A sticky thread proposal

[Dominus Nox]

Every day, new users join the internet, and many of these are our fellow gamers.

Often newbie users are caught unaware by the perils that await new users in cyberspace. As a service to our fellow gamers I'd like to propose a sticky thread in the off topic section that would be a public service thread meant to help newbie users avoid some of the pitfalls of netsurfing.

The thread could have advice on setting up and using virus checkers, firewalls and so on, how to avoid net scams, how to set up spamblockers, how to use proxy servers to avoid being 'tracked' thru cyberspace, how to setup and use an ebay account without falling for the 1001 ebay scams that are out there and, specifically to help newbie gamer surfers, good websites for gamers to go to and good ones to avoid, like rpg.net.

It could also teach people about things like photobucket accounts so they can have and use cool avatars and other little tricks to help them have more fun in cyberspace.

It's nothing major and I'm sure some assholes here will shit on the idea simply because it came from me, but in all honesty I've seen plenty of novice netsurfers get screwed over, sometimes for real money, and I'd like to do something to help our fellow gamers avoid as much of it as possible.

So, even tho I'm sure I'm wasting my time, I'd like to propose a sticky thread for new internet users who come online and look for gaming sites. Call it the "Cyberspace travellers survival guide" or something if you want.

[Balbinus]

I'm not really competent to add to it, but I think as an off-topic thread it's not a bad idea actually.

[James McMurray]

What about instead of telling people how to do this, and the inevitable arguments that will ensue, it instead just gave some links? Heck, there's probably an entire website dedicated to all of this that would cover all the bases with a single link.

[Zachary The First]

I'm all for it.  I don't know how much help I'd be, but that sounds like a nice idea.

[Dominus Nox]

Well, as some general advice I'd start with recommend people who can't afford an expensive virus checker get AVG free, which works and is free for private use.

A good free firewall is available from Zonealarm, and I know a professional computer security expert who uses it.

When using ebay, it's often better to mail in a check MO than risk your credit card number online. Also, when you get an email from someone asking you about an auction you never participated in, never answer it, it's an attempt to get your ebay password so you can be royally screwed.

For game fun, I'd recommend reading "order of the stick" even if you don't like D&D.

Obviously stay away from rpg.net and sjg's forums, they're both ran by mods with DICKtator trips.

[James McMurray]

Here's an idea: post the ideas in a thread called "Cyberspace Travellers Survival Guide." If it gets enough good ideas and the mods think it's worthy of being stickied, it will be.

[Dominus Nox]

Here's an idea: post the ideas in a thread called "Cyberspace Travellers Survival Guide." If it gets enough good ideas and the mods think it's worthy of being stickied, it will be.

To quote the great Hannibal Lecter "Okidoki."

[Balbinus]

Well, as some general advice I'd start with recommend people who can't afford an expensive virus checker get AVG free, which works and is free for private use.

A good free firewall is available from Zonealarm, and I know a professional computer security expert who uses it.

When using ebay, it's often better to mail in a check MO than risk your credit card number online. Also, when you get an email from someone asking you about an auction you never participated in, never answer it, it's an attempt to get your ebay password so you can be royally screwed.

For game fun, I'd recommend reading "order of the stick" even if you don't like D&D.

Obviously stay away from rpg.net and sjg's forums, they're both ran by mods with DICKtator trips.

Dom, I would seriously avoid personal commentary, comments about fun sites or sites you hate aren't really relevant to a netsafe guide, and would just lead to it being argued over.

Putting a criticism of say SJGames in something like this, whether or not justified, will defeat the purpose of it as instead of some useful tips people will argue about that.

This is a good idea, don't shoot it down yourself.

[jrients]

I made the thread sticky.

[Dominus Nox]

I made the thread sticky.

Thanks, between us we may help a few gamers avoid some unecessary problems and headaches in cyberspace.

It may not be a netvet's "duty" to help out newbies, but hell, it's good karma and who doesn't need some of that?

[James McMurray]

I made the thread sticky.

I just came from laughing at the latest spam in the off topic forum and this has a whole different meaning now.