Periodically during the PCMech Live broadcast I will refer people to the PCMech Forums when a) I don’t know the answer to a particular tech question and/or b) the tech question asked requires a threaded conversation (which can’t be done with real-time chat).

For those who have never been to the PCMech Forums, they are quite large. There are tens of thousands of posts in there and you can use it right now – but there are rules.

Question: Why are there rules?

Answer: Mainly to keep threads on topic. When someone posts a tech question it is in the best interest to stay on the topic and not to digress. When you digress, focus and lost and the thread turns to crap.

The forums do have a FAQ, but if you want to know the basic 101 on general forum decorum, here’s how it works:

1. Try not to ask questions that have already been answered.

First-timers should search the forums first and always. Odds are your question is already in there and answered. If not, a new thread can be started.

2. Pick the appropriate forum to post your question in.

You wouldn’t post a Windows Vista question in the MacMechanic forum, would you? Of course not. Keep the posting of new threads relevant to the forum you’re posting them in.

3. Do not expect your question to be answered in 5 seconds.

Forums are not real-time. It’s not like an IRC channel or instant messenger. Someone will eventually get to your thread and answer appropriately if the answer is known.

4. Writing a “Hello? Anybody home?” doesn’t work and never does.

If you post a new thread and it’s not answered immediately, with you following up with a “Hello? Helllooooo?” post, that’s a sure-fire way to tick off a mod (forum moderator) or an admin (administrator). And by “tick off” I mean thread deleted and you possibly banned.

5. Being specific does work.

Example of a good post. Very descriptive and gives a lot to work with. Everything you need to know about how to start a good thread is there.

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Did I miss any general tips? Feel free to chime in with a comment or two.