# Rules you'd make if you were king **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 15, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220 "2014-07-15T21:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/41 "2014-07-22T20:26:08Z")
Novelty accounts allowed; socking permitted for comedic purposes. Basically, The Grapist was the best thing to ever happen to this place. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/42 "2014-07-22T20:42:39Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > Wait, what!? Weak sauce. Go find a better target for this manufactured outrage crap. If you do another search through my posts I’m sure you’ll find something. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/43 "2014-07-22T21:48:37Z")
It’s the job of the board (i.e. the software) to make sure a link gets added when someone comments on a column. It’s absolutely silly to expect people to realize they have to copy and paste the link in order for readers to “know what column they’re talking about”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/44 "2014-07-22T21:56:48Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > It’s the job of the board (i.e. the software) to make sure a link gets added when someone comments on a column. It’s absolutely silly to expect people to realize they have to copy and paste the link in order for readers to “know what column they’re talking about”. When using the “Comment on this column” link? I agree 100%. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/45 "2014-07-22T23:28:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Weak sauce. Go find a better target for this manufactured outrage crap. If you do another search through my posts I’m sure you’ll find something. I have never and will never do a search of yours or any other members posts. Just not that invested. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/46 "2014-07-22T23:34:40Z")
Healthy attitude, that. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/47 "2014-07-23T03:08:14Z")
How about a monthly vote for a one-month suspension? No one can be suspended more than once per calendar year. The vote could be among paid members, another incentive to join. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/48 "2014-07-23T03:48:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > No keeping threads open that would otherwise be shut down just because others are having fun ripping into the OP. Cruelty is no reason to leave a thread open. I don’t think what you’re saying here is akin to bullying teenagers on Facebook. All one has to do to not be subject to said cruelty is not click the thread. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/49 "2014-07-23T11:37:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > When using the “Comment on this column” link? I agree 100%. Yup. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/50 "2014-07-23T14:30:14Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Annoying non-standard initialisms that appear to have been made up on the spot would be banned, with warnings issued if a court determines the initialism was probably used as jargon deliberately as some kind of statement about the poster. > [@Kal](#): > > **Novelty accounts allowed; socking permitted for comedic purposes. Basically, The Grapist was the best thing to ever happen to this place.** GTFY ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/51 "2014-07-23T17:09:02Z")
No use of the letter L on Tuesdays. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/52 "2014-07-23T17:37:43Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Particularly, if the OP has been banned, any thread opened by him/her/it should be automatically closed. (At present, some are closed, but others are left open.) If the topic is important/amusing enough, someone else can start a new thread. Absolutely not. First of all, we have had many posters over the years that were banned for good reason, but were also major positive contributors to the board. There’s no reason to close good threads. Second, there’s no reason to close a mundane thread discussing season X of some TV show just because the OP was banned. > [@Giraffe](#): > > I wouldn’t allow any threads to be closed, ever. Locked threads are annoying. I think there is sometimes a good reason to close a thread. I do think that the mods should err waaaay over on the side of keeping things open, however. I really have no problem at all with people piling on a banned poster. Aside from the fact that it can be entertaining to read, most humans have a need to discuss things that have made a big impression on them. The whole “it’s cruel” thing makes me think of “what about the chiiiiildren??” If one doesn’t like it, one doesn’t have to read it. > [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Or, just change the name of the forum to Stuff I Must Share. It feels equally heartless to read stuff like, my mother died, I’m getting divorced, et cetera in a forum whose name labels it as Mundane and Pointless. Fantastic idea. Easily implemented and requires no change in how anybody does things. > [@Clothahump](#): > > If I were king, I would stop the zombie attacks immediately by requiring that the SDMB implement the oh-so-simple script that automatically locks threads where no one has posted to the thread in the last six months. I like zombies! It’s fun to look back, and some things are still topical. If somebody has something interesting to say about a topic, why not let them? One thing that would really help is if a mod went in to the zombie resurrection post and added a big note in red stating that it is a zombie resurrection post. How many times have people said “oh, I didn’t see that this was a zombie! :smack:” This of course wouldn’t be necessary after a short gap or if it’s something like a book discussion where it doesn’t matter much that it’s a zombie. My suggestions: - I would like to see a guideline (not a strict rule) that when somebody links off-board, that they note if it is a video or pdf, and give some indication of what they are linking to if it’s not completely obvious by the surrounding text. - I would like to see mods call people out for threadshitting or obviously not having read the OP and thread. Not a warning-level offense, but “hey, nimrod, read the OP before you post!” ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/53 "2014-07-23T19:12:50Z")
All existing rules are abolished. If you have a forum account, you’re obligated to post at least 10 replies a month or be fined $20 (legally-enforcible). Closing your forum account costs $20. Every forum post costs a dollar. Replies cost a nickel. Fees go straight into my bank account. Ahh, life is good. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/54 "2014-07-23T19:19:31Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > All existing rules are abolished. If you have a forum account, you’re obligated to post at least 10 replies a month or be fined $20 (legally-enforcible). Closing your forum account costs $20. Every forum post costs a dollar. Replies cost a nickel. Fees go straight into my bank account. > > Ahh, life is good. Private messages are still free though, right? ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/55 "2014-07-24T00:28:30Z")
ok, I can go 133 more posts before mentioning Jerry Springer…and you can’t directly pit me for another 233 for mentioning Jerry Springer. Got it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/56 "2014-07-24T00:56:31Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > **Implants. Cash Advance. Good chance.** **Never Rocked? Hate Spock? You’re Blocked.** ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/57 "2014-07-24T01:30:59Z")
No rules, moderators stay out of the way as much as possible. On most moderated boards, the rules are stupid and arbitrarily enforced anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/58 "2014-07-24T03:22:47Z")
Sexist Fridays! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/59 "2014-07-24T16:16:07Z")
Make a real Pit-type forum where there are no rules and anything goes, with the caveat that even if all of the horrible things the Chicago Tribune thinks will happen does happen, they will be obligated to defend and respond to any lawsuits without altering the forums in any way ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220/60 "2014-07-25T15:27:56Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > - I would like to see a guideline (not a strict rule) that when somebody links off-board, that they note if it is a video or pdf, and give some indication of what they are linking to if it’s not completely obvious by the surrounding text. We have [one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697028#post7697028): > [@](#): > > **Please warn people about slow-downloading sites** > When linking to a Web page featuring video or audio, or a large file such as a .PDF, please make a note of it in your post so readers aren’t caught unawares by the sound or by a document that may slow down their computers. Readers are advised to use a mouse-over to preview links before clicking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-youd-make-if-you-were-king/693220.md?page=4)