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The Rules of Pacers Digest

Hello everyone,

Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.

A quick note to new members: Your posts will not immediately show up when you make them. An administrator has to approve at least your first post before the forum software will later upgrade your account to the status of a fully-registered member. This usually happens within a couple of hours or so after your post(s) is/are approved, so you may need to be a little patient at first.

Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.

Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.

Rule #1

Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:

"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"

"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"

"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"

"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"

"He/she is just delusional"

"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"

"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"

"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "

In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.

We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.

Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.

That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.

Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.

In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.

Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.

If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!

All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.

Rule #2

If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.

The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.

The right places to do so are:

A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.

B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.

If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

Rule #3

If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.

When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:

A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.

B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.

To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!

Rule #4

Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

Rule #5

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

An example:

If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

Rule #6

We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.

The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

Rule #7

Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.

It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).

However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.

Rule #8

We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

Rule #9

Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.

Rule #10

We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.

Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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New Colts fan needs info!

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  • New Colts fan needs info!

    Ok, Colts fan, here a new Colts fan.

    Im a Pacers fan since i can remember. But im a sports fan in general also! And i just found out that American Football is actually quite cool to watch also..

    I started to read some basic facts about the Colts at Wikipedia, checked out the rivalries and the history about some players (off course the Manning Era popped out). I also found out that the Colts drafted Andrew Luck. Is he really the second Manning? And was he really the best pick, now the regular has ended and all the draftees have showed their skills and character..

    I also noticed really nice results the previous years. Only last season was a bad one. Was that on purpose, a rebuilding tactic to get Luck?

    And what about the playoffs? You guys think the Colts can win some?

    What other facts are really important for a fan to understand the Colts culture..

    Thanks in advance!
    Proud owner of 'Dutch Pacers'

  • #2
    Re: New Colts fan needs info!

    Oh yeah, i also found out that as a European we can watch NFL league pass for free here. So i watched game 1 to game 11 on demand in a couple of days. I hope to watch some more before the first playoff game
    Proud owner of 'Dutch Pacers'

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: New Colts fan needs info!

      I also found out that the Colts drafted Andrew Luck. Is he really the second Manning?
      Many similarities but our young QB has many years to prove he's at that same level before we can say that.

      And was he really the best pick, now the regular has ended and all the draftees have showed their skills and character..Yes... the other two QBs that stick out of course are RG3 and Russell Wilson. Both have been brilliant but for the Colts need Luck was the best pick.

      I also noticed really nice results the previous years. Only last season was a bad one. Was that on purpose, a rebuilding tactic to get Luck?
      Simply, Manning was hurt and not anticipated.... 2nd part is the GM at the time Bill Polian did a TERRIBLE job in having a proper QB backup. With a servicable backup the Colts record would not have allowed the Colts to pick #1.

      And what about the playoffs? You guys think the Colts can win some?
      Yes... That is why in pro football there is the cliche "On any given Sunday" which actually rings true. The one thing about the NFL that adds drama is the one and done. In baseball or basketball teams fight it out for a series and usually the best team finally takes it all. In football all you need to do is win that one particular game. Almost every team in the playoffs has better overall talent than the Colts, but all it takes is a few mistakes and your team has a great fighting chance for the upset.

      What other facts are really important for a fan to understand the Colts culture..

      Biggest for me.... previous to Manning arriving in Indy and taking the Colts to great heights the town was completely basketball and pretty much had a fair weather fan base toward the Colts. Part of this of course was the Colts being a transplated team in 1984. NOW... the fan base can be stacked up against any fan base anywhere as it seems a new generation has taken root and bleed Colts blue no matter what.
      Last edited by RWB; 01-04-2013, 12:17 PM.
      You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: New Colts fan needs info!

        I believe that the 1995 season with Jim Harbaugh "Captain Comeback" marks the start of the Colts relevance in Indianapolis. The season ended with a dropped TD ball into the chest of Aaron Bailey on a last play "Hail Mary" against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game. This led to us drafting Marvin Harrison who's ability and incredible work ethic would serve to mentor a young Reggie Wayne and give Peyton Manning the most feared WR tandems in league history.

        Before we would draft Wayne, however, Peyton Manning had, statistically, a very similar rookie season to current QB Andrew Luck, but with far different results. The Colts won only 2 games that season and were able to select the most prolific Running Back in Colts history, Edgerrin James with the 4th overall pick in the 1999 draft. This Trio of Harrison, Manning and James would springboard the Colts to one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history increasing our win total in 1 season, by 10 games!

