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Forum Etiquette

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Everhard
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Forum Etiquette

Post by Everhard »

Forum Etiquette

This topic is intended to help you post relevant and understandable text and photos that do not disrupt the operation of others' browsers (or lock up their computers) regardless of their screen resolution and speed of internet connection (bandwidth).

Do not use All Capitals

Do not use all capitals because it looks like shouting. The doll forum is a quiet room. That applies to topic titles as well as to body text. See Netiquette and What is Forum Etiquette?

Use the Preview Facility

Always preview your work before publishing it. If you have a malformed link or other typing errors, you will see them.

The 'So what?' Test

This forum is not a replacement for your personal diary. It is for communicating to others. When you have written something, ask yourself 'So what?' For example, if you agree strongly with a point of view in a topic titled 'Realdoll bum repair' and you feel the urge to say so with a reply that consists only of the text "I agree," look at it from the point of view of someone browsing the forum:
  1. He (or she) sees the Repair and Maintenance forum has new posts after he last visited, so he visits that forum.
    The browser refreshes to display new topics and topics with new posts.
  2. He notices the 'Realdoll bum repair' has a new post and so he visits that topic.
    The browser refreshes to display new replies. (That might take a while if he has an old computer and/or a dial-up internet connection.)
  3. He then sees that the only new reply is an anonymous forum member (you) agrees with a preceding post.
    What a waste of people's time!
However, a short 'welcome' type of response to a new forum member and/or a new doll is appropriate -- otherwise there is a risk that the person feels he (or she) has done something wrong and, in consequence, gets few replies.

Creating a Topic Title

When you create a topic, expend some effort in making the title meaningful. For example, a topic titled 'Question' will likely be ignored by the person who knows the answer and is willing to explain it, but who does not have time to waste investigating topics with meaningless titles.

Write in Clear English

English might not be your first language. However, it is the language of this forum, so you need to make youself understood.

(Added after input from others):
English spelling is problematic even for those of us brought up with that language. As long as the spelling is reasonable enough that the words are understandable, that seems to me sufficient. (Not everybody has a convenient spell checker on their computer.) However, the spelling in some posts is so atrocious that many sentences are incomprehensible.

Avoid Unnecessary Abbreviations

Abbreviations might be quick to type, but they are often meaningless. For example, a topic titled 'PIB VS RD VS LD' is likely meaningless to new visitors. Even the abbreviation PIB in the Private Island Beauties forum (or RD in the Realdoll forum or LD in the Lovable Dolls forum) is likely to stump new visitors.

Including Photos in a Forum Post

Do not post a huge photo directly in the forum. It renders the topic unreadable on low resolution monitors (horizontal scroll bars appear). At the moment, we think 800 pixels is the maximum width of an image you should display directly in a topic. (However, I am still looking into that, so that figure might change.)

If you want to reduce the size of your photos and you cannot afford PhotoShop or a similar program, I reccommend IrfanView (free for non commercial use).

(See also Large Files farther on.)

If you have a high-resolution image to display that is wider than that, post a 'thumbnail' size photo that links to the full size photo. (There are several topics on this subject in the Help forum.)

If you are posting your newest photo of your doll, add it as a reply to the topic containing your previous photos unless there is something specific about it that needs to be brought to other members' attentions. Consider going one further: If the last reply in your topic was yours, simply edit the reply and add the link to your new photo.

Large Files

An exceptionally large file (such as some animated GIFs) in a forum post can cause older computers and those with slow internet connections to grind to a halt. As a rough guide, do not include an image file larger than 1MB in a post. Use a link instead.

Do not cause sound files to play automatically. That can cause slower computers to lock up. Always provide a link instead so that others with less powerful computers can avoid videos and sound (at least until they have time to spare).

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muzza
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Post by muzza »

Some good, valuable and long overdue advice and guidelines for members.

In other words: I agree - Image

I hope it is read and followed by members.

Except perhaps including photo's in posts.

Yes, for heavens sake don't post large file photos which take a long time to load and overfill the screen. What a pain.
But I see no problem with posting a reasonable size photo, which loads quickly as part of the post, rather than a thumbnail which links to the full size picture and thus requiring additional time (wasting) to view.

Thanks Everhard for the post.

muzza
Ah Love Could thou and I with fate conspire to grasp this sorry scheme of things entire Would not we shatter it to bits and then remould it nearer to the Heart's desire.

