Draft of New Rules

[Fnord]

in the same amount of space a link or a simple answer can be given. or the thread can be completely ignored.

^^Ooh, I got an idea!

Everyone should get a button on the quick reply box, that, when clicked, will automatically post the message:

READ THE

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Even if your signature said "Kill babies NOW!! Is 6 billion humans not enough? We kill deer for less over-population", I wouldn't complain about it.

Now that you mention it, that actually makes sense

Although prevention is better than cure, I like this slogan:

[MikeNice]

@ Pete. Thanks for the link to that thread, I actually avoided it because the subject seemed . . . well controversial and inflamitory and I didn't want to get pissy about some trolling noob. I will however continue my comments on this topic there.

[MikeNice]

Pete, I would most certainly have to agree that is nice to have some grown ups in this forum who can disagree or voice a dissenting opinion with out throwing a tantrum like a child. I couldn't post this response to the thread you sent to me because as you are well aware it is indeed locked. I also didn't want to continue to discuss it in this forum and would have preferred to PM you about this but I wanted to respond to some of the other respondents to my concern.

This isn't about free speech. While I strongly disagree with a lot of things people say on TV, radio, newspapers etc. I served for 6 years in the US ARMY to defend the right for people to speak their opinions, with my life if called upon to do so. I am very proud of that fact and the fact that my family has a long history of military and political service going back to the founding of this great nation. I would NEVER make this about censorship or free speech. My issue is simply that this forum has rules. One of them is,

Signatures are a way to provide a representation of yourself. They are not intended to cause controversy or offend anyone. Signatures must adhere to the guidelines of a "Teen" rating. You may not use a signature as a method of evading other rules.

Specifically the "They are not intended to cause controversy or offend anyone." and "You may not use a signature as a method of evading other rules."

One of the other rules is, or at least in the new draft,

Don’t start threads intended to be controversial (trolling)

Pete's sig, simply put, IS controversial by the very definition the word and my concern is that Pete IS using his signature to get around the above mentioned rule stating, "You may not use a signature as a method of evading other rules." Pete, I'm not saying you put it there to start a fight or had any malicious or provocative intent. Not in the least. I've read many of your posts and know that you are a level headed, intelligent, and educated person. Your sig is however in violation of the very rules you are editing.

It is politically motivated and it just doesn't have a place here. This is not a political forum. If the exact same signature was on Theopia I wouldn't care becuse THAT is the place for THAT sort of thing. Just as solid propellants and exploding projectiles don't have a place here, I'm sure I could find a forum where people want to talk about it all day and night long.

We all come here to talk about and learn about a hobby all of us here share which is what I love about this place. I don't know about anyone else but I come here to avoid the politically motivated left, as much as I do to avoid the holier than thou right-wing fundamentalists.

I will never discuss my personal, religious, or political conjectures in this forum because 1. this is not the place. 2. because the rules forbid it. If I felt this was what I wanted to do with the time I spend on the internet, I would have a theopia login. Which I don't by the way.

Obviously, Pete, whether you edit your sig not, it is ultimately your decision and I won't bring it up again. It is however in violation of the rules and like I said in my first post in this thread, it seems a bit like Do as I say, not as I do.

Sorry for the obnoxiously long poast. This will be my final entry on this thread as my full opinion is stated here. With the exception of my play on spelling with "poast" (post - toast???) I hope my grammar and spelling are satisfactory to all.

Thanks to everyone for making this forum the best on the net.
See you in combustions -

[PVC Arsenal 17]

On the subject of controversy, is my avatar contrroversial?

I have had it since I joined here...

[ShowNoMercy]

Controversial is different to everyone, personally your avatar and petes sig don't offend me nor do they incite me, however to someone else they might. So who can be the judge of how much censorship must be placed on things to please the whole?

[Pete Zaria]

@MikeNice,

I applaud your military service - My best friend is entering his second year in the Air Force. I very much "support our troops" and hope more than anything else that our administration brings them home and out of harm's way soon - their lives are too valuable to expend one more over oil and petty politics.

You make a valid point about the exact definition of the rules, and that my signature probably is in violation. To date this forum hasn't been uber-strict about enforcing rules unless people are making trouble. This is the second time my signature has provoked trouble so I think within the next day or two I'll just make it a link to a left-leaning political site of my choice instead of the controversial "impeach bush" statement.

