Thread: Computer Section Rules & Changes Log

OK, I have decided to post a sticky post regarding the rules of the computer section, as well as a changes log. Why does this section have it's own sticky for the rules? Well, this section seems to have a few issues with specific things, so I would like to outline these things in this thread. If you would like to leave *constructive* feedback about these rules, fell free to make a post below.

I have highlighted the following trouble spots with this section, and I will add/remove them as I spot different trends emerging.

At the bottom of the thread, I will post any changes I have made in a log. This is so users can see why certain threads have gone/been moved etc.


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RULES
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This vs. That Threads

This vs. that threads are totally fine, but they seem have somehow invited users in the past to spam them. Firstly, you should use the search tool at the top of the page to make sure a This vs That thread hasn't already been posted, before posting a new one. There have been far too many IE vs Fx threads, because users have failed to spot other threads regarding the same thing.

Another problem is spam posts. Many users specify that you should give reasons in their thread, so please do so. If you're going to give your $0.02 in such a thread, give reasons why. Posting things like "Fx FTW", "uTorrent is da best!", or "Vista suks" will result in the post probably being deleted, and if it persists, a mod will issue an infracture. If a thread poster just asks what people use without asking for reasons, then single word answers will be allowed.

If you made a thread that you specified should have detailed responses, but it's getting spammed, PM me and report it.

For more information regarding this, see my other sticky thread -
http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...d-specify.html

Flame wars do happen, and I am certainly guilty of flaming myself, we all do it unconsciously at times, but don't make a habit of it. If a heated debate gets under way, don't turn it into a flame fest. This isn't to say users can't post opposing ideas, or debate, just don't say that people are talking "BS" or they are "Morons".

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Check what threads are already here!

As I mentioned before, there are many duplicate threads, and this just leads to clutter. I am still considering what to do with all the duplicate threads at the moment. You can perform section specific searches, so *search before you post a thread*.



Whether a thread is the same or different as a existing one is a call you have to make when making new threads. If your thread is different to another very similar one, please outline that is is about a different thing to the other one in the thread, else it could get wiped.

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When giving advice, consider the user

Buying a Mac isn't the solution to a faulty Adobe product in Windows. Using Linux isn't the solution for someone who wants to get tips for security specifically in Windows. Using Fx isn't a solution for users who want to know how to achieve something in IE.

If the user asks for advice on a certain product, don't go recommending another product unless there is a good reason. The amount of people who have asked for help and got replies like "Just use <insert product here>" as a response is quite high.

If the user isn't as knowledgeable as you, then give advice they can understand. Today's n00bs will become tomorrow's knowledgeable people, as long as they get well directed help.

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I will add more as I see more issues as I mod this section.

Thanks for reading,
SunSpyda


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CHANGES LOG
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All "ATI vs. Nvidia" threads have all been combined into this one - http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...ti-nvidia.html

All "AMD vs. Intel" threads have all been combined into this one - http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...amd-intel.html

All the debates regarding "Which security do you use?" have been combined into this thread - http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...-software.html

All the threads about posting your hardware configurations have been combined into a this thread - What kind of system are you running

Rules regarding "This vs That" threads slightly changed; see the appropriate section above.

The following thread has been renamed from "what mp3 player do you use?" to "Which music player do you use?", to avoid confusion with physical MP3 players like iPods -
http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...o-you-use.html

I have merged a "Which Fx add ons do you use?" thread with the "How many Fx add ons do you use?" thread. I then renamed the thread "How many / which addons do you have in Firefox?". Most of the posts in both were relevent to the other, so merging the threads will save space.
http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...tml#post222804

A dupe ATI vs Nvidia thread got merged with this thread.
http://www.torrent-invites.com/compu...ti-nvidia.html
However, the newer, shorter thread had a poll in it, so it got merged into the older thread.

A dupe BASIC vs Visual Basic thread merged into this older one -
Visual Basic Vs Basic

I just noticed that the whole entire first and second pages are filled with the This vs That posts.... and a whole bunch of random questions. Wouldn't it be better if we just made a sub-forum for them? And I also noticed that this rules post only has 80 or so views. So maybe we should make new rules for the new subforum and do something so that these rules will get more attention.