FAQ - General Forum Etiquett - PLEASE READ

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#1

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]THE FORUM NEWBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE![/SIZE]
[align=left]NOTE: These are not official rules, but abiding by them just may prevent you from being flamed to a crisp by community members.
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[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]*Rule 1:[/SIZE]
CORRECT LANGUAGE MECHANICS, GRAMMAR, AND SPELLING are all appreciated.
Things to watch for:

  • Run on Sentences (Periods, commas, semi-colons, and colons were invented for a reason)
  • Using single letters to replace complete words (u=you and the like)
  • Removal of vowels (pls instead of please)
  • They’re, their, there mix-ups (make sure you have the right one)
  • Extra apostrophes (It’s=It is, Its=Possession)

Remember, this isn’t a chatroom, this is a forum. You have, quite literally, all the time in the world to write your post. Make your English teacher proud!

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 2:[/SIZE]
MAKE SURE YOUR POST HAS SOME SENSE TO IT!

If I had a pound of gold for every time I’ve had to wade through a post that seems like they put a bunch of ideas into a shotgun, pulled the trigger, then picked up the random pieces of ideas then posted that, I’d make Bill Gates look poor.

Remember: A good idea not written well, looks like a bad idea.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 3:[/SIZE]
KEEP RELEVANT DISCUSSION TO THE RELEVANT FORUM!

Want to:

There are enough different sub-forums for everyone, make sure your post is in the right place!

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 4:[/SIZE]
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED!

There is little to be gained by simply calling somebody a moron. Remember, if it is an idea for the mod, give constructive criticism and your view on the idea, and if it is something in the off-topic section, remember that everybody has different morals, religions, philosophies on life, and the list goes on.

Just remember that the more respect you give out, odds are the more respect will be given to you in return.
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  • Rule 5:[/SIZE][/b]
    DON’T CLAIM THE MORAL OR INTELLECTUAL HIGH GROUND ANYWHERE!

Attempting to claim the moral or intellectual high ground only serves to derail threads and turn them into flamming matches. As long as you only criticize or defend suggested ideas and nothing more, this can be avoided.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 6:[/SIZE]

Always read PMs, especially from Moderators/Admins/Devs (Or we will pwn you ), [COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]PM’s ARE A SERVICE AND A PRIVILEGE. DO NOT ABUSE!

Private Messages are very helpful in defusing potential situations, and can benefit in creating closer ties between members. They are also helpful in establishing direct links (without the need for publicity) between the Moderators/Administrators/Developers if disciplinary action or threat of said action is to be taken against a particular forum member. However, it is also a privilege. This, therefore, does not give any member (administrative or basic) to flame/bully/spam in any other members’ PM Inbox.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 7:[/SIZE]
BEFORE POSTING AN IDEA, ASK YOURSELF THESE THREE QUESTIONS:

    1. Will it help make the game better? And enough to justify the work involved?
    1. Will it change or alter game play in a good way, a bad way, or not at all?
    1. Will it contradict a “rule” of the HL universe or a major story element, will it add to and flesh out the story within the rules of the HL universe, or will it not change the story at all.

A “no” answer to question 1 automatically rejects the idea. A “bad way” answer to question 2 gets it rejected. A “not at all” answer to question 2 puts the idea in doubt. And obviously a “contradicts major story element” answer to question 3 nukes the idea as well.

Question #3 is to be handled carefully. A “major story element” is any story element that was in any of the other HL games, suggested by a Valve dev interview, or anticipated to happen in future Valve games.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 8:[/SIZE]
READ POSTS PROPERLY BEFORE YOU REPLY!

You may misinterpret something on initial reading. Nine times out of ten this is minor. However you could make a major mistake by taking something the wrong way, when really what is meant is drastically or entirely different. This rule is connected to Rules 1 and 2, as without using the English Language correctly and without having a post which is easy to understand, misinterpretations are only too easy to make.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 9:[/SIZE]
MAKE SURE YOUR TOPIC HAS A DESCRIPTIVE TITLE!

When we go into a topic entitled, “Hi everyone!” We expect a greeting. When we go into a topic named, “On headcrabs, and their primary attack,” we expect something about when headcrabs attack. Don’t name a topic “Whazzupppp!!!11!oneone!”, then put forth an elaborate suggestion about a topic already discussed to death and expect to walk away lacking scorch marks.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 10:[/SIZE]
UNDERSTAND THAT ASPECTS OF THE MOD MAY BE CHANGED REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE DEVELOPERS HAVE SAID!

