# PLEASE READ: Forum Rules **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 19, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-read-forum-rules/322298 "2005-09-19T01:10:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 1
**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 19, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-read-forum-rules/322298/1 "2005-09-19T01:10:23Z")
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) Variations specific to this forum: **When starting a thread, provide a link to the appropriate column or Staff Report** Linking helps keep readers together, saves lots of search time, and avoids someone repeating something already stated in the Column or Staff Report. How do you post a link? The easy way is just to include the web page location in your post (make sure there is a space before and after the text of the URL). The fancier approach is to type: [url=“[http://the.address.of.the.page](http://the.address.of.the.page)”]Your Text Here … (including the equal sign and quote marks, but using the real url, obviously) and you’ll get the words Your Text Here as a link. And, please, be sure that the link is clear and obvious. A simple [link](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_191.html) might be missed, especially for newer members. Please be obvious about it, like this: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_191.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_191.html) or [Why do I sneeze afer every orgasm?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_191.html) Thanks for your cooperation. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-read-forum-rules/322298)._