "current" topic of discussion (within offtopic discussion) or the the thread's topic of discussion (within ontopic discussion).

2. No illegal material, rom requests etc.

3. Signatures must not be greater than 500 Pixel.

4. Fully coloured posts are not allowed in order to improve readability in all skins.

5. Arguments, debates are accepted depending upon their nature.

6. No trolling (directly attacking a person).

7. Offtopic can be tolerated as long as it follows the flow of conversation, if it doesn't get out of control and goes back ontopic at the request of the thread starter, moderator, or admin.

8. Location names cannot be longer than 30 characters.

9. Reviving old threads should only be allowed if you have something to contribute to the thread's original topic.

10. Use of text over size 4 is not allowed unless the enlarged text is kept under 10 words.

11. Posting in spambot threads is not allowed.

12. Posting in the incorrect section is not allowed.

13. Double posting is not allowed.

14. Do not ask to become staff here at Miraigamer forums.

15. Most of the old rules are still intact, if you have any questions left, read them.

For feedback or anything else left leave me a private message.

It did happen
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Cold Agony of Resolute Vacuum
"Heavy swords for sale. Suitable for most RPG Protagonists. Apply now!"
Join Date: Jan 1, 2008
Location: Elsewhere
Posts: 1973
wedge of cheese said:
It did happen

Bitch please.
My point is that it should be updated on the main rules topic.
So linx or it didn't haps.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM
/end
"Life begins and ends with Nu."
Join Date: Apr 29, 2008
Location:
Posts: 2459
Age: 19
Those are no longer the main rules.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzttttt!!!!!
"Keep on rollin'!"
Join Date: May 19, 2009
Location: On Earth
Posts: 441
Age: 33
diph.php


It also happens to be MORE THAN A YEAR OLD.

Things have MAY HAVE changed since then, which I'd say is a good reason to at least give them a good look-over and update it if necessary. And the main one, which is the one I first saw long before I found the updated one by S.P.
 
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Vanished.
Bobomb says: "I need a hug!"
Join Date: Apr 5, 2008
Location:
Posts: 776
Things have changed?
Like what?
 
Dec 9, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Bonds that separate us
Forum Administrator
"Life begins and ends with Nu."
Join Date: Aug 20, 2006
Location:
Posts: 2850
Age: 33
Okay hold up for just a tic.

The original rules are pretty huge, but they were then updated based on a thread I started a long while back that I'm sure none of you remember >_> I'm not quite clear on what has "changed" since then either and you (Boots) haven't really made mention of what in particular you think needs updating, nor why it matters what thread they're in. A redirect to the Forum Rules page after registering could work well, I mean even I tend to forget to read the rules when I first join up somewhere (not that it's ever done me much harm). That way there'll be no excuse :o

There are differing opinions among the admins/mods on what counts as what, but if anyone has any particular difficulties I'll be more than happy to discuss them with you in private for the time being. That way I can be sure I understand, and if necessary make some choices based on that.
 
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