🚀 go-pugleaf

Unified FAQ
===========

For:
 o alt.games.command-n-conq
 o alt.games.command.and.conquer
 o alt.games.redalert
 o alt.games.command-n-conq.red-alert
 o alt.games.tiberian-sun
 o alt.games.redalert2

By:
 o Matt (Dark Samurai)
 o Stevie Kay
 o Sigbj�rn Lund Olsen (e...@adjective-army.com)
 o Brian Garcia
 o Dave Downs (da...@adjective-army.com)

Maintainer:
 o Sigbj�rn Lund Olsen (e...@adjective-army.com)

Last updated:
 o 6th January 2001


Table of Contents
=================

1 - Introducion
 1.1 - Unified FAQ
 1.2 - Group-specific FAQs

2 - Newsgroup Guidelines
 2.1 - Posting 101
 2.2 - Newbies
 2.3 - Trolls
 2.4 - Flames
 2.5 - On-Topic / Off-Topic
 2.6 - HTML
 2.7 - Binaries
 2.8 - Signatures
 2.9 - Spam
 2.10 - Clans / Squads
 2.11 - Cheats / Hacks / Cracks / Trainers

3 - The Adjective Army


1 - Introducion
===============


 1.1 - Unified FAQ
 =================

 The Unified FAQ (UFAQ) for the Command & Conquer newsgroups was put
together by Sigbj�rn Lund Olsen (aka Eol or The Profound Eol) from various
pieces of the AGRA / AGTS / AGRA2 FAQs. Its purpose is to move all the
newsgroup posting guidelines into one FAQ to minimize work on every FAQ, and
to establish a common standard for all the Command & Conquer newsgroups. It
is also to provide as a _small_ guide to the Command & Conquer newsgroups
for newbies to read. The UFAQ will be posted once a week in every Command &
Conquer newsgroup. Suggestions and comments can be sent to the current
maintainer of the UFAQ.


 1.2 - Group-specific FAQs
 =========================

 Some of the groups covered by the UFAQ also has a group-specifc FAQ
answering questions related to the specific game covered by the group. The
group-specific FAQs do not have posting guidelines in them any longer, as
the UFAQ covers this topic.


2 - Newsgroup Guidelines
========================

 The C&C newsgroups are unmoderated newsgroups, but the regulars there have
a few basic rules and guidelines that we believe are common courteousy and
netiquette...

 2.1 - Posting 101
 =================

 There is a loose, general standard for posts on the Usenet, and following
this standard is considered good netiquette on the Usenet. You should follow
the guidelines as written in this UFAQ, and in addition to the other points
specified, there are certain things you should and should not do.

 You should intersperse your reply in between the quoted text to which you
are replying to. Non-relevant quoted text should be removed - the reply
should still be possible to put within context through the quoted text. On
no account shall quoted text be modified - this is considered trolling of
the worst sort, and will be treated as such.

 Try to be polite when asking questions and you are likely to get and
answer, provided the question is sensible. Do not make demands, you are
likely to be flamed, at the very least your question is unlikely to be taken
seriously.

 Do not overuse caps, only use this to emphasise the odd word here and
there. Whole messages or phrases typed in caps are considered to be shouting
and this is considered offensive.

 Try to have correct grammar (especially capitalization and punctuation) as
this makes your posts easier to read. Do not write like an "l33t haX0r" and
expect to get a (serious) reply.

 When replying to off-topic posts check which newsgroups the message was
sent to as some people crosspost. In the case of crossposts bear in mind
that others do not know which newsgroup you received the message in. If the
crosspost is a result of spam or trolling, you should remove all groups
which you are not posting to. Try not to crosspost unless necessary, and
remove any superfluous groups from a reply to a crossposted thread.

 2.2 - Newbies
 =============

 As a general rule new users should lurk in the newsgroup for at least a few
days to get a feel for the type of messages posted. Newbies should also read
the FAQ. Often, an answer for the question which a new user wishes to ask is
already answered. Frequently repeated questions can be very tiresome for the
regulars, and may be targeted for ridicule and general flaming.


 2.3 - Trolls
 ============

 Trolls will be counter-flamed until they are burnt to a crispy shell. Bear
with the NG in question during the process of doing so - a world without
trolls is much better to live (and post) in. Trolls are considered people
who make insults towards members etc with no need, reason, or purpose in the
newsgroup. People who repeatedly disrespect the other users of the NG are
usually also regarded as trolls.


