A Message from the Forum AdministratorIf you've ever participated in online communities such as this one, you know that they attract people with diverse attitudes and personalities, and so there are bound to be occasional clashes between participants.
As stated in the Welcome Message for this forum, this is a "free speech zone" and as the Forum Administrator, I am reluctant to use my delete button to alter or limit discussions in any way. The upshot of that is that it is up to YOU to make this an enjoyable place for yourself and others.
To keep the discussions coherent, maintain some order, and keep this an enjoyable forum for everyone, please keep the following guidelines in mind when posting:
FIND THE BEST LOCATION FOR YOUR MESSAGE.
Before you start a new topic, look to see if someone has already started a similar thread and add your post to the existing discussion. If an appropriate thread doesn't already exist, start a new one on the most appropriate discussion board. More people will find and read your posts, and discussions will be less fragmented,
 USE THE "QUOTE" FUNCTION.
If you are responding to an earlier post in a thread, and others have commented before you, use the Quote function to repeat back the original poster's comment to which you refer.
(You can use the "Quote" button in the original post to repeat back the post in its entirety, or you can cut and paste just the phrase to which you're responding into your new post, highlight it, and click the Quote button on the message-entry screen to surround it with the proper Quote tags.)
 PRACTICE CIVILITY.
There's quite a difference between lively, pointed debate and personal attack. Sniping at each other is unpleasant not just for the target(s) of your invective -- they diminish the experience for all forum users.
TRY TO HAVE A THICK SKIN WHEN READING.
Internet forums are a great democratizer; anyone who can type can participate regardless of their ability to turn a tactful phrase. Before you jump to take offense at something you've read, realize that the tone you infer from a post may not be the tone intended by its author.
THINK BEFORE YOU POST.
Tempted to jump into a nasty argument? Type out your reply and reread it, and then decide if you should hit the Submit button. Perhaps just getting it off your chest without actually posting will be sufficient to cool you off, and a little restraint will help diffuse and de-escalate fruitless, heated arguments.
 USE YOUR OWN INTERNAL "IGNORE" FUNCTION.
If you don't rise to the bait, you won't find yourself on the hook.
TRY NOT TO NITPICK.
Not everyone spels good, tipes good, or knows all the grammer rools.
 DRINK IN MODERATION WHEN POSTING.
You'll read more accurately -- and respond less rashly -- when in a reasonably sober state. And you'll feel so much better in the morning.  
 ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT.
If you're unclear about how certain aspects of the forum work, click on the FAQ link at the top of any page, or write to me with your questions. I'll try to answer them quickly and to the best of my ability.
 MAKE SUGGESTIONS.
If you have ideas for making the board easier to navigate or more enjoyable, please let me know by sending me a Private Message.
See you on the boards,
JS Forum Administrator
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