Forums
What are the rules and etiquette of the Cracker forums?
There are some rules we'd like all our forums posters to follow. Our forums will be moderatored based on the below and they are in place to ensure maximum posting pleasure for everyone:
- No ads!: The Cracker forums are an ad-free zone. We have a classified section (which allows for free advertising in just about every category), if you want to place an ad, do so there. Any ads found in the forums will be deleted and you'll likely have your accessed banned for doing so.
- Stay on topic: Off topic posts kill threads. It's that simple, ensure your posts stay on topic and a thread will stay active. If off topic posts start in a thread, it'll die off pretty quickly.
- Do unto others....: Differences of opinion are the life blood of a forum, however personal attacks, flamming and name calling are childish and belong in the playground not in a forum. Remember the human - this is 'netiquette' at it's most basic. Treat other users as you'd like to be treated.
- Leave bygones be: Re-lighting arguments of old threads are going to incite people now, pretty much like it did then. Let sleeping dogs lie and bygones be bygones. Dredging up an old argument is not likely to be productive or garner anything new.
- One topic, one category: When creating a topic, place it only in one category, not across 2 or even 3 categories. We consider this a form of spamming and have a zero tolerance policy in regards to spam. If you feel your topic could potentially cover 2 catgeories, choose the most relevant.
- Report spammers/trolls: While this isn't technically a rule, we'd appreciate it greatly if you could bring any spammers or trolls to our attention. Unfortunately our moderators can't be everywhere at once and so on occasion they'll miss a troll or a spammer. The best way to report on anything they missed or you think they over looked is to use the flagging system we have in place. Select the most appropriate 'flag' for the post or thread and we can then check it out.
In addition to the above rules, here is some etiquette you should be aware of when posting in the forums:
- ;-), QQ, >.< and SHOUTING: Getting emotion across with your posting can be hard. Express emotion by using any of the numerous smilies. Also, most posters will acknowledge the use of caps in a post as shouting, so keep that in mind.
lol, brb, wtf, ZOMG!: Confused by what someone said to you? Not sure if by 'brb' you've been insulted, thanked or ignored? L33t speak has evoloved into it's own language through online gaming, blogging and forums. It's hard to keep up sometimes. Too embrassased to asking someone what they mean by 'rofl'? Check out The Urban Dictionary it should have an answer for every possible abbreviation you might come across.
(back to top)
What is a forum 'screen name'?
A screen name is a pseudonym that identifies forum members so everyone can see who's said what.
When you register for forums you will asked to choose a unique screen name. From then on, every time you log in to forums, any messages you add will be appear to be from your screen name.
Note: At all times, your true identity (name, email etc) is hidden from other forum members. For more info on what we do with your personal information, read our
Privacy Policy.
(back to top)
How do I create a new topic/thread?
If you want to start a new topic discussion inside a forum, click on the
Add Topic link that sits at the top of the main forum pages.
Please try to make the Topic Subject as informative and accurate as possible. That way everyone can see what the topic is about without having to click through to the full message. It's the best method to get the most views and relevant responses to your topic.
Note: You must be logged in order to create a new topic.
(back to top)
How do I post a comment/reply in a thread?
If you would like to add your own views to a forum, click the
Make a comment link sitting directly under the post you want to reply to.
Once you've entered your reply use the Preview to check your post before finally publishing it. Your comment will then appear live in the forum topic you selected. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll be promoted before being allowed to post your comment.
(back to top)
Can I include an image or video with my comment?
At the moment, we only allow for 'thread starters' to include an image or video with their comment/posting. When creating your thread, under the comment box, there are several options available to you for the upload of an image or a video. The media items you select will need to within our accepted specifications, (
click here to see them). Ensure though it’s nothing offensive or else other users will likely flag it as so and we may remove it.
We do hope to allow for images and videos tp be uploaded along with replies posted in a future update to the site.
(back to top)
How do I include an avatar along with my comments?
Including an avatar is a way of further personalising your comments within a forum. An avatar is a graphical representation of you, it appears next to any comments you post and can be a real photo of you or any image with which you’d like to portray yourself. It’s really up to you.
