READ THIS BEFORE POSTING! Otherwise, get ready to die.

Lizard · #1 April 27th, 2009, 01:46 AM

We seem to have lost the "how to" thread during the recent site changes. Let me get some of the basics out there.

Want to start a new thread? Make sure it hasn't been posted already. There's the handy "check if already posted" button at the top of the screen when you're creating a new thread. Also, you can search threads for the last name of the perpetrator or victim. If the names are common, try an unusual town name (e.g., "Grosse Pointe"). Further, is it maybe in another part of the site? Missing Persons? Strange but True? I usually try searching several ways before concluding the story I have isn't here.
If you are starting a new thread, use news sources only. If the story is only being reported in Bobbie Sue Robichaux's personal blog, forget it.
Do NOT include entire news stories. That's copyrighted shit, y'all. Hit the highlights, and clean up the garbage. (We don't want to read "Advertisement" in the middle of the story.)
EQUALLY IMPORTANT: anything taken directly from the original news source needs to be identified as a quote. It's easy! You just use this button:

Alternative? Rewrite it in your own words. Particularly useful when you've checked out multiple news sources.
INCLUDE THE LINK TO THE NEWS SOURCE AT THE END OF YOUR POST! Otherwise, I will hunt you down and kick your knee caps up into your pelvic region.
Bonus points for photos of the perp. Maybe even more for photos of the victim.
Titles: Here's where the wheat gets separated from the chaff. Keep 'em brief as you can. (There is a character limit, ya know.) But AT LEAST include the perpetrator's name (middle initial NOT necessary) and some indication of the crime. Go browse the many, many threads we have. There are tons of good examples there. And don't be butthurt if a mod comes behind you and changes your title.
If you are lucky enough to have a story coincide with a Front Page story then congratulations. Like a virgin sacrificed to appease the Gods, your thread will be closed and stuck to the top for a few days with a quick note and a link to the Front Page article. We are creating rewards for people whose stories we choose to go up front. One for main articles, and another for Daily Bite articles. That doesn't mean you should throw a bunch of shit on the wall to see what sticks, as that is noticed as well. QUALITY over Quantity, people.
Got a question? Just ask! Admins/mods kill fewer people each year than you'd think. And keep those stories coming!

petrina · #2 April 27th, 2009, 01:50 AM

first.

Lizard · #3 April 27th, 2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrina

first.

Nope. That was ME.

HA HA HA!

TheLittleFriend · #4 April 27th, 2009, 02:00 AM

Third.

I can still smell your lovely bean farts. I thought it's over?

Oh, nevermind. It was me.

Thinkgoat · #5 April 27th, 2009, 02:07 AM

*cough cough* Damn. My eyes are burning.

Thanks Lizard. Those do it or die instructions are branded into my brain.

TheLittleFriend · #6 April 27th, 2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkgoat

*cough cough* Damn. My eyes are burning.

Your welcome, dear.

Lizard · #7 April 27th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLittleFriend

Oh, nevermind. It was me.

Yep. You. Or my husband. He has mad gas skillz.

Lizard · #8 April 27th, 2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkgoat

Thanks Lizard. Those do it or die instructions are branded into my brain.

Hey, it only says you have to read them. But if you read them and don't follow them, then that only means torture and public ridicule. Easy peasy!

Dakota Valkyrie · #9 April 27th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Does this mean there is not a competition going on for the longest title?

SoUncool · #10 April 27th, 2009, 12:36 PM

If you need to know how to spell something, how to use proper punctuation or sentence structure, you know where to find me. Or I'll find you.

Wicked Doll · #11 April 27th, 2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoUncool

If you need to know how to spell something, how to use proper punctuation or sentence structure, you know where to find me. Or I'll find you.

I don't need no help with sentance structure, punctuation, and spelling. It ain't that hard.

SoUncool · #12 April 27th, 2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

I don't need no help with sentance structure, punctuation, and spelling. It ain't that hard.

Nope... "sentence"

Wicked Doll · #13 April 27th, 2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoUncool

Nope... "sentence"

Xactlee, speeling is ez.

Kalehue · #14 April 27th, 2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

Xactlee, speeling is ez.

Good to know we have two Demonites to help with spelling and sentence structure. :-)

P.S. - I love your avatar SoUncool.

ineedanap · #15 April 28th, 2009, 01:57 PM

Damn, I learn something new every day. I never knew there was a little quote icon. Neat!