This rule comes straight from most developers. There is a reason why we don’t get definite answers to many if not all of our questions about what will be in the mod. Everything within the mod is subject to change until it is released, and then even after that things might be changed via patches! Remember this next time you are about to demand a positive yes or no answer from a developer on a subject.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 11:[/SIZE]
ODDS ARE IF YOU’RE SAYING THINGS LIKE: “PLEASE DON’T FLAME ME,” AND “THIS MAY ALREADY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED,” YOU SHOULD NOT HIT THE POST BUTTON!

If you’re in question of whether or not you’ll be flamed for posting something, odds are you’re better off not posting said article. Remember, if you must say “this may already have been discussed”, do a search first. The answers are very likely within the threads that pop up.

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 12:[/SIZE]
PLEASE USE THE “GOT A QUESTION?” THREAD FOR MINOR QUESTIONS

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 13:[/SIZE]
[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE LEAK (NEVER EVER EVER)

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]* Rule 14:[/SIZE]
For more general information about the actual mod work, please see the WIKI FAQ’s for details
General FAQ || Single-Player FAQ || Deathmatch FAQ

[COLOR=‘DarkOrange’]APPLYING TO BLACK MESA[/SIZE]
Rules of conduct:

If you are considering applying to Black Mesa, then please take a moment to read this thread. First, and foremost, applications WILL NOT be considered without sample work or a portfolio for us to review. This means if you submit an application saying “i want to make maps” but do not attach screenshots, example work or a link to your portfolio, then your application will be discarded. The same goes for applicants in other areas as well. Also, please note that we recieve a high volume of applications every day, and as such, are busy processing and reviewing each one. We reply to applications when we need further clarification on some aspect of your application, when it has been reviewed and a decision has been reached, or when there is an exceptional delay in the processing of applications (over a week). If your application is not replied to instantly, do not send a bunch of additional copies to the jobs address; it just floods our inboxes and makes you look unprofessional. If there is an extreme delay or you have any questions, then contact a moderator through the forums and the status of your application will be looked into.

DO NOT post application threads on the forum. Please send all applications to jobs at blackmesasource dot com for them to be reviewed in a timely manner. Sending applications to individual developers or other mailboxes increases the chances of your application being deleted or delayed. (I shouldn’t have even had to say that here, because its printed on the jobs page which you should be reading before applying.

Due to a problem in Comcast’s method of spam blocking, your email may be blocked when forwarding to one recipient of the jobs at blackmesasource dot com email. Please note that unless the automailer reports problems with YOU personally sending the email, we have recieved it. There is no need to send multiple copies.

Due to the high volume of applications we recieve, it is difficult to remember everyone’s name and email address. If you have additional work to append to your application, you would do well to reply to your original email which makes it easier for us to append to your application document and easier to keep track of. It also helps us to remember who’s original application is being modified. However, it’s much easier if you select your work and submit your application in one go and do not append it further - This makes it a difficult and time-consuming process for us.

If you have any further questions, or ever have questions about the status of your application, please contact a developer through these forums.

Thank you to Mad Scientist and Ares for your founding of this announcement in thread form.

#2

Nice work man, gotta hand it to ya.

#3

wow did you save this on your comp? or do u have super memory powers?

#4

He has both, with emphasis in italic.

#5

“Ask a question” thread needs linkage, similar to the “it’s all in the detail” thread.

https://www.blackmesasource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3

#6

Woah i was waiting for this to get reposted i can now read this to pass some time again :slight_smile:
:bms:

#7

Fix’d it.

#8

Keresh: helping restore the forums one long post at a time.

Thank you, Keresh, your efforts are appreciated by all.

#9

Keresh = Awesome!!1oneoneelevenone

#10

i like the massssssivveeeeee fonts, bolds, italics and colors for headlines and sublines xD

good job keresh for reposting it :slight_smile:

#11

Thank you, Keresh, for helping lay the foundations for a new, less talkative forum about the thing starting with an “L”(rhymes with “week”).

#12

<_<

_>

:stuck_out_tongue:

#13

Thanks for posting this all up again Keresh.

I lol’d :smiley:

#14

You mean you lol’d “again”, right, right, right!

#15

Good one Keresh, I’m intending to do some editing and updating on this, but it’s good to have the old post there to work from.

#16

Why don’t you include the download locations to the teaser and main trailer?

#17

Actually I’m intending to do some editing myself but I’m glad that someone will help me :slight_smile:

#18

Wtf Spam ?

Thanks for the info anyway =]

#19

Suggestion:

Should become

#20

Hmmm. Thanks Lamsey, I’ll fix that right away.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.