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As is the case in many other micronations, Slobovia's message board is the central medium of communication for the micronation. On the message board, people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. Unlike a chat room, these messages are available for long periods of time, and so communication does not need to be real time. This is perfect for a community built of individuals from multiple time zones who have real lives to live outside of micronations - you don't have to be online at the same time as everyone else in order to communicate with them. You can find Slobovia's forums here. Below, you can find some helpful information which may help you in using the message board:
• Registration
• Rules
• Structure
• Features
Registration
Slobovia requires that you register a posting account before you can post. Registered users are allowed to submit and send electronic messages through the forum system, as well as utilize features built into that system. For example, since the citizenship application form is integrated into the forum system, you must be a registered user of the message board in order to submit a citizenship application.
After registering, your account will be set up, including a profile. Most of the information fields in the profile are optional. However, age, while optional, must be shown before you may be given access to certain age-restricted forums; this is needed so that Slobovia can continue to keep adult material away from children.
Rules
Pretty much every message board you go to on the internet has rules, and the Slobovish message board is no exception. The following are a set of important rules for the forums, though more may be added later. Failure to comply can result in a variety of different actions.
- Try not to use any name other than the one by which you are commonly known in Slobovia. Exceptions to this rule are acceptable where the alternative name is easily associated with you (or you identify it as being yourself) or where the alternative name is used primarily just for fun (such as Babkha's Babkhan Sandworm and Natopia's Butter Bull).
- Be nice to the n00bs. Yes, some of them can sometimes be annoying, but most of us are when we're new. Be amicable with them and help them fit into the community; n00bs will become Slobovs through this process.
- Be honest. If you take to pathologically lying, it will reflect poorly upon your reputation. Furthermore, try to avoid making clear-cut up or down statements about things that aren't so clear-cut; opinion is opinion, yours usually isn't any more or less true than anyone else's.
- Please don't violate others' intellectual property rights. We understand and respect the opinions of the copyleft movement, but people have devoted significant effort to creating their intellectual property and, if they want it protected, that's their right. Please observe macronational copyright law - you can post excerpts so far as they conform with fair use and you can quote the work in its entirety as long as you have the permission of the copyright holder (an exception to this is works that are copyrighted under copyleft licenses or not copyrighted at all), but in all cases you must cite the original author (except when the author is anonymous, such as in the case of most copypastas). In the case of copypastas and their variants, the very name itself implies that there is no enforced copyright to worry about (copypasta and its variants, such as creepypasta, are intentionally produced to be copied and pasted, hence the name, and reposted elsewhere)...but if you know who the original author is, please, still cite them.
- Be grateful when others are helpful, but don't allow that help to be used as something that they can hold over your head as a reason for them to force you to go along with their side of every debate without regard to your own opinions. Remember to remain true to yourself.
- Remember that not everyone is here constantly; it may take some time before a post or PM directed to a specific individual will be answered. If a day or two goes by without an answer, send them a polite reminder, but don't be angry...some of us have lives.
- Try not to brutalize the English language. Occasional spelling errors and misused terms are okay as long as the intended idea can still be communicated; l33t/netspeak/lolspeak should be used sparingly, and never in an intelligent discussion, except in brief comments meant as comic relief. However, all three are perfectly acceptable in Jægærshafn, which is suppose to be a random forum anyway.
- Keep the lolcats, other macros and memes in Jægærshafn and the Baltschræße forums; as an exception you can reply with single posts as comic relief elsewhere, but if it becomes a meme thread, it'll be moved to Jægærshafn.
- ABSOLUTELY NO pornography will be permitted in any of the forums except for Þas Rauðleucht, and all porn posted there must be acceptable in accordance with macronational law. Posting pornography anywhere else in the Slobovish forums may get you banned and posting anything illegal anywhere will get you banned and reported to macronational law enforcement.
- Please try to keep to the intended purposes of the individual forums when posting. Occasional posts that stray off topic are acceptable, but if the entire purpose of a thread is inconsistent with that of the forum it's posted in, that thread will be moved to a more appropriate forum.
- Do not spam. Unsolicited advertisement of real world products and services and other micronations will not be permitted.
- Do not cross post. If you're unsure about whether or not you're posting a topic in the right forum, just post it once...if it's in the wrong forum, the moderators will move it to a more appropriate forum.
- Use a title that accurately represents the subject of the topic. Don't use all caps or special characters to draw attention. This rule is, however, void in Jægærshafn.
- Do not post links to sites of a sexual nature, unless the forum you are posting in is Þas Rauðleucht. Do not post links to sites with illegal content, period.
- Do not post any link unless you are reasonably certain that it is safe. When in doubt, consult SiteAdvisor. If SiteAdvisor has no information, do not post the link.
- Posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion (trolling) is not permitted. Any post judged to be a trolling post will be deleted.
