A Couple Friendly Remiders...

[Dave]

There are a few things I'd like to address here. It would be appreciated if everyone read this.

Karma System
A few months ago, no one used the Karma system. Now, everyone uses it. That's good. However, the manner in which it is used is not so good. I've noticed people sometimes request for Karma points in their posts (or they make a good post and then ask for Karma for making a good post). I've also heard that people complain when they feel they should have received more Karma than they did, or when they get Karma points taken away. This is not what this system was intended for. The intent was to recognize good posts. And while it's great people make great posts, it's not great that they make the posts simply to get Karma. The Karma system is meant to be a fun addition to the site. I don't want everyone to start competing to see who can get the most points.

From now on, if a staff member sees anyone asking for points, or complaining about something Karma-related in the forums, you will have points deducted from your account. However much you get taken away depends on what you did. If things don't improve in this area, I will just disable the system all together for a little while.

Behavior, Attitudes, Etc.
There's another aspect of this site that I feel needs even more attention. As our staff members have stated many times, this forum is meant to be a place where you can learn about your budgies, have fun, share information, tips, and enjoy yourselves. We can't have that if everyone argues and fights. Too many threads have been closed lately because of arguments. Disagreements are going to occur. It's just how it is. But, you can control yourself when you disagree with someone. No name calling, no SHOUTING, no bad posts. I don't want anyone here to be put down in any way.

If you feel you must argue because that's the only way to solve a problem (which obviously isn't true), then do so using the PM system. We want these forums to appear as friendly as possible for guests and new members. Guests come here looking for information, not to scroll through five pages of two people going at it back and forth.

Speaking of the PM system, bear in mind that you are not to send any insulting remarks via a PM as well. I have received complaints about receiving insulting PMs. Remember that the same rules apply with the PM system that apply to the forums. If I receive a complaint about a bad PM, I will be sure to look into the PM and take appropriate action as needed. Whether it be a warning, a suspension, or even a ban, you will get in trouble for sending bad PMs to other members.

Signatures
Another area I've received many complaints about is with signatures. Right now, all I can do is tell you what you can and cannot do with your signature. But, I am planning an upgrade of the forum software. And after this upgrade takes place, I will be able to set limits on what you can and cannot do with your signatures. This means that you won't be able to save a signature that exceeds a limit.

I ask everyone to review the Signature Guidelines, found in the Forum Rules thread (which you probably should have read anyway after you registered) and check to make sure your signature fits the guidelines.


I think that is all I have to say for now. I don't like making posts like this, but I feel it was necessary as things are getting a bit out of hand here. I like to be a lenient as possible, but if everyone starts taking advantage of our leniency, we will become stricter (and that won't be fun).

[Adottybird]

Sorry that you have to remind us all to behave ourselves!! This is a great site and a fun site to visited and be part of. I hope to obey all or at least most of the rules and Dave you do a great job.

[Meghanxx4]

yes this is ia great site wouldnt want anyone to ruin it. and i had no idea ther was signature limit .:S

[Joey]

I love this site!I would have still been a moderator and kept people in hand lol:p But the enw moderators are doing great jobs...school got in my way and school comes first. Please behave people...Dave is right.:D

[redgirl]

Sorry about the Karma situation Dave, was just curious thats all xxx:)

[zarrion101]

Dave, you have addressed some really important issues on this site and thank you so much for posting that. So members including myself remember that signature limits are: 150px height and 300px width and the rest of what Dave has said. :)

PS: If you have problem resizing your signature then help is always available, pm me of another of staff and we will be able to help you. ;)

[Amy]

Good post Dave, it really gave loads of imformation. :)

[kisses]

Wow. Dave, I feel bad for you with having to deal with all the complaints that must be coming in to you to have to make this post! :( I guess I am blind to things because I never see that there are any real problems on this forum and/ or the way people are conducting themselves :S . Well, hopefully the people who have been complaining will feel justified that you have posted more guidelines. :) And people who are doing "wrong" will keep in line! :D Is my signature too big?? I have no idea how to tell?

