Message Board Rules
Some
guidelines for an easier life
Registration
Joining In
Starting a Discussion
Image and File Uploading
Technical Problems
Resolving Disputes
Censorship
Disclaimer
The Encyclopedia Titanica message board is part of the Encyclopedia Titanica web site. By these accessing/contributing to pages on this domain you are agreeing to the terms of the Encyclopedia Titanica Terms of Use.
Please read this page very carefully. In addition to the message board rules,
it contains helpful hints that will make your message board use more enjoyable.
By posting to the message board you are indicating that you have read and have
agreed to abide by these rules.
Registration
When you register for the message board you are asked to provide
your genuine first and last name. You must also provide a genuine e-mail address without which your membership cannot be processed.
Why must I give my full name?
Because we like to know who we are really talking to! We feel that
this promotes honesty and credibility between members and within discussions especially since many of our members like to meet up from time to time.
Members known or suspected of having registered under a pseudonym may have their membership terminated without notice.
What if I do not wish to give my full name.
If you prefer not to provide your full name or e-mail address you are very welcome to continue to follow discussions without registering.
Other sign-up fields are optional and can be edited after completion using
the Edit Profile feature.
To ensure that data is not retained on people that no longer wish to be members,
accounts that have not been accessed for more than 365 days will be removed.
As will those that have not been activated after 14 days.
Joining
In
- If you take time to get to know the regulars you'll find it's a
very friendly place.
It's seems to be very cliquey?
It can seem cliquey from the outside but that is only because a lot of the members have got to know each other over time. But if you are sensitive to the fact that everyone is different, has different views and background you'll find they it's not a clique after all but simply a group of people who want to talk about things that interest them all.
• There can be a temptation to post a lot at the start. It is much better
to bide your time and get a feel for the place. Less is definitely more!
• Don't post identical messages under different topics. This is considered
abuse and will result in ALL the posts being deleted.
• Keep questions or comments specific. There is no point in asking
"Please send me anything you can on the Titanic for my school project."
You will just be ignored.
• Do not post large numbers of questions, readers quickly tire of
individuals who only ask questions and never offer anything in return.
• When writing your messages, please use the same courtesy that you would
show when speaking face-to-face with someone. "Flames" (i.e. intentional
provocation), insults, profanity, personal attacks or discrimination based
on sex, faith, age, ethnicity or other personal, cultural or racial characteristics
will not be tolerated under any circumstances. It is fine to disagree strongly
with opinions, ideas, and facts, but always with respect for the other person. Great minds do not always think alike.
• If it is a long message we recommend that you prepare your message in a text editor rather than in your browser. This way you can be sure you will not lose the message in the case of a server error.
• It is impossible to convey the same degree of subtlety or nuance in a text
message than when speaking face to face. "Emoticons" (also known
as "smilies") :-) ;-), and emphasis of different types may help but misunderstandings
are common. Be aware that cultural references, sarcasm, irony and wit may
not come across as intended. "In-Jokes" are only funny if you are in on them.
• When posting your message please be patient, the server may take a little
while to deal with your message. Hitting "Submit" more than once may lead to a double post. If you do accidentally make
a double post, don't then post again to apologize, simply delete the extra
post using the  button.
• Plan your message and read it before posting. Is the spelling
right? Does it convey what you mean to say. Take your time! To help you there is a spell checker that you can switch on from your profile.
• Never use ALL CAPS or a VaRiAtIoN. It is hard to read, considered
rude and generally very unpopular!
• You may delete or edit your message within 60 minutes of posting. After
that it is there to stay.
When
starting a new discussion...
• Always choose the right topic for your message. Let the editor
know if there is no suitable topic or use "General
Titanica".
• Choose a distinctive, appropriate and concise subject. Titles
of the form: "Titanic", "About Me", "Please answer my questions" should be
avoided at all costs!
• Check to make sure that you are not duplicating an existing
discussion.
• Do not start a new discussion (i.e. go off on a wild tangent) in
the middle of an existing thread use the "Start New
Thread" link to begin a new discussion.
• In exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate to have an off-topic
discussion. The administrator and moderators will decide if off topic discussions
can continue on a case-by-case basis.
Image
and File Uploading
The ability to upload images and other files is a very popular feature of
the board.
Please follow these guidelines.
• The formatting page
gives instructions on how to use this feature.
• File size must be no greater than 35 Kb.
• Executable files/applets may not be uploaded under any circumstances.
• Images must be no more than 400 pixels in height or width.
• Please do not over-use this feature since multiple images will increase
page loading times considerably.
• In uploading a file to the Encyclopedia Titanica message board you guarantee
that one of the following conditions is true:
1 . no copyright exists on the material being uploaded;
2. copyright on the material has expired;
3. explicit approval has been obtained from the copyright owner for upload
of the submitted material to the Encyclopedia Titanica message board*;
— You must also indicate who the owner is and that permission has been obtained or is not needed.
4. the contributor is the owner of copyright on the material being submitted.
and
5. that the material does not infringe trademarks, licences or copyright owned
or controlled by a third party.
Technical Problems
• Server Error, Timeout, Connection Failure... If the server reports an error you will usually find that your post has gone up so check before resubmitting. However if you do see an error message
please report it to the administrator.
Resolving
Disputes
All issues or complaints regarding messages or threads posted on this board should be referred to the moderating team. Contact
the moderators.
Censorship
You may find that legitimate threads that have been posted in the wrong topic
will be moved (without warning) by the moderators to a more appropriate place.
Take care to start a thread in the appropriate topic (see
above). If a thread seems to have gone, use the search
engine to find it.
The board administrator / moderators will not delete posts or threads
on demand* but will consider requests to temporarily quarantine threads that
have degenerated for some reason. The likelihood is that these will be restored
to the board after the dust has settled.
* Members may request the removal of personal information from the Introduce
Yourself section.
Disclaimer
The message board is a public forum, Encyclopedia Titanica and its editor
do not guarantee privacy or anonymity with regard to anything posted on or
via this message board.
The Encyclopedia Titanica message board contains facts, views, opinions and
statements of third party individuals and organizations. The editor of Encyclopedia
Titanica does not represent or endorse the accuracy, currentness or reliability
of any advice, opinion, statement or other information displayed, uploaded
or distributed through the Encyclopedia Titanica message board. You acknowledge
that any reliance upon any such opinion, advice, statement or information
shall be at your sole risk.
Dated 12 September 2002
Revised 16 September 2002
Revised 30 December 2002
Revised 23 February 2004
Revised 08 November 2004
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