[MadRiverTurtle]

This is for my own information, I've been a bit curious about this for a while.

BEFORE signing up on WeedTRACKER, how many forum discussion boards were you a member of or how much prior experience do you have? Doesn't matter if you lurked or participated. Just want to know the overall picture. I'm sure a bunch of you were were on Overgrow, etc.

[Medpatient]

Before I signed up on Weedtracker I was a member of about 3 other forums for close to 4 years, in total I would say I have around 8 years on forums.

[The Urban Spaceman]

this is my first forum...
spacey

[alex52]

I think I had like 10 total message board posts for my lifetime before I signed up with WT.


BTW MRT, what's 1337??

[MadRiverTurtle]

i took too long to make the poll, :slaugh: you can select multiple choices.

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by alex52

I think I had like 10 total message board posts for my lifetime before I signed up with WT.


BTW MRT, what's 1337??

LOL its uber hacker talk for Leet meaning the best of the best.

[MadRiverTurtle]

i was making a very bad old joke.

1337 (elite) Speak

A language used by hackers and posers alike, it began in 1993. In that year, only the lightest 133t was used by hackers, just enough so that their web sites would not be found in a mainstream keyword search. For several years, it went on like this, and was relatively unknown.
Then, with the release of massive multiplayer online roly playing games (MMORPG's), a few hackers began to play, and they used l33t in the game's chat system.
Now, several years later, l33t has permeated the entire Internet, being used both by those who are truly hackers, and people who use what they pick up.
133t comes in several rankings, starting at light l33t, up to hard 1337, and finally ending with ultra |_33¯|¯. There is also something that I will not try, and that is known as 'uber l33t,' in which neither letters nor numbers can be used. This is reserved to only the truly great, and almost requires a modified keyboard.

The quick brown for jumps over the lazy dog. (English)

7h3 q51(|{ br0wn ph0x j5mp$ 0v3r 7h3 #42% P09. ( somewhat hard 1337)

urbandictionary

[Lani]

I tried to utilize an amputee support forum, but I must say I'm finding more support here Thanks for being here Weedtracker!

[BabyBoomer]

This was my very first forum ever. Joined a couple of years ago at the age of 61 and brand new to the MMJ community.

And I would like to thank all you "kids" for being so patient and kind and supportive.

Joining WT and learning about the use of cannabis has improved my health immensely (70% reduction in pharmaceuticals). I have grown to love so many of you.

Thank you.

BabyBoomer

[alex52]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

LOL its uber hacker talk for Leet meaning the best of the best.

Ahhh, thanks.

Originally Posted by MadRiverTurtle

i was making a very bad old joke.

1337 (elite) Speak

A language used by hackers and posers alike, it began in 1993. In that year, only the lightest 133t was used by hackers, just enough so that their web sites would not be found in a mainstream keyword search. For several years, it went on like this, and was relatively unknown.
Then, with the release of massive multiplayer online roly playing games (MMORPG's), a few hackers began to play, and they used l33t in the game's chat system.
Now, several years later, l33t has permeated the entire Internet, being used both by those who are truly hackers, and people who use what they pick up.
133t comes in several rankings, starting at light l33t, up to hard 1337, and finally ending with ultra |_33¯|¯. There is also something that I will not try, and that is known as 'uber l33t,' in which neither letters nor numbers can be used. This is reserved to only the truly great, and almost requires a modified keyboard.

The quick brown for jumps over the lazy dog. (English)

7h3 q51(|{ br0wn ph0x j5mp$ 0v3r 7h3 #42% P09. ( somewhat hard 1337)

urbandictionary

That reminds of back in the day when people used to tell full on stories on their pagers. I think I was able to write "hello".

[SemperAltus]

i R 1337

[Au_Hunter]

"im s0 1337 taht i pwn ur @ss n00b! /sigh, been banned 10,000 times?>

ETA...

Well, now that I understand what 1337 is I'm not quite there, but have been actively using many different and innumerable boards.

The frist was the old NewsMax board where discussions were mostly rude, crude and not much fun, but it was like being tossed to the sharks for political discussions.

I'm still listed as active at about three although I spend enough time here to qualify for "I need to go outside" and not due to our plumbing neither...

I attempt to use my very best discression and respect, so I've never been banned from any board.

[Graehstone]

I've been messing around with Forums for nearly ten or so years and have belonged to many as either member, moderator, administrator or even owner of said such.
I am active in several at the moment at the same time, several dealing with Parrots, then some with Orchids (that I grow as a hobby and the wife grows for a living) a Hippie forum or two as well, this one (WT) and several others dealing with MMJ not to mention a Political one here and there that I dabble in.

Thought this might be of help for those that are "fairly" new to the Forum scene.

