[POLICY] Geek forum rules; read this prior to posting here.

[RWSmith]

Following are "special" rules for this forum:

1. This is an informal, un-official forum for MeritBadge.Net's registered users (members) to discuss Scouting and technology;

2. While the same policies and rules for the other forums also apply here, there is one caveat: discussions in this forum don't necessarily have to be directly related to Scouting; but, they must be, at the very least, technology-related and beneficial to our members; and

3. As noted in the regular policies, this website does not allow ANY advertising, including your* commercial/professional products/services... (*Meaning: Anything in which you have a "pecuniary interest".)


Waivers *may* be granted, not for advertising (per se), but regarding your "pecuniary interest" E.g.:

• If you have developed an 'app for that' which is directly and solely Scouting-related, or
  
• If you have produced a 'product' that you think is clearly beneficial to Scouting...
Waiver procedure:

1. Submit your information to me (or Wagionvigil) via e-mail.
2. We will review your request and make a determination, on a case-by-case basis.
3. If approved, then WE will write-up the post. (If we let you write it up, we may edit it as we see fit.)

Direct Examples:

• Technology in Scouting activities - Geocaching, Ham Radio, et al
• How has all this stuff affected your Scouting experience and "the outdoors"?
• Has National met your expectations getting into the 21st Century? (Don't whine without proposing decent solutions.)

Indirect Examples:

• Operating systems - Windows, Linux, etc.
• Open source software - OpenOffice.Org, et al... You name it.
• Viruses, spyware, malware, cookies, etc.
• Internet - Safety, social networking, etc.
• Moblie - phones, etc.
• The BIG picture -- Where will Scouting and technology be in 10, 20, 100 years?

Q. I have a computer/software problem and I really can't find the answer on Google (et al), can I ask about it here?
A. Well, I guess so. However, while this is a "tech" forum, let's not turn it onto a tech "support" forum... if it does, then we'll have to squash the "A [geeky] Scout is friendly, helpful, etc." thing. (Bandwidth costs money and ours is dedicated to helping Scouts with advancement.)

WARNING!... Be careful whenever making changes or trying new software that someone here may suggest here (swear by). Depending on its purpose and function, some software can vary wildly from novice to average, to guru. While I (personally) wouldn't recommend a program here that I know to be malicious... that does not in any way mean, if you don't know what you're doing, you'll be safe from yourself. IOW, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."