There is, in fact, a newbie guide! But I'll try and cram the necessary info in here.
First of all, starting tomorrow (Monday August 17) the site is going to be unavailable until August 24. That's because our admin, Nate, has been working on a new, faster, more secure version of the site and this week he's going to actually put it into place. So when we come back, it's going to be pretty different, but also pretty freakin' awesome.
You can find the backup site here. It's basically a slightly smaller version of YWS and we'll all be chilling out there for the week, so you should totally be there too You'll have to register again, though.
Also, review two other pieces for every one piece of your own that you post so that we spread the love and everything keeps running. And please don't use chatspeak (but it doesn't seem like you have a problem with this, yay!). The point system I won't go into here, since I'm still a little fuzzy on it myself but it's explained in the newbie guide.
Restrictions on what you can post: in the Community forums, there's no swearing. You can say things like darn or heck, of course, but no f-word or s-word or you know, the others. And if you're doubting something, it's always better to rate it. Above all, just respect the other members. Even if you don't agree with them.
As for the Literature forums, where you post your writing, the biggie is that everything you post there must be your own, as we have a strict policy against plagiarism and yes, there have been some members who have been caught taking others' work and putting it up as theirs. You can swear; you can say pretty much anything you like, as long as the work is rated accordingly. If it contains the f-word, it must be rated R.
Hope I see you around, on the backup site and on here next week!
'life tastes sweeter when it's wrapped in poetry' -the wombats
Hi! I'm Thorn. Mars covered a lot, so I'm going to be brief. YWS has a 2:1 ratio, which means that you should review 2 works before posting one of your own - but It isn't a very well enforced rule. It's encouraged and you should try to follow it.
Other than that, like Mars said, when YWS goes down Tommorow, you can register at the backup site!
Congratulations on getting the new computer! Also,I'm not sure how long ago it was, but still, happy birthday! Tenyo I recommend having a look at the site's about section. Be sure to go through the help and support wiki. I'm sure you'll find it very helpful.
Other than that, welcome aboard! Tell us a bit more about yourself. What kind of things are you into? Kindly give us a brief description of your tastes in writing, reading, music and of course food!
If you need any help with anything, feel free to PM me.
P.S. You get a dancing elephant!
I'm a godmother, that's a great thing to be, a godmother. She calls me god for short, that's cute, I taught her that. --Ellen DeGeneres
You'll have to register again, though.