        Bill Polian would continue his superb drafting history by selecting Future All-Pro Hall of Famers over the next several years and building through the draft. Dwight Freeney, Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, Robert Mathis, Reggie Wayne as well as lesser known all pros, Cato June, Joseph Addai, Antoine Bethea, and Gary Brackett. The stellar dominance of the 2000's led to several AFC Championship games, 2 Super Bowl Births, 1 Super Bowl Championship, 9 straight Playoff appearances and Manning led the Colts to Playoffs in 11 of his 14 seasons.

        The 2000's marked the beginning of Tony Dungy's Head Coaching era. The former Tampa Bay Head Coach had just coached the Buccs to yet another playoff appearance but was fired for not getting to the Super Bowl. He would become our Head Coach and lead us to a Super Bowl in 2006, becoming the first African American to do so. He also set a record for most consecutive playoff appearances by a Head Coach. His Elite Defensive Background and his famed Tampa 2 scheme was the perfect match to go with Mannings Superior Offensive intelect. His calm demeanor and "Quiet Strength" was well recieved by his players and fans alike and was a significantly different approach from the in your face, hollering and cursing standard that is typical of many coaches.

        The 2000's also marked the resurgance of one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. The Colts and Patriots both saw a surge at about the same time. Though, the Patriots often had the upperhand when it mattered, a fierce rivalry between the 2 QB's and more specifically Head Coach Bill Belichik and Manning, fueled the matchups between the 2 teams. Two teams who once bottom fed the AFC East, were now the Top dogs in the NFL for a decade!

        After several neck surgeries by Peyton Manning and with about 90 Million dollars owed to him over the next 4 years. The Colts "Luck"ed into the worst record in the NFL last year, and the toughest decision that the Irsay family would have to make since loading up the Mayflower moving trucks and leaving Baltimore in the middle of the night.

        A young college quarterback, Andrew Luck, made himself eligible for the NFL Draft. This kid was highly decorated and touted as the best prospect to enter the draft since, Peyton Manning and John Elway. With his availability and the fact that he would cost us about 1/4 the salary of Peyton Manning, the Colts decided that it was time to move on from our franchises most important player and roll the dice on the QB out of Stanford.

        Since Andrew Luck has taken over the reigns of the Colts we have seen a revitalization in the franchise! In mere months, we have gone from rebuild mode, to contend while rebuilding mode! The Colts have again found a draft magician in GM Grigson, and next season will be 43 Million dollars under the leagues salary cap. (Most in the NFL) We should go from playoff contender this year, to serious Super Bowl darkhorses next year. And Super Bowl frontrunners within 2-3 years. With the AFC powerhouses (Denver, New England, Steelers, Ravens) all trending downward, the Colts are looking at being the Elite AFC franchise again, over the next decade!!!

        It is a great time to be a Colts fan!!!

        Hope that helps...

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: New Colts fan needs info!

          Sorry, the bandwagon is full. Please check back later to see if there are any openings!


          Just kidding!!! Welcome aboard... we'll add space as needed!

          I think we have an old blue seat that has become available anyway.
          Nuntius was right for a while. I was wrong for a while. But ultimately I was right and Frank Vogel has been let go.

          ------

          "A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

          -John Wooden

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          • #6
            Re: New Colts fan needs info!

            the 95 season is definitely why I became a fan and why I continue to hate the steelers till this day. I was only 11 at the time but I'll never forget the kordell stewart out of the end zone and back in for a touchdown

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: New Colts fan needs info!

              Originally posted by RWB View Post

              Biggest for me.... previous to Manning arriving in Indy and taking the Colts to great heights the town was completely basketball and pretty much had a fair weather fan base toward the Colts. Part of this of course was the Colts being a transplated team in 1984. NOW... the fan base can be stacked up against any fan base anywhere as it seems a new generation has taken root and bleed Colts blue no matter what.
              The gigantic growth of the fanbase brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. It's a Colts obsessed town now. Or should I say it's a Colts obsessed state everywhere except for Bears country. Like I've said before, I'm originally from the part of Indiana near Louisville and that area has become Colts obsessed in the last 10 years.

              Manning is largely responsible for building the fanbase, but most of these people became diehard Colts fans in the process.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: New Colts fan needs info!

                Ok guys, thanks for sharing these stories/memories. Gonna read them tomorrow more carefully when i have more time!
                Proud owner of 'Dutch Pacers'

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: New Colts fan needs info!

                  Originally posted by Bball View Post
                  Sorry, the bandwagon is full. Please check back later to see if there are any openings!


                  Just kidding!!! Welcome aboard... we'll add space as needed!

                  I think we have an old blue seat that has become available anyway.

                  Comment

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