General board update, please read.

[Nerweniel]

Hi everyone,

Since there have been some complaints about the large amount of spelling/grammar mistakes in certain fics, April and me decided to make some general board guidelines, to make reading and writing more agreeable for everyone. We will PM these to everyone of you, thanks for taking a minute to read .

Furthermore, we also plan on changing the board layout a little, restructuring the general discussion boards and such. So don't be surprised when anything changes, we don't want any members to die of shock .

Love,

Lies

[oh dear]

and so it begins...such a shame it has had to resort to this

[ginger newts]

It is a shame when one or two people mess things up for everyone. I think our Headmistresses did a good job with the current guidelines though, they aren't restrictive and shouldn't take up too much of our time to follow. I just hope people follow them and we don't have to end up with more and more rules like other sites that shall remain nameless.

This board was started to give people more freedom with their posts, but we do still have to respect our readers and our work. Less restrictions shouldn't have meant lazier writers. I think of it somewhat like an honors system: the harder we all try to be conscientious of what we're posting, the less rules and restrictions will have to be given. If we all just put forth a bit of effort everything should work out for everyone.

[Karlynne]

I had hoped an awareness of the problem would be sufficient but I understand the reasoning behind the yoke placed upon us. I'm not happy with rules at the best of times but I want a happy home at the board and will cooperate to the best of my ability. I think support of the Headmistresses has to override my personal preferences in this case and I hope there won't be a need for further guidelines in the future, near or distant. Karlie

[idealrain]

Do we have to go back and fill out the form for existing stories? Also please be careful about limitations on the boards. Some of the newer members are afraid to post since Nerwenial's message. It does make sense especially with the Rolanda/Roelanda/Rowlanda thing going on. Maybe include a spellcheck on the board?

[Nerweniel]

I think it's perfectly okay to leave older stories the way they are . And I'm very sorry about the guidelines, but we felt (and many board members agreed with us) that this was needed... but we definitely won't morph into the worst spelling addicts in the world, so those new members should definitely not be afraid ;D. In fact not much has changed, I mean, everyone should just try their best a little for a minimum of correct spelling and grammar . But no panic ;D.

Love,

Lies

PS: And I don't think a spellcheck is included in the Proboards functions... it would be useful, but alas .

[Catwoman99]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think a spell check feature is part of the board upgrade. That would help some, as long as it's used.

As for the guidelines, these are the only ones we'll make. I, for one, do not believe in limiting someone's creative freedom, so I will never put forth any rules that hinder a story's plot or content.

For all our newbies, please don't be afraid to post. You will not be hanged, crucified, or banned from the board if you're story is not perfect. No one's story is. As long as it looks like you've made an effort to proof-read, you should be fine. I recommend reading it aloud to yourself. More mistakes are noticeable when you hear the words rather than see them. (At least for me.)

- April :-)

[Newbie]

I am kinda scared to post now

[Nerweniel]

Yes, sure, Clayre . No, but really, newbies shouldn't be scared to post whatsoever. It's like April says, we don't bite, we don't crucify, and we are generally very nice ;D.

Love,

Lies