**POSTING GUIDELINES** -- FAQ's -- Newbie Info -- Please read!!

[CareyG]

The oil painting forum is a friendly and helpful place...to keep it so, and to help out those newcomers to oil painting or internet forums in general, here are a few posting guidelines.

*Please keep all threads on-topic. If you have a question or insight specifically pertaining to non-oil painting issues, please find the appropriate forum in which to post. Do not be surprised if your non-oil painting question gets moved to the appropriate forum. (That means, for example, camera questions are appropriate to photography and framing questions are appropriate to studio tips and framing.) We realize that many people make a "home" in one particular forum and do not have the time to frequent others. As such, you are welcome to post off-topic questions or insights in our regular "Oily Rag" chat thread if you wish your fellow oilers in particular to benefit from your post.

*Please avoid forum flooding. If you have different pieces of artwork to post in the same 24-48 hour period, please consider posting them in one thread rather than in separate posts. You will likely get more comments this way and it will help to keep other posts on the first page so that they might get responses, as well.

*Please be aware that there is a search function. There are many, many, many helpful threads that are archived and may answer your specific questions. Here is an article on how to get the best out of the WetCanvas search function. If you need to do a search involving a word three letters long or if the WetCanvas search isn't turning up what you'd like, you may also do a Google "advanced search" (look next to the search box on Google and you'll see what I mean).

*That being said, when you do come across an old thread with valuable information or that spawns a further question and you would like to post to that old thread, consider whether it would, instead, be best to start a new thread with your question or topic. Often, a new question in an old thread will be overlooked by others and you will not receive adequate response. Also, bringing up old threads "from the grave" pushes newer threads off the first page of the forum. Many people do not have time to look past the first page and so newer threads may "die" before their time if too many old threads are brought up.

I will also add, on the issue of old threads - please don't post on old threads unless you have something significant and useful to add to the discussion. - Dave

*Please be courteous to others. All levels of skill are welcome to post here and we would like everyone to feel at home here. We encourage valuable and friendly critiques which can help others on their artistic quests.

Here is some valuable insight into giving critiques:

Originally Posted by Rosic

How do you feel about critiques?... giving and receiving?
Do you ask for critiques?
Are you offended by them if you receive one and didn't ask for it?
Why critique to begin with? Why not?
How should a good critique be given?

Have I got your wheels turning yet?

I personally enjoy critiques very much. In fact... I would have to say it is the main tool I use to learn from here at WC. I try to give good honest critiques to fellow artists here when possible along with encouragement. Many times I am simply giving my personal opinion or preference but always try to make that known to the artist I am replying too. Not long ago there was some debate about critiques in another forum and my goal is not to start a debate here but to get honest feedback from you guys in an educating manner. I personally feel there are two ways that critiques fail causing feelings to get hurt and tempers to rise: 1) when an artist simply doesn't want a critique and gets one & 2) when a person doesn't know how to give a proper critique.

Here are a couple great WC articles to glean from when it comes to Critiques & Comments (C&C):

"Giving Critique - a Check List for Critiquers"

"6 Techniques For Handling Criticism"

I have to be honest with you guys here by saying that I feel inadequate at times with my limited experience with oils to help you on technical matters... but... I do appreciate and learn from all the questions posed here.

Bernie

*Please keep threads on-topic. It is disrespectful to the person who began the thread to "hijack" the topic into another area of conversation. It is normal for conversations to meander and get slightly off-topic, but please be aware of this tendency and don't stray too far.

*If you see something amiss, such as spam or a post that is rude or against the WetCanvas user agreement, please report it using the "report post icon"--the little red triangle found on the top right of every post. The moderators do not have time to read every post in a timely manner and it is appreciated if you would bring problems to our attention.

Thanks for reading these rather lengthy guidelines...hopefully we will maintain the friendly and helpful nature of our forum.

Paint, paint on!

--The Oil Forum Staff

[Rosic]

FAQ's for Newbies...

Welcome to Wet Canvas and the Oils Forum.

Within this post you will find the answers to many of your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)... like... How do I post an image?... How to do I send a PM?... When should I use the Butt Icon?... etc.

Oil Forum Staff:
Moderators
Dana Design
~JON

Guides
!Becca
janeTuesday
dollardays (Nora)
stapeliad (Jessica)

Please PM us with any needs and/or concerns...

So what did I sign anyways?
Ever wondered just what your User Agreement says? Check it out here...
Updated User Agreement

When do I need the BUTT ICON?
Wet Canvas requires the BUTT Icon for nudity/partial nudity posts... when in doubt... post it with a BUTT... ... For more info on the current erotic/nude art policy click on the link below...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/anno...?s=&forumid=35

How do I add the BUTT ICON?

To add the simply pick the Butt Icon when posting your thread.

What do I do if I forget to add the BUTT ICON?
If you forget... simply click the "Alert Post" button (the red triangle) at the top right next to the post number and type a note that you need a and a moderator will attach one.

6 Techniques For Handling Criticism: Are you afraid to display your work because you can't handle criticism? This article walks you through six ways to avoid bad criticism and learn how to use it to your advantage!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/558/343/

Giving Critique - a Check List for Critiquers: Not quite sure how to give a critique? Try using this check list as a good basic starting point for any critique.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/509/168/

The Image Uploader and Attachment Manager: Having trouble trying to figure out how to put images in your posts? Uploading files and attaching images will be a cinch after you check out this step-by-step article showing how to use the Image Uploader and Image/File Attachment Manager!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/496/

Should I use the Image Uploader or the Attachment Manager?
Answer... the IMAGE UPLOADER... that way your work can be viewed within the thread when someone is replying. Since we are big on critiques here it makes it easier to give one.

Check out the new Image Uploader... Doesn't get any easier than this!


If you don't have a photo manipulation program here is a brilliant free program. http://www.irfanview.com/ You can resize your images to fit the 600x500 requirements.

How do I get or award Mentor/Merit badges in this forum?
Merit and mentor badges for our forum.

The WetCanvas! Award System: Not sure how or why you received an award? Artie will tell you everything you need to know about the WC! Award System, about how to earn your own awards, and how you can vote for others in attaining merit and mentor awards.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/497