Your Guide To Spam

Spam can be defined by many four letter words but basically can be summed up as rubbish. I do realise that this is a forum for general conversations but it is now getting out of hand. We do understand the age range on these forums so what people find 'interesting' at thirteen may not be 'interesting' to a twenty eight year old. But this is not what we are discussing. We are addressing the universal cack that is bunging up the forums so can we all begin thinking before we hit that easy to use reply button.

• Post counts : These mean nothing. Some of the most popular and respected members post very sparsely. Less is more. Just think, if you only reply when you have something great to say, then generally your online persona will seem much more interesting.
• New Posts : The shock and the horror of a new post. Someone else is online at this ungodly hour I know. I will reply too. No! A 'lol' or 'Yes' or 'Hmmm' or even a smiley will antagonise people beyond belief. If something really is funny, or one smiley will have a certain efect that will make people laugh then sure, go for it but don't do it on every topic for goodness sake.
  
• Personal Messages : So you and Harry are getting along well. Do not have a full converstaion over the forums please. Just looking at the time of the posts. Harry says hello at nine o'clock, Sally says hello at three minutes past. Just use the personal message feature. I know that problems with personal messages sometimes mean this is unavoidable but just try okay?
  
• Random Topics : This is the hardest to control, and the hardest to complain about. They are pointless, nothing needs a point. But all I can say is does everyone really want to discuss whether they 'like you'?
  
• Off Topic : Very hard to moan about as pointless can easily stray off topic. If all participants of the conversation start waddling on about something else as a natural progression then whatever?! It is a conversation isn't it?! But sheer cack that get's posted in a debate about Kenneth's milkman Fred decides to talk about the blister on his toe. Just think.
  
• Is anyone out there? : How many times? "Anyone want to chat with me." There are approximately three billion chat rooms out there. There is AOL, there is MSN, there is even Yahoo messenger. If anyone wants 'to chat' they will be there.

Introducing FLUMP

Before you make a post just try and think of these five simple things,

F orum
L anguage
U nique
M aturity
P oint

• Forum : Is your post in the right forum? Think of General Chat as a ‘last resort’, only posting in there if your post would not fit in any of the other forums provided to you.
  
• Language : Most people on these forums do actually speak English which is hard to believe I know. Not everyone can spell everything correctly but at least make an effort, and cut down on abbreviated words.
  
• Unique : Are you new, or have you been away from the forums for a few days? If so check the first few pages of the forums or make use of the search option for topics similar to your's so we don’t have the same discussions over and over. If someone complains that their avatar isn’t working, don’t make a whole new post saying yours is, just post in theirs, they won’t mind.
  
• Maturity : The age range on this board varies greatly so we are bound to have different interests but try and make it so as many people as possible will be interested in your post.
  
• Point : Not all posts need to be essays but try and have a little more than just 'ok' or 'lol' for your post. Please, we really are interested in what you have to say on the matter. Just try and make sure there is a point in your post, that you add something new to the conversation.