[Dave]

Wow. Dave, I feel bad for you with having to deal with all the complaints that must be coming in to you to have to make this post! :( I guess I am blind to things because I never see that there are any real problems on this forum and/ or the way people are conducting themselves :S . Well, hopefully the people who have been complaining will feel justified that you have posted more guidelines. :) And people who are doing "wrong" will keep in line! :D Is my signature too big?? I have no idea how to tell?
It's a bit wide, but since it's height is much less than the maximum, I'll let it slide. :)

[kisses]

It's a bit wide, but since it's height is much less than the maximum, I'll let it slide. :)


Thanks Dave! ;) I appreciate it! :) Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing when I made it! I have never made a signature before!

[Dave]

I'd like to remind everyone here to please read what you write before you post. I came home today to at least a page full of reported posts. This is not what I want to see. I advise everyone to use their discretion before posting. If you feel, even the slightest bit, that your post might be offending, confrontational, etc., please don't post it! This will save everyone trouble in the long run.

If things don't calm down around here (the last few days have been really bad), we will start to issue warnings for every reported post we get. Too many warnings will result in either a suspension or ban. I hate to do this to anyone, but we're left no choice if members choose to not follow the rules and choose not be considerate of others.

If you have a problem with another member, contact a staff member and/or deal with it through PM. The public forums are not the place to argue and dispute. Not only is this rude to all the other members, but it is also unappealing to guests, possible members, and new members.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask (or you can send me a PM if it's private).

[Star]

I've noticed two people in particular who have an attitude. It seems they bring their real life problems onto Talk Budgies and argue over it on the forum. I will, of course, not name anyone it's just something that iritates me a bit. That is part of the reason I'm barley on here anymore, because of all the fights. I'm not as busy as I used to be but that is what keeps me off too.

[redgirl]

Hope you come on more often sweetie, like you used to xxx :)

[Beannifer]

I was just wondering if my Siggy is within the size limits?

I am pretty sure it is, but I just wanted to be absolutly sure :) thanks very much.

[BirdieBabi]

Yes you are within the limits.

[BUUZBEE]

All great rules Dave :)

[Susie T]

Thanks Dave. I've actually been waiting for a post like this from you, it's been a few days coming for sure. About the Karma points.....I was starting to feel like nothing I said matters as my Karma has been sitting the same for weeks....however, that is NOT what this forum is about and I understand that a lot better now with your current post. This is NOT a contest for Karma points, and I for one am not on here to collect such points....I'm just very happy to be here at all with all these wonderful people to talk to. Thanks again Dave..made my day!:)

[Budgiekin]

Well said Dave. I think I can speak for many members when I say that we appreciate you taking the time to address this issue as it is likely one that needs to be brought to the forefront every so often. It is unfortunate that we have some members who fail to really think their posts through before submitting them, but we do have a great team of moderators who do their best to keep things in check! Nice work everyone! ;)

[Rosie]

Sorry to have to tell us off Dave :( But what you said is right.

And may I just say to people who are wondering if their siggys are over the limits, you can check by right clicking on the siggys and it says the size measurements on there :)

[BirdieBabi]

yeah I made a thread about it. You can go look in the "site-related" forum

[parakeetluverr]

Well, Star, you might be talking about me, ELise, and Jen..we've been fighting latley. I try to keep it to the limit on here...but sometimes it explodes because they don't wanna make up with me.

[BirdieBabi]

Ok don't post that. You can't blame it on us. You've been posting very rude lately

[Dave]

This is what I'm talking about. I can feel the tension build between the above two posts. Everyone must re-read their posts before they submit them! It's okay to have differing opinions, but if you feel posting your opinion might cause another arguement, don't post it. :)

[BirdieBabi]

Sorry Dave. :( But when she posts things like that and it's not true, I don't want people not to like me because of it. She has to stop posting that!

