The forum has been covered by trash posts, and despite good negatively net-effects from merit system, spammers have still spammed the forum. Fortunately, there are good users who just don't know how to make good posts. They need to learn from somewhere, so I think it will be easier for forum newbies to have somewhere to begin. I spend my time this weekend to make this thread, and hope that it will help them at somewhat extent.
Local rules:
- Spam posts will be reported
Table of contents
ContentsRead before postingWhich things do you must read?
Search before postingDecide to make a self-moderated topic or not- Decide to use it or not at the beginning, because after creating your topic, you will unable to activate self-moderation option. For some reasons, there are a few boards, in which you can not make self-moderated threads. Honestly, I made same mistakes with my threads and regreted sometimes when spammers join and spam in my threads.
- How to activate it?
You can get it by clicking on Additional Options at the bottom-left corner below the composing box. Tick on the box "Self-moderated". Remember that you is only able to choose it at beginning.
In most sections, you now have the option of marking topics self-moderated when creating them. In self-moderated topics, the OP can delete replies. The option for enabling this is under "additional options". Topics cannot be converted to self-moderated topics after creation.
Make good topic titlesPlease read:
Don't over bold, highlight, paint, glowOver using those effects is likely distracting readers' attention on those effects rather than what writers want to discuss.
Don't over capitalize charactersOnly use capitalization for the first charater, that will keep your title looks more friendly, and readers will be able to fastly skim your title with more time to think of your main ideas.
Use normal capitalization, not "newspaper capitalization". "Thread title style guide" instead of "Thread Title Style Guide". Capitalize the first letter of the title unless it a trademark like "eMachines".
Don't over-modify fontThe fact is mobile platforms display default font, and over-modification on fonts might makes your text unfriendly. I also believe that most of users prefer default font.
Don't directly leave links to dangerous sites, instead use code blockInstead of posting direct link to dangerous sites (phishing, eg.), like this:
https://siteAYou should post the link this way, with code block
https://siteA
Read topic title, OP, a few first and last posts before postingSpend a little time to read topic title, OP is not enough. Users have to spend more time to read (at least) a few first posts and last post in each thread, before posting. If there are answers above their posts, those posts they made are trash, no matter how much time they spent.
Don't plagiarisePlagiarism will cause permanent ban, so it is one of most important stupid things to avoid.
Don't do pyramid/nested quotesPersonally, nested quotes if using without convincing reasons, will result in trash posts.
Edit rather than make multiple posts in a rowUsing edit button to edit your posts, if you want to add more details, and no one reply after your original posts. Making multiple posts like mono-conversation will be reported by users, and your posts will be deleted (rule 32).
32. Posting multiple posts in a row (excluding bumps and reserved posts by the thread starter) is not allowed.
Don't feed the trollTrollers always try to make noise and catch attention from their abundant boring threads (like
this). What you should do is don't feed their trolls, then trolls will automatically tail off over time.
Know how to use draft pageIt is not very helpful, but sometimes you can use it.
Don't post in Spam Mega threadSpam mega threads are spam ones, in which users post without reading. Please read:
If you are good poster or have intention to be a good poster, you should stay away from Spam Megathreads.
Check date of last active day and notice warning messageThreads that are inactive for months/ years (last post made months/ years ago) are mostly:
- Outdated
- Trash
- Problems asked by OPs solved.
- etc.
There is no reason to make those threads lively again. Most of those threads revived by spammers. So, if you are not spammer, please don't do this.
It is the warning message that appears whenever you open the Post Reply page in threads that have not been posted last 120 days.
I got this message in that thread (after clicking on Reply button):
Switch forum software?"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."
When you see this message, it is time for you to reconsider that you should make your post in that thread or not.
Lock after receiving answers and problems solvedTo avoid spammers join party. Lock button is at the bottom left-corner. Click on that button to lock your threads. Most of users forget to lock their threads.
Using patrol pageYou can use patrol pages to check potentially spam posts from newbies; then report spam posts to staffs. Giving your hands and make contributions to clean the forum also help your good posts won't be covered by trash posts.
You can also modify which boards you want to check with patrol page. Please read:
Using grammarly to check typos, grammar faultsThis tool is helpful for all, native or non-native English speakers. Because we all can make typos or grammar faults.
You can read a review here:
https://www.lifewire.com/best-spelling-and-grammar-check-apps-4176088Don't post in altcoin give-away threadsThe forum has a rule on this issue, and one disobeys it will be temporarily bans. I highly recommend users don't post/ reply in those threads.
15. No on-forum altcoin giveaways. [6][e]
More details, please read:
Altcoin give-away rule results in temporary bans. Read before posting.Don't send multiple PMsSending multiple PMs to multiple users might result in ban on your account, if someone in your list of receivers report your PMs to moderator.
Your PMs will be considered as spam if users report. As I know, ban for such a PM-spam is temporarily.
Don't leave over-large images in your quotesIt is very popular to see people quote, then instantly jump to write their replies without spending a couple of seconds to edit their quotes to avoid nested/pyramid quotes
[11]. That is annoying. Beyond this, quoting over-large images without snip or adjust width / height of original images is more annoying, much more annoying than nested/pyramid quotes without images inside.
Because over-large images will require more unnecessary bandwidth and more time to load pages. I don't think serious users will like to wait and see pages fully display after jumping up and down while loading.
Read some complaints and suggestions here:
In fact, admin took action and restrict rights to display images from Junior Members and above
[a] due to the kind of annoyance but you can help with your own efforts before admin does more serious restrictions.
[a] Images in posts disabled for newbiesDon't use list block in thread titlesI mentioned about it there
Small reminder for you when name your topic titles and tag with LIST block.. You can read it for more details.
In short, some users who have enough experience on the forum do know how to adjust the list block to help displaying the thread title correctly. Unfortunately, newbies don't know how to edit original thread titles and it will mess up their posts.
It costs you only a several seconds to use {List} or {list} rather than the list block. I don't think using the list block in thread title is necessary but if you still want to use it, let's change it to {} rather than [].
The change is helpful for you and for other forum users too.
Managing PM with labelsIf you don't have too many discussions in PMs, it's not important but if you have many PMs, it's time to organize it. Read the topic from joker_josue to organize your inbox, outbox better.
Uploading images to get bbcodeImgur.com used to be a most favorite website for image uploading to get bbcode for using in Bitcointalk. The party was over with their policy change so it's time to use alternatives.
Use appropriate punctuationIf you write a sentence, without any punctuation, it's bad.
If you write some sentences, without any punctuation, it's terrible.
Other resources 
. For me, I used to quote the post above mine to avoid confusion. To show that I'm reacting to the statement of that particular member not on OP's. 
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