You can upload your avatar within your profile page. You can also edit your avatar and upload a new image any time you want. Simply go to your profile page and the option to select your avatar image will be available.
Note: When changing your avatar image, your current image will not be available from your bucket. To keep the current image, simply cancel the change.
If you choose not to have an avatar, that’s cool too. They aren’t required, but are a nice way of showing other users of how you see yourself or how you want them to see you. We have a default image that'll be shown where your avatar would normally appear.
(back to top)
Can I edit my comments?
Yes. Once you have placed a comment, you have the ability to edit your comment. To edit your comments, simply login to your profile page, using the login option at the top of any page and at the bottom of your profile page, all comments you have made will be listed. Next to each will be an edit option.
(back to top)
I know html, can I include it in my comments?
No, Cracker doesn't let you use HTML in forums.
Even if you know how to <b>
bold</b> or <i>
italicise</i> your text, save yourself the effort - it won't work.
(back to top)
Can I search for a particular forum/topic/subject?
Yes. At the top of each page is our search box. Just input the terms you’d like to search for and click the search button. You can select a topic from the drop down list in order to narrow your search, or leave it on 'All of Cracker' to search the whole site.
(back to top)
Can I change my screen name once I have registered?
Unfortunately no; once you have registered a screen name, you’re stuck within it. Each registered screen name must be unique and if we allowed them to be changed, it would be too hard to keep track of. Make sure when you select your screen name it’s something you’ll remember and bear in mind that popular screen names like ‘John’ or ‘JaneDoe’ may already be in use.
(back to top)
How do I report a troll or someone causing problems in the forums?
While most of our users are mature enough to maintain the threads within the forums, we do occasionally get users who abuse and attack others for no reason; these users are commonly referred to as ‘trolls’.
The first thing to do is to ensure that the user is in fact a troll; having a difference of opinion, political stance or belief system isn’t cause for contacting us. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, opinions and the like. If you are sure that the user is more than just from the ‘other side of the fence’, then report them to us. Send an email via our
contact us page. Don’t forget to provide examples of their comments, this will likely be one of the first things we ask for, as we can not read through all the postings a user has made or the context in which they were made.
(back to top)
Who are the forum moderators and can I become one?
The forum moderators are several members from Team Cracker. Currently there are 3 of them. While the forums are peer-censored, the job of the moderators is to ensure that threads stay on topic and the name calling, mud slinging and general flaming stays to a minimum. They have the ability to delete and edit comments posted, but will only do so if there is need for their intervention. They can also ban users from Cracker if the need arises.
They're really nice guys and you're very welcome to start up a conversation with them if you encounter them online. They are also on the ball and can pick a troll from a mile away and like to keep the forums orderly and functioning. They like to play fair, so if you play nice by them, they'll play nice by you.
At the moment, we only have the facility to allow for in-house only moderators, however external moderators is something we are aiming towards. Once we have all the processes in place to allow for external moderators, we'll let everyone know and welcome any letters of interest.
(back to top)
Is there any way I can stay up-to-date on a particular topic that I'm interested in?
Unfotunately we currently do not have the facility for 'forum tracking' which would allow you to stay up-to-date with any replies posted. This is something though we do want to have available on Cracker and we are working to have a forum tracking option with a future update to the site.
(back to top)
Can I post an ad within the forums?
No. As we also offer free classifieds on Cracker, we don’t allow for any advertising within the forums. The forums are for discussions only. Any ads flagged there will be deleted and if we find their continual placement, your access may be banned. There is a fine line of what is deemed as advertising in the forums, as links and URLs to business might be posted as part of a discussion. In those instances we’ll be passing judgement on whether the content is advertising on a comment by comment basis.
(back to top)
What is the ranking appearing next to my name in the forums?
Next to each screen name in the forums is their current 'rank'. We have a total of 9 ranks that you can be promoted and demoted to. Your rank is based on 2 things:
1) The number of threads and replies you have posted and
2) The number of your threads and replies that our moderators had to remove.
Ultimately the rankings are a bit of harmless fun, but if our moderators have to continually remove your posts then you'll reach the rank of 'Troll' and everyone will know it. Keep your postings constructive and on topic and you'll have nothing to worry about.
(back to top)