Newbie opinions
 

Something I would like input on.

What is the general thought among members concerning proper grammar and punctuation? If we are going to expect a certain level of intellegent dialog here, what would you consider a reasonable learning curve?

Re: Newbie opinions
 

Type at least at a high school level. That should be pretty easy considering the youngest members on this board would be at least a freshman. We don't need entire posts full of 1337 xxxsPeaKxxx or pointless one-line/work responses that add nothing to a topic.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

As I'm sure everyone has noticed, this is something I bitch about, a lot. I look at it as if Allan can go from having typing that is so poor that the posts are hardly legible, to stuff that would pass with flying colors on NABR, all these newbies can put in some effort towards post quality. Currently, they seem to be putting negative effort in towards post quality and type here like they would on AIM. Shit like that does not pass in the real world, sorry. So, personally, I'd like to see them cracked down on and if they don't like being cracked down on, boot them. However, this is only geared towards newbies as I know there are a few select senior member who don't have competition-ready post quality but we all have gotten used to that over the years so it's all good.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

Great thread and I'd love to see/read comment from new membors, old members (smack that up as a age wack to some of you guy ;) ), sponsors, and the owners/admins.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I think people should be able to use periods when needed and proper capitalization(sp?). I dont think proper spelling should be cracked down on as long as you can understand what they are implying. I also dont think proper use of commas and semi-colons should be required. If a person can break up a sentence with a comma or period I think that is sufficient.

I do however feel that people shouldnt be warned over and over again for lack of "shift key use" or long drawn out sentences. As annoying as it is to read their posts it is just as annoying to read an administrators post to tell them to change their ways.

I agree with Chris too. The standard one line posts on a thread that is a week old should be regulated. Regardless if they are trying to pad their post count or just make conversation it is annoying.

DSMstyle is pretty much the only board that I frequent that isn't filled with post whores and people that are just bored. It is a group of enthusiasts/friends that share a common interest. Even though many of the senior members dont have a DSM anymore they are still willing to help with the questions that the new guys have and still willing to have a good time doing it.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I think it's nice to be able to read the posts, but I don't think it’s quite necessary to use all the apostrophes in stuff like I'm and I'll. It's not like it's a big deal to put them in, but I forget stuff like that all the time. I mean, it can still be read without a problem, so I don't understand why it is such a big deal.

Also, personally I found it kind of rude when I typed out my "Member Intro" and was ridiculed for not using perfect grammar. I'd think most people would be nice and say welcome or something along those lines, instead of telling me my grammar sucks.

It's kind of a pain to have to go back and re-read everything over and over again to make sure it's all perfect. I'll admit I'm not the greatest typer, but I don't think it's necessary to enforce it so harshly, everyone makes mistakes. And not everyone’s blessed with perfect typing.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I said "p.s. Clean ride" :rolleyes:

As a new member you are expected to show some respect for the site's rules and regulations. They are posted on the forums introduction page. Right above the DSMStyle.com Forums button.

Here's what it says incase you missed it.
Spelling & Grammar
- To keep the posting viewed on a higher level we would like to suggest that posting be done in a way that can be easily read and understood by all. Using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar, along with the use of the shift key at the correct times is something we expect you to try and abide by.

Nobody here expects perfection, but at least an effort is required. :cool:

-1ViciousGSX

Re: Newbie opinions
 

It doesn't take rocket science to be able to post a decent post, whether you are talking and saying nothing, or talking and saying something. It's a little sad that people are at least of high school age and still can't spell, let alone type. It gets really fucking annoying when threads are cluttered with mods saying "USE THE SHIFT KEY YOU DUMB ASS" and in my opinion if they can't figure it out after the second or third warning, they can take a day or three vacation.

