Antique Rototiller Forum Guidelines

It is important that we have just a few basic guidelines (call them rules if you wish) so that the Antique Rototiller Forum (ARF) does not get away from us and fall prey to misuse and abuse.

The first few questions relate primarily to the basic philosophy underlying the Antique Rototiller Forum. Then we will turn to more practical matters for the remaining questions. Please understand that this FAQ is a work in progress and will change and grow as necessary. If you have any suggestions for additions to this document, please contact Donald A. Jones with your constructive suggestions.

1. What is the purpose of The Antique Rototiller Forum?

The Antique Rototiller Forum provides a meeting place for collectors, enthusiasts, owners, and admirers of all brands and models of antique rototillers and garden tractors. This is a place to share ideas and information; to make friends and have fun in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility.  

2. Is there any cost to join the Forum?

The Antique Rototiller Forum is non-commercial and the service provided by Delphi is free for anybody to read and to post messages.  However, if you want to eliminate the banners and remove other restrictions offered by Delphi Basic you might want to consider Delphi advanced or Delphi Plus which provides web space a simpler text editor and more. The money for the advanced and plus services goes to Delphi for providing the format and not to the host of the Antique Rototiller Forum.

3. Is the Forum moderated?

Yes. By Me. Others maybe added as needed..

4. Can I post any kind of message I want?

Sort of. There are NO restrictions on the content of messages posted in the Forum. While free expression of ideas is the basic foundation of this forum, abusive and profanity-laced messages are not acceptable. Please note, there are two things that are sure to get you into trouble on the Antique Rotor Forum: 1) Brand Bashing of any kind. The ARF is a non-brand specific forum and brand bashing simply will not be tolerated. Feel free to brag about your tiller or to express negative personal experiences. But stereotypical comments are not acceptable. 2) Personal attacks. You may differ with others and serious debate is not a problem. However, name calling, emotional, and personal attacks are not acceptable.

5. How about posting messages that are not related to rototillers and garden tractors?

There is a topic heading titled "Unrelated Subjects". This section is there for posting of messages not specifically related to rototillers or garden tractors. Please recognize that discussions regarding gun control, politics, abortion, religion, sexual bias or whatever are very controversial, personal, and un-winnable. These discussions usually end up in a flame war, so they may be deleted in order to maintain the friendly, respectable environment that we have worked so hard to create. Where do we draw the line? Our board of moderator(s), ME, will look at each thread on a case by case basis. If the topic is debated and the members maintain their emotions and abstain from personal attacks and name calling then the discussion may be allowed. However, if the discussion deteriorates, then posting will be stopped or the the thread may be deleted.

6. I see that some of the Forum members have fancy "signatures" at the bottom of their messages that include pictures of their machines or other neat stuff. Can I do that too?

Yes. But only if you "pay to play." You must have Dephi advanced or Plus. Just post a note pleading for help in the Forum and one of the members will give you instructions on how to do it.

Note: Your signature should be tasteful. It is not to contain information that is intended to inflame. If you post information in your signature regarding guns, politics, abortion, religion, sexual bias, pornography, etc. you will be ask to remove it when posting to the ARF. This type of information will simply create controversy and distract from our discussion of rototillers and garden tractors. The moderator(s), ME, have better things to do than answer complaints and mediate disputes.

7. You said the Forum is non-commercial. What if I have something to sell or want to buy?

If you, as an individual, want to sell or buy a machine or accessories, the Forum is one of the best places for you to get the job done. We have a topic area titled "Machines/Accessories For Sale" where you can post items for sale(FS) or want to buy(WTB). You are encouraged to use this facility as often as you like. As with everything else related to the Forum, there's no charge.

8. I'm a dealer (vendor/importer/manufacturer/whatever) in rototillers, garden tractors, or accessories and I would like to post messages about the products we offer. You got a problem with that?

As stated earlier, the Antique Rototiller Forum is non-commercial. We do not accept advertising messages, or other messages of a commercial nature.

The ARF does maintain "vendor links" under the brand topic area, only a moderator(s), ME, can put a vendor link in the vendor thread. If you are a legitimate vendor, I(we) will be happy to place a link to your webpage under these topic areas. Please email your request to me at Rototiller@hotmail.com

If you post messages claiming to be a "satisfied customer" when you are actually a vendor or dealer, you will be found out and you will be gagged.

9. You said that the Forum is non-commercial but I see where you offer your book The Rototiller in America, isn't that commercial?

