Hey there ddn.

I've been lurking here for a long time, and recently joined. I hope to be a good contributer to ddn and I hope to help others as much as they have helped me.

Now, I think I know a bunch already about how ddn works and I've read most of the informative ddn posts, but there are still a few questions.

Firstly, the Predict button on the top of the forums. What is it and what does it do? I could never figure out what it was for.

Also, I've successfully located the mod button (on people's comments), and I would like to know some uses for it. I've heard it's to report comments/posts to request a sticky. Can you use it for other things? For example, if you wanted a post to be moved, would you use the button to ask a mod to move it?

Another question: I know the basics about what not to do on ddn - X-posting, netspeak, etc. The usual on most forums. But what are some other things I should know in specific?

Thanks everyone,
gnrdancer

PREDICT: It's kind of an ongoing game. Every member gets a set amount of 'prediction dollars' and there will be prediction polls every once and a while to 'gamble' with the fake dollars. Especially around awards season, people will try and predict who wins an Emmy or Oscar or something: you place a bet of so many dollars and when the results come in you win or lose money just like you would in regular gambling. I think most members of the site never use it, so it's not like a necessity or anything, just some fun.

MOD buttons: Mod buttons are used to alert the moderators about anything you think they need to see. It is most often used when requesting that a comment is edited somehow, because it breaks the Terms of Service, or basic rules. The terms of service can be found HERE. Basic stuff like "don't post something that is illegal," "don't harass or verbally abuse people" to "DDN does not allow Height and Weight of a person in a post, because it can be triggering to dancers struggling with an eating disorder". If you see something that you are uncomfortable with, press the MOD button for THAT POST, and write a message to the mods about why you are recommending they look at that post. They will review the comments and make judgement on what should be done.

You can also recommend something for a sticky, but that is a rather rare occurring: we have lots of stickies already. LOL.

As for basics of DDN: cross posting and net speak are big ones, as well as no height/weight posts. Also, do not post images of yourself without saluting (to prevent false stories or images of others to be passed off as your own). Other than that, just be yourself, and if the MODS do have to edit or remove something, don't take it personally. Just accept their ruling and remember not to break that rule in the future: they won't hold vendettas or anything.

Just to add to the above post: Sometimes people Mod report posts or threads to the mods because they think we should see it, either because it looks like it could get out of hand, or because they think one or more of us should weigh in on the conversation, particularly in the case of threads where a member may need some support or advice. Essentially, if you want to draw attention to something, hit the mod button, as it's the fastest way to contact the mods. We prefer overuse to underuse, but the community is pretty good at keeping it at a level that works for everyone.

Helen