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wetsuit
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Post by wetsuit »

hi Everhard,

I'm sure that you posted this in a spirit of goodwill, hoping to improve the overall quality of the forum in general, & to make the experience of browsing this site better for all involved

I am also sure that it was not your intention to offend anyone

unfortunately you have

I am dyslexic, I was born that way & I shall die that way, I have had 40+ years to come to terms with this fact

my last set of "gats" tests put me in the fith percentile for spelling & the ninetieth percentile for grammar

your sugestion that I should seek help befor I participate in this forum is the most offensive & insulting thing I have ever read

it feels like you're saying I need profesional help befor I am aloud to interact with normal people, no amount of help is going to change anything for me
Learn from the mistakes of others, because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself!  (A A Milne)
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Richbeachgoer
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Post by Richbeachgoer »

I think what Everhard realy meant was hey just do your best for what english grammer you know and I am sure everyone on this fiurm will accept what and who you are in the best warmly respects there is. You being a dyslextic was the furthest thing away from Everhard's mind when he made those statements

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haremlover
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Post by haremlover »

wetsuit wrote:your sugestion that I should seek help befor I participate in this forum is the most offensive & insulting thing I have ever read
Dear Wetsuit

I'm quite sure that as long as you continue flashing that onederful avatra around with your lady flashing her flesh, noo-ne's going to consider that anything about your posts displays any inadequacy. From what greets my eyes, the picture is more than adequate.

Best wishes

Harem

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timetraveler1
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Post by timetraveler1 »

hello wetsuit i also agree that i don't think everhard ment anything personal by what he wrote and i to fall into a catagory with how and what i write as i have "problems " and a learning disability or bilities because of it (some memory loss , sleeping problems , etc. etc. ) my writing and eticate will never be good all i can do is the best i can do . heck if i wanted to get picky i could tell everhard i am affended by his name on here and that it makes me feel less of a man ( i mean everhard ?? sheesh !! 8O :lol: :lol: i am of course kidding everyone ) i learned long ago not to take everything in life to serious i will always do the best i can do and thats how it will have to be . :)

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TheConnoisseur
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Post by TheConnoisseur »

Zazakell set me straight years ago about posting too big a picture-
so I thought I had been doing OK since nobody complained to me.

I guess I don't rightly know.

How about making a rule where there is a size limit- say 800 x 800 or whatever
so we do not have to wonder if we are doing bad.
Maybe that way it would be OK to show pictures in a thread.
I really dislike looking at a thread and having to go to a link.
I usually just exit the thread.

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timetraveler1
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Post by timetraveler1 »

what TheConnoisseur you mean you don't go to my links ... why thats , thats ... unspeakable !! 8O :lol: :lol: :wink:

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Post by Debra »

Anonymous wrote:Image



And besides, CAPSLOCK CAN BE FUN TOO!.
Image

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, how did I end up anonymous :?
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Bianca
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Post by Bianca »

wetsuit wrote:I am also sure that it was not your intention to offend anyone

unfortunately you have
...

your sugestion that I should seek help befor I participate in this forum is the most offensive & insulting thing I have ever read

it feels like you're saying I need profesional help befor I am aloud to interact with normal people, no amount of help is going to change anything for me

Wetsuit, could you be kind enough to quote the specific lines in Everhard's post that offend you?

All I see is a post on basic etiquette from one man's perspective with supporting argument, quotes and links.

As is the case with all advice, it is just that. On can agree or disagree - follow the advice or not follow it.

Anyway, no one is being forced to either read nor follow the above advice, although we may start limiting the size of linked photos and animated graphics.
xxxooo Bianca
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flavortang
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Post by flavortang »

Everyone is offended about everything nowadays. I'm offended that people are offended. I'm thinking about calling a lawyer.
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jonnydisco
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Post by jonnydisco »

Fellow dyslexics we need to untie!

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doodman
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Post by doodman »

welll shit i have a itsme kyebord is that a bad thing lol
my dolls are here got love them
http://www.dollalbum.com/dollgallery/index.php?cat=10489

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Post by Barnabus »

8O

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wetsuit
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Post by wetsuit »

hi Bianca,

sorry I dont have a clue how to quote a post, I tried it once & it didn't go well

so copy & paste will have to do
quote;
If you find language difficult, for example if you are dyslexic, try the following links before you participate in this forum:

Guide to Grammar and Writing

English Grammar

BBC Skillswise Words:Grammar

DYSLEXIA HELP

Being Dyslexic
unquote:

that is the section that I have a problem with,

it might seem pretty harmless to most, & even a good idea to some

but if you had been through the same years of abuse & bullying,
all the shame of being continualy sent to remedial classes when I clearly had a higher IQ than the tutor,
constantly being down graded for poor spelling & shakey penmanship when the content of the work was otherwise 100% correct,
being cained on an almost daily bassis for being lazey, when it took me longer that everyone else to copy things down off the board,

my adult life hasn't been a lot easier either so I won't go in to any further detail

any one who has been through that would tell you why it's offensive

dyslexia is a dissability the same as any other & as I said in my earlier post it feels as if I am being told that I should get proffesional help befor I try to interact with the normal people

which is like having my nose rubbed in it
Learn from the mistakes of others, because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself!  (A A Milne)
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