- Flamewars will not be tolerated. If any thread becomes a theater for a flamewar, it will be locked (i.e., no one will be permitted to post in it anymore). "(S)He started it" is not an excuse...you didn't have to continue it.
- Discussions facilitating activities that violate macronational law (for example, discussions about where to illegally obtain pirate copies of an intellectual work) will not be permitted in any forum. The topic in question shall be locked in all such cases, and any offending links, guides or resources shall be removed.
- Animated avatars are not permissible and will be deleted.
- Text signatures should be no larger than 4 lines of normal sized text, or 8 lines of small sized text (both small and normal being defined according to the forum's text size settings). Text smaller than small or larger than normal will not be permitted. Image signatures must be in either JPEG, GIF or PNG format. Animated images are not permissible in signatures. Image signatures must be no more than 550 pixels in width and no more than 180 pixels in height.
Structure
Below is provided a tree outline showing the structure of the Slobovish forums. It should be noted that this does not display all forums - private forums are not included in the tree, nor are the forums of political parties, mass organizations and societies (although certain forums that not everyone will be able to access, such as age restricted forums and citizens-only forums are included).
- General Discussion (Category)
The general discussion forums primarily exist for the purposes of fulfilling the community end of Slobovia's being. They are places where individuals can discuss whatever's on their mind. These include:
- Wannplas (Forum)
Wannplas (essentially, "Hope Square") is primarily intended to be the on-topic general discussion forum (that is, it's meant to host topics related to Slobovia (both hobby and community) and micronationalism in general).
- Jægærshafn (Forum)
Jægærshafn (literally the "Hunters' Haven") is a 'bar forum'. This means that it, like most traditional micronational bar forums, is meant to be used for random and whimsical off-topic discussions, playing forum-based games (for some odd reason, word association has a particularly strong tradition of being featured in micronational bar forums) and generally discussing lighthearted topics not within the purview of other forums.
- Baltschræße (Subcategory)
Baltschræße (a portmanteau of the Slobovish words balþ "brave" and tschræße "street") is a subcategory containing forums for specialized off-topic discussions, particularly:
- Þas Kwalhouß Xristiansburges (Forum)
Þas Kwalhouß Xristiansburges ("The Xristiansburg Amphitheatre") is a venue for discussing the arts, entertainment and sports.
- Þas Rauðleucht (Forum)
Þas Rauðleucht hosts discussions on carnal pleasures (especially sex and drugs). It's a near certainty that this forum will most likely have pornographic content posted in it at some point (as this is the ONLY forum in Slobovia where posting such content is acceptable). This is also the primary ADULTS ONLY forum, for that reason; no one under the age of 18 will be given access.
- Kaffeischupfe Hwießhatzn (Forum)
Kaffeischupfe Hwießhatzn (the "White Hare Coffeeshop") is intended to host discussions regarding philosophy of the mind, self-improvement, psychology and, generally, anything dealing with the mind and the conscious and subconscious self (so, the place to discuss deep shit).
- Þie Folksfark Xristiansburges (Forum)
Þie Folksfark Xristiansburges ("The Xristiansburg People's Park") is intended to host discussions related to nature, the outdoors, the environment, etc.; everything from swapping camping and hunting stories to discussing conservation and environmental protection.
- Þas Albert-Einstein-Institut (Forum)
Þas Albert-Einstein-Institut ("The Albert Einstein Institute") is indended, primarily, to host discussions about physics, chemistry, mathematics, cosmology, astronomy, etc.
- Hovf zor Grohnder Vlasche (Forum)
Hovf zor Grohnder Vlasche (the "House under the Green Bottle") is intended to serve as a forum for discussing politics, political philosophy, humanities, religion, linguistics, current events, education, law, armed forces, war, geopolitics, foreign affairs, etc.
- Þas Gismonisches Institut (Forum)
Þas Gismonisches Institut ("The Gismonisch Institute") is intended to serve as a forum for discussing engineering, electronics, inventions, mechanics, etc.
- Þas Spoukhouß (Forum)
Þas Spoukhouß ("The Haunted House") is intended to serve as a forum for discussing paranormal experiences, trading creepypastas and ghost stories, etc.
- The State (Category)
The State is a category that is pretty much completely dedicated to two things - the hobby and the administration of the infrastructure of Slobovia (the forums, etc.). Like the general discussion forums, each of these forums has its purpose. Included forums are:
- Beirelnes Tschadtslotz (Forum)
Beirelnes Tschadtslotz (the "Beireln City Palace") is intended to be the forum where the State President does most of his (or her) business, addressing questions, comments and concerns, issuing press releases and announcements, etc.
- Nationalsamnung (Forum)
Nationalsamnung ("National Assembly"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Slobovish National Assembly, which exists to discuss the adoption of a new Slobovish constitution. All citizens are members of this assembly and can thus participate in this forum; but non-citizens can only view the forum.