[Dave]

Sorry Dave. :( But when she posts things like that and it's not true, I don't want people not to like me because of it. She has to stop posting that!
I understand. Obviously it wouldn't be right for someone to post something negative about someone else (true or not). What you can do though, is report the post and a staff member will deal with it. It's always better to have a staff member delete/edit a post than potentially start an argument. :)

[Star]

I wasn't really talking about Elise, I haven't seen her fighting with you. I understand the part where you guys have arguments at school, on the bus, weekends, IMing each other, ect. because I have fights with my friends often, but I just don't like seeing fighting over bad things that are happening between you guys on here, because I don't think it's fair that we other chatters really have to get involved with it. I really enjoy you both on Talk budgies, you contribute greatly, but I just prefer you guys settle your differences elsewhere togather, rather then argue about it here.

[BirdieBabi]

Trust me I try. I have a bad habit of never giving uo plus I have depression. I really can't control things that are offencive towards me. Which is why I do not do this at all when I'm talking to everyone else since everyone's so nice

[redgirl]

Everyone has disagreements sweetie, dont worry about it, everything is sorted out now isn't it. This site is lovely and friendly and you all contribute a lot to this site like Star said. I like everyone on this site, I love it I feel I have hundreds of friends now on here and its a lovely feeling, and am sure everyone else agrees.:)

[1ncr3d1bl3_dash]

Hey um, srry if this is off topic, but in the past two days there have been some inappropriate posts in the introduction section....i have a feeling it my be the same person, but i dont know, i think somone should moniter it closer for a while because they really are bad

[pal0m1n0]

Thanks for pointing it out. I found one and deleted it, I certainly did not appreciate seeing that post, text is one thing, pictures are another. Ughhh!! If there are others please let the moderators know. The easiest way is to use the report post button. It is the yellow triangle on the far right of the dark blue bar above each post.

[vicks080]

This site has some very strict rules; doesn't seem ryght if ur alredy used 2 type lyke dis.

[BUUZBEE]

gesh, here we go again ???

[Dave]

This site has some very strict rules; doesn't seem ryght if ur alredy used 2 type lyke dis.
I'm sorry if you feel this is a strict rule. To be honest, I don't even consider this a "rule." Rather, I see it as a guideline, as we don't discipline unless you make it excessive.

Like I said before, I understand that many people might already be used to typing like that, and that's fine. However, when you're talking on a public forum visible to everyone, it's only right to at least attempt to post in plain English. As others have mentioned, if English isn't someone's first language, it will make things that much harder for them to understand posts in netspeak.

I'm sorry if there are people who don't agree with this rule. Unfortunately, I can't please everyone. As an administrator, I'm forced to make decisions that might not be liked by the entire member base. In this case, not only did I receive complaints from members (about the amount of netspeak going on here), but I even received complaints from people outside the member base.

[Star]

Vicks, I find it hard to read that gibberish. I don't understand why people type like that, it's so hard to read. I for one, only use that in IM's with friends and very rarely. I have friends on other forums and they tell me they don't even bother reading text like that because personally, they can't.

[BUUZBEE]

its just common courtesy to the other members to post so everyone can read it. thank you dave!

[zarrion101]

I agree Anna. Net speak is for msn, AIM, and yahoo messaging and maybe emails to someone you know but every forum I have visited has a small understanding that posts should be clear and visible to all users. A lot young or more older members may not be able to read it.

The English language was there to be used for reading and writing and speaking. I find net speak a totally different language all to together sometimes.

And yet again compared to some forums this forum is not very strict, I know a forum that doesn't allow avatars, signatures, etc.

[Dave]

The admins feel they're unnecessary, for whatever reason. They're just getting in the way, and no one wants them. Or maybe they're a high traffic site and the signatures just waste bandwidth (which means higher bills for the site owners).

[zarrion101]

Yep what Dave said. I prefer a site with avatars and signatures as I feel it brightens things up. :)

[Budgiekin]

I am in agreement with the avatars and signatures. It really does create a visually pleasing forum, as long as they are within the guidelines and don't overwhelm the pages. It is interesting to see the creativity being shown in both of those items! ;)