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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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Biggest Loser 2014

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  • #31
    Re: Biggest Loser 2014

    199.2 ... finally below 200. Closing in on 25. Can't tell me nothin'.

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Biggest Loser 2014

      I am bumming after the 15 pound gain but I can attribute a good deal to my recent edema outbreak (lost 3 pounds since water pill increase in 2 days) and the swelling in my shoulder. I have come to the conclusion that I need a total lifestyle change. I am having difficulty finding ways to workout before the injury because of the physical toll that my job takes on my body on a daily basis. Luck might be in my future as my VA vocational rehabilitation counselor called me and I will be seeing her Friday regarding the possibility of going to school for something more compatible with my physical problems. I have thought something like x-ray technician or something along that line but my brother in law discussed IT and his career and I am gonna consider that as well. Is there anyone who is a disabled Vet that has used the program that can explain how they pay for college and something about a cost of living stipend?

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Biggest Loser 2014

        Visited the surgeon's office today and got x-rays but no MRI until the 9th. One of the titanium screws from the last surgery has backed out some from the bone and after the physical exam the PA said she was pretty sure that I most likely tore those tendons again. My work release paper ends on the 9th. They gave me another for three more weeks but it says I can basically work one-armed. I don't see me pulling it off at AutoZone. I am not gonna be able to see the surgeon until the 18th so I have to decide whether to ask for a different work release or try to work through the pain.

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        • #34
          Re: Biggest Loser 2014

          I am about 220 from about 235. That's over the last month or month and a half.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Biggest Loser 2014

            Weighed myself today after a week on the water pill increase and the edema is about half gone and I am down 10 pounds of the 15 that I gained the two weeks prior. I did have to cancel my gym membership though. Not working right now is difficult and gotta run a tight budget and I will be out after surgery for a while. I will get it back when I am able. I might have to consider a different career path so I have been looking at returning to school. Research indicates that a second rotator cuff surgery would make in not advisable to do heavy lifting or overhead lifting on the job and half of my job involves that stuff. I go tomorrow to take the assessment at IVY Tech to see where I am at and am looking at their computer science degree. Doing a job like that might make losing weight easier without having to be standing all day on the concrete I will be able to workout after work.

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Biggest Loser 2014

              Great news, I only partially tore one rotator cuff tendon so surgery will not be required. I did get a cortisone shot Friday (ugh) and will get another on August 7th. He said the popping sound was probably from all of the scar tissue in there from the last surgery. I have 2 more weeks off then back to work with lifting restrictions to 10 lbs per arm. Weighed in at 338.6 today. Since no surgery required it looks like a good possibility that I could be starting school in August.

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                Finally down in the 180s! Blasted through the 190s once I dropped below 200. Closing in on 35 down in a little over 2 months!

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                  I'd have to look to see what week I'm on of this diet, I believe it's week 7. I weighed in at 199 Thursday! That was my first goal, now I'm shooting for 190 and then going from there. I haven't seen the 100's since I was around 18 years old. I've been on a few different diets the last 12 months or so, but special diet aside I've made some lifestyle changes and am feeling great. It wasn't all that long ago that I got up to 255.

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                  • #39
                    Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                    I would love to see that diet that you are doing ErikD. I am having problems and need a fresh start all together. I think that I am gonna start walking at home now with help from my daughter and see if I can start to drop some weight. back up to 341.6 this week.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                      Just to be clear, this diet didn't bring me from 255 down to 199. I was just saying it wasn't that long ago I was at 255 (maybe 18 months) before I started making changes. I have been losing about 2 pounds a week pretty easily on this diet though. It's a no-processed foods, plant-based diet. It's working great for me. I've lost weight, feel great, I don't even need all the caffeine that used to have to use to get through the day, so I've been sleeping better as a result. I'm not planning on being vegan the rest of my life, but I do have to figure out what I'm going to do after I meet my weight goals. I won't be going back to processed crap, I do know that much for sure. There is a book that goes along with the diet, but I didn't buy it. I just used the website. I hope you try the 28 day challenge and let us know how it works for you.
                      engine2diet.com

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                      • #41
                        Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                        I will definitely check it out. I am wanting to try to get away from processed foods and have a friend who went all organic four weeks ago. She did not intend to lose a lot of weight but rather wanted to be healthier and was surprised by a 12 pound weight loss in four weeks. Got me a new workout partner in my 10 year old daughter. We are gonna get up every day at 530 and I measured a mile with my truck out and we are gonna walk it there and back before we have school. After a month I am gonna start jogging some of it and hopefully in the end be jogging the whole time while she gets to ride her bike. I don't know if she will like to continue in the winter but I loved jogging in the winter and in the rain in the Army. If not we are getting a treadmill so she won't be left out.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                          My daughter backed out pretty quickly, no 530am for her. I am getting a treadmill to use from my brother in law so she will participate. Until then I will be walking at 530am solo. Did pretty good not eating too much carbs then the wife brought home pizza for dinner. I ate 2 small pieces.

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                          • #43
                            Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                            Been stuck between 183-185 for a while now it seems. Upped to running 6 miles/run 5x per week (did 7 consecutive days first, but my knees hated me for it, so working in some lighter exercise days). Hoping to push through soon. Not really a bummer considering how much I've lost so fast, but would feel awesome to dip below 180.

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                              I haven't been a part of this this time around but in the last 3 weeks I've lost 13 lbs (lown to 228 at 5'8") Eating vegetarian(no cheese but an occasional hard boiled egg or tuna or grilled chicken) Exercizing 6 days a week minimum of 30 minutes (treadmill and weight machines at Family Fun and Fitness). Something about being told you have kidney failure kinda spurs you into action.
                              Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

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                              • #45
                                Re: Biggest Loser 2014

                                BTW...228 is the lightest I've been in 8 years. and it has been 2 days since Ive needed an insulin injection.
                                Ever notice how friendly folks are at a shootin' range??.

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