This is GM's famous "Bass Forum Housecleaning post. I thought it would be nifty to post it again.
-BW
Hello all.
As I checked in this morning and started cleaning some things up in here from the weekend, I realized that there are a few things that we all do that we can avoid major and minor messes in here.
In no particular order, just as I think of them:
YOU HAVE THE POWER! You can delete your own posts if you accidentally double post. Many times one of us will double post and then add another "Oops" or "Sorry about the double post" post, creating another useless post. Simply click on the "edit post" icon (the one with the little pencil) and select "Delete This Post". Poof! It's gone! Thankyouveramuch.
Let's not jump on the new guys too much. I do this too, but many times new posters will come in and innocently ask about something that has recently been debated to death here. Merely refer them to the search function or, better yet, give them the link to the appropriate thread.
Along those lines, new guys: do a search before posting. Most of the basses and models you're asking about have been discussed here already. There's more than one page to this forum, go through all 9 before you post your topic.
DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. ENOUGH SAID!
This might be a touchy one, but asking a bunch of guys/girls on the internet which bass is right for YOU is an extreme exercise in futility. I certainly understand asking for recommendations of decent models, etc, but instruments are very personal items, and no one will be able to say for certain which instrument is the best for you. Only you can answer that one. We'll help guide, but you'll have to decide.
"___________ Sucks!" We all have our own prejudices regarding good and "bad" instruments for whatever reason. But the posts that merely say "Fender/Ibanez/whatever sucks! They're evil" don't really help anyone, and only reflect immaturity on the part of the poster and the site as a whole (to newcomers, especially). If you had a negative experience with a particular model, please give specifics.
Don't skim posts before responding, don't assume you know what is being asked without reading the actual post and ALL RESPONSES!
Keep an open mind. I've been proud of the fact that there hasn't been any sort of flame wars here in "Miscellaneous" for quite a while, and let's keep it that way. People are all different and all have their own biases and prejudices when it comes to, well, everything. Remember the golden rule.
Use the profiles feature. See who you're dealing with before responding. Likewise, keep your profiles updated and full of helpful information.
Please post to the appropriate forum. "Basses", while having a rather generic name, is quite specific: discussion about basses in regards to makes, models, specifications, and all other aspects of the physical instrument. There are other categories for pickups, technique, players, which may be more appropriate for your question. Try to avoid multi topic threads, if possible. Split them between the appropriate forums. When in doubt, post it in "Miscellaneous" and let Big Wheel deal with it!
Use clear, descriptive thread titles. Titles such as "basses" or "HELP ME!" or "Read This" aren't helpful at all, and only go on to annoy those with slower internet connections who open such threads (if they open them at all). Try to be clear: "Fender MIM Jazz Bridge Problem" is much clearer than even "Fender Jazz".
I'm sure there are a few other things that I'm missing here. Anything else we can do to streamline this forum a bit?
Thanks
-GM, (Quoted and respectfully edited by BW)
Will C.
RIGHT ON THE MONEY 
