What's up with all the forum rules and enforcement?

Let it be known that we at TWoP are strict, and our moderators are vigilant. We are the way we are because we think the quality of messages counts as much or more than the quantity. Now that that's out of the way, let's find out what we are so strict about...

I love typing in all lowercase or all uppercase, ignoring proper grammar and punctuation, and writing my messages like I'm text-messaging on a cell phone with an eight-year-old. That's cool, right? I mean, who cares? This is the internet!

Well, we care...but the sad truth is that other posters might skip over your posts if they're too hard to read. Things like proper spacing, capitalization, and punctuation make your posts much easier on the eye, and they make you look like quite the Captain Smartypants, too.

Look, we're not grading you. You won't get banned for misspelling "definitely" or anything. Just try your best to write neat, coherent posts. Don't type "2" for "to," or "U" for "you," or "l8r" or "LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!" or any of that nonsense. Throw in a carriage return now and then to break up the text, and please use proper capitalization. Your computer comes with two shift keys. Use 'em.

I have a really cool site of my own. Can I tell people to check it out?

Nope. If it's cool, someone else will know about it and mention it. Register it on Yahoo, will ya?

I found an article about one of the shows. Can I cut and paste it on the forums for others to read?

No, you can't. That's copyrighted material, and it could get us in trouble if you post it without permission. Please just link to it instead.

Can I feel free to treat forum threads like chat rooms during episodes?

No. Real-time posts during episodes don't make sense to most other users, either during the show or a couple of days later. Everyone has to read 15 pages or days of content, so don't make people wade through a bunch of chat that's irrelevant.

Yes, that means Other TV Talk threads too. Wait until the entire ep has aired; then discuss. Using threads as chat rooms will get you banned.

I can't possibly read all these messages; I'd just like to post my own thoughts.

Oh, is that so? Well, that's rather rude of you. If you have time to post, you have time to read what others have posted before you.

Before you post, you are expected to read -- and not rehash -- the content in a thread from either the last 15 pages or the last 15 days, whichever makes the most sense. If a moderator mentions the "15/15" rule, this is what they're talking about.

Confused? Okay: Let's say you're in the Lost episode thread; if the episode aired the night before, the thread will not go back 15 days, so you must read at minimum the last 15 pages. On the Buffy forums, some of those threads go back for years; in that case, you read the last 15 days' worth of posts to bring you up to date.

The idea here, basically, is for you to have read enough of the thread to give you a solid feel for what people have already said, so that you don't repeat things people have mentioned twenty times already or derail the discussion by interrupting with a random question. It's a conversational-manners issue.

We know it's a lot to read on some forums. Tough beans. Show your fellow posters the courtesy which you expect, and read what they've written to make sure you aren't repeating what dozens of other people have already said.

Again: 15 pages or 15 days, whichever applies. Please use common sense, and please do not argue the letter of the law with the mods when it is the spirit that counts. Be a good listener.

And if you don't read the other posts before adding your own, for the love of Mike, don't say so. It's obnoxious, the mods hate it, and it'll earn you a boot.

Why can't I sign or put my name at the end of my post?

Your username already appears beside your message, in the column at left. Putting it, or any other signature, at the end of your message, uses up valuable space and messes up our nice pages. Just don't do it.

What sort of video can I link to?

Please do not direct posters to sites that allow people to view entire episodes without the permission of copyright owners. You may link to short clips. If you're not sure if something is acceptable, it's safer not to post it. Generally speaking if it is on YouTube it's okay and if it is not the networks will get it pulled soon enough (but please link to YouTube in the spirit of the above guidelines).

Isn't posting messages like "Me too!" just awesome?

No, not really. We're all here for some quality discussion about TV, so unless you can back up that "me too" with something of substance, don't bother posting it.

I missed an episode of a show I like, can I post asking for a copy?

No, sorry, we do not allow requests to make or share copied programs on the site.