Penciljack Forum: Guidelines and Etiquette

[penciljack]

GENERAL POSTING ETIQUETTE

• The Golden Rule: Keep in mind that the Golden Rule has special significance to online message boards such as this one. Make every effort to be civil, kind and professional when replying to other members' Topics. Treat other members as you wish to be treated. And remember the adjunct to the Golden Rule - just because someone else is being rude or harsh doesn't mean you have respond in kind.
  
  
• Choose words carefully: Tone and intent are often difficult to discern in a message board environment. So try to choose your words (and your icons and images) carefully so as not to risk offending or enraging other members. Use Smilies and emoticons whenever possible to ensure that your intended tone is plain to other members.
  
  
• Keep it private: If you are involved in a disagreement or a misunderstanding with another member, make every effort to discuss it privately with them (via the Forum's Private Messaging feature, by e-mail or some other method). Airing grievances in public often only exacerbates the possibility of hurt feelings and bruised egos, neither of which are conducive to a positive Forum experience. And remember, never post private correspondence, even only excerpts, in a public forum without the express consent of all parties involved.
  
  
• Post in the correct Forum: The Penciljack Forums are divided into several categories for ease of browsing. When you are posting, make sure what you're posting is appropriate for the Forum you've selected. If you have a question about where to post a new Topic, check the Forum description or ask a moderator or a more senior member.
  
  
• You get what you put in: If you would like other members to reply to your Topics, particularly topics wherein you've posted artwork, you're going to have to expend the effort to reply to their Topics as well. Members are more likely to respond positively to you if they've seen that you respond to their Topics. And remember, being rude or brusque with other members will come back to haunt you.

POSTING ARTWORK/CRITIQUE ETIQUETTE

• Be descriptive: When titling a new Topic, be brief but descriptive. Don't try to lure other members to comment with false claims. In extreme cases, Topics with misleading and/or inappropriate titles will be deleted by moderators or administrators.
  
  
• Watch the image size: When posting images, keep them at a reasonable size. Many members are connecting to the Forum via a dial-up, 56k connection. Posting large images makes it difficult for them to view your work. Try to keep images under a file size of 250k, and smaller than 500 pixels wide. This will make it easier (and more likely) for others to view and comment on your artwork.
  
  
• One at a time: It's easier for other members to comment on one piece of art at a time, so try to include only one piece of your artwork in a given Topic. However, if you need to post multiple pieces (such as sequential art pages) in a Topic, post hypertext links to the images rather than displaying them inline.
  
  
• Keep content in mind: The Penciljack Forum is a place for artists of all ages and skill levels. As such, if you are posting an image that depicts sexuality and/or a high level of violence post the image as a link rather than as an inline image (an image that is visually displayed in the body of a post using the vbb [img] code). Do not post images that contain explicitly sexual or ultra-violent content.
  
  
• A note about nudity: Although the posting of images containing nudity is generally discouraged, Penciljack.com recognizes the benefits of figure drawing for artists. To that end, images containing limited degrees of nudity are allowed. However, when posting an image containing any degree of nudity, post the image as a hypertext link rather than as an inline image.
  
  Further, do not include nudity warnings in the title of the Topic. Rather, include a brief warning in the body of the post, preferably near the hypertext link to the picture itself. Topics with titles that include nudity warnings (particularly those with especially crass or blatant warnings) may be deleted at the discretion of moderators or administrators.
  
  
• Don't steal: Don't post any artwork other than your own without express consent from the creator of the artwork. Posting inline images without consent is thought by many to be a form of theft. If you want to point out a piece of artwork by another artist, notify that artist and link to the image (preferably to the artist's site, where the image is contained). Further, it's not a good idea to post other artists' work for critique. Registration is free, and the artists are free to post their own work themselves.
  
  
• Don't hog the spotlight: Don't divert attention from other members by posting your own artwork or off-topic messages in their Topics. You are free to create your own Topic to display your artwork or make your point.
  
  
• Be prepared: The goal of the Penciljack Forum is to be an inclusive learning environment. As such, all art posted in the Bullpen is subject to critique by all members.
  
  
• Be kind: When critiquing another member's artwork, be honest, but be kind. There's nothing to be gained by being flippant, rude or excessively harsh in your response. And remember - the member you are criticizing now may take the opportunity to criticize your artwork later.
  
  
• Take it in stride: Remember, even if someone gives you a harsh, negative critique, they still took their valuable time to offer advice to you. Don't be defensive or feel you have to make excuses for your work. Your work stands on its own. Take the advice you have been given, analyze it, take what you want from it and move on.

[Morganza]

I have read and understand all points here.

My personal goal is to develop a thick layer of critique absorbing skin, and think about whats really important, the fact that i love to draw. Thanks for the words of wisdom PencilJack;pencil;

[mavra_aka_j9]

hej penciljack,

oh i am ever so glad that you posted this .... in black and wh.... errr grey like for all of us to see. ummm it does help eh. cos golly i am ever so literal like now.

all i can say is.... i do me bestest

[MC Fumunda]

word...

oops...i'm happy....i mean

word...

[Crimson Spider]

You know, a rule I've never seen (and have always wanted to) is Use correct punctuation and try to resist holding down the Caps Lock when posting.

Do you guy realize that all you three who responded used the 'big grin' smiley ? Freaky.

( Just so I won't be left out)

[AZRAEL_BAT]

Originally posted by Crimson Spider
You know, a rule I've never seen (and have always wanted to) is Use correct punctuation and try to resist holding down the Caps Lock when posting.

AZ!

[Crimson Spider]

Uh...heh, heh...hi, Az I, uh, didn't mean you, man. I mean, you do use punctuation, and don't have a Caps Lock addiction

[Rage-of-Xenin]

PUNCTUATIONS, CAPS LOCK, WHAT, ARE, YOU. TALKING! ABOOT?

[Crimson Spider]

Haha ! See ? I meant Rage

[jniffen]

It says I may not post attachments. How else am I supposed to post an image on here if not through an attachment? I have my pictures on another site, but it's through an MSN community, and MSN communities and these chat forums don't generally mix well, so a link is almost out of the question (at least until I get my website set up). Any help in this matter would be great.

I know I probably sound like a total dunce, but I'm not as internet savvy as a lot of you are. I know a lot, but not everything.