1

Hello, and welcome to the IT Programming Forum.

Without getting too long winded, here are some simple rules of etiquette:

  • Don’t apologize for being a “noob” or “newbie” or “n00b.” There’s just no need – nobody will think you’re stupid, and the forums are all about asking questions. Just ask. Mentioning that you’re new to scripting can be helpful though.
  • If your problem is solved, mark the post that helped you most as the Best Answer. Mark any posts that also helped as Helpful Posts.
  • Try to ask just one question at a time. Posts with ten questions are a lot harder to help with.
  • Use the <> Insert Code button in the forums editor to format your code appropriately.

codebutton.png
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  • Don’t post massive scripts. We’re all volunteers and we don’t have time to read all that, nor will we copy, paste, and run it. Post an excerpt, and clearly state what you’re having problems with.
  • Try to avoid using obscure or punctuation aliases (like ? and %) – use command names instead. It makes your post easier for everyone, including n00bs, to follow.
  • Post error messages, as appropriate. They help. Also mention what line number you are having the issue with. That helps too.
  • Post what you’ve tried, what errors you got, and what didn’t work. It’s a lot easier, sometimes, to correct what you’ve already done than to try and write something from scratch.
  • It’s OK to ask for a small script to be written for you, but don’t ask someone to write a huge script or rewrite YOUR huge script. Again, we’re all volunteers – respect that we’re taking time to help you, and help us minimize that time.
  • If you’ve been given a working solution, say Thank You! Then make sure you know why it works… and ask for an explanation if you don’t!
35 Spice ups
2

A few additional suggestions!

  • Use the code tag! It’s awesome. Serif fonts for code are not awesome
  • If you use the code tag, mark the correct language! I saw people marking VBScript as apache configs :\
  • Let us know what platform you’re on. Windows? Linux? OS X? This is important info to have!
  • Help me help you! Help me help you! Try to give as much info as possible, otherwise we can’t do much.
  • If you have a script > 50 lines, use a paste site like pastebin.com or gist.github.com and give us the link.

Thanks for compiling this list! This is my favorite forum, but I’ve seen some posts lately that have strayed from these previously unwritten guidelines…

I’m glad to see this in writing!

By the way, this is the code button. Use it for pasting code into your posts!

It’s the coolest button in the whole community:

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3 Spice ups
3

What’s the difference in saying “I’m a noob” and “I’m new to scripting?” Maybe noob got a negative connotation because gamer’s use it to make fun of people? I personally don’t think people are stupid when they call themselves noobs.

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Agreed, and the n00b is just an example. What we’re trying to say is don’t apologize for it! We get it, we all started somewhere and we’re here to help.

5

May I also suggest for near the top of the etiquette list:

If you solve the issue yourself please explain how, no matter how obvious the solution looked in hindsight.

There are few things more frustrating than spending hours troubleshooting and searching about an issue to finally find the one post from someone who seems to have the exact same issue, read down all of the troubleshooting points you have already pursued and then get to the OPs comment “Nevermind, fixed it myself”.

10 Spice ups
6

Ahhh, I got ya. I think I didn’t completely understand the point on that one. I’m with you now though, and I agree.

7

A big thanks to Martin, for his help. He has been a great help :0)

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Thanks for this list Martin, and thanks for re-titling it.