Posting Guidelines
Definitions
Category - As the first and broadest tier of message organization, a category is simply a group of related forums. Examples of categories include the "This Thing of Ours . . . " and "Sopranos Current Interest" groupings.
Forum - In the broad sense, the entire "Chase Lounge" message board and network of pages. In the narrow sense, each topical category that is listed on and linked directly to "The Chase Lounge" front page. "Sopranos News" and "'Family' Business" are examples of the latter. In most cases, threads are posted directly in forums.
Posts - The messages submitted by forum members that comprise the actual discussion on the forum. All posts are either thread starters or replies.
Thread/Thread Starter - The same as a "topic". A thread starter is a post that starts a distinct line or "thread" of discussion and therefore gains a title and author listing on the index of the particular forum in which it's posted. Threads are subject matter subsets of the individual forums and comprise the fourth tier of the five-tiered message board organization: Categories>Forums>Subforums(when used)>Thread Starters>Replies. Once inside a forum, topics appear in order of most recent activity. New topics can be created by clicking the "New Topic" button. However please read and follow the posting guidelines before creating a new topic.
Rules
1. When at all possible, reply to existing topics in lieu of starting new ones.
This requires readers to
put forth the effort to locate the appropriate threads for their thoughts. The old-fashioned way to do this is to scan the titles of existing topics, reply within them if they address similar points, and start new topics only when the subject matter the poster wishes to discuss is not already under discussion elsewhere.
A much faster way is to use the powerful forums search tool (top right of every page). This tool produces a list of threads or posts containing the relevant keywords, as provided by the searcher, much the same as Google or any other search engine provides a list of Internet pages containing specified keywords.
Also, a list of "similar threads" is automatically displayed at the bottom of every thread page. So there's a chance that if the thread you're viewing isn't exactly what you want, one of the listed similar threads is.
Regarding the dedicated episode forums: short, one or two-line posts, simple questions or observations, etc., are not appropriate thread-starters unless their subject matter is clearly of major import in the episode or series (like a post wondering at the legal consequences of Junior shooting Tony). These abbreviated posts should instead go in the Episode Review and General Comments thread. Start individual threads with substantial posts on important issues.
In all forums, remember that only a certain number of topics will display on a single page. When that number is exceeded, additional "pages" will be created for the topic lists within that particular forum. So when you're browsing, don't just search the first page you see when you enter a forum. Search all pages, which are linked by number at the bottom of the first page.
2. When starting a new topic (after proper determination that it's necessary), fully describe the subject matter so other posters have a good idea of what the thread is about without having to actually click on the link and read it.
This helps readers avoid wasting their time on threads in which they have no interest but, most importantly, serves to promote easy forum searching; consolidated, well-organized discussions; and a lean, uncluttered appearance that makes navigating the board much less daunting and more enjoyable.
Thanks for reading these guidelines. I trust you'll take them to heart.
Happy posting!
July 22nd, 2006 until August 22nd, 2010
