Your CSI: Miami Forum mods, speed_cochrane and Lucy, thought that a refresher concerning a few forum rules as well as some of the more frequently asked questions might be helpful for new members as well as our existing members.
We do realize that this post is very lengthy, but we hope that if everyone takes the time to read this-new and existing members alike-it will help make for an enjoyable forum experience for all of out members.
HELPFUL LINKS
To start things off, we thought we’d provide some useful links, should anyone need to refer to them in the future.
Board Rules-Very useful for all members to read regardless of how long you’ve been here.
Talk CSI FAQ's-If you have a question about something, you can probably find the answer in here.
If not, you may ask it in the Questions, Suggestions, & Feedback Forum. Or QSF for short.
**New**Also, please stop in the CSI: Miami Welcome Thread and tell us a bit about yourself.
**New**Perhaps you have a question about a particular character or past episode? We also have a nifty CSI: Miami-I have a Question thread in which to ask whatever you’d like. The only request we make is that you not post questions that may contain spoilers in them, those can be asked about in the Spoiler Lab thread (see below for link).
Now some general reminders and most asked questions:
SPOILERS
Please can we try to keep information about new episodes contained within the designated episode spoiler threads. These threads are easily identifiable to old and new members alike, and look like this (for example):
Not only does this make it easier for everyone to find the info and add a post if they wish, these threads are clearly marked with a 'Spoiler' warning. If there are people who don't wish to find out what happens before they've seen the episode, they can easily avoid entering such threads.
Of course you are more than welcome to start other threads concerning aspects of an episode, but please remember to post a spoiler warning in the thread title, as a courtesy to others.
Please also remember to use the 'Spoiler Code' or 'Spoiler Space' in threads that do not have a spoiler warning in their title, if you are posting details of what is yet to happen on the show.
To use the Spoiler Code simply click the word Spoiler in the Instant UBB Code box (it's located right beside the smileys on the reply page). A box will pop up asking you what your spoiler is about, enter the needed information there, and then click 'ok', another box will then pop up asking you to enter your spoiler information. Click 'ok' again, and the code will be entered. It'll look like this:
Also, if you’re using the ‘Quick Reply’ box and need to type the Spoiler Code in by hand, it looks like this:
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>
</pre><hr />
We also have a brand new Spoiler Lab Thread for discussion relating to all the latest spoilers.
SPAMMING
Just a reminder of the Board Rules relating to spamming:
Also, please try to avoid posting very short responses. eg. "lol", "hmhm" etc. Such posts do not contribute to discussion and are seen mainly as a means to boost your post count. Always try to elaborate on a point of view, unless of course you are responding to something that only requires a brief answer.
DOUBLE POSTING
While double posting is sometimes unintentional, it can be considered spamming. If you want to alter a post, please use the 'Edit' function rather than submitting a new post. The current editing time allowance is approximately 24 hours from when your post was entered. After this time, you will no longer be able to edit your post.
CHATTING
Here are a few additional guidelines from TBonz:
AVATARS AND BANNERS
Some of the most frequently asked questions involve Avatars and Signature Banners. Here are some of the basics.
Avatars-In order to have an avatar you must first have 100 posts. Please keep in mind that the maximum size allowed for avatars is 100 x 100px. That is this big:
Signatures and Banners-You may have either text or a banner in your sig, but you cannot have both. If you choose to have a banner, please keep in mind that the maximum size allowed is 220x75 px. That is this big:
IMAGES AND PICTURES
To post a picture as an image, you must first have 100 posts, until that time you’ll have to post them as links. (See below for instructions)
As you post through the forums here at Talk CSI, you’ll notice that the maximum size requirements for posting images will vary from forum to forum. Here in the Miami Forum, we’ve decided that 480 px is the maximum width allowable for this forum. That is this wide.:
We feel that this size is not too big as to stretch the screen for those members with lower screen resolutions, and yet still be compatible with most screen caps. You’re allowed a couple pixels leeway. If images are posted that are wider that 480px, one of the mods will edit them to links.
Images will also be edited to links if they appear more than once per page. An example would be quoting a post that contains an image.
Also, if you are going to post an image, please make sure it is uploaded to your own image hosting account (Photobucket, or similar sites), and not ‘hotlinked’ from another site.
We ask that you post no more than 2 medium or small sized pics per reply. If you have more than 2, the rest should be posted as links. Please limit larger pics to one per reply, and the rest as links. We ask this for the benefit of those with slower connections (dial-up). Page loading can take a long time when there are lots of images displayed on a page.
POSTING IMAGES AS LINKS:
Posting images as links is beneficial for many reasons:
--If you have less that 100 posts and would like to share an image.
--If you wish to share an image that exceeds 480px in width.
