Forum Etiquette

[philaquarist]

[reefphilippines]

[Fugu]

This was burried in the PMAS section:





Sometimes people can write something that you may find offensive. Before launching into a public condemnation though, please consider that the person may not have intended to cause offence. It is very easy to misinterpret a post on forums. There is absolutely no need to resort to insults. Respect others' views even if you disagree with them.


When you jump into a forum, do not post any comments right away. Try to read and catch up with what is going on and observe what people are saying. After you feel comfortable and think you are ready to add useful information/comments to the conversation, please do so. If you are looking for certain information you may find it has already been posted within the relevant forum so have a look through the recent topic titles. Using the forums' search features -located within the top menu bar will help you a great deal. If you don't find any information - definitely do post your question.


There are a number of different forums on this site - the full list is can be found by clicking on the 'forum' link on any page. Please use the appropriate forum when starting a new topic. There is also the 'Reefers Pub' forum which is used as a catch-all forum. We suggest you read the individual forums write-ups, which will also help you understand the use of the various forums. If you have a question as to where to post - you can post into the 'Just Getting Started' or 'Reef Discussion' forum - we will move it if needed.


There's nothing wrong with taking a guess - just please state so in your post.


People try to help out - and when they do, it's nice to at least get a thanks. Also - when others search out the thread - it's at least nice for them to be able to see what the outcome was.


Providing advice is much, much easier when we have something visual to go from. If you're using images from another website - please be sure to give the proper credit - Keep advice constructive


Please do not use the forums for personal disputes, heated debates, flame wars etc. You are expected to treat each other with respect in the forums and take any personal disputes to a private mode of discussion off the forums. If you should find that your discussion is becoming too heated or someone is becoming far too passionate about their argument, please take the discussion to private message or email ~ and notify a Moderator or Administrator Move to PM if the subject drifts too far off topic
Do try and keep to the topic of the thread. If you want to raise a new issue then consider whether a new topic is more appropriate.
If you have a unique question that others can learn from, make it a thread rather than a PM


PM's are not public, and aren't of help to other members. Posting the question into the forums will still help you (and will get more input from multiple members) - and will serve to help other members in the future too.

Unfortunately - you may get advice that isn't what you want to hear. It's not provided to make you upset - just the facts. Try to follow the advice if you feel it has merit.


The more you can back-up your 'advice' or 'opinions' - the more people will consider them.
Pass on interesting articles or links as you find them
There are many, many information sources and articles on the web - so as you find good ones - please do post them for the other members of the community.


What is a troll? It's a person who posts something which is bound to stir people up and then sits back and watches as dozens of people jump in and start arguing. Sometimes trolls get their friends to join in or post under different names. Generally they will do anything it takes to get attention. If you see a message like this, please refrain from replying to it ~ and notify a Moderator or Administrator via the use of the AP Staff link at the top right of every page or report the post via the button located at the top right of the offending post. Anyone trolling will be moved into a Restricted Usergroup - and a Moderator or Administrator will have to approve ALL posts before they will display within the forums.


ie. enter your signature, etc. And be sure that you have READ AND AGREE to the site's Terms Of Use.