Hello. Welcome to USA Network's SVU message board. We're a crazy bunch of people and always looking to add a few more. Based on many discussions on the board, here are a few guidelines, rules of etiquette and suggestions for newbies and anyone else in need of a refresher course.

1) Don't type in all caps. It's considered yelling and you can be seen as rude. You have a shift button on you keyboard, please use it.

2) Punctuation, grammar, and spelling (your English teacher would love to know you learned to use them). Please remember that English is not the native language for many of our posters. Using netspeak or not using punctuation, capital letters, grammar, etc, can make your posts difficult to understand. Also remember that not everyone here is under the age of 20 so the netspeak looks a lot like gibberish to us and makes some posts more than difficult to read.

3) Duplicate threads. Check the entire front page to see if there's already a thread started about what you want to discuss. If you can't find one, then there's a search feature at the bottom of the main page. It's a pretty good bet that if you want to discuss a particular topic, it's already got at least one thread dedicated to it.

The Admin of USA has stated that duplicate threads will be locked. So to avoid aggrevation to yourself and others, please do a check first. Then, if your topic doesn't appear, feel free to start a new one.

4) Remember that we can't see facial expressions, hear vocal intonations or hear the laughter that someone may have been experiencing when they wrote you a reply. This means that sometimes something you might find offensive wasn't intended that way by the poster. If you find something they said to be offensive, please ask for clarification before assuming they meant to be mean. If you don't feel comfortable posting your question to the board, then send the poster a PM (click their name, then click "private message"). Don't just assume they were trying to be mean and get in their face in return. That's how board wars get started.

5) Speaking of board wars. Please don't bring difficulties on other boards here. If you're having issues with another board, deal with it there. Don't post a link to their board here and ask people to go over and read/respond/help. It'll only get ugly and I dare to say, none of us want that.

6) Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Which, in plain speak means: Be nice, play well and if you're feeling grumpy or angsty, go sit in a corner until you're able to play well with others. We all have feelings and can be hurt rather easily if poked hard enough. Just because we can't see each other doesn't mean the words can't hurt.

'Kay?

If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free. This isn't anything official, just my take on things after 7 years of moderating boards and chatrooms. I hope it didn't offend anyone.

good post, yeah and to add to the internet wars, this is a quote i heard

"fighting with your keybored on the internet is like running in the special olympics, even if you win your still retarded". not meaning this to be offinsive or anything but you can grasp the point of online wars being stupid and not worth anything. is just a qoute.

Thank you for posting that and I agree with everything you said. We should make sure that this post stays on the front page.

Thank you Kat. This was much needed.

Thanks Kat! I try to use the correct spelling and things. I know I love to use all of the netspeak with my friends, but I try not to use it as much on here except for the evry now and then lol or omg.

Very well said.

Also, when people start new threads, please try to spell things right in the Thread title. It's alright if you misspell things in your reply once in a while, but it makes things look a little messy..

I don't know, it just bothers me. But sometimes I can be OCD about those types of things...

I think this is a great idea ... it's really important to have some guidelines to keep the board running smoothly

i have one

can we please not abbreviate unless it is lol or somethink like that. for us well "older" and not up on the internet lingo it is hard to understan what your saying, maybe its just me but please dont do that. sorry if it makes it harder.

I support every word, KatRose. As I said before: manners are ALWAYS in style.
*Uber-high-class English accent* We are all so bloody sophisticated here. Eh, chaps?

Quote:

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I support every word, KatRose. As I said before: manners are ALWAYS in style.
*Uber-high-class English accent* We are all so bloody sophisticated here. Eh, chaps?

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love the accent. haha you rock