--It also helps those members who have dial up load pages in a more timely manner.
To post an image as a link all you need to do is place the code around the url of your image. If you’d like to give your image an amusing/descriptive title, or if you have a really long url and do not wish to stretch the screen for those with lower screen resolutions, you can use the following code:
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>CSI: Miami Logo</pre><hr />
The end result will look like this:
CSI: Miami Logo
Another alternative would be to use the reply page instead of the quick reply box at the bottom of each thread page. You can then use the ‘Instant UBB Code’ box. Just click on the ‘url’ tab, paste your url, click ‘ok’, type in your title, and click ‘ok’ again. You should be good to go then.
**New**Also, while posting pics is fine, and in fact appreciated (who doesn’t love a great pic?), please try to add a bit of other content to your posts in order to help generate good discussion as opposed to just posting a picture only.
THREAD CAP
Talk CSI has a thread cap of 1000. This means that when a thread reaches 1000 posts it will be locked by a moderator, and a new thread will be started in its place. A link to the old thread will be provided in the new thread.
SENDING PM's (private messages)
As of the last upgrade, users are no longer required to have 100 posts before they're able to send a private message to other Talk CSI members.
You are still required to have 100 posts before you're allowed to have an avatar or post images in your replies.
FAN FILMS/VIDEOS
We have recently been instructed to ask everyone to no longer post links to any fan videos that you make. This is due to concerns surrounding potential copyright infringement. These videos can violate the Board Rules concerning 'Intellectual Property':
Very few fan videos are posted on the Miami Forum, but we wanted to inform you of this change in policy so you are aware of the Board's position regarding this.
HAVING MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT:
It is against Board Rules to have more than one account. Please read this post in the Announcements Forum for more information.
**New**SHIPPER DISCUSSION
Unless discussion of a particular pairing is relevant to any Miami episode, all discussion of any ‘ships’ belongs in the appropriate threads in the Shipper Central forum.
And most importantly, please be respectful of each other. It would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed all the time, and difference of opinion can make for exciting discussion. That being said bear in mind that everyone’s opinions are to be respected.
In closing both speed_cochrane and myself hope that everyone finds the Miami forum an enjoyable and fun place to spend time. If there is ever anything we can help you with please don’t hesitate pm either or us, and we will do our very best to help you out.
Have Fun and Happy Posting!
**New**=Info not already in the guide that has been added since the last update.
We do realize that this post is very lengthy, but we hope that if everyone takes the time to read this-new and existing members alike-it will help make for an enjoyable forum experience for all of out members.
HELPFUL LINKS
To start things off, we thought we’d provide some useful links, should anyone need to refer to them in the future.
Board Rules-Very useful for all members to read regardless of how long you’ve been here.
Talk CSI FAQ's-If you have a question about something, you can probably find the answer in here.
If not, you may ask it in the Questions, Suggestions, & Feedback Forum. Or QSF for short.
**New**Also, please stop in the CSI: Miami Welcome Thread and tell us a bit about yourself.
**New**Perhaps you have a question about a particular character or past episode? We also have a nifty CSI: Miami-I have a Question thread in which to ask whatever you’d like. The only request we make is that you not post questions that may contain spoilers in them, those can be asked about in the Spoiler Lab thread (see below for link).
Now some general reminders and most asked questions:
SPOILERS
Please can we try to keep information about new episodes contained within the designated episode spoiler threads. These threads are easily identifiable to old and new members alike, and look like this (for example):
Not only does this make it easier for everyone to find the info and add a post if they wish, these threads are clearly marked with a 'Spoiler' warning. If there are people who don't wish to find out what happens before they've seen the episode, they can easily avoid entering such threads.
Of course you are more than welcome to start other threads concerning aspects of an episode, but please remember to post a spoiler warning in the thread title, as a courtesy to others.
Please also remember to use the 'Spoiler Code' or 'Spoiler Space' in threads that do not have a spoiler warning in their title, if you are posting details of what is yet to happen on the show.
To use the Spoiler Code simply click the word Spoiler in the Instant UBB Code box (it's located right beside the smileys on the reply page). A box will pop up asking you what your spoiler is about, enter the needed information there, and then click 'ok', another box will then pop up asking you to enter your spoiler information. Click 'ok' again, and the code will be entered. It'll look like this:
Their names are speed_cochrane and ThumpyG42
Also, if you’re using the ‘Quick Reply’ box and need to type the Spoiler Code in by hand, it looks like this:
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>
Their names are speed_cochrane and ThumpyG42
We also have a brand new Spoiler Lab Thread for discussion relating to all the latest spoilers.
