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Welcome to the GBAtemp USN posting guideline thread, the other threads on not copying content and such are still in effect. Below is our USN template, a rather simple BBCode template already set-up and presented to you in a copy & past-able "code" tag. To make use of this simply copy the BBCode below and past it into a new thread in the USN section. After that plug in the appropriate content, there is some stylistic leeway but you may be called upon to justify it.
Below are more in depth descriptions of each section.
Images/Vids:
Opening with a picture or video is highly encouraged and if you add one or the other with each post then it stands a far higher chance of being picked up and commented upon.
Their main aim is to provide a visual shorthand for the content of your post.
Images should be resized to a maximum size of 500px wide before being used with the ideal being somewhat lower. You are allowed to attach images to your posts so you are encouraged to use that. Hotlinking to sites that do not explicitly allow it will not go over well.
Description:
Users should strive towards writing tightly written descriptions which get the point across in as few words as possible. Please make sure that you use proper grammar and make use of a spell checker (with the possible exception of scots English you can use any type of English as long as you are consistent). These are the aspects we are looking for in all descriptions.
Descriptions ARE NEVER TO BE copy and pasted from a news source, a readme file, etc. Descriptions WILL ALWAYS be original content typed by the user for GBAtemp. We take plagiarism very seriously around here. Moreover being able to provide your own spin on events or tie it together with other news happening at the time or prior events leading up to it makes for a nicer article.
Here are two Homebrew examples:
Here are some useful tips:
Use as few words as possible to get your point across. Make use of commas which will allow the description to hold information between thoughts, this can help to cut down the length of the description. Try to limit your description to 2-3 sentences, unless more in depth descriptions are required. Double check your tag formatting, spell check, and check for grammatical errors before posting. If you can then do make use of a dedicated word processing application when writing your description, do be careful if you are using the Rich text editor as it will copy formatting and that can include colours which can break for users of other themes. In general we expect a high level of professionalism for any text that aims to be hit the front page.
Quote Tags/Spoilers:
Quote tags are a great way to include change log information. They are also the perfect way to add a very short world-for-word paragraph from your source, with xenforo quotes will automatically cut off and allow the user to click to view it all. Spoilers can perform many of the same tasks but are better geared towards hiding information you may not want to openly share with the user, allowing them to choose if they wish to read that additional information.
These two tags do not necessary need to be used as described, but they should always be used to enhance your description.
Do not abuse the quote tag. We love it when the GBATemp community submits news for discussion and debate. We want nothing more than the community to get involved and help to better the site for all. We only ask that when you submit news that you DO NOT simply quote a source using the "quote" BBCode tags. Please write something in your own words which summarise what the news is about. It is OK to quote something from the source page if it is relevant to the news you are posting. Do not quote an entire article from another site as you are posting news for GBATemp and not simply mirroring news from another site using their words.
Code:
[center][img]http://wwwyourlink/image.jpg[/img][/center]
Description, quotations, etc. main block of text here.
[quote=the thing being quoted]
Whatever it is, changelog, release notes, etc...
Mostly used when posting changelogs
[/quote]
[spoiler=the text you want hidden][/spoiler]
Any closing remarks you wish to make.
[url="example.com"]Source[/url]
Below are more in depth descriptions of each section.
Images/Vids:
Opening with a picture or video is highly encouraged and if you add one or the other with each post then it stands a far higher chance of being picked up and commented upon.
Their main aim is to provide a visual shorthand for the content of your post.
Images should be resized to a maximum size of 500px wide before being used with the ideal being somewhat lower. You are allowed to attach images to your posts so you are encouraged to use that. Hotlinking to sites that do not explicitly allow it will not go over well.
Description:
Users should strive towards writing tightly written descriptions which get the point across in as few words as possible. Please make sure that you use proper grammar and make use of a spell checker (with the possible exception of scots English you can use any type of English as long as you are consistent). These are the aspects we are looking for in all descriptions.
Descriptions ARE NEVER TO BE copy and pasted from a news source, a readme file, etc. Descriptions WILL ALWAYS be original content typed by the user for GBAtemp. We take plagiarism very seriously around here. Moreover being able to provide your own spin on events or tie it together with other news happening at the time or prior events leading up to it makes for a nicer article.
Here are two Homebrew examples:
DSDoom, the IWAD enabled port of PRBoom, has received an update. This update features full sound support and Player made WAD on-the-fly loading. Please see the change log for more information.
EvilTroopa Olyfno, a multiplayer Wii homebrew, challenges the player to destroy an alien plot to wipe out the human race using "nanomech" developed diseases. Please see the change log for more information.
Here are some useful tips:
Use as few words as possible to get your point across. Make use of commas which will allow the description to hold information between thoughts, this can help to cut down the length of the description. Try to limit your description to 2-3 sentences, unless more in depth descriptions are required. Double check your tag formatting, spell check, and check for grammatical errors before posting. If you can then do make use of a dedicated word processing application when writing your description, do be careful if you are using the Rich text editor as it will copy formatting and that can include colours which can break for users of other themes. In general we expect a high level of professionalism for any text that aims to be hit the front page.
Quote Tags/Spoilers:
Quote tags are a great way to include change log information. They are also the perfect way to add a very short world-for-word paragraph from your source, with xenforo quotes will automatically cut off and allow the user to click to view it all. Spoilers can perform many of the same tasks but are better geared towards hiding information you may not want to openly share with the user, allowing them to choose if they wish to read that additional information.
These two tags do not necessary need to be used as described, but they should always be used to enhance your description.
Do not abuse the quote tag. We love it when the GBATemp community submits news for discussion and debate. We want nothing more than the community to get involved and help to better the site for all. We only ask that when you submit news that you DO NOT simply quote a source using the "quote" BBCode tags. Please write something in your own words which summarise what the news is about. It is OK to quote something from the source page if it is relevant to the news you are posting. Do not quote an entire article from another site as you are posting news for GBATemp and not simply mirroring news from another site using their words.