So you're new to the forum, and want to be a respected poster.

[Jonspen]

I originally posted this in the newbie board in the FPS forums. This took a fair amount of time to compile, even if I did copy and paste from my original thread in FPS, I still had to go through and edit to suit legendsforums, so please take the time to read through this thread carefully.

Banners

To become a good forum poster, it doesnt necessarilly mean you have to have the biggest or the coolest banner. But, it puts alittle life into your posts. So if you feel you have an appropriate banner, use it.

Here is a quick expmlination of how to use your banner:

1) First get a banner made, you can either make it yourself OR request to get one made in a banners thread (Click here to get to the Banners and Custom Signatures board)

2) Next upload your banner onto a site, try: www.walagata.com or www.imageshack.us

3) To add the banner to your signature all you have to do is:

1. Go to Profile on bar where you can login/logout, arcade etc are.
2. Go to Forum profile information when you're in your profile.
3. Go down to where its says signature. (Under custom title)
4. Type in this (note do not put the periods in). [.img] URL of banner [./img]
5. Hit save setting.

Avatars

You follow exactly the same steps as for a banner, with the exception of instead of going to the signature box, you merely go to the Avatar box (where you can uplaod your own, or use one of the ones the forum gallery has provided)

Getting Started in the forums

So, it must be pretty exciting to finally be part of a good community! Well, you should be. But before you go and hit the new thread button, consider this.

Really, your first thread you should be in the Newbie Board. A friendly introduction of yourself. And then, once you got the feel of how posting goes on here. You can expand yourself across the whole board.

Thread Guidelines

Is this thread really neccessary? Or could it just be done elsewhere and/or by any other means. Eg : [New thread] Hey danny dont forget to bring in your football at school tommorrow. [/New thread]
In this instance, they could have sent something called a Private Message (See Private Message section) This means you dont have to make a new thread for everything you need to say.

Am I making this thread in the right board? If you are going to make a thread, you have to make sure your making it in the right section. Eg : [New thread in Bug Reports] I think they should make an extra golem unit! [/New thread]

Is it neccessary to read the stickies first? You dont have to read the stickies, but it is advised that you do. They are stickied for a reason. Most likley because they are highly important. Ex : Rules, guidlines. See Forum Rules Section.

Posting Guidelines

Dont be insulting - Really simple, as true here as it is in real life. Now this isn�t to say that insults aren't sometimes justified and useful. But if you give the perception of being an insulting person, especially if you insult prominent members, you will be highly disliked. As a simple rule, just don't insult anyone.

Don't insult n00bs either. A lot of n00bs seem to think that attacking each other will increase their status in the forum; this is very false, it just makes you look more stupid.

Don't be arrogant - Don't brag about how great you are. We don�t care, and it really doesn't look good.

You will be flamed - Everyone here is attacked by someone at some point. Live with it. Its part of what makes this place fun. Don't overreact to being attacked. And don't make leaving threads just because a bunch of people attack you, that just makes you a coward.

Using Correct Grammar - Try to use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, all that good stuff

The use of good grammar is forum etiquette. Capitalize correctly. Use "you" rather than "u". A few extra seconds of your time will increase the perception many of us have of you by incredibly amounts. While some vets can get away with bad form, virtually every n00b uses bad grammar and spelling-this is a really easy way to separate yourself from them.


Post intelligently

If you have something to say that fits the topic of the thread, hasn�t already been said before, and that you think will interest the members of the forum, post it!
Very simple concepts, right? Pretty much anyone can follow these rules. Yet how many people can you think of who have followed all of them and are still considered n00bs? I can't think of a single person who has followed all of the above and is still disliked on this forum. Anyone can depart from n00bdom just by trying a little bit!

Of course, this is not a comprehensive list. You won't become a Cyberopts or Prophet overnight, that takes a level of wit, intellect, and pure posting prowess that most of us simply don't possess at this point of our lives. But you can at least become an vozohe or Wayfearer, and for most of us, that's good enough.

Forum Content (Rules & Regulations of Old TAO Forums) by XCI

These rules are good for adaptation here, too!