SPAMMING
Just a reminder of the Board Rules relating to spamming:
Also, please try to avoid posting very short responses. eg. "lol", "hmhm" etc. Such posts do not contribute to discussion and are seen mainly as a means to boost your post count. Always try to elaborate on a point of view, unless of course you are responding to something that only requires a brief answer.
DOUBLE POSTING
While double posting is sometimes unintentional, it can be considered spamming. If you want to alter a post, please use the 'Edit' function rather than submitting a new post. The current editing time allowance is approximately 24 hours from when your post was entered. After this time, you will no longer be able to edit your post.
CHATTING
Here are a few additional guidelines from TBonz:
AVATARS AND BANNERS
Some of the most frequently asked questions involve Avatars and Signature Banners. Here are some of the basics.
Avatars-In order to have an avatar you must first have 100 posts. Please keep in mind that the maximum size allowed for avatars is 100 x 100px. That is this big:
Signatures and Banners-You may have either text or a banner in your sig, but you cannot have both. If you choose to have a banner, please keep in mind that the maximum size allowed is 220x75 px. That is this big:
IMAGES AND PICTURES
To post a picture as an image, you must first have 100 posts, until that time you’ll have to post them as links. (See below for instructions)
As you post through the forums here at Talk CSI, you’ll notice that the maximum size requirements for posting images will vary from forum to forum. Here in the Miami Forum, we’ve decided that 480 px is the maximum width allowable for this forum. That is this wide.:
We feel that this size is not too big as to stretch the screen for those members with lower screen resolutions, and yet still be compatible with most screen caps. You’re allowed a couple pixels leeway. If images are posted that are wider that 480px, one of the mods will edit them to links.
Images will also be edited to links if they appear more than once per page. An example would be quoting a post that contains an image.
Also, if you are going to post an image, please make sure it is uploaded to your own image hosting account (Photobucket, or similar sites), and not ‘hotlinked’ from another site.
We ask that you post no more than 2 medium or small sized pics per reply. If you have more than 2, the rest should be posted as links. Please limit larger pics to one per reply, and the rest as links. We ask this for the benefit of those with slower connections (dial-up). Page loading can take a long time when there are lots of images displayed on a page.
POSTING IMAGES AS LINKS:
Posting images as links is beneficial for many reasons:
--If you have less that 100 posts and would like to share an image.
--If you wish to share an image that exceeds 480px in width.
--It also helps those members who have dial up load pages in a more timely manner.
To post an image as a link all you need to do is place the code around the url of your image. If you’d like to give your image an amusing/descriptive title, or if you have a really long url and do not wish to stretch the screen for those with lower screen resolutions, you can use the following code:
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>CSI: Miami Logo</pre><hr />
The end result will look like this:
CSI: Miami Logo
Another alternative would be to use the reply page instead of the quick reply box at the bottom of each thread page. You can then use the ‘Instant UBB Code’ box. Just click on the ‘url’ tab, paste your url, click ‘ok’, type in your title, and click ‘ok’ again. You should be good to go then.
**New**Also, while posting pics is fine, and in fact appreciated (who doesn’t love a great pic?), please try to add a bit of other content to your posts in order to help generate good discussion as opposed to just posting a picture only.
THREAD CAP
Talk CSI has a thread cap of 1000. This means that when a thread reaches 1000 posts it will be locked by a moderator, and a new thread will be started in its place. A link to the old thread will be provided in the new thread.
SENDING PM's (private messages)
As of the last upgrade, users are no longer required to have 100 posts before they're able to send a private message to other Talk CSI members.
You are still required to have 100 posts before you're allowed to have an avatar or post images in your replies.
FAN FILMS/VIDEOS
We have recently been instructed to ask everyone to no longer post links to any fan videos that you make. This is due to concerns surrounding potential copyright infringement. These videos can violate the Board Rules concerning 'Intellectual Property':
Very few fan videos are posted on the Miami Forum, but we wanted to inform you of this change in policy so you are aware of the Board's position regarding this.
HAVING MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT:
It is against Board Rules to have more than one account. Please read this post in the Announcements Forum for more information.
**New**SHIPPER DISCUSSION
Unless discussion of a particular pairing is relevant to any Miami episode, all discussion of any ‘ships’ belongs in the appropriate threads in the Shipper Central forum.
And most importantly, please be respectful of each other. It would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed all the time, and difference of opinion can make for exciting discussion. That being said bear in mind that everyone’s opinions are to be respected.
In closing both speed_cochrane and myself hope that everyone finds the Miami forum an enjoyable and fun place to spend time. If there is ever anything we can help you with please don’t hesitate pm either or us, and we will do our very best to help you out.
Have Fun and Happy Posting!
**New**=Info not already in the guide that has been added since the last update.