Internet forums are either a brilliant community where you can meet and chat with new, interesting people, or full of scornful idiots who deserve to be banned from The Net in its entirety. This film explains some of the common mistakes people make in forums, which makes then the sort of loathsome fool no one wants to know.

Step 1: Flame Wars
By-and-large, the trouble with The Internet, and forums in particular, is that everyone gets to be anonymous. That essentially gives them free reign to be as snooty and argumentative as they like. A ‘troll' posts deliberately controversial or annoying messages for the specific purpose of getting a rise out of people and initiating a hate-filled and overly-argumentative thread. The appropriate course of action is simply not to respond. Don't feed the troll.

Step 2: Godwin's Law
Godwin's Law states that “as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.” What that means in real terms is that sooner or later someone involved in a forum argument will be likened to a Nazi, or displaying Hitler-like tendencies. Please note that if you're the one invoking Godwin's Law and likening someone to a Nazi, you've immediately lost the argument because it's such a lame-a** low blow.

Step 3: Fanboys
Approximately 99.9% of all online forums are based around videogames. Sadly, there are several members of the videogame community who have such an overly-fanatical devotion to their particular console that they're somehow incapable of admitting any other system might have good features too. They're best ignored, because ‘Fanboys' are basically a special subset of ‘Troll', and as such are all Nazis and/ or Hitler.

Step 4: Teenagers
Sadly, teenagers are allowed on The Internet too. They have funny ways of spelling and don't understand that proper grownups don't want to put up with their pubescent attempts at ‘humour'. There's nothing you can do about Teenagers on The Internet, you'll just have to learn to circumnavigate them. Not all teenagers are evil, mind. Just most of them.

Step 5: Post Count
Every time you post, your post count goes up by one. Some people seem to think that the higher the post count, the more worthy and valuable they are to society at large. Frankly, the exact opposite seems to be the case; posting just to up your count is insanely annoying, so make sure all your messages add to a discussion in some way. If you're replying in a thread, make sure what you're writing is funny, interesting or funny and interesting. “yeh i agree lol” is not, in any way, shape or form, a valid reply, ever.

Step 6: Respect the Admins
It's their website, and they can do whatever the hell they like with it. You're a guest, and hassling them about how they run things is akin to going round your Auntie's house and curling one out in her tea-pot.

Step 7: DON'T USE ALL CAPS IN YOUR POST
EVER. ‘Shouting' through the written word is pointless and annoying, clearly.

Step 8: Lurk Before Posting
Don't just jump in to the forums spouting off reams and reams your amazing knowledge of the intricacies of World of Warcraft. In Binary. Lurk around a bit first and read some threads to see whether or not that's even remotely the sort of thing people there would be interested in.

Step 9: Keep On Topic
If a thread's all about how amazing a new 2D Sonic the Hedgehog game would be, don't derail it and start talking about something else entirely, like Chun Li's thighs. Make a new thread if you absolutely must.

Step 10: Picture Etiquette
Don't post massive pictures that are wider than most peoples' screens. What's more, don't post massive pictures of filthy grotty porn or anything in case people are at work. Not even the most ardent heterosexual likes looking at boobies when sat near their boss. It's enough to put them off for life.

Step 11: NSFW
What's more, make sure you mark any risqué links as Not Safe For Work, just in case, and make sure doing so is in keeping with the forum's tone. By and large, just remember to be excellent to each other. Be all civil and pleasant. Keep your tongue firmly in your cheek and get a nice thick skin. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! It turns out there's even more annoying stuff people do that we simply couldn't squeeze into the film...

Step 12: Signatures
...should be small and tasteful. Massive graphics plugging something you're selling are a right royal no-no. Text is very much preferable.

Step 13: Avatars
Your profile pic is how people picture you, so choose something good-looking, funny or interesting. Pretty much anything goes, just make sure it isn't ugly or annoying and fits with the tone of the forum.

Step 14: Gravedigging
Old threads are old for a reason, and that reason is that noone's interested in discussing that anymore. Unless you've got an outrageously good reason to do so, leave dead threads to Rest in Peace.

Step 15: Drama
Used properly, The Internet can be a tool for good. If used for overblown, melodramatic weepy Emo nonsense, it's ruined and needs to be scrubbed clean. Learn to relax and take everything in your stride. Noone's on The Internet to get all stressed and angsty, we're all just here for a good time. So leave all your haughty drivel at the door.

Step 16: Smilies
If used sparingly a smiley can emphasize a point: sarcasm comes across extremely poorly in forums – almost dangerously so. A quick winky will sort that. Reams and reams of extravagant animated smileys performing all manner of wacky acts are annoying, and are the sort of thing your mum would do, were she able to use a computer.

Step 17: Read the FAQ and Forum Rules
Because they'll tell you how the community there likes people to act. They're there for a reason.


