Title: New Guidlines in "Must Read" Topic
Lothlómendil - June 27, 2006 10:09 PM (GMT)
Pinned in the announcements forum is a topic posted by Adsero called "Must read before you post anything!" I have edited it to add three pieces at the end, in red. These three issues have been bothering me for a while and I felt I needed to address them now. The new guidelines say:
| QUOTE |
No speculating answers. Often times members post Help questions because they need a clarification on something that isn't in the rules or anywhere on the board. These kinds of questions need the attention of admins to make a decision about the new situation, and any member posting what they personally think should be done is not allowed. Speaking on behalf of the staff makes our job very hard, because often the speculations given are inaccurate and we don't want people getting in trouble for following bad advise.
No backseat moderating. Backseat moderating is like backseat driving, but done with members acting like they are the board's moderators. Examples include telling other members what to do and correcting them. You are allowed to help other members and give guidance and advice, but please do not post if your sole purpose is to moderate. The worst infraction of this rule is when someone posts for example, in the wrong forum asking for help, and you only post to tell them they posted in the wrong forum instead of helping any. In cases like this, you should first help them in any way you can, then mention that next time they should post in the correct forum.
PM helping is not advised. A lot of times people offer to help new members by chatting with them through PMs or IMs if they have questions. However, some issues have occurred where the member giving help has given someone the wrong answers or advice and ther person asking for help later got in trouble. Please try and only assist members through the Help forum where everyone can see and give aid, and where admins can come and correct any wrong answers. Besides, you get gold for posting in the Help forum. :p |
These 3 guidelines may need a little more work to get them perfect, but these are the three new quasi-rules I have added.
Mazzer - June 27, 2006 10:16 PM (GMT)
Sanzen - June 27, 2006 10:17 PM (GMT)
:( I seem to have done quite a few of those new rules :lol: So I guess this means questions in the Help section can only be answered by admin now? Unless a fellow member has another question?
Lothlómendil - June 27, 2006 10:18 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Sanzen @ Jun 27 2006, 06:17 PM) |
| :( I seem to have done quite a few of those new rules :whistle: So I guess this means questions in the Help section can only be answered by admin now? Unless a fellow member has another question? |
Members are allowed to help, I didn't say stop answering questions :lol: But when it comes to a situation in which you don't know the answer, and you just guess, that isn't a good answer and shouldn't be made. Perhaps I can re-word it to make that clear, because like I said, I haven't nailed down the explanations yet :unsure:
Sanzen - June 27, 2006 10:21 PM (GMT)
Well that's good. But there have been more cases (not only in the help forum) that the replies are not particularly helpful, or as people would say spammy :( Thanks for setting control on it Loth :D
Aslyn - June 27, 2006 10:22 PM (GMT)
LOTHY, THIS IS IN THE WRONG FORUM. CHANGE IT NOW.
:frantic:
Just kidding. Nice adding of rules, I suppose. It's good that this place is structured, helps keep it high quality roleplaying. :)
Lothlómendil - June 27, 2006 10:26 PM (GMT)
Okay, the speculation rule is updated:
| QUOTE |
No speculating answers. Often times members post Help questions because they need a clarification on something that isn't in the rules or anywhere on the board. These kinds of questions need the attention of admins to make a decision about the new situation, and any member posting what they personally think should be done is not allowed. Speaking on behalf of the staff makes our job very hard, because often the speculations given are inaccurate and we don't want people getting in trouble for following bad advise.
This does not mean that you can't post answers in the Help forum, members helping other members is highly encouraged and is a great help to admins. What this rule means is that if you do not actually know the answer you shouldn't guess on what you think is right. If you don't know an answer it is still helpful if you point out places where they can get additional information that is currently available about the subject, but please try not to post your own decision of what you think is right if you don't actually know. |
| QUOTE (Sanzen @ Jun 27 2006, 06:21 PM) |
| Well that's good. But there have been more cases (not only in the help forum) that the replies are not particularly helpful, or as people would say spammy :( Thanks for setting control on it Loth :D |
Indeed, this is the exact thing I'm trying to cut down on. :yes:
Ita the Reckless - June 27, 2006 10:53 PM (GMT)
*falls over* Today is a beautiful day! Finally the spam shall be weeded! Although I do admit that the only times I've ever answered questions in the Help Forum was committing the first spammy offense. :( But I don't care! There are rules about it now!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Mazzer - June 27, 2006 11:34 PM (GMT)
Obsidian Nocturne - June 27, 2006 11:35 PM (GMT)
lol GREAT ADDITIONS! This day really needed those rules :yes: *eyes Mazzer for spamming* XD
Christophe Michaud - June 28, 2006 01:34 AM (GMT)
I see. I particularly like the first rule, although I'm sure I've done that a few times. It makes perfect sense, really. Why post anything at all when an admin is going to have to clarify anyhow? o.o
*walks away*
Ita the Reckless - June 28, 2006 01:38 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Mazzer @ Jun 27 2006, 05:34 PM) |
| *coughsuckupcough* |
What? Why would that be sucking up? I'm personally happy about the situation. "Sucking up" would be if I added something like, 'Great job Loth! You make this forum splandiferous!'
Okay, I'll stop posting. o.o
Amarao - June 28, 2006 01:40 AM (GMT)
Great job Loth! You make this forum splandiferous!
Garath Parradon - June 28, 2006 03:58 AM (GMT)
I'm not sure I fully agree with some of them, but it's no big way one way or another. It is good to see things starting to get on the same page though.