I appreciate your opinions very much - it shows maturity and respect to even bother to write out such a lengthy and well-composed response.

This forum is a wonderful place to share ideas, experiences, theories, and show off our works, thanks to members like us that can have a level-headed debate without turning it into an argument.

I'll find a website link to replace my signature with sometime soon. It was fun while it lasted but you've convinced me that it's time for it to go.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[paaiyan]

On the subject of controversy, is my avatar contrroversial?

I have had it since I joined here...

Well, I personally don't use that kind of language, but I still like it. And Pete's sig, well, I don't agree with him, but whatever.

[MrCrowley]

J. Before creating a thread to ask a question, PLEASE SEARCH FIRST! This forum is years old and contains a wealth of spudgun related information at your fingertips – just use the Search tool. Patrons tend to flame members for asking simple questions anyway, so save yourself the trouble and search before posting a question. It’s probably been asked before.

this one is sort of annoying. most new members do not know the proper terminology used on this site. they may not of had a chance to completely read the wiki or understand it. many long time members ask the same questions, but they know the terminology to use asking.

if i were a young person that just found out about launchers and searched for "combustion chamber" the result is over 14,500 and rising. quite a few are members saying "use the search button". i'm really surprised "search button" returns 1805 results.

in the same amount of space a link or a simple answer can be given. or the thread can be completely ignored.

So instead we could say "try searching using this term (insert term here, e.g propane metered) to help find your answer"?

[Fnord]

My avatar may be controversial to residents of Boston.

I'm not exactly sure pete's sig is intended to offend, so much as it is intended to "wake up".

While I do not support war unless it is absolutely necessary, I do support those dying for the cause. The question is, what cause is it?
Our freedom will remain the same regardless, and iraq will only be free if it's people can learn to take action for themselves.

If you wish to discuss this with me or anyone else, do it via pm so we aren't spamming up pete's thread.

[silverdooty]

So instead we could say "try searching using this term (insert term here, e.g propane metered) to help find your answer"?

that would definitely be a more positive answer. some terms return thousands of results.

personally i like to use google with

site:www.spudfiles.com <searchterm>

it will return result from the spudtech archives and i can use exact phrases.[/b]

[MrCrowley]

Ok thanks for that, the modding team and other members always are looking to use new friendly terms that gets the point across but in a way so we don't act like a jerk.

Personally it really pisses me off when I see really basic topics that could've done with a search or two.
I've been there myself personally when I started out and I don't want to scare them away, more members in the community the better.

But you need to tell them that in a way that they learn the forum rules and regulations with posting, but aren't annoyed at you for flaming them.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Controversial is different to everyone, personally your avatar and petes sig don't offend me nor do they incite me, however to someone else they might. So who can be the judge of how much censorship must be placed on things to please the whole?

Surely there is a line to be drawn somewhere however. Your Dachau reference (which no one seems to have picked up on kids today and their love of history!) is obscure and the phrase "work will free you" is not inherently offensive - but what if I used the following avatar:

[MrCrowley]

Is your avatar the Dachau gate sign? If so I went there this year, very very very strange place to be.

Arbeit Macht Frei has many meanings, most mean the same thing really, like the literal translation is Work Makes Free, which is Work Makes You Free, so responding to your query JSR, some people may feel 'free' when working, in your case that looks like a bank robbery, so the guy could be messed up in the head and feel free(probably not for long when the pigs get him).

I wouldn't find that controversal, as I know the meaning behind AMF(arbeit..) and why it was put at the entrance to some concentration camps.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Is your avatar the Dachau gate sign? Iso I went there this year, very very very strange place to be.

You're right there, it is Dachau.

in your case that looks like a bank robbery, so the guy could be messed up in the head and feel free(probably not for long when the pigs get him).

Actually the columbine high school massacre. My point was that some people might recognise that image immediately and find it offensive. It's hard to draw the line - would you ban something because only one person on the forum found it offensive? Would it depend on that memeber's standing on the forum? How would you keep things fair? But the point of moderation is that there should be an arbitrary line drawn somewhere.