- Slobowische Staatshersung (Subcategory)
Slobowische Staatshersung ("Slobovish State Government"), as its name implies, is a subcategory dedicated to the Slobovish State Government. It includes the following public forums:
- Marietschræße 38 (Forum)
Marietschræße 38 is intended to be the forum where the Minister President does most of his (or her) business, addressing questions, comments and concerns, issuing press releases and announcements on the behalf of the Government, etc.
- Þie Outzwarðige Ambacht (Forum)
Þie Outzwarðige Ambacht ("The Foreign Office") is, as its name implies, the forum of the Foreign Office, and is thus intended to be the forum where forum where foreign affairs will be handled and the Minister of Foreign Affairs will do much of his (or her) work.
- Þie Ministærie þes Ines (Forum)
Þie Ministærie þes Ines ("The Ministry of the Interior"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for the general public administration of the Republic (including the affairs of the provinces), internal security and law enforcement, and immigration and naturalization, as well as general citizenship policy. The forum includes the following subforums:
- Þas Staatsbyro fur Byrgærschaff unð Naturalisierung (Subforum)
Þas Staatsbyro fur Byrgærschaff unð Naturalisierung ("The State Bureau of Citizenship and Naturalization"), as its name implies, is the public forum of the State Bureau of Citizenship and Naturalization, which receives (in a private subforum) citizenship applications, acts on them and issues certificates of citizenship.
- Þie Slobowische Staatspolizie (Subforum)
Þie Slobowische Staatspolizie ("The Slobovish State Police"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Slobovish State Police, where individuals can contact the Slobovish State Police, or view statements, announcements, etc. from the service.
- Þie Ministærie þes Krieges (Forum)
Þie Ministærie þes Krieges ("The Ministry of War"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Ministry of War, which administrates the national defense and external security of the nation, including overall administrative authority for the Slobovish Defense Force.
- Þie Ministærie fur Weßenschaff, Gafolke unð Folksbilieðung (Forum)
Þie Ministærie fur Weßenschaff, Gafolke unð Folksbilieðung ("The Ministry of Science, Culture and Public Education), as its name implies, is the forum of the Ministry of Science, Culture and Public Education, which administrates the culture and national heritage of Slobovia, the affairs of its religious communities, education, scientific research, and any other matter which is useful and necessary to preserve the traditions and cultural wealth of Slobovia; includes the following subforum:
- Þie Slobowische Akademie þen Litsches unð Weßenschaffen (Subforum)
Þie Slobowische Akademie þen Litsches unð Weßenschaffen ("The Slobovish Academy of the Arts and Sciences"), as its name suggests, is the forum of the Slobovish Academy of the Arts and Sciences, which is responsible for setting standards for all manifestations of Slobovia's constructed culture and other such elements related to the hobby.
- Þie Ministærie fur Werþung unð Arbeit (Forum)
Þie Ministærie fur Werþung unð Arbeit ("The Ministry of Economics and Labor"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Ministry of Economics and Labor, which administrates the (simulated) economic life of Slobovia, the affairs of the (simulated) working population, (simulated) social security, employment services, and any other matter which is useful and necessary to preserve and promote the Slobovish economic simulation.
- Þer Ofritscher Gareghtshovf (Forum)
Þer Ofritscher Gareghtshovf ("The Supreme Court of Justice"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Supreme Court of Justice, which holds the authority to administer justice in all civil, criminal and constitutional cases.
- Þie Provinzen (Subcategory)
Þie Provinzen ("The Provinces") is a subcategory which, as its name implies, hosts forums for each of Slobovia's provinces, where items of local importance can be discussed for each province (for the sake of brevity, those forums will not be listed here).
- Gasellschaffen (Category)
Gasellschaffen ("Associations") is a category dedicate largely to forums that serve a purpose either within the community or within the hobby, but are not officially administered by the Republic. Included are:
- Þie Partien (Subcategory)
Þie Partien ("The Parties") is a subcategory hosting forums for Slobovia's political parties.
- Þas Slobowisches Gafolksbundt (Forum)
Þas Slobowisches Gafolksbundt ("The Slobovish Cultural Association"), as its name implies, is the forum of the Slobovish Cultural Association, a semi-private institution that formerly exercised much control over Slobovish constructed and natural culture, but now serves to promote just the natural cultural additions of the members of the community, by such means as providing collective support for and promoting collaboration among Slobovs who are artistically inclined, etc.
- Niþrfourð (Subcategory)
Niþrfourð is a subcategory hosting forums for enterprises and agencies related to the Slobovish simulated economy.
Features
The Slobovish forums include several features other than just the simple ability to post. Some of these features (such as the ability to send and recieve private messages on the board's system) come standard with all copies of phpBB forum software. Some others are custom features that were added as modifications. In some cases, standard features (such as profiles and BBCodes) came with the option to add custom elements, which has been done in both of the cases provided as examples.
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