Golden Rules of Good Posting
(By Geir)

General

• Read, read, and read - never too much of that. Before posting in any thread, in any forum, read carefully the first post and the post before you, and at least scan through the thread.
• Make sure you know which forum is for what, and whether you are allowed to post a new thread there. Don`t open new threads in kingdom forums and in Advanced Lore without permission.
• Spell checker is your friend! A post is so much better if it has punctuation, grammar, division into paragraphs, and more or less correct spelling. Otherwise, some people won`t bother to read it, assuming that the content fits the form. Others (especially non-native English speakers) may simply not understand it.
• It is better to type in a separate window, and refresh the browser before posting. This allows you to avoid posting simultanously with someone else, which is important especially in RPGs and game threads.
• After posting, keep checking the thread for responses to your post. Otherwise, you may miss not only interaction with other people here, but also an administrator`s warning.

In Lore Forums

• Before you post a new thread, make sure that the same discussion isn`t already taking place - look through the latest threads (2-3 pages minimum). Remember that the same question might have been posted in several different forums. Avoid adding fourth identical thread about Glorfindel to the three already existing and active.
• If the above happens, and someone supplies the link to the twin active thread, make use of it. In this case, you may close your own thread.
• Don`t answer answered questions. If you see a thread: "Are there dwarven women?" with 30 posts, you can be reasonably sure that the question had been thoroughly answered.
• Again, read, or at least scan through the thread. Before posting your thoughts, make sure the same point has not been already made, or worse, made and rebutted. In this way, you avoid repeating someone`s points, and we can have a meaningful discussion.
• The film is the film, the book is the book. Don`t ask film-related questions in general lore forums. Don`t use arguments from the films in general lore forums. There are three separate forums only for discussions of the films.
• Be polite! It is always necessary, but when you oppose someone you need to be super-polite. Likewise, don`t get offended when someone disagrees with you - it is often the best thing that can happen to you in lore forums.
• If you don`t know, or if you are not interested, don`t bother to post. Never post statements like: "This is a stupid question." or "Don`t you have more interesting things to discuss?" Obvious... But so many people seem not to know that.
• Don`t post surveys, such as "What is your favourite character?" They are banned from lore forums, and with a good reason. Lore forums are for discussions, and De gustibus non est disputandum (Personal preferences are not debatable).
• Don`t post statements, such as "Dwarves are cool." Sure, they are... So what?
• After saying all this... Don`t be afraid to post! Don`t assume that everything has been already debated. Tolkien`s writings are rich and complex, and sometimes a newcomer rises a point which starts a very interesing discussion.

In pubs, RPG's and games:

• Read very carefully the first post. Make sure you understand the rules. Look for "traps": the activity may be reserved for members of particular kingdom/army/other organization, or for people who subscribed earlier, it may be deeply in-character only, signatures may not be allowed, some colours may be reserved, some minimum length or specific format of the post may be required...
• Read very carefully the first post. Make sure you know where you are supposed to be, and what you are supposed to be doing. Take care that you don`t "enter the hall" when you are supposed to be outside.
• In pubs and RPGs, read the thread. Make sure you know what happened, who is there, and what they are doing.
• People will be reading your post, and they want to have interesting read. Do your best. Be creative.
• Pubs are not drive-in restaurants. Don’t come in and leave in the same post. What’s the point? Give people some chance to interact with your character.
• When role playing, write your character, not someone’s else: don’t write actions and reactions of other people’s characters. They are exceptions, but not that many of them.
• For more elaborate guidance on role playing, read Tinw’s Tips.