We had some reoccurring issues over the past year that need addressed.
Language.
GBO is a family board. Anything you post here should be fit to say to your kids and your Grandmother. If not, don’t post it. Certain words and phrases have been banned. The banned word or phrases if entered in a post will show as some other acceptable word, phrase, (censored word) or asterisks. Do not post alternative spellings or formatting to avoid the banned word list. Find a better word or accept the banned word list alternative. If I find you are trying to use alternative spellings or formatting to convey the banned word I will remove your post and let Graybeard deal with you.
Flaming
Name calling, ribbing, teasing, chain pulling are only fun if both parties agree to the fun. But it also could be considered trolling and flaming which is prohibited conduct on GBO and can get you banned. It is too easily misunderstood and can be offensive. We don’t need it.
What to do if you feel you are a victim of flaming?
On the bottom right of every post is an icon to report the post to the Moderator. When you click on this button a small window opens so you can report the post. The window is small but you can actually type quite a bit of information in the window. If you click on the window, tell us specifically what the problem is. No threats or innuendos, we aren’t interested. Don’t respond to the post if you report the post. If you do respond do not retaliate. Do not flame back. Reported post messages go to both board moderators, all Global Moderators and all Administrators by email notification. Any of them are likely to respond. Most are more likely to let the board moderators handle the problems. But any of them can deal with the issue.
If there is someone who just rubs you the wrong way, you can ignore them. Under everyone’s user name is an ignore button. Just click on this button and you will never see that persons post. A word of fair warning, if you put someone on ignore and we catch you responding to their post, you will be banned.
If someone flames you, do not retaliate. Report the post or put the person on ignore. If you retaliate you will be subject to banning also. If you wish to argue back and forth, or call some one out go find a school yard or a back alley, but take it away from this board. We will not referee or mediate. We will just remove your post and perhaps you.
Links.
In all the years I have been on the internet there is no subject that creates greater angst. I get more complaints on this than any other subject; on this board and the others I moderate. It is a complaint that constantly crops up.
The internet is just chock full of good information and this board is a good place to share that information. We all don’t have high speed internet connection with wide screen HDTV monitors and high speed super computers. Some folk have old computers, dial up connection and square CRT monitors, and old eyes and old computer skills. It’s tough enough to load GBO and view it with that equipment. To open links to get additional information especially when you don’t know what is in the link is asking too much. Especially annoying is a post that has a topic title and a link and nothing else. So show a little common respect for others on the board.
From now on, I am going to insist on this simple bit of courtesy. When you make a post with a link, include a simple synopsis of what is contained in the link so those with older equipment can decide before they click, if a click is worth the wait. Any post with just a link and no explanation is going to be removed.
If you are posting a link to your photo album, post a couple of key pictures from the album and then the link. That will also help people decide if they want to view the album. Any photo links that are posted as a link and not an image will be converted to an image if possible. If you post a photo link and don’t want it posted as an image say why in your post.
If you start a discussion on another forum and then post a link to that discussion here and don’t explain to us what the discussion is about and why you didn’t post the discussion here also, the post will be removed. I know sometimes discussion starts out and you may not think it of interest and then as the discussion evolves you think of us. That’s okay, but show some basic courtesy and tell us what is in the discussion. These types of post are not looked at in a good light. If the discussion is not good enough to be posted here, don’t link it here.
