The NEW Tech Talk Rules
Since the old thread was over four years old, I think it’s time to write a new one.
Welcome to Tech Talk!
Tech Talk is Starmen.net’s official "nerd discussion" board. This board is primarily used for computer/electronics discussion and troubleshooting. Still, we have a few rules that everyone must follow to make sure the board is good for everyone. From now on, I’m going to be a little more strict in enforcing these rules, and since the topic is stickied AND is one of the tabs there’s absolutely no reason for you not to follow them. Most of these rules are based on the old ones, but I’ve added a few more.
Tech Talk Rules
1. Use Google. If you have a problem with a piece of software/hardware, this should not be your first resort. We are not here to search Google for you. If the solution to your problem can be found within the first three pages of a simple Google search, then the thread will be locked and you will be made fun of. If you’re not sure how to use Google, then you should probably bring your computer to a tech.
2. No Homework Questions. If you’re taking a computer class and you don’t know how to do your homework, then don’t come here posting about it. However, the exception to this is if there’s a complex concept that you don’t necessarily understand and you can’t find a good explanation using Google (see, Rule #1.)
3. No Duplicate Topics. I’ve been seeing a lot of these lately. There’s no reason we need a dozen laptop recommendation threads. If your question is related to a thread that’s already posted within the first page or so, then reply to that with your question.
4. What Someone Uses As An OS/Computer/Browser/Piece of Software/Car Is None Of Your Business. I’m going to have this one in big red text so it stands out. If someone asks for a PC recommendation and they say "I don’t want a Mac," then don’t be an idiot and recommend them a Mac, unless there is a very good reason. If someone asks what they should use between XP and Vista, don’t tell them to use Linux or Mac OS or Solaris or whatever the current Flavor of the Month OS is. If someone has a problem with an OS, don’t recommend they use another one. If someone’s IE is breaking, then don’t suggest they download Firefox. Nobody cares about your unique snowflake OS or that you think everything by a certain company is evil. Posting something contrary to what a person is asking not only contributes nothing to the thread, but it can lead to flame wars. It’s also never productive in the case of tech problems, because it doesn’t actually fix their problem at all. Most importantly, it makes you look like an idiot and if you’re annoying enough I will strike you for it. You have been warned.
5. If You Have A Computer Problem, Try Rebooting. Obviously this doesn’t apply to when your computer doesn’t boot up, but a lot of problems can be fixed simply by rebooting your computer. This applies to everyone. Just do it. You might think it doesn’t happen, but over the years we’ve had a lot of threads that were solved at the end by someone saying "Oh wait, I rebooted and it worked!" Even if you use Linux, which by design is made to never have to be restarted, just do it.
6. Nothing Illegal. This goes with the general forum rules, but do not talk about anything illegal. This includes asking about ROMs, especially Mother 3 (we’ll get to that later.) Starting off a post by saying "I pirated this program..." is really a dumb thing to do and will result in your thread being locked. Emulators are also a grey area, basically we’ll help you with emulator stuff but as soon as it treads into the area of "okay, so where do I get ROMs?" there will be problems. Also, discussion of cracks for software (including No-CD cracks) are also taboo, even if you own the original piece of software.
7. For The Love of God, Mother 3 Discussion Does Not Belong Here. Believe it or not, we have a forum specifically for the translation. If you have a legitimate issue with an emulator that is not related to Mother 3, then it’s okay. If you’re posting because you’re too dumb to figure out how to patch Mother 3, then go to the Mother 3 board and ask there.
8. RTFM. Read the freaking manual. If you buy a new piece of software or a new tech gadget and can’t figure out how to use it, don’t come here and ask. They don’t make manuals to look pretty; everything comes with one and generally it can tell you how to use something (and in most cases, fix simple problems.)
9. If It’s A Computer Problem, Post Your Specs. Don’t just say "It’s a Dell computer" or "I has a Macbook." Post detailed computer specs, including processor speed, the amount of RAM you have, your video card, hard drive size, any extra addons you have, anything that could help out. Just saying "my video is acting up, HELP!" doesn’t help us fix your problem. The more detailed you are in your problem, the more likely we are to help you. UPDATE: (Thanks Master Aero) One way to do this would be through Dxdiag. Go to start -> run and type dxdiag. Allow it to load, then click "save all information." Let it save (it could take a minute or two,) save the results somewhere, then load up the txt file you created and paste the contents in your thread.
10. Don’t be an idiot in general. This includes replacing letters in company names (say, microsoft) with dollar signs. Just don’t be dumb; you aren’t being creative and I’ll probably infract you if you do it.
11. (January 8, 2009) The first thing you should try if your computer doesn’t boot is unplugging everything nonessential. This is a lesser-known troubleshooting step, but once in awhile it works. Make sure you unplug everything from your computer that isn’t essential to it’s operation--optimally, you only want a keyboard plugged in initially. If you need a mouse, plug it in later if your computer boots. The reasoning behind this is if your computer doesn’t boot, something that’s plugged in could be causing it. Since your computer isn’t booting anyway, there’s no reason to leave everything plugged in before booting!
Thanks for reading the rules. If you have any questions (or suggestions for new rules,) please feel free to post them here.
