Seems that at times there is confusion among some users when threads get locked or deleted by staff here. It seems that at times people don't get the 'post whatever as long as its constructive' rule.

In this handy guide, I shall attempt to explain the difference between being a flaming troll and having a rant with a point.

There is one important and rather significant rule around here on the geek: Post constructively. That does not mean that each of your posts must come smelling of tulips with hearts, smurfs, care bears, flora and fauna plastered upon them. It means that there should be some freaking constructive point that you are trying to make. Sure, there are countless posts around that are actually pointless, however at least they are inane posts that are not likely to offend another user. The posts I'm specifically referring to are those made by trolls. For those wishing to know more about what the hell I mean when I talk about trolling and/or flaming, there is a rather in depth (almost freakishly so) article on trolling here.

Here is a great example of a troll:

The point is lost in complete angry drivel which gets everyone defensive or offensive, essentially turning the thread into the ultimate battle between good and evil (with the occasional poster trying to play peace maker that most too tied up in their battle care to even notice).

Lets look at someone saying the same thing, yet in a more constructive tone:

Now tell me... do you see the oh so subtle difference? Both are conveying the same point: "I'm not happy with Pissed off Pansies" yet one post actually does something about it apart from troll.

That friends is how you post constructively. And thats how we like it here on the Geek.

The End