Posting Guidelines

[peter]

Hello! Welcome to OpenFree

OpenFree is here to help all the members of the community. Here are some guidelines to make the forums better for us all:


Giving Answers

• Be courteous; it makes the advice much more powerful.
• Give a short explanation of any URL links in your answers.

Searching for Answers

Before starting a new thread, always search first to make sure your question hasn't already been answered somewhere else. The following are some great resources to help you get started:

• Google, Linux Style
• The Linux Documentation Project

Asking Questions

OpenFree.org members love to help each other with their technical problems. Join in the fun!

How to ask Questions

If you are new to forums it's easy! Visit our posting guide for new members.

Important!: Always remember to make the title of your thread as descriptive as possible. This will make it easier for the forum’s search function to find it.

Please provide the following information when posting:

• A description of what you are trying to do.
• The name and version of the application that is giving problems.
• The type and version of your operating system. (For example, Fedora Core 6)
• The kernel version you are running. This can be obtained with the

  uname -r

  command.
• If needed, a copy of your application's configuration file. Not all of it, just the part you think is giving the problem.
• Any URL that gives part of your answer. Describe why you don't think it's exactly what you want.
• A description of the hardware you are using in your system as it will provide further insight into possible causes of your problems.
• You may be a student with a homework problem expecting a quick solution without ever trying it yourself. Not only does this constitute cheating, but it is very discouraging, frustrating, and annoying to everyone who takes valuable time to answer support questions. Please don't expect quick solutions to your homework. We'll help you get started, exchange algorithm ideas, how-to's, etc. but only if you show that you're willing to put in effort as well.

'Step by Step' Instructions

It takes a great deal of time to provide 'step by step' instructions on the forums. This is because answers are slow to formulate and responses are delayed. There are many sites on the web that provide this type of information. Based on my experience, if you ask for 'step by step' help you will most likely be referred to a HOWTO URL.

Error Messages are Always Good!

If there are no messages, then you can't tell exactly what's wrong!

Provide full error messages from syslog or what you see on the screen.
It is always best to give exact error messages when posting about problems. Take a look at the syslog error messages in your

/var/log/messages

file. For more information on viewing error messages please check this link from our sister site.

Some applications, such as Apache, place their errors a subdirectory of

/var/log

instead of the

/var/log/messages

file. Please take a look to see if your application is like this.

Hardware Problems

• If you are having a hardware issue also add the output of the

  /sbin/lspci

  command to see what's been detected on your PCI bus.
• The

  /sbin/lsusb

  command will provide USB information.
• Provide the output of the kernel logs with the

  dmesg

  command. Don't provide everything, just the parts that you think could be related to the problem.

Networking Problems

• Take a look at this link from our sister site for some basic troubleshooting advice. Provide the output from any of the commands your find useful from that link.

Software Installation Problems

• Take a look at this link from our sister site for an introduction on how to install Linux software. It's a good place to start.
• If you have any problems, please provide the error messages. Error messages are always good! (and bad).

Remember to say "Thank You!"

• When you find a solution to your problem, please return and say how it was fixed, or link to a relevant URL. This makes the forums much more useful in problem resolution.
• And don’t forget to give a little “thank you” to everyone who helped you out.

Welcome to OpenFree!

These tips will improve the types of answers you'll get.

Thanks for understanding and for your cooperation! These rules are here to make OpenFree a friendly place to learn.

Note: If you have any suggestions to add please send me a Private Message (PM).

[peter]

Bad Things

There are some more things you need to know. The community cannot grow if members don't follow these additional guidelines:

• Spamming: Spamming the threads will be the last thing a member will do. These kind of acts will get a person banned almost immediately. Please don't go on a rage in normal threads, there are places for it.
  
• Copyright Violation: Openfree.org is 100% against copyright violation of any kind including but not limited to music piracy, software piracy, key generators, serial numbers, registration information and roms. There is no place on Openfree.org for you to talk or share information regarding pirated software. This will get you suspended, no matter if you're in a country where piracy is at the peak, when you're here, you have to follow these rules.
  
• Double posting: This won't get you banned but double posting is considered rude in community forums. Sometimes the browser may act up on your doubling your post, that's ok.
  
• Pornographic or mature content: This is a certain "NO". Things like but not limited to images or content in your profile, signature, avatar, posts and polls that relates to mature content not suitable for children will get your IP banned immediately and you will never be allowed back in Openfree.org, ever.
  
• Racial comments: No racial comments whatsoever. This will lead to immediate suspension of your member account.
  
• Profanity: Profanity in general is not appreciated on Openfree.org. A member will expect a warning should the moderation team feel it is necessary. Let's all keep it clean.
  
• Personal Attacks: Open balanced discussion is welcome, but personal attacks against members and rude replies are not, and could lead to your posts being moderated, and in severe cases, your account being suspended.