Excerpt from the Forum Rules, Guidelines, and Policy
Linux Mint User Guides
[1] Search Before Posting
- Search the Linux Mint forums and Google for questions before posting.
- As the forum search function is very limited, you should consider searching the Linux Mint forum site with Google, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo or your favourite search engine by entering site:forums.linuxmint.com with your search query.
[2] New Questions Deserve New Topics
- Do not add new questions to existing topics, start your own instead! This will make it easier for other members to provide support. This includes hijacking, do not ask unrelated questions in a user's existing support topic.
- Do not resurrect support topics others have created. The automated topic-locking system closes topics six months after they were created so you could be locked out of a response if you resurrect someone else's topic.
- Posting to specific sections can make it easier for others to provide assistance and for future searches. For example, if you are having a specific software issue, post to "Software and Applications" section instead of "Beginner Questions".
- If you would like your topic moved to a new location after you create it, click the
!
button on a post in the topic, select the last option from the drop-down, and write to where you want it moved. The next available moderator will move it for you.
- Use a title that is specific. Do not use titles such as, "HELP ME!!!" or "linuxmint fails". Instead, make titles that define the problem in a clear and concise manner such as, "Kernel Panic: Wifi Intel 3945AGN". A clear title will attract more views to the topic.
- Include the version and architecture (32-bit, 64-bit) of Linux Mint.
- List any relevant hardware or software specifications. For this you can use the System Reports (mintreport) program from your menu. Open it, go to the System Information tab and click the Copy button there. Paste the copied information in your topic.
- List what Display Environment you are using if relevant (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce or other).
- If you have output errors, list them in their entirety.
- When posting output of commands use the "Code" tags if it is more than 2 or 3 lines long - this makes it more readable. The button that inserts these tags is marked
</>
. - If your Linux Mint installation isn't in English, prefix any commands that you want to share output of with LC_ALL=C. That forces output to be English. For example instead of running the command
make
, you'd run the commandLC_ALL=C make
.
- Use of bold, italic and underline text can help convey meaning in a post - but use them sparingly and with cause.
- Don't use different font sizes or colours for the whole post - use the defaults. If putting a word or sentence in a different size or colour can help convey meaning in a post you can do that - but don't overdo it in a post.
- Refrain from using <CAPS> lock on posts - it gives one the impression the user is screaming.
- Avoid jargon and slang, speak in plain language.
- Don't use excessive punctuation - one "?" or "!" is always enough.
- Images may help explain something more clearly or indicate a problem you are experiencing better - but use them sparingly and with cause.
- Please use the [rimg] tag instead of the [img] tag for large images, which will create a thumbnail automatically.
- Remember that not everyone has the same bandwidth, so use thumbnails.
- Do not create identical topics across multiple forum sections. Cross-posting creates unnecessary work for community users by separating potential answers and solutions - do not do it.
- When an issue has been resolved for you, please edit the original post to include <SOLVED> in the title. This provides a good indicator for users with a similar problem to check out the topic. Please make sure the solution that worked for you is clearly indicated, especially if more than one solution has been proposed. If your solution came from outside the forum then describe it or post a link to it. Following these simple instructions will help other users find success solving similar problems.
- Posting one word to bump a topic is generally discouraged. Try to research the problem and be patient for a solution. If nobody has responded within 48 hours, you may bump the topic to promote attention.
- To bump a topic, scroll to the bottom of the topic and click Bump topic, by Board index, Subscribe topic, and Bookmark topic (the Bump topic link will appear 48 hours after the last response).
- The forum staff cannot moderate every single post and message, it is inevitable that some inappropriate posts are missed. If you see a post in violation of the Linux Mint Rules, please report it. Topics can be reported by clicking the exclamation mark
!
on the option buttons of a post.
- We have all been a newbie to GNU/Linux. Some users are harder to help than others, but remain respectful.
- Assume a user is green unless otherwise certain. Provide detailed instructions and avoid technical jargon, slang, and procedures we take for granted.
- If you are unsure of your instructions, or the instructions carry a risk - tell the user this.
- Do not PM or e-mail forum members for support questions without prior consent. Those who help do so in their free time, and prefer to respond to topics of choice rather than being singled out.
- Do not post bare links. All links should include an explanation or excerpt unless its meaning is clear from the context.