 2.4 - Flames
 ============

 At times disagreements will occur, and/or trolls will appear. Furthermore,
the regulars of the groups sometimes flame newbies when they do not follow
netiquette (if you read this UFAQ and take it to heart you won't have that
problem). One should try to avoid flaming anyone. You should also consider
taking the disagreement to e-mail, especially so if other users of the
newsgroups request this.


 2.5 - On-Topic / Off-Topic
 ==========================

 The C&C newsgroups are generally extremely tolerant of off-topic posts, and
off-topic posts are allowed in these groups. An effort should be made to
post on-topic posts every now and then. The C&C groups have a saying - "Come
for the game, stay for the people." - The regulars of the groups are a very
closely knit bunch, and as such idle talk will always be a major part of the
C&C newsgroups. Newbies should respect this, and should at no time assume
that they can, should or must change this - previous attempts have led to
large flame wars.


 2.6 - HTML
 ==========

 HTML posts are not welcome in the C&C newsgroups - many people who read it
pay for internet time, and since HTML posts are larger than text posts, they
increase download time. Also, there should be no need for HTML, as plain
text is a good enough media.


 2.7 - Binaries
 ==============

 AT NO TIME SHOULD YOU EVER POST BINARIES TO AN alt.* GROUP THAT IS NOT IN
THE alt.binaries.* hierarchy! Binaries (ALL attachments are binaries... That
includes VCards and attached text files) should be direct to the newsgroup
alt.binaries.games.command-n-conq, or the RA2-specific binaries newsgroup
alt.binaries.games.redalert2 - alt.binaries.games.command-n-conq is more
widely propagated, mind. Many people who read newsgroups have to pay for
internet time - respect that by not posting binaries. If you post a binary
to any of the regular C&C newsgroups, then the regulars there will consider
you a troll and fry you into a crisp shell. Consider yourself warned!


 2.8 - Signatures
 ================

 Signatures should not be excessively long or offensive - use common
sense... If other members of the NG find your signature to be too long or
offensive, please respect them and change it.


 2.9 - Spam
 ==========

 Don't spam. On-topic advertising (Anything related to the newsgroup in
question) is permissible, but not repeatedly. If need be, put the link in
your signature and post useful posts.


 2.10 - Clans / Squads
 =====================

 No clan/squad warfare in these NGs. No clan/squad advertising except for in
sigs - and ONE recruitment post. You can make clan/squad challenges etc, but
do not argue about which clan/squad is the best. Clan/squad warfare and
repeated recruitment posts will be regarded as trolling...


 2.11 - Cheats / Hacks / Cracks / Trainers
 =========================================

 None of the C&C games on the PC platform have any cheats. Cheats, hacks,
cracks, trainers, and warez are off-topic and unwanted in the C&C
newsgroups, and will therefore almost always result in either ridicule or
flames. DO NOT ASK FOR CHEATS, HACKS, CRACKS OR TRAINERS AND DO NOT ASK FOR
SUPPORT FOR THESE THINGS EITHER. You use hacks, cracks and trainers at your
own risk, and they are illegal through the terms of your licence (You do
have one, right?) to the game, and are thus not supported by Virgin Games,
Electronic Arts or Westwood Studios. They are not supported by us either.


3 - The Adjective Army
======================

 The Adjective Army is a group of people that reside in the C&C newsgroups,
and indeed, most of the regulars are members of the Adjective Army (termed
as Adjective Assholes, due to our favourite troll, Hans). The Adjective Army
have a separate FAQ and a separate group, alt.fan.adjective-army, and a
website, http://www.adjective-army.com/. The AA website is also the host of
the various NG newsgroups, which at the time of writing, there are none of.
There used to be an AGTS newsgroup, but it currently only excists on my HD.
I need to update and rewrite it before putting it up.

 Do not assume that the AA are evil or trolls - we are not. We maintain the
FAQs, we answer questions, we try to help, we maintain the websites etc etc.
Without the AA the groups would by all likelihood be dead. Furthermore, the
AA are relatively organized, and as such are capable of efficiently
"dealing" with trolls - the AA has never, ever, *ever*, lost a flamewar.