A suggestion about the forum rules

[hciere]

I am new to the forums and have noticed a lot of posts in the critique section that don't seem to read the rules, and then subsequent posts telling the OP to read the rules. Sometimes the reminder isn't very gentle, and I think in most cases it is an honest mistake. I was wondering if there was a way to change the text of the subject line - instead of just " x forum rules ", have "x forum rules - READ BEFORE POSTING " or maybe even sending the links to the rules as part of the welcome message when a new user signs up. Just a thought that may mitigate some of the frequent "rule breaking" and reminders.

[tingeliM]

That's a very good idea.
I admit being one of those who may sometimes remind the OPs in not-so-discreet manner (not rudely, but just writing down the main message and leaving the polite words out). I apologize if I offend someone or spook someone out a bit, but it gets quite annoying at times. And I admit also, that I remember making the same mistake of not reading the rules before my first post
I remember the feeling of getting reminded sometimes when I'm writing these reminding posts, but still for some reason (laziness...) I sometimes don't bother adding those nice words in between. Sorry for that!
The little devil's horns just tend to emerge from my forehead sometimes...

[OsmosisStudios]

The important threads are stickies. General forum etiquette is to read stickies before posting.

[zona5101]

Os has it right...and besides you could have sign offs and checkboxes and a pop-up reminders and there will still be people who don't bother reading and following the rules. welcome to the internet

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The important threads are stickies. General forum etiquette is to read stickies before posting.

+1000

I usually send people who don't read the rules a nice PM as well as a reminder in the thread. I don't understand why it's so difficult for some people to read the rules.

I guess it's the same problem as people who don't read emails. Then these same people turn around and ask you a question you answered weeks or days ago.

I wish there was a way for the forum to pop up a message before you are allowed to create a thread in the critique section where you have have to check a box that you understand the rules. I'm sure there probably is but DPS doesn't have the time / money to implement something like this right now.

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by tingeliM

That's a very good idea.
I admit being one of those who may sometimes remind the OPs in not-so-discreet manner

Are the rules numbered? You could reply along the lines, "Read the rules again, you didn't follow 3 and 7"

That way they know the didn't comply and which they broke. They will be sure to read them all for next time.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

Are the rules numbered? You could reply along the lines, "Read the rules again, you didn't follow 3 and 7"

That way they know the didn't comply and which they broke. They will be sure to read them all for next time.

That's a good point. They're not numbered, and I've often seen where someone has been reminded about the rules. For example, someone posts a photo saying "I took this on Monday, what do you think?" No EXIF, no particular question, etc. So they go read the rules and come back and edit their post saying, "Sorry, I didn't read the rules before. What do you think about the lighting?" Still no EXIF.

If they post from Flickr and have the EXIF available or they have an attachment that I can pull the EXIF from using IExif, and I'm going to comment on the thread, sometimes I'll copy and paste the EXIF for them. But a lot of the time attachments have the EXIF stripped so it's a no go.

Or, they'll come back and post the EXIF, but still leave us wondering what they would like CC on. That doesn't bother me as much, I usually give a general CC of what they could have changed, as well as what I think was done well and looks good.

Okay, that's enough whining from me.

[hciere]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The important threads are stickies. General forum etiquette is to read stickies before posting.

Yeah I know it and you know it but some people aren't regular users of online forums and this is the first one they've ever joined.

I agree with everyone that people SHOULD read the stickies and SHOULD follow the rules, but just got to thinking there might be some practical ways to encourage it through changing the wording and adding the links to the rules in the introductory PM you get when you join.

It won't eliminate it, but it might mitigate it. But it might not... so I'll shut up now.

Just a suggestion.

HC

[navcom]

I asked these same questions some time back. Unfortunately there isn't really a good way to word the stickies...if people don't look for the rules, it doesn't matter if it says "READ THIS OR DIE!!!"...they won't know they are there.

The best way is for a pop up, which may or may not be do-able. Otherwise, we just need to remind them...which can get tiresome for sure. The other problem is many new forum members post images in the critique forum when they really intended to just share a shot with the world and didn't realize there was a SYS section. As a matter of fact, the acronym "SYS" is a bit confusing. Many new folk think it's the technical forum where "SYS" stands for "system" or something and just blow over it.

I always chuckle when I see someone say, "please C&C". Really?? Do you realize the amount of work involved with giving a complete critique without any real direction? It's the main reason so many people end up with zero critiques after several days. Nobody has time to answer without some direction and it seems cheesy to just keeping saying "it's got a good beat and it's easy to dance to".

Another one I like is "What do you think?" Really?? It looks like a cloud to me, dude!

[tuxcomputers]

Change the sticky title to "Why are my posts being deleted (the forum rules)" then just delete the thread every time they post one that does not comply.