# FAQs - Please Read First - Rules, Guidelines, Etiquette, Technical Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 8, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faqs-please-read-first-rules-guidelines-etiquette-technical-issues/538770 "2010-05-08T22:49:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faqs-please-read-first-rules-guidelines-etiquette-technical-issues/538770/1 "2010-05-08T22:49:47Z")
If you’re new here (or even if you aren’t), please read the following threads before posting on the SDMB: [**FAQ - Rules for Posting at the Straight Dope Message Boards**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384736) How and when do I report a post? What’s the policy on copyrights? How do I know which forum to post in? Are there any forbidden topics, like sex and drugs? What happens to rules violators? What are the rules about file-sharing software? Must I post in English? What links are permitted? What’s “workplace safe”? Are there any rules on insulting the other posters? Can I modify other posters’ quotes? Can I edit my own post? What’s with ignore lists and buddy lists? What are the rules on profile signatures? What if I want to change my username? [**FAQ - Guidelines and Etiquette on the SDMB**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384745) Good manners and common courtesy are expected Use descriptive titles when you start a thread On resurrecting old threads Reporting inappropriate Google ads Use of spoiler tags How do I find out what happened to a thread or poster that’s vanished “Private Messaging” and meaning of “private” [**FAQ - Technical issues for Posting**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384827) New User problems User titles Changing username, password, or email address How do I report a bad post (one that I think is rules violation?) Board speed/performance vB Features vB coding and tips (bold, italic, spoilers, etc) Displayed time Ignore lists Funny abbreviations How to post pictures and links How to search the Straight Dope Message Board using Google How to use the automated polling feature Contacting the staff directly [**Beginner’s Guide to Glossary of Terms on Straight Dope Message Boards**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=320298) [**If you think you see malware on the SDMB**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=546869) ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2014, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faqs-please-read-first-rules-guidelines-etiquette-technical-issues/538770/2 "2014-09-21T11:23:08Z")
[Deliberately blank, to bump Rules to top of forum]