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---The Universal Rules of Forums---
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Public forums are a battlefield if you're a newbie (term defined loosely).  If you want to get to the point where you no 
longer have to watch every post you make, then you need to adhere to the rules I'm giving here.

What happens if you don't?  Two things.

1.  You will be FLAMED.  Badly.  I don't like flaming and most board moderators don't either, but if you break any of these 
rules, it's going to happen.  There is no shield that can prevent you from flaming, and flaming is a part of a vast number 
of public forums.  You break these rules, you will be flamed.

2.  You will be considered a newbie.  If you hope on losing your newbie status, then you shouldn't break these rules.  Not 
breaking them will leave you open to judgement.  Breaking them will greatly prolong your newbieness.


And the rules are...

RULE 1 - Don't be an idiot.

Probably the most difficult rule to understand.  It can be summed up as follows:  make sure what you're about to post isn't 
something that you might regret posting.


RULE 2 - Use good grammar.

This counts for a lot more than you'd think.  If you're incapable of using good grammar, either a) explain the situation or 
b) learn English.  If English is your native language and you have trouble with basic grammar, well, learn English.  It's a 
handy life skill.


RULE 3 - Don't piss off the veterans.

There will be people on the board who've been there a lot longer than you and who've spent more time there.  These are 
veterans.  Don't make them angry.  The next few rules deal with things you should avoid doing.


RULE 4 - Don't get angry.

If something facilitates your anger, try not to give in to it.  Veterans can generally empathize with each other so if one 
makes you mad, you're facing being flamed by the horde.


RULE 5 - Don't insult anyone.

Unless they're a n00b (read: total moron), don't insult anyone.  Especially not veterans.  A playful insult is still an 
insult, and others might not see it as such.  See rule 6.


RULE 6 - Take what you dish.

Self-explanatory.  If you do something to someone, you should be ready for them to do it right back.  Abide by rule 4.


RULE 7 - Veterans are always right.

Veterans, being experienced with the topic of the board in which they reside, generally know what they're talking about.  
Assume that they are right.  If you're SURE that they're wrong, then extensively research the topic at hand, confirm that 
you're right, and then point it out in a way that won't anger them.

RULE 8 - Apologize, but only when it's necessary.

If you find that you're having to eat your words, give a quick "Sorry, I [short justification]."  Don't apologize 
dramatically unless you've been the biggest ass in the world for an extended period of time.  If you apologize dramatically,
ACT LIKE YOU'RE SORRY.



In sum, if you don't want to be flamed in a forum, you should do three things.  Know what's going on.  Don't make a fool of 
yourself.  Don't cause trouble.  It's really not that difficult and I think anyone would agree that the extra effort is 
worth preventing a flame war.