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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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2015 NFL Free Agency thread

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  • 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

    Not to look to ahead to the offseason since we're playing this week, but I saw an article on BR talking about playmakers that are FAs this offseason and looking at some of the WRs is enticing, especially with Reggie possibly retiring and Nicks possibly not coming back. Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin, and DeMaryius Thomas are all FAs along with DeMarco Murray leading the RBs
    Smothered Chicken!

  • #2
    Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

    Well, I'll guess that there's no way Bryant gets away from Jerry and that Murray will want too much for a running back. Maclin - eh - OK. Thomas might be the most logical out of this group - especially given what's going on in Denver. He just might want to go elsewhere. 8 games a year playing indoors (oh - and with Luck) is a decent selling point too.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

      Wow a Luck/Murray/Hilton/Moncrief not to mention the best TE tandem in the nfl...that's just not fair, but I agree, Demarco will be to pricy for a running back.

      Does anyone think we will bring Ballard back to see what he can do? Or do we just cut our losses there?


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

        Originally posted by PaulGeorgeHill View Post
        Wow a Luck/Murray/Hilton/Moncrief not to mention the best TE tandem in the nfl...that's just not fair, but I agree, Demarco will be to pricy for a running back.

        Does anyone think we will bring Ballard back to see what he can do? Or do we just cut our losses there?


        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
        I think Ballard is unfortunately done here. He has missed two full seasons. If a player's body cannot hold up, regardless of how good his rookie season was, than he simply cannot play in the NFL.
        Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

          I wouldn't want Dez Bryant. Great player, but has the personality of a jackass. I would be cool with Thomas or Macklin though
          Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

            I'd like to see us invest in a #2 corner. I like our top 3 corners, but if we had Toler in the nickel and Butler in the dime, we could potentially have the best corners in the league. Kareem Jackson and Brandon Flowers would both be really good pick ups.

            At wide receiver, I would be fine with us re-signing Nicks and drafting someone. I don't think the Colts should pay for a free agent if they aren't top tier. If Thomas or Bryant wants to catch balls from Luck, I'd sign the hell out of them. I think the Cowboys will use the tag on Bryant though. I also want to see the Colts waive LaRon and sign a new starting safety while re-signing Adams and Brown. Is Delano Howell going to play again? He'd be great depth.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

              I wouldn't be surprised if we go with the classic Colts route of poaching Ravens and sign Pernell McPhee. If Redding retires we'll definitely need a defensive end who can rush the passer. I just don't know who that would be in free agency.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                pass rush, pass rush, safety/pass rush, pass rush/safety. Mathis is 35, coming of an Achilles', and who knows how much the juice helped last time he was healthy. Werner's shown a flash here and there but it's looking like another Jerry Hughes style round 4/3 peg in a square 3/4 hole, Newsome looks like a nice pick but I'm not about to depend on him next year. even if Newsome improves, let alone gets better, you can never have too many pass rushers.

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                • #9
                  Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                  Don't think they are gonna break the bank for one of those names mentioned. As Heisenberg said, the needs are on the other side where we need 2 safeties really and some pass rush. A good covering LB would help a lot as well. Either through FA or draft.
                  Never forget

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                    One legit starter from one of these two lists is probably a priority unless this draft class offers opportunities for interior guys that can legitimately play right away. I would also sign Reitz for depth. The guy is so versatile and when healthy always plays smart & solid.

                    http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/guard/

                    http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/center/

                    Don't see a good combination of attainable, value & production on these lists. Looks like pass rusher might be better addressed in the draft. On the current roster I like Newsome but question if he can be a four down player in this defense.

                    http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agen...de-linebacker/

                    http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/defensive-end/

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                      also. like I've said a zillion times, OL doesn't really matter. pass catchers that can get open, a beast of a QB that can MAKE and OL good, that's a good offense. throw it, rush the throw, stop the throw with the secondary, that order. we've got like 1/2 of those. IF Mathis can get back next year and add a stud rush end we're winning a Super Bowl on Luck's rookie deal. then stuff gets hard.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                        Originally posted by PaulGeorgeHill View Post
                        Wow a Luck/Murray/Hilton/Moncrief not to mention the best TE tandem in the nfl...that's just not fair, but I agree, Demarco will be to pricy for a running back.

                        Does anyone think we will bring Ballard back to see what he can do? Or do we just cut our losses there?
                        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                        we're gonna get rid of Ballard and TRich this offseason
                        Smothered Chicken!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                          Originally posted by Heisenberg View Post
                          also. like I've said a zillion times, OL doesn't really matter. pass catchers that can get open, a beast of a QB that can MAKE and OL good, that's a good offense. throw it, rush the throw, stop the throw with the secondary, that order. we've got like 1/2 of those. IF Mathis can get back next year and add a stud rush end we're winning a Super Bowl on Luck's rookie deal. then stuff gets hard.
                          Luck is not a Marino/Manning beat the pass rush with a super quick release, death by a thousand cuts type of QB. He is more of a Elway/Rogers wait for things to develop, use the the threat of their legs to slow down the pass rush, step up into the pocket (even if its cluttered) and make a play type of QB. A very good, versatile O-line and a solid running game are key him being able to deliver those type of game changing blows.

                          Stringing together a group of weapons with top tier WR's/TE's is really hard on the cap numbers and depth. A top 25 percentile O-lines is very achievable without wrecking the salary cap and once Luck gets paid will IMO be mandatory. If you have to skimp a little on targets in the passing game to get to get the O-line right so be it. Luck is the real playmaker for the Colts and putting his health or longevity at risk is not an option in my opinion.

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                          • #14
                            Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                            I think our two biggest needs are pass rush and OL by far. I'd like to see us draft Melvin Gordon, but he's gonna go way too high and I don't want to draft a RB in the first. I'd love to grab Tevin Coleman in the second though. As for WR i think we should bring back Reggie for one more year if he wants to play again and resign Nicks. Moncrief should continue to develop and be a good number 2 across from TY. Maybe draft a WR in the 4th or 5th round if there's someone we like on the board. Obviously if we can get Maclin, Demaryius, or someone else of the caliber for the right price then we should do it...but I don't wanna overpay a WR. The only other need maybe is safety...I'm really not a big fan of Landry at all.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: 2015 NFL Free Agency thread

                              I know tight end isn't really a need on this team, but I love Julius Thomas. He struggled in the 2nd half of the season, but him and his QB were both fighting injuries. I know people will bash me and say with all the holes on this team it's dumb to spend money on a position we're already set at, but I really think he can be something special.

                              We do need to upgrade the o-line and fill holes on the defense, but I really hope we can get one big-time weapon for Luck. I absolutely do not want to use a high draft pick on a running back. I think we could find somebody in F/A and later in the draft. I'm rooting for Boom to earn the permeant spot.

                              Also, what do you think about Duron Carter? I've heard mixed reviews on him. I've heard some people say he's the second coming, and others say if he had any other last name he wouldn't even be a pro prospect. I know a one point the Colts were the favorite to sign him, but it looks like he's been visiting several teams.

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