Special2bme · #16 April 28th, 2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota Valkyrie

Does this mean there is not a competition going on for the longest title?

No, Dakota there really is. :)

Dakota Valkyrie · #17 April 28th, 2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Special2bme

No, Dakota there really is. :)

You don't want me to mention who a top contender would be, do you Special??

swivel · #18 April 28th, 2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoUncool

If you need to know how to spell something, how to use proper punctuation or sentence structure, you know where to find me. Or I'll find you.

Are you trying to pass that second thing off as a sentence? Because it ain't.

You really suck at this, you know that?

petrina · #19 April 29th, 2009, 05:10 PM

SoUncool · #20 April 29th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swivel

Are you trying to pass that second thing off as a sentence? Because it ain't.

You really suck at this, you know that?

It's conversation, Swiv. You really suck at it too.

swivel · #21 April 29th, 2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoUncool

It's conversation, Swiv. You really suck at it too.

What's conversation?

It's A conversation?

It's FOR conversation?

If you are suggesting that language is simply a means of conveying ideas between two brains that can not know the state of another without employing written or verbal communication, then I agree.

Which means you should take your grammar rules and spell-checks and shove them somewhere painful.

Shakespeare didn't abide by these rules. He didn't even spell many of his words consistently. He knew that they would be spoken and understood, slang and all.

Being a grammar Nazi is not something you should brag about. It means you harp on structure instead of content. And it probably makes some people refrain from posting as often.

It is weird that you embrace being off-putting and scaring newbies. That would be like me going around and talking shit about god, disagreeing with everyone, groaning my friends, and being an asshole in general.

Can't you see how stupid that sort of behavior would be?

Morbid · #22 April 30th, 2009, 01:50 PM

RULE #8 Added

Dakota Valkyrie · #23 May 20th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizard

EQUALLY IMPORTANT: anything taken directly from the original news source needs to be identified as a quote. It's easy! You just use this button:

Just to restate that. Highlight the copied text and click the quote icon and it will put it in quote format. Simple. Use it! Please.

The things mentioned in the first post by Lizard above also apply when you are adding a comment to a thread.

ALSO: Check to see that you are not just putting up info that has already been posted by someone else in the thread. Only include the new info PLEASE (or a few simple lines of re-hash in long threads and the new stuff).

When updating, a bit of the important info and the link is far better than just a link.

No one will want to read your post if it looks like the same stuff already put up. Accidents and same-time posting happen but no one wants to read the same thing over and over.

Dakota Valkyrie · #24 August 17th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Please folks, DO NOT HOTLINK IMAGES to other sites! It's "Bandwidth Theft" and a major no-no.

If you have a mugshot, other pic, or graphic to use, upload it to an image hosting site such as TinyPic or Photobucket.

Any site that want's you to link an image will give you the code to do it. (Like those cutsie graphic comments sites)

If you don't, you also run the risk of the source moving (so either nothing shows or you get the X) or changing the image on you... maybe to something like this:

petrina · #25 August 17th, 2009, 08:44 PM

i have no idea what you just said. i thought hotlinks were sausages. and tho i am trying to be a little funny, i am not kidding when i say i have no idea. but then, i guess i wont do it then.

Dakota Valkyrie · #26 August 17th, 2009, 09:02 PM

OK.... hmmm

When you post a picture, make sure the web address of the image is a photo sharing site NOT the newspaper/TV station/MySpace or anywhere else that does not give permission.

If you have to right-click and Show Picture/View Image to get the address, it's the wrong way to do it.

If you upload it to TinyPic (or Photobucket), they will provide you with the web address to use (generally labeled "Direct Link").

If a site WANTS you to use their images, they will provide the info for it.

Does that help?

petrina · #27 August 17th, 2009, 09:13 PM

yes, i think so. so, if i post a link to a website that is the link to a newspaper and there happens to be an image there, thats ok right? bc i posted the whole shebang?

Dakota Valkyrie · #28 August 17th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Posting a link to wherever and there happens to be images on that page is A-OK.

Posting an image on D'D that is located on another site is NOT OK. (unless they said so - which most places DO NOT... put the picture on a site like TinyPic/Photobucket which is designed for that purpose)

petrina · #29 August 17th, 2009, 09:22 PM

thanks DV. you rock at explaining it. sorry i am such a dolt about it all.

Jaded · #30 September 18th, 2009, 10:00 PM

Bumpity bump bump