Here you can find answers to questions about how the board works. Use the links or search box below to find your way around.
Alternatively, to post a Quick Reply, click the “QUICK REPLY” button at the bottom right of any post, then a blank text box appears. To put emoticons, quotes or other special features in your text, you can either use tags, or click the "go advanced" button to take you to the normal editor as described above.
Note: We strongly recommend you make use of the Preview button, especially if you are new to forum posting - it's very useful for checking that your post looks the way you want it to.
If you click the "QUOTE" button to the bottom right of a post, the standard reply editor will open, with the whole post quoted for you. For more advanced use of quotes within your post, you can:
Remember that the "Title" appears when people are browsing, so give good summaries.
You can also attach an icon to the post to give a quick visual clue as to the nature of it.
Note 1: once the post has been submitted, you cannot change the text of your options, add/remove any other options, or change it from a ‘public poll’ to a ‘private poll’: so be careful!
Note 2: You should always set an expiry date for polls, especially for those relating to specific events. Otherwise, people voting on those polls years later can resurrect the thread without adding useful content to it.
To link to a specific post within a thread, add “&p={number}” to the end of the address – for example, &p=8888. The easiest way to find this number is to hover over a link or button at the bottom of the post that refers to it:
The rate link (scales), the report link (warning triangle), the QUOTE button and the QUICK REPLY button all link to this number.
These pips are based on an accumulation of reputation (“rep”) points, as is the pop-up description. Everyone starts at one pip; you get more pip when you accumulate more reputation. Everyone starts with 10 points of rep.
Power values are based on an arcane and frequently-changed formula ("forumula") determined by Franck (don't try to figure it out, as he'll change it if you do), but values depend on your current reputation, the number of posts you have posted and the length of time you have been a member of the forum. Everyone starts with power 0, and gains 1 point after the first 10 posts.
To gain / lose reputation, anyone can click on the little scales (or cabbage) icon to the left of the post (beside the on-line green light) and post a comment with an "I approve" or "I disapprove" tag.
To see your current rep, click the "User Control Panel" link at the top of the page and it appears: Thread/post title (linked to specific post), Good (green), bad (red) rep, Date, and Comment. A grey rep button means there is no rep gain/loss associated with that comment.
Most people add a comment like "good post - I know where you're coming from. {Gadget}" or "What are you talking about; sheer nonsense - {Gadget}" Note the names on the end.
Note: For some forum areas (such as "forum suggestions" or "Let's talk about dance"), your rep given will increase - this reflects the additional value that these areas are seen to have over areas such as "chit chat". Think "double clubcard points".
What’s this “negative rep” thing? If you do not like a particular post, you have several options – you can report it to the moderators, you can debate the comment in public, or you can send a negative rep comment to the poster. (Or you can just ignore it of course!).
Negative reps are peer “infractions” for all forum members and as such a good guide of what is and is not acceptable on the forum.
If you send a negative rep comment, please ensure it is not abusive, rude or inappropriate – such messages should be reported to the moderator team for action as for normal posts. Also, please be aware that if your comment is unsigned, an unsubscribed member will not know who the comment is from – and this anonymity may cause (more) upset to the recipient.
If you receive a negative rep, please take it as constructive criticism, received by one of your fellow dancers, about a specific post. Remember that Rep comments are aimed at posts rather than people. Also, please be aware that many people see it as bad form to complain in public about specific negative reps received - it may even get you more negative rep (!).