Now you could have read all of that (and probably did) or you could just watch the film mentioned above and have it narrated to you.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-...internet-forum

I think this should be required reading/viewing for all new members on every board everywhere.

[The Urban Spaceman]

that is a fantastic set of guidelines. and with a nice touch of humor. stuff we all should know - and it's good to see it all in one place.
a good refresher for all of us.
thanks for that G...
much love
spacey

[MadRiverTurtle]

Originally Posted by Graehstone

Now you could have read all of that (and probably did) or you could just watch the film mentioned above and have it narrated to you.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-...internet-forum

I think this should be required reading/viewing for all new members on every board everywhere.

That vid is posted in the New Users, for each intro post I believe. If not, its posted around there.

[MadRiverTurtle]

Originally Posted by Au_Hunter

Except I use my very best discression and respect, so I've never been banned form any board.

like i said, bad joke. i'm not witty, especially in the a.m. plus i wouldn't want bodhi to miss an opportunity to tell me how dorky i am :slaugh:

[BabyBoomer]

Originally Posted by Graehstone

I've been messing around with Forums for nearly ten or so years and have belonged to many as either member, moderator, administrator or even owner of said such.
I am active in several at the moment at the same time, several dealing with Parrots, then some with Orchids (that I grow as a hobby and the wife grows for a living) a Hippie forum or two as well, this one (WT) and several others dealing with MMJ not to mention a Political one here and there that I dabble in.

Thought this might be of help for those that are "fairly" new to the Forum scene.

Internet forums are either a brilliant community where you can meet and chat with new, interesting people, or full of scornful idiots who deserve to be banned from The Net in its entirety. This film explains some of the common mistakes people make in forums, which makes then the sort of loathsome fool no one wants to know.

Step 1: Flame Wars
By-and-large, the trouble with The Internet, and forums in particular, is that everyone gets to be anonymous. That essentially gives them free reign to be as snooty and argumentative as they like. A ‘troll' posts deliberately controversial or annoying messages for the specific purpose of getting a rise out of people and initiating a hate-filled and overly-argumentative thread. The appropriate course of action is simply not to respond. Don't feed the troll.

Step 2: Godwin's Law
Godwin's Law states that “as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.” What that means in real terms is that sooner or later someone involved in a forum argument will be likened to a Nazi, or displaying Hitler-like tendencies. Please note that if you're the one invoking Godwin's Law and likening someone to a Nazi, you've immediately lost the argument because it's such a lame-a** low blow.

Step 3: Fanboys
Approximately 99.9% of all online forums are based around videogames. Sadly, there are several members of the videogame community who have such an overly-fanatical devotion to their particular console that they're somehow incapable of admitting any other system might have good features too. They're best ignored, because ‘Fanboys' are basically a special subset of ‘Troll', and as such are all Nazis and/ or Hitler.

Step 4: Teenagers
Sadly, teenagers are allowed on The Internet too. They have funny ways of spelling and don't understand that proper grownups don't want to put up with their pubescent attempts at ‘humour'. There's nothing you can do about Teenagers on The Internet, you'll just have to learn to circumnavigate them. Not all teenagers are evil, mind. Just most of them.

Step 5: Post Count
Every time you post, your post count goes up by one. Some people seem to think that the higher the post count, the more worthy and valuable they are to society at large. Frankly, the exact opposite seems to be the case; posting just to up your count is insanely annoying, so make sure all your messages add to a discussion in some way. If you're replying in a thread, make sure what you're writing is funny, interesting or funny and interesting. “yeh i agree lol” is not, in any way, shape or form, a valid reply, ever.

Step 6: Respect the Admins
It's their website, and they can do whatever the hell they like with it. You're a guest, and hassling them about how they run things is akin to going round your Auntie's house and curling one out in her tea-pot.

Step 7: DON'T USE ALL CAPS IN YOUR POST
EVER. ‘Shouting' through the written word is pointless and annoying, clearly.

Step 8: Lurk Before Posting
Don't just jump in to the forums spouting off reams and reams your amazing knowledge of the intricacies of World of Warcraft. In Binary. Lurk around a bit first and read some threads to see whether or not that's even remotely the sort of thing people there would be interested in.

Step 9: Keep On Topic
If a thread's all about how amazing a new 2D Sonic the Hedgehog game would be, don't derail it and start talking about something else entirely, like Chun Li's thighs. Make a new thread if you absolutely must.

Step 10: Picture Etiquette
Don't post massive pictures that are wider than most peoples' screens. What's more, don't post massive pictures of filthy grotty porn or anything in case people are at work. Not even the most ardent heterosexual likes looking at boobies when sat near their boss. It's enough to put them off for life.

