As for our forums, I'd like to point out a few important things for all of you to recognize and become familiar with.
1) We strive on a close community.
As a four-year owner of my own site, this is one thing I am very adamant on building. Our staff is chosen by their participation in particular forums, their relationships with others in the forums, and their abilities to work together to solve problems within that community. As staff members, we are responsible for applying that glue to continue supporting that tight-knit community we have built in such a short period of time.
All the while, it's understood that the staff isn't what TLN is about. Every registered, active member has a role on the site. It's the staff that has the mandatory roles, but the regular members who are given the opportunity to become part of what we consider the best source for Lakers news and discussion on the web. While everyone is prone to consequences shaped and defined by the board's guidelines, it's important to understand that the staff makes important decisions based on what's best for this message board and blog, not on the popular vote, and that personal attacks and extreme baiting will not be tolerated here at TLN, even in a joking manner, where even a few jokes can get out of hand or encourage our new members to do the same, or just turn around and leave.
2) Use IPB's best features to your liking.
User avatars, profiles, signature space, ignore feature, PM system, a mass amount of board options, and My Assistant: these are a few of the many features an IPB (message board software) has to offer. Be sure to read the guidelines (located just above the yellow member bar, and under the banner) to comply with our signature and PM rules.
3) Promotion!
We love to hear about our members promoting TLN, but there are ways you should do this, and others you should avoid. Please understand that spamming is simply defined as sending unwanted messages. Therefore, using the PM system to recruit is a definite no-no, on any board you visit. Instead, promote TLN by using links and/or sig images in your signature space on other sites (where allowed). Post TLN articles on other sites, linking back to us. There are many other ways to go about it as well, but spamming is definitely not one of them.
4) Most of the time, the staff is always right.
And, all of the time, the admins are always right. As much as you may want it to be at times, this isn't a grocery store, and you can't return bad goods (retract your personal attacks, okay?). If the members are always right, it hurts our staff's performance. An unhappy staff leads to poor service...and abrasive members will take advantage of that very quickly. Be intelligent when you're posting, and keep in mind that if the staff doesn't see it first, we'll see it second.
5) Have fun.
We don't want to sound like your parents on Prom night...so go have fun, abide by the rules, be home before dark, and you'll do fine here. Okay, it sounds a little like them, but you get the picture. Our administration is fairly active in the forums, but more active behind the scenes, while you'll find that most of our staff members are also doing the same. TLN was built by Lakers fans. This message board and blog may have been created, designed and managed by four or five guys, but it was built by the fans, over time, and it was because they simply had fun doing so.
So, from myself and the other four admins, and the rest of the staff, enjoy TLN, and welcome home.
- Brandon
