Forum Protocols

[jcuve]

Forum Protocols:


A) Understand:

1. This is a free VOLUNTEER forum. There are experts and other volunteers here trying to assist with questions about numismatic errors and varieties.
2. Be patient. Someone with the specific knowledge needed may not be available. It happens.
3. Allow at least ten days for a response in some cases.
4. We are making the best educated guess possible on a coin we are seeing from someone else's photos. We can make a mistake, but try not to.

B) DO

1. Be polite and courteous.
2. Make it clear what you are asking.
3. Please be patient.
4. Identify the specific part of the coin you are asking about. The more specific usually the better.
5. Include PHOTOS.
6. Do not assume anything, you are here to ask assistance on a coin, please accept that you may not hear what you want to hear.
7. Provide thanks when someone has answered your question.
8. You can disagree, but always be respectful and polite if so.
9. Post ERRORS and VARIETIES.
10. Post your coin ONE TIME - in ONE THREAD

C) DO NOT

1. Argue.
2. Overanalyze a coin that was deemed a non error or something minor.
3. Demand answers or elaborate explanations.
4. PM or Email to further debate your point or argue
5. Post the same coin in multiple places.
6. Engage in personal attacks.
7. Go on a diatribe to try and be correct with your opinion.
8. Post questions about grading.
9. Post questions about toned coins that are not errors or varieties.
10. Post an endless stream of additional photos.
11. Become enraged and tell us you are sending your coin to PCGS or NGC anyway.
12. Send coins in for attributions unless you have a green light from the attributer.
13. Post coins in someone else's thread.

D) Delete Extra

After writing anything on the forum, reread it and make a point to delete all extraneous information except the specific phrase, sentence, or comment to which you are replying. This not only helps the reader know what you are replying to, but also helps him or her save time by not wading through a long post, or worse, the entire included thread.


E) Summarize, Quote, or Refer:

Another way to help readers engage in your responses is to give a frame of reference in your post by quoting or summarizing the content to which you are responding. There are QUOTE buttons, copy the text you're interesting in quoting, then click the button and immediately paste the quote.

There are QUOTE buttons

F) Tone and Courtesy in Writing:

1. The "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication. When you read your message out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to someone in person? When you have never met someone you're speaking with in real life, their online electronic communications can feel more negative or hostile when that was not the intention.
2. With that said, note: humor can be difficult to convey in text, so make sure everyone realizes when you are trying to be funny. It is easy for messages to be misinterpreted since there are no physical gestures or voice inflections that accompany the text.
3. Think through and re-read your comments before you post them.
4. Be nice. Refrain from inappropriate language and derogatory or personal attacks.
5. Make a personal commitment to learning about, understanding, and supporting your peers.
6. Assume the best of others on the forum, and expect the best from them.
7. Disagree with ideas, but avoid challenges that may be interpreted as a personal attack.
8. Be open to being challenged or confronted on your ideas or prejudices.
9. Do not demean, harass or embarrass others.
10. Check Previous Postings Before You Post.
11. Remember to read what has previously been posted by others to avoid repeating comments.
12. Make sure you are posting under the appropriate heading or thread.
13. Stick to the topic; if you wish to pursue an unrelated idea, CREATE a NEW THREAD.
14. Give Credit Where Credit is Due.

G) Cite your references:

Do not use anyone else's photos unless you have PERMISSION
NOTE: Parts of this thread were adapted from this website: https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/pro...etiquette.html


H) Grammar, Spelling and Fonts:

1. Avoid slang (e.g., "Wassup?", "Bro," " Bru," "Yo," and so forth).
2. DO NOT curse.
3. Use standard spelling:
   you (not u
   are (not r
   to or too (not 2
   you're (not ure
   right (not rite
   I (not i)
4. DON'T WRITE THE ENTIRE POSTING WITH YOUR CAPS LOCK ON. IT'S REALLY ANNOYING.
5. THANK YOU!