Step 11: NSFW
What's more, make sure you mark any risqué links as Not Safe For Work, just in case, and make sure doing so is in keeping with the forum's tone. By and large, just remember to be excellent to each other. Be all civil and pleasant. Keep your tongue firmly in your cheek and get a nice thick skin. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! It turns out there's even more annoying stuff people do that we simply couldn't squeeze into the film...

Step 12: Signatures
...should be small and tasteful. Massive graphics plugging something you're selling are a right royal no-no. Text is very much preferable.

Step 13: Avatars
Your profile pic is how people picture you, so choose something good-looking, funny or interesting. Pretty much anything goes, just make sure it isn't ugly or annoying and fits with the tone of the forum.

Step 14: Gravedigging
Old threads are old for a reason, and that reason is that noone's interested in discussing that anymore. Unless you've got an outrageously good reason to do so, leave dead threads to Rest in Peace.

Step 15: Drama
Used properly, The Internet can be a tool for good. If used for overblown, melodramatic weepy Emo nonsense, it's ruined and needs to be scrubbed clean. Learn to relax and take everything in your stride. Noone's on The Internet to get all stressed and angsty, we're all just here for a good time. So leave all your haughty drivel at the door.

Step 16: Smilies
If used sparingly a smiley can emphasize a point: sarcasm comes across extremely poorly in forums – almost dangerously so. A quick winky will sort that. Reams and reams of extravagant animated smileys performing all manner of wacky acts are annoying, and are the sort of thing your mum would do, were she able to use a computer.

Step 17: Read the FAQ and Forum Rules
Because they'll tell you how the community there likes people to act. They're there for a reason.


Now you could have read all of that (and probably did) or you could just watch the film mentioned above and have it narrated to you.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-...internet-forum

I think this should be required reading/viewing for all new members on every board everywhere.

Wow,
I'm impressed.
Great post Graehstone
And note I am not adding my usually five limit smilies.
Very informative.
Thank you.



.

[Justonevoice]

WOW uber school for us dummies lol

I'm embarrassingly familiar with forums.

[Nailhead]

How experienced am I?

1. Member of various forums for about 9 years
2. Have been propositioned to be moderator
3. I am the only person who actually uses this stupid list feature
4. So yea, I do need to go outside ;)

Oh yea, only been banned one time and it was later reversed, and I think typing with numbers is stupid so I'm just a notch below complete geek, unfortunately.

[stanley]

been on the various boards since the BBS days.

Ran a Vietnam Veterans listserve for a number of years (now defunct).

Been a member of literally at least fifty online communities from veterans issues, photography, politics, guns, music etc etc....

Been a moderator on eight or ten boards...

Never been banned. Anywhere.

Edit: I definitely need to go outside...

[Historybuff]

I think all the old WTers will remember, I was a super-moderator on a very, VERY large gaming board (they still have more members and posts that WT) before I started here.

Then again, I've been using the "internet" since before there WAS a world-wide web.

[Misanthropy]

Originally Posted by MadRiverTurtle

i was making a very bad old joke.

1337 (elite) Speak

A language used by hackers and posers alike, it began in 1993. In that year, only the lightest 133t was used by hackers, just enough so that their web sites would not be found in a mainstream keyword search. For several years, it went on like this, and was relatively unknown.
Then, with the release of massive multiplayer online roly playing games (MMORPG's), a few hackers began to play, and they used l33t in the game's chat system.
Now, several years later, l33t has permeated the entire Internet, being used both by those who are truly hackers, and people who use what they pick up.
133t comes in several rankings, starting at light l33t, up to hard 1337, and finally ending with ultra |_33¯|¯. There is also something that I will not try, and that is known as 'uber l33t,' in which neither letters nor numbers can be used. This is reserved to only the truly great, and almost requires a modified keyboard.

The quick brown for jumps over the lazy dog. (English)

7h3 q51(|{ br0wn ph0x j5mp$ 0v3r 7h3 #42% P09. ( somewhat hard 1337)

urbandictionary

Here's something kind of fun a Leet translator. :slaugh:

[b1joy2c]

I answered some experience, but if the truth be known, more than that. Was using the a mac computer in 1982 when a friend of mine said that I would get left out in the cold of life and what was to come in the computer age. Jumped on, and found out it didn't bite. BBS's were fun and I still have a friend that I met there years ago. Although right now he is on my do not call list. Have dated, shopped till I dropped and researched a lot of things and have tried to keep up with it. But in the last couple of years am doing all I want to on it. Serves me well. This is probably the best run site and it is a pleasure to meet the other trackers that I now call friends.

[how4]

This is my very first message board.
Not even much computer experience.
Took a long time to realize I just might have something to add.
And that people might want to listen to me.
What an odd concept.

PS- loved the guidelines