Retrogaming Roundtable FAQ

Out of respect to retrogaming stores, game developers, and growing legal concerns, discussion about the obtaining of illegal ROM's is prohibited. Illegal ROM's are defined as any ROM, regardless of age, that has been copyrighted in the past 100 years. Threads discussing the location or acquiring of ROM's and/or illegal (pirated) software will be locked per the discretion of a forum moderator or administrator. To avoid legal issues, "gray area" threads dealing with emulation may also be locked. As companies continue to release retro games through virtual releases or retro gaming packs for modern gaming systems, the threat of getting a cease-and-desist order grows. In order to preserve the gaming community we've all worked so hard to build, we ask that you respect the Retrogaming Roundtable and refrain from the discussion of illegal ROM's.

The Retro Roundtable is a community and welcomes new members, so we'd like to know who you are and what you're into. Introduce yourself in the classic gaming forum, in the stickied topic at the top. There are some suggestions at the top of the thread as well.

Discussions can get derailed in many ways. For example, when someone repeats something that has already been stated earlier - and as this seems to be "contagious," if one person does this, then more people probably will - it will cause threads to take a few steps backwards before they move forward... if ever. (Some call this "hijacking a thread," but whatever you call it, shun it.) You can thank someone for something, but submitting posts with responses such as, "Me too!" or, "LOL," or, "I don't know," are really not of much worth so steer clear of writing them. Please read your own post before you submit it and ask yourself the important question, "Am I actually contributing to the conversation in a valuable way?" If the answer is no, then there is really no good reason to submit it. Do not make a post with little to no value.

Please consider the bandwidth you use every time you post. Follow these guidelines: a) No more than five lines of normal sized characters or spaces total. b) One small (480x80) banner graphic in addition to the five lines of characters or spaces is allowed. c) What you see here is considered 'normal sized characters'.

If you're wondering if anyone has ever talked about a particular subject, this is your best friend. Note that the search engine doesn't work so great if you've got three-letter words to search for. If that's the case, try this:

Let's say you want to find the top 20 nes games. That's gonna be a problem using the forum search, isn't it? So INSTEAD, go to google and type this:

site:digitpress.com/forum top 20 nes

The key in google is the used of the site:digitpress.com/forum command. What you type after that are your actual search keys. Try it! Alternatively, you can drop the /forum part and search the whole site.

Note that there is a forum ('Classic Discussions') designed specifically for keeping timeless conversations alive forever. It's a good idea to browse through these; you'll find that even the oldest ones still apply today and they're fairly general topics. It's a good place to 'get your feet wet'!

Before posting a 'Top Ten Whatever' list, please check the Classic Discussions forum, as it probably has been touched upon in the past. Build upon that old thread, as the new one *will* get locked down and referred back to the original topic.

Nothing will draw more ire than typing like a prat. Whenever possible, please use correct grammar and spelling; NO ALL-CAPITAL MESSAGES AS WE CONSIDER THIS SHOUTING; please don't use hacker-speak (P!_34z3 r3Fr41n fr0m h4><0r sp33ch) nor other intentionally obfuscated means of writing, especially at length; and please use an occasional period, or comma, or some other punctuation mark. Nothing is harder to read than run-on sentences. You'd be surprised at how many messages are posted this way. It's difficult to tell where a sentence ends if you don't write well, all right?

"Haters gonna hate," so don't be a hater. We quite dislike haters, and they can find themselves getting banned. What counts as hate? Posting things that are prejudiced, racist, sexist, homophobic, trans-phobic, anti-Semitic, or fascist for a start. Things that are pointedly personal or violent, targeted threats count too. While this list isn't all-inclusive, you get the idea. Racist comments and "real life" threats will not be tolerated. Disagree with other people if you want, but don't be stupid.

Being a cheerleader for your favorite game or system is encouraged. Being a system-basher is not. Respect the fact that everyone has their favorites and back off when they're enjoying theirs. Accept the fact that this is a video game forum that crosses platforms and eras so you're not going to agree with everyone's passion. No need to stomp it out just because you disagree. Constructive input is ALWAYS welcome here but show yourself to be a "system basher" or "anti-fanboy" and you won't be long for *this* world.

Do not post an identical message/thread in every forum just so you've covered all of the bases, hoping someone will read it. You'll only anger the forum moderator... and you wouldn't like them when they're angry.

Every forum has good guys and bad guys. Don't let one or two flames stop you. Bad guys are usually beaten down pretty quickly anyway =) The hardest part about entering a new forum is figuring out who knows what they're talking about and who the +1 me-too posters are. Take the high road and you will be respected for it.

The Web site is pretty extensive! Looking for that Mario Twins video? Check the video section! Looking for a good FAQ on your favorite obscure system? Check the archives! Can't find what you're looking for? Ask a question at the Retrogaming Roundtable forum. NOTE: The same thing goes for the message board. Trying to fix your SNES power supply? Check the Technical and Restoration Society sub-forum! Think you've got a prototype? Check the Prototypes Central thread! You get the idea.

Want your account and/or all of your posts deleted? Then this is the FAQ for you!

Parting can be such sweet sorrow that some people come back to do it over and over again. Maybe they want the reassurance that they're being missed; maybe they're trying to get people to convince them not to leave. Or just maybe they're being genuine about leaving, but can't resist the temptation of looking to see who said what when they were gone. Basically, all of this boils down to a lot of unnecessary drama for board members and headaches for moderators.

To keep things sailing smoothly, we assist all those who announce their intentions of leaving PUBLICLY (i.e. in a post on the forums) with their departure by banning their user names after said announcement. So if you're planning on posting a goodbye message here, please consider this point as it will indeed be your last.

Delete your account? That's not how it works. We typically don't delete accounts nor legitimate posts. Even when we "delete" something, it is usually a soft delete so nothing is actually erased, just hidden.

If you really want your account disabled, then we require you to go to the Off-topic sub-forum, write a good-bye thread which announces your wishes, and publicly ask the mods to close the account. Then write a Private Message to the mods or admins to let us know. After you have complied with the rules, then we might abide your request. If so, then we will not delete the account: instead we will ban the account so it can not be used again for posting. The account, its threads, and its posts will be retained by the forum and continue to be visible.

To summarize: We don't "delete accounts," we ban accounts. If you want your account banned, then ask in Off-Topic. And we're not going to delete all of your posts even if you ask.

Topics referred to as "sticky" are those that are pinned to the top if a forum's topic list. For example, the "Introduce Yourself" thread is stickied at the top of the Classic Gaming forum. Stickies are for threads that are time sensitive (contests, fantasy leagues, even birthdays) or need to be seen by new members (introductions, forum rules). For regular members, stickies just clog up the front page, so we do try to limit the use of this option.

If you're courteous, there's no question too big or small for the community here. This group likes to lend its expertise and opinion, and questions are what make conversations happen. If you're not sure about something you're about to ask or post, PM a moderator.

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