Forum Etiquette and Tips For Newbies

[browning]

Lately I've seen many newbies come and go on their first day because they didn't follow the rules or they did something stupid. This thread is an informational piece for newbies of all kinds to learn proper forum etiquette and tips for surviving among the regular posters.

Step 1 - Forum Rules
Most newbies end up being banned from this forum for lack of reading the rules. All newbies should know the rules before they post. A wonderful set of rules for this forum can be found here:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9622
Also know the penalties for not following the rules, which can be found here:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10101

Step 2 - Your first post
A newbies first post is what determines how everyone views them-Are they really a newbie or do they have a great knowledge of information? Are they stubborn or willing to learn? For your first post, you should avoid:

a.) Making an introduction of yourself
b.) Asking about "X" gun and if it is good or not
c.) Making an opinionated question
d.) Asking about age limits for teams in airsoft, as we have a wonderful thread by Big Clips with teams listed that are looking for players:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10658
e.) Filling the forum with useless information
f.) Making an add unless it is in the Retail Stores Forum for an airsoft retailer
g.) Spamming or thread hijacking-going off-topic
h.) Selling something illegal

All listed above are ways that most newbies have gotten themselves banned, and I highly suggest that newbies reading this do not do any of the above. Try making a post that adds to the topic and has useful information.

Step 3 - Wording/Language/Being Polite
When most people think of a newbie, they think of "l337," and most of the time they are right. There are too many newbies that come on the boards using "l337," and most of the time they end up being flamed by older members. We are at a better standard than "l337" talk, and about half of the crowd on this site is the over 18 crowd who frown upon such types of talk.

Always try and make complete sentences and use correct spelling. It will make you seem more intelligent than the average newbie.

Newbies should also avoid cussing or making offensive jokes or comments. All are a good way to get yourself banned.

Always be polite on forums, especially if you are asking a question. Being polite will help you in the long run because other members will actually take the time to answer your questions. Never be impatient.

Step 4 - Searching
The number one thing that newbies are flamed about is not searching before they post. 99% of the time, the information a newbie is looking for can be found by searching. There is a red and yellow flashing button at the top of the page that says "SEARCH." A picture can be found here:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/images/cp_search_1.gif
It is always good to consult that button before you post.

Also be sure to check out the Newbie FAQ by DumboRAT:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/dynamic.php?s=&action=newbiefaq&menu=2&pos=40
It can be useful too.

Google and other search engines can also be useful in finding information you need.

Step 5 - Moderators
Like all forums, this forum has moderators, and they are much more powerful than you. They have the power to lock, delete, and move threads. They are also there to stop flame wars and other problems.

It seems that some newbies do not understand what a moderator is or what they do, so they argue with them when they lock a thread, or tell everyone to to settle down, or get back on topic. This only complicates the problem and when an administrator steps in to deal with it and the newbie argues with them..well we don't want to go there.

Bottom line. NEVER ARGUE WITH MODERATORS OR ADMINISTRATORS.

Step 6 - Dealing with senior and veteran members
There are many senior and veteran members on this site who have been here since the site began, and most of them have a vast knowledge of airsoft. Like things that I mentioned in Step 5, newbies argue with senior/veteran members of the site too. It is best to take in as much information as you can from them because they are almost always right. If you argue with them, you will most likely find yourself in a hole, as they are much more powerful than you, and can get plenty of members to support their side of the argument.

Good luck to all of you newbies out there in your quest to move up the ladder of seniority from newbie status :).

*This thread is just an informational piece that is to serve as a basic guide for newbie etiquette on the forums, and can be modified, chopped, deleted, or stickied without my consent. This information may not be 100% accurate, and I do not take the blame for the bannination of any newbies.

[U_S_M_C]

I dont see anything wrong with introducing yourself. As long as you get to some kind of point with it, it seems fine to me.

[browning]

When I say avoid introducing yourself, I mean doing it like this:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10876

[Agent Spencer]

Originally posted by browning
Lately I've seen many newbies come and go on their first day because they didn't follow the rules or they did something stupid[/i]

Like say... you... Oh right you lasted at least until day three. :p

On to the point...

NEVER ARGUE WITH MODERATORS OR ADMINISTRATORS.

As long as you have a legitamate arguement, and you don't attack them, the moderators are pretty friendly here.

Spence

[Shifty]

STICKY FOR YOU!

However, I must note that I did not make up the rules. The rules were here basically when I joined the forum 3-4 years ago, and have come and gone since then.

[soldieroffortune]

Originally posted by browning
When I say avoid introducing yourself, I mean doing it like this:
http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10876

Yes, precisely. And, as you might notice, the person who made that thread has been banned, probably for starting other threads that are along the same lines.

[sniperupgrade]

I think another thing to make note of is the community moderation program which allows other users to rate your posts. This system is not too be abused but to help weed out who contributes to the boards and the people that don't contribute. Don't abuse it by boosting your friends and giving 1's to all your enemies. For more information on Comunnity-Moderation visit this thread. (http://airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6148)
Great job browning nice idea.

[browning]

Originally posted by sniperupgrade
I think another thing to make note of is the community moderation program which always other users to rate your posts. This system is not too be abused but to help weed out who contributes to the boards and the people that don't contribute. Don't abuse it by boosting your friends and giving 1's to all your enemies.for more information on Comunnity-Moderation visit this thread. (http://airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6148)
Great job browning nice idea.

Thank you for the addition Sniperupgrade :). If anyone else has any information of value to contribute, feel free to do so.

[sniperupgrade]

Originally posted by gertrude in this thread (http://airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9494)

Where Do I Go For Information?

Firstly, always do a search (http://www.airsoftohio.com/search.php?s=). If you join and then immediately start asking useless questions that have been asked a million times, people will generaly be pretty angry. Read through the Newbie Section first, and then worry about your specific case. Chances are, your question has already been answered.
Also, do some research, and then if you have specific questions, ask retailers online at their websites. They are often the most knowledgable and have the most accurate information. They breathe this stuff every day. However, don't pester them. They are people, not encyclopedias.


How Do I Introduce Myself?

Very gradually. In general, if you have a bit of information that is pertinent and not just repeating what everyone else has said (ie, being a yes-man: this breaks forum rules), then post it. For that matter, READ THE FORUM RULES. If a moderator sees that you have not read them from what you're posting, you'll eventually get some kind of banination. (Not fun. I've been threatened a few times with it.)

The best way for people to get to know you, however, is to actually go to games and play with them. This is, after all, why the forum exists: it is here to serve as a connection for the games, not as an end-all-be-all cause of games.

What Should I Buy?

This is covered in MANY threads here. All you have to do is look through the Newbie Section and the stickied posts at the tops of each section. They will give you the best information we have. As always, the first, best thing is DumboRAT's Newbie FAQ (http://www.airsoftohio.com/dynamic.php?s=&action=newbiefaq&menu=2&pos=40#).



How Do Games Work?

As far as I know, there are a few elements:

1) Registration (Usually Costs Money)
For some games this will be very easy, and for others it will be very difficult. For instance, many of the very large games sell out quickly, and others, such as Irene, give preference to players that have gone before.

2) Planning and Execution of Transportation (How You Get There)
This stuff is common sense. Remember to get gas, find and print out a good online map, as well as the map that the game host may provide. Don't forget to pick anyone up.

3) Bringing What You Need
(See Below)

4) Understanding the Rules
Listen to the posted or announced rules! They are there for not only for reasons of enjoyment of the game, but also for safety. It is very very important that you take care concerning them. Nobody wants to get hurt, and you can be kicked out of games, or even expulsed from this forum and social community.

Also, fps limits are there for a reason. No one wants teeth knocked out, bloody-whatevers, or huge bruises. If you know you're weapon is "hot" (shooting faster than allowed) for a game, either get another weapon, or don't go. It saves people the hassle of kicking you out.

5) Gameplay
Obviously, this is the fun part. Some teams practice and really get into it, other people are a little more relaxed about it. The idea is that you call it when you're hit and don't shoot anyone in the face. That's the general gist.

6) Lunch
Bring some money for this, or if you're picky, bring it with you. Another common sense thing.

7) Writing a Review
After the day is done, do the game organizers a favor and write a review. If you had a good time, let them and the community know with a short post. (This is also a great way to let people know who you are and introduce yourself.)

What Should I Bring to games?

Maybe make a list of everything you want to bring to each game- this may include everything from gear to underwear to showering supplies (we want to play airsoft with you, not smell you). Take into account how long you'll be there and how likely it is that something will break.

Necessary items include ANSI-rated goggles and some kind of airsoft gun. You may also want to bring some gear, lunch, extra money with which to do whatever you'd like. Other items may include any medical necessities you need (athsmatics should probably bring their inhalers, diabetics should probably bring whatever will keep their blood sugar right, etc). This is also covered in individual game threads, as well.

Why Does it Cost So Much?

Larger games may pay to bring in commanders, or supply some sort of food/drink/memorabilia/fun stuff, but the largest general cost of airsofting for organizers is field costs. If they don't own the land, it costs money to rent and to pay insurance to use it. So, think before you whine. There may be other costs associated, as well, including supplies like flashbangs, flags, registration papers, clean up, etc.

Why is the Age Limit so High?

If you're asking this, you're probably under 16 or 14. One of the reasons may be legal- all games require that children under 18 (yes, I called you children) have a parent's signed permission form. This releases the field owner or the game organizer of any legal liability if you're dumb enough to injure yourself. However, it could be that your parents would claim they "didn't know what they were signing their kid up for." So if it's pretty rigorous, organizers may way to just forget the whole idea.

Another reason that organizers may not want to invite people so young is that the style of gameplay they are looking for is more focused and driven towards specific goals (ie, "milsim"), and they don't believe that persons that young can integrate themselves into a situation where they will be able to participate in and follow a rigid command structure.

It's not that these people don't want you to play airsoft, it's that the kind of airsoft that they're offering is a kind that you might not mesh that well with.

Some games, however, do cater to younger players. If you can find these games and act with maturity, it will be noticed.

What Are the Dangers?

Yes, yes, any time you have small projectiles flying around, there's bound to be some physics-related damage. The eye protection mentioned above is designed to assure that your eyes will be whole and functioning in years to come. Other injuries include broken/twisted ankles, arms, legs, whatever. If you are traversing rugged terrain (or even not so rugged... rodent holes are murder on ankles) or participating in any other kind of physical activity, there's bound to be some danger associated with the passtime.

Other dangers associated include this debacle (http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9069). It is also important to know the local airsofting rules- so before you decide to hold an event (even with a few friends!), be sure that local authorities (police, etc) and your neighbors know what's going on.

What Happened To All The Girls?

See: Girls Playing Airsoft (http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3755). As a "female" (as we women are wont to being called around these parts), I was pretty darn curious where all the ladies were at. That thread had a general idea, and although I haven't been through a whole season, with what limited experience I have I've seen one other female out there. I'm expecting to perhaps see another few.

This quote from Gertrude also highlights and answers some newbies have. It shows some about how to act at an event and also some misceallaneaus information that a newbie might find helpful. Also remeber Search on multiple forums and multiple search engines because the answer has got to be out there. Also an important thing to note is Post QUALITY is more IMPORTANT than post quantity. I hope you find this useful in your guide browning.