So I voted B and D.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I feel that everyone should make an effort to create a legible and logical post. The basic punctuation and grammar everyone should have learned prior to highschool should be there for sure. I don't think it's essential to have apostrophe's or colons/semi-colons. And reguarding typing skill? I've been typing this with, uh, let's see... two fingers? :)

Re: Newbie opinions
 

On a different note, I think allowing the new people to post ONLY in the newb section for 50 posts seems like it'd be kinda shitty for a "more knowledgeble" new member who joins. If it is decided that there is a post limit to a specific forum, we all better do our best to check that forum often, and get everyone's questions answered!

Re: Newbie opinions
 

Exactly!!!

Re: Newbie opinions
 

ahhhh who cares if people can't type worth shit....... i mean come on only an asshole admin would yell at people that use ten periods when they are not needed.......let alone not knowing how to use the shift key....lol i say let newbies runs free amongst dsmstyle as if it was myspace ...... some people act like this internet shit is SERIOUS BUISNESS.....gawd litten up a bit geezzz......@!

Re: Newbie opinions
 

And no AJ I am not drunk, I am at work. So don't get your tampon in a bundle. I don't need to vote since I am almost as bitchy as Jakey when it comes to how people post (I said almost). This site has cleaned up a lot in the last year though, I remember when it was pretty chaotic. Sometimes newbies think I am an asshole when I ask them to post in a different manner, but when in actuality its for their own good. The more clear they type and the more information they put in their posts the easier it is for them to get help. Also when joining a site, I would say you are respected more from the get go if you can type in atleast a 6th grade level.

I bet over the last year I have sent hundreds of PMs to people telling them to shape up. Usually it works. Some people are not curable though.

I would also like to add that there is a report bad post tab in each post. So you as a member can use that to report messed up posts or something that offends you so it can be dealt with.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I'm all for it. But you will hear non-stop crying about how this board is turning into NABR and such. I used to deal with those pm's on NABR all the time, now it's maybe one a month. ;)

Re: Newbie opinions
 

Because it's members have a clear understanding of what's expected. That's why you deal with less pm's. ;)

I don't think anybody wants or expects DSMStyle to turn into NABR. But maybe somewhere in between "Tuner's and NABR would be nice.

That's what this thread is all about. What do we want?

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I think the majority of the member base would like to see proper spelling and grammar. I know that I skip many tech questions due to the way they are worded. I am less worried about the overall spelling and grammar of this board compared to the lack of using THE FUCKING SEARCH KEY!!
Many of the "questions" on this board can be found within 1 minute on this site, or a larger site, such as tuners. Having a tech section is great, but answering the same question 3 times a week, gets a bit old.

I would like to appologize for my lack of grammar and spelling at times. I usually have but a few minutes to make a post, and my fingers are only so accurate.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

Bump for more input.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I think the 50 count should be dropped to 20 or so. Once they get 20 posts they are usually getting the hang of it. I think that 50 posts will encourage post whoring.

I also agree that correct grammar should be kept about like it has. Not as bad as NABR, but so things are easily legible and I am not sitting there saying "WTF?" when I read a post.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

I think 50 is a good limit. But I think the posts need to have more content then 50 posts of single words or single sentences. They need to use the shift key AT LEAST once in each post for admin approval. If you put a block like 50 posts we are going to see a lot of abuse and single sentence posts that mean nothing, they have no purpose.
I think if an admin sees this abuse the member will be set at a post count of -50 and if they abuse it again they are banned. Simple as that.
Its not like we are being like NABR, we are just trying to make it so that there are less people just coming on here and posting random crap, we already have someone that does that, his name is Tom.

Re: Newbie opinions
 

You are 17 years old buddy, its time to learn proper english. The way you say things on a forum represent you as a person. If you dont want to take the time to obey the rules of the english language then we don't want to take the time to help you in any way. There is nothing more annoying then trying to decifer the code that is someones typing skill. Usually the members that continually type like that and don't make coherant sentences either leave because everyone keeps making fun of the persons posts, or they get banned because AJ decided that he wanted to be the spelling bee loser again.
Tom