[Lynx]

I enthusiastically support good writing habits. I think encouraging kids to use good writing habits will make them better students in the long run. I suggest initially starting out with a request for:

• No chatspeak.
• Aiming for proper capitalization and punctuation.
• Breaking up sentences into paragraphs for readability.
• More stuff?

I think over time the moms moderating may decide on different or more gentle standards but I think aiming high is good. I know my daughter would have been a model poster from early on and I know most kids can do it too. Chatspeak etc. are lazy ways to post. You want to be understandable and eventually you want to fit into an adult world.

p.s. I've always been a lousy speller so that's not something I would hold against the kids.

Oh, and what would you all want to decide about smilies? Right now they are off. I think it's possible to limit the number of smilies in a post.
All your thoughts?

pp.ss. I think the youngest posters to be considered are those who demonstrate understandable writing habits. Do you all agree?

[emilythegreat]

I think that relaying emotion through emoticons is important for kids but it can be very annoying when overused.

Do you mean limit the amount available for use or limit the amount they can include in a post?

If you can limit the smilies available, I think it would be beneficial to only offer the 5 basic smilies (smile, frown, cry, embarrassed, shocked).

Otherwise, maybe there could be a rule about using too many emoticons in a post.

[knhappyface]

I'd say a maximum of 3 smilies in a post. Otherwise it's overwhelming and annoying (especially if they move).

[Lynx]

I think admins can select how many smilies are allowed in a post. I have it set for zero now. I'll go change it and see what happens.

[Lynx]

Oh, darn it! There they are at the side!

Anyway, I set it to "three". Let's see what happens

[emilythegreat]

Wow. Those are some special smilies.





Ooh, I tried to use four and I was told!
"Your message contains too many smilies. The maximum number of smilies allowed is 3."

[Bethie]

I think aiming high is a good idea, too. We can always forgive mistakes, but we should shoot for the best. I, for one, have an awful time deciphering chatspeak. It hurts my brain to read posts without capitalisation or punctuation.

[QuincEmma]

Are we going to have a thread that states the rules? Like over on our GL.

Such as: http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3815 But "kid" friendly?

Forgive me if we already have a thread like this and I just missed it!

[momof911kids]

I think that's an excellent idea, QE.

I also agree with having high expectations. After all eventually these kids will grow up and maybe graduate to regular GL. We wouldn't want them to think chatspeak is allowed there.

[QuincEmma]

Atleast make the rules a bit easier to remember and follow, But make sure the rules are in a obviously place so they can read them first.

If you want, I can help with making up a list of rules.

[emilythegreat]

Frankly, I don't think kids should get that used to chatspeak anyhow. I think that holding them to a higher expectation will help them with their writing overall.

[momof911kids]

That sounds good QE. Make up a draft of rules for the forum and send them to me to read. Once we have the rules set then we can figure out how to sticky them somewhere.

[QuincEmma]

Ok, I'll start that right now.

It might take me a bit.

ETA: Ok- it's sent.

Here is the list I came up with. Momof added some of her input as well
Guinea Lynx for Kids!

Rules:

-No chat speak. Such as “wut’s up?”

-Try to aim for proper capitalization and punctuation.

-Do not type in all caps lock either, it’s considered SHOUTING and is rude.

-Here is a good place to practice your paragraph writing. Breaking up your post makes it easier to read.

-There are no more than three smilies allowed for each post you make.

-No copyrighted material please. If you need to reference something else you’ve seen on the internet, get permission from the other website and/or provide a link.

-Be nice to each other, we are all here to learn.

-No swearing or bad mouthing.

-Above all, have fun and learn lots!

-If you have any questions about how the board works, check out the FAQ’s section. It will answer all your questions. faq.php


And another thing I mentioned but I want to run it past you guys first was,

If you do not follow the rules, there are moderators on the board who will give you a warning, and may even delete your post. We use the “3 strikes and you’re out!” method. If you don’t listen the first two times, you may get banned.

I'm not sure how you want to handle it Lynx.

[momof911kids]

QE, I got the email and sent you back a reply. I think you did a good job on the rules and should post them here so everyone can voice their opinion on them and we can work on finalizing them. Then we can make them a sticky!

[QuincEmma]

Done! Momof, look up!

[snowflakey]

Lookit you guys already, littering up your posts with smilies!!!1!

Those rules sound good.

[QuincEmma]

Well yeah, we have to test out the smilies to make sure they are not that annoying!

Thanks SF

[Bekie]

QE, I think those rules sound fair

[Bethie]

The privacy topic brought up some important issues. The rules need to include reminders about not posting age, location, or e-mail addresses. As adults, we contact each other in various ways, but kids need to be reminded that they should not give out personal details and never arrange to meet with someone they've met over the net.

The rules look good, but it might be helpful to make each rule short and then offer an explanation.
1. Be nice.
This means no swearing, no badmouthing. We are all here to learn.
2. Use good communication.
Don't use chatspeak (Wuz up) or textspeak (R U hAp3).
Always try to use correct spelling and punctuation.
Don't use caps lock. It's considered shouting and is rude.

3. Make tidy posts.
Paragraphs, smilie use, picture size

This keeps the list of rules short. It's less daunting to look at and more likely to be read.

ETA: Please post in the correct forum. If you're asking about your piggie's food, don't post your question in the housing forum.

[Lynx]

Oh, very nice rewrite! I think good organization and clarity go a long way.

By the way, people can use the mailer to contact each other but your personal email address does not seem to be sent out in the reply (unless I am understanding things wrong because I'm an admin or something). You moms can write your kids and see how the mailer works.