OK, guys. I have compiled a list of all the stuff we have talked about that we want in the FAQ, and a little bit more. I really liked Mal's idea of calling it a Code of Conduct. There is a lot in Mal's post that isn't covered in here, and I'm not sure in what way we would want to mesh them together.

At any rate, please read through this carefully and give opinions. In a week's time (or longer if felt necessary), I will recompile the list with people's comments taken into account, to make a draft FAQ for community approval.

In my opinion, the FAQ should open with a [i:40d3aeb443]very brief[/i:40d3aeb443] history of who we are and how we got here.

There should be links to threads such as the Intros thread, Album uploads, official threads, Sarge’s Highway Code etc.

Technical questions are answered in the “Board Usage FAQ” which can be accessed from the top of every page. This FAQ is about behaviour on the board and our code of conduct. Questions on technical matters should be posted in the Temple.

All items in the FAQ should have their reasoning explained, but the format (particularly conciseness) needs to be considered for the sake of keeping people’s attention. Is it possible to have expandable subject lines that show the reasoning when clicked upon? Or perhaps the list of rules should be displayed at the top of the thread, and one could scroll down to longer posts that give the reasoning.

First, these are brief summaries of subjects carried over from the old FAQ (* indicates those that I would like to see revised or clarified in some way):

Be honest
Use proper English
DO NOT use multiple screen names
Do not use animated avatars/ banner ads etc
Do not post in character* [color=red:40d3aeb443](We also had ‘do not register as a character’, but what about Rinso, Hex etc?)[/color:40d3aeb443]
No roleplaying/ pool parties etc, except where confined to one thread
Try not to register a name too similar to another member’s* [color=red:40d3aeb443](Can we change screen names?)[/color:40d3aeb443]
Explain your edits
Apologise for mistakes
Don’t ask us to do your research/homework
Change your avatar if asked or you realise it’s the same as someone else’s
Don’t ask obvious questions* [color=red:40d3aeb443](We need to say what the obvious questions are, with links to official threads, the Discworld Novels list etc)[/color:40d3aeb443]
If you are a newbie giving an opinion on an argument, you do so at your own risk.
Use the Search function before starting a new thread
DO NOT start off by promoting your own stuff
Thread hijacking happens* [color=red:40d3aeb443](Are there any thoughts on how this should be dealt with, the ability to split threads etc?)[/color:40d3aeb443]
It’s best not to flood the board with posts when you are new
Change your sig if asked
DO NOT post email jokes* [color=red:40d3aeb443](We should have an official thread for jokes, since some of us like to read them)[/color:40d3aeb443]
Listen to advice/corrections
If you quote someone, name them
Don’t be afraid to ask questions


And now, these are subjects brought up on this board that should be addressed:
The role of moderators
Making complaints about mod activity/feedback
Ranks – how they work
NO TROLLING on this board or others
Rules on banning [color=red:40d3aeb443](I think instant banning offences should be written in bold or red or both.)[/color:40d3aeb443]
No flirting.


These are things that I personally think we should include:
Transcripts of “When Doors met...” interviews
Official discussion groups (already started up, courtesy of CY)
NEW HOW TO’S [color=red:40d3aeb443](Which subjects do we need?)[/color:40d3aeb443]
A statement that this community is still self-policing and that the mods act on behalf of the community to enforce its will.
Which standard net abbreviations are acceptable here, and how often it's suitable to use them.
A statement that we prefer quality rather than quantity in posts.



Once completed, I suggest that we make a sticky of the FAQ in [i:40d3aeb443]every forum[/i:40d3aeb443].

Mrs G
The Garner who cares.