Uncrate Answers - Rules To Post By
1. Don't be an asshole.
This might be the simplest rule to understand, but the hardest to follow. No matter how much someone else's suggestion may strike a nerve, hold off on any personal attacks or pithy retorts. Uncrate Answers is not a roast, nor a battleground. Just think of it as a smoky, illicit basement casino, but without the gambling, and with an NFL linebacker-sized dude ready to pounce should you act up or call your blackjack dealer a douche.
2. Be helpful.
"But answering questions is helpful!" True, but only when the answer stays on topic and adds to the discussion. That means not trashing other answers posted before yours, not posting one-word answers, and not posting links to irrelevant gear. If someone's looking for a great sounding pair of headphones, sending them to a page discussing the proper way to mount a machine gun onto the back of a Jeep isn't going to help. Use common sense, and you'll be fine.
3. Give back. Don't just ask questions. Answer them too.
We want Uncrate Answers to be as useful as possible, but a big database of questions with no answers is about as useful as a sunroof on a jet. So answer questions whenever you can. It only takes a minute of your time, and you'll be helping to make Answers a better place for all Uncraters, including yourself.
4. Use your real name.
Look, we want you to answer as many questions as you can, but it's a lot easier to take advice from someone with a real name and occupation than from HSMfanboi69. Use your real name, and others will treat your word with the respect it deserves. Even our editors are getting into the act, and if they can, you can too. Oh, and upload a userpic of yourself too. We want to know who we're talking to. If you don't, we'll take the liberty to updating your profile for you with a nice picture of a Jonas Brother.
5. Use English.
Try to use proper English — this is a place to seek advice, not an SMS chat. Use proper capitalization and punctuation or else we'll laugh at your answer or question and immediately hit delete.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses when it comes to knowledge, so try to help out in areas you're familiar with. If you're a car mechanic, answering automotive questions will be more helpful than trying to recommend a violin — unless, of course, you moonlight with the local philharmonic. We're not saying you can't try to help out on topics with which you're less familiar, we're just asking that you use your expertise to boost discussions in which you are a veritable expert. If you were going on TV, would you rather be asked questions about your profession, or about the correct way to cook ox tail? Thought so.
7. Be Specific. ABL (Always Be Linking).
While we appreciate your attempts to help out your fellow readers, answers such as "ZOMG - you need this one white Blotto wallet. Itz teh best." aren't going to help anyone. Try to name as many details as possible — manufacturer, product name, style, etc. And LINK. While details are mighty helpful, they can't replace the ability to actually see the product in question, and by linking, you're giving other Uncraters the ability to immediately listen to your ultra-valuable advice. Just don't link to porn, unless it's something really awesome like Hustler's Who's Nailin' Paylin.
If you can't follow these rules, you'll be banned with the swift backhand pimp-slap of Uncrate corporate.