I was noting a lot of off-topic posting (for the people who don't know, it means you don't post content relating to the topic at hand). This causes minor confusion and doesn't set an example for the younger forum users who are unaware of how a forum is to be run. Please keep in mind that the forums are a community based on responsabilities, and being in an internet discussion with someone means that you keep it on-topic, or veer the topic on-discussion if necessary.

I know this community is fun and a bit crazy at times, but note that it also needs to be a clean, safe environment with rules and regulations. I was browsing through several topics within the forums and I see this happening everywhere. Please just remember the rules and conduct of the TAO forums.

The old TAO forums was based on minor rules and principals, and I'd like to share them with you, because many of you either do not remember, or never got to see the old forums:

-- Spamming/Scrolling is strictly prohibited (I post, but it's meaningful, just read them sometime)
-- On-Topic discussions are necessary
-- Make reasonable posts (I do, you e-n00bs don't realize it)
-- Swearing to a minimum (Not strictly forced)
-- Topics must be relevent to the board, do not over-post topics

Please keep these in mind... these 5 main rules are necessary to create a pluralist forum for all of us to use and maintain. If we all follow these rules (except the swearing one, which is kind of a suggestion), then we can make a better TAO community.

Forum Board Explanation by XCI

For newbies, I would like for you, and everyone else to have a breif tour of what these forums are and how they tie in to the TAO community. This breif summary is for you to know what thread to post your ideas in, post your topics in, and post your thoughts in on the appropriate forum instead of dumping it it somewhere unnecessary:

Announcements
Forum related staff announcements posted within.

The Announcement board is a place for moderators and administrators to tell forum users about up-coming events, new forum updates, and general game facts. Only moderators and Administrators can update information here. In other words, only Administrators can post new informations guarding the forums and game here because only they have the power to post a new topic in this forum.

On Topic
Here you can discuss about anything TAO related.

This forum is a place for you to indicate your ideas about Tactics Arena Online, both Legends and FPS. This forum could otherwise be known as "TAO General Discussion", because of it's likeness of a breif chat, conversation, or argument regarding the TAO community. Post your ideas here by joining the conversation or posting a new topic. (Remember: Use the search button first!)

Off Topic
Discuss general topics outside the Legends world here.

The off topic thread is hardly elaborated in the title, so this is why you should pay it great attention to read this first. Off Topic and General Discussion are NOT THE SAME THING. General Discussion is for posting general ideas, information, and fun things with other forum users. The Off Topic forum is valuable for information regarding media and things such as video games. If you are looking for a 'forum game', then you can find it in Off Topic. Add to the game, or make your own! This forum was my idea so I suggest you check it out, it usually has good stuff in it

Create-A-Unit
Post your own custom ideas for units and figures.

Create-A-Unit can be found on most TAO related boards, and it is meant for you to have fun in making your own imagionary unit to play the game with. Create-A-Unit forum origionates from the old forum and was usually disregarded by the larger TAO-Community, but its usually kind of fun so check it out.

Training Room
Discuss gameplay, tactics, unit management and formations.

This forum is a fun place to be if you are a noobie, or just need to brush up on tactics. This forum has everything you need in order to become a good TAO player. If you have any strategic problems, post a thread there, but remember to always use the search button first. This forum was also in the old forums and had a guy name QuicksandSlowly as a moderator there. He would field your questions through PM. Im sure the mods for the Training Room would be more than happy to help you out too, as they happen to be fine players.

Trophy Room
Winners of Tournaments, new tournaments, etc.

This is the Trophy Room. This forum had more relevence when TAO was a bit more popular because Seed and the clan of his named S.W.A.T. used to set up tournaments with a little blue guy named Merforga, AKA Smerf. This forum is relatively dead as to it's lack of interest and how it's hard to regulate a tournament without official standards. If you think you can win a tournament, strut your stuff and gain recognition there.

Battle Reports
Brag about your wins

This forum is a new addition to the old forums, and it's moderately popular because people always want to show that they are better than others. Are you good enough to post here? First week as a TAO member and beat a GOLD? Post your screen shot here and get recognized. Also check out some past screen shots and see how the pros play.

Clan Recruitment
Post here if your clan is recruiting or you want to join a clan.

This is a place for you to boast about your clan in it's designated thread. Doesn't have one? Make one for your clan and try to recruit others into it. Also, if you are a noobie and are interested in finding a place to get a clan, post here with your statistics and screen name and you might get invited! Good luck.

Clan Discussion
Plot, strategize and conquer!

Part of a clan? Post about it here. Most people have clans in TAO, so post your clan in here and chat with other clan members about clan issues, or see other clans with theirs. It's always a good read to browse this forum.

War Room
WAR WAR WAR WAR! Everybody loves a good old fashioned war between clans.

This place is meant for clan wars and clan negotiation. If you are a clan leader than you can send your clan to war by declaring it in public to another clan. If you are a newbie, prey to God your leader doesn't send you to war.

TAO Art
All you artist post your TAO pics here

This is where the Archives are held. Post your own work here or check out some other people's TAO artistic talent. This can also be unrelated to TAO, but mainly keep it on topic.

Banners/Custom Signatures
Need a banner or you make banners, this is for you.

This is a forum that is always been good. This forum has a hustle and bussle as people from the TAO community exchange their gold for signatures. Higher gold you give, the higher quality signature/avatar you can get. An artist that knows photoshop? Set up some of your work and a price. If it works with a buyer, you can make a nice buck here. Show off your new banners by posting elsewhere in the forums.

Suggestions/Bugs
Please post suggestions and feedback or bugs found for the site development team here.

This thread is for bugs (eww!) so if you see a glitch, post it and someone will surely fix the problem for you. You can also post game bugs here too if you wish, but specify that that is what the bug is. See a bug? Make a thread and clearly specify the problem and a part of the moderation team can relay the message and have it fixed if possible.


I hope this was helpful to you newbies, so read it carefully and post on-topic to what I said here. This is for you to understand what the forums are for, and I elaborated each one.

And finally, the Terms of Service

You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted material. Spam, flooding, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are also forbidden on this forum.

Note that it is impossible for the staff or the owners of this forum to confirm the validity of posts. Please remember that we do not actively monitor the posted messages, and as such, are not responsible for the content contained within. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented. The posted messages express the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of this forum, its staff, its subsidiaries, or this forum's owner. Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of this forum immediately. The staff and the owner of this forum reserve the right to remove objectionable content, within a reasonable time frame, if they determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, please realize that they may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. This policy applies to member profile information as well.

You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries. The owners of this forum also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or any other related information collected on this service) in the event of a formal complaint or legal action arising from any situation caused by your use of this forum.

You have the ability, as you register, to choose your username. We advise that you keep the name appropriate. With this user account you are about to register, you agree to never give your password out to another person except an administrator, for your protection and for validity reasons. You also agree to NEVER use another person's account for any reason. We also HIGHLY recommend you use a complex and unique password for your account, to prevent account theft.

After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable.

Please note that with each post, your IP address is recorded, in the event that you need to be banned from this forum or your ISP contacted. This will only happen in the event of a major violation of this agreement.

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[Wayfaerer]

overacheiver :cool:

[Jonspen]

Well the only other thing on this forum is "For all you nubs" (Like Wayf ;)) in On Topic.

[Yang]

Did you post this when you were overexcited for getting promoted to mod?

P.S. You should add some guidelines on s.

[Jonspen]

Nah, the smilies explain themselves

[Mask]

and u hope any1 gonna read it?

[Jonspen]

There's always a chance. I'd rather of made this thread, in the chance that some people might read it and help them become a better forum user, rather than not of made it and helped nobody.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Jonspen

Dont be insulting - Really simple, as true here as it is in real life. Now this isn�t to say that insults aren't sometimes justified and useful. But if you give the perception of being an insulting person, especially if you insult prominent members, you will be highly disliked. As a simple rule, just don't insult anyone.

Don't insult n00bs either. A lot of n00bs seem to think that attacking each other will increase their status in the forum; this is very false, it just makes you look more stupid.

Don't be arrogant - Don't brag about how great you are. We don�t care, and it really doesn't look good.

Choke. ;)

[redazure]

Noobs are scared of huge blocks of writting...

This is a pretty big pill to swallow. Otherwise, thanks for the tips. I will be getting on the whole making-a-banner thing soon. Oh that was how far I read hehe.

[Jonspen]

Again, I don't expect the morons to follow, but if I help someone with an ounce of intelligence, I'll be happy.

I don't expect you guys to read it, why would you, you're not newbs?