Yes, But this my forum and I have expensives to provide and maintain it for you.

10. How long are messages kept by Delphi? Is there a limit on the number of messages in the Forum's archive?

Delphi has elected to not enforce any limitations on the number of messages from any of their forums, therefore there is no time limitation.

11. How are messages categorized in the Forum?

One of the primary advantages of the Delphi forum format is the fact that the messages ARE categorized. The typical web-based message forum with a tree-like structure makes it difficult to find what you are looking for and usually does not have a search function. We have "Topic" headings that should help in finding information.

12. How can I find what I'm looking for? Tell me about the search function...

The search function is very easy to use. You can simply click on "Find" in any of the Topic areas and a window opens that gives you a number of options on finding the information you need. If you want to search the entire Forum message data base, there is a full-text search option with limited functionality. 

13. I tried all that and I still can't find a message that I know was there last week. What's up with that?

You've found the fatal flaw in the search function. The search functions have several bugs and things that simply don't work properly. Delphi claims a high priority for fixing the search functions.

14. So what? Is there something I/we can do to help this problem?

YES..all you/we have to do is attempt to keep message threads on subject as much as possible. If you expect someone to find your words of wisdom about oiling your chain, and that gem of information is in a thread about radiator leaks, forget it. So, if a thread starts to seriously diverge from the original subject, just start a new thread with a title that is appropriate. It's easy.

15. I've got some other basic questions about using a Delphi forum - where can I get answers?

The first place to look would be the Delphi FAQ. You might also visit the Delphi Service Forum and post questions there that will be answered by the gnomes of Delphi.

16. I had to register to join the Forum. How secure is my personal information?

Please read the Delphi Privacy Statement. This should answer most questions.

Please remember that these guidelines are not the final word - it will continue to evolve as the MTF continues to take on a life of its own. And again, if you have suggestions of a constructive nature, please send them to Alan Leduc.

Conflict Resolution

As hard as we try to maintain a friendly environment, there seems to be no way to avoid conflict. We have been fortunate in that the members of the ARF have generally followed the guidelines and are considerate of each other. That said, we still have the need to moderate discussions and periodically take action. This section was written to assist moderators in handling problems that may arise.

The first rule in handling a conflict is to try not to create a new one. This is much easier said than done. But keep in mind that as a moderator, you need to handle problems without trying to offend the offender. An over zealous and untactful moderator can cause more problems than the offending posters. When we advertise for members to volunteer as moderators, we are really looking for people that don't want the job but are willing to serve in order to maintain the environment that we have all come to enjoy.

If a message is posted and the moderator(s) feels it is inappropriate I(they) have the option of editing or deleting the message. Remember that unless the person is a real troll, any action may offend the offender, so be tactful. The Golden Rule is a wonderful guideline. If you decide that you need to edit or delete a message, first copy it in its entirety and post the copy in the ARF hammers folder. (The ARF hammers folder is a special folder that is only viewable by moderators, and forum managers).  If you elect to edit the message, make sure that you use a different color, or something so that it is clear as to what action you have taken as a moderator. Be sure to indicate the reason (often it is just a matter of referring to a rule # in the guidelines above) that you have edited the message. If you edit or delete a message, immediately notify the posting member by email stating your reasons, etc. You should also place a copy of your email in the ARF Hammers folder. Our goal is to maintain an friendly environment and not to belittle members.

You may get an email response back from the offender that takes exception to your decision. Be tactful and reiterate your decision as best as you can. They may take your action personal. They may even flame you in the email. It is your job as a moderator to remember it is not personal. Bite your tongue, try to cool down and figure out how you can get the offender to understand your position. If you continue to get flamed, refer the matter to me. Moderators on other forums have had instances where more than 10 emails were exchanged before things cooled down, but my goal has always been to try to retain every member, so the effort is worth it. Censorship is a big deal to some people.

If a thread turns ugly, it may be best to just post a message that states the obvious and close the thread so that no more messages can be posted to it. If this is done, an email should be sent to each of the members that contributed to the threads deterioration asking them to read the forum guidelines.

Occasionally, a person may elect to take their beef with a moderator to the forum itself. This is their right. If they go public, then so be it. Then you should explain your position. In reality, you probably won't have to explain your position in that most members know you and will stand up for you.

If a person continues to be offensive or attempts to disrupt the friendly environment of the ARF, that person will be gagged for a period of 1 month. This means that the person can read messages but cannot post. If after being un-gagged a person, continues to be a problem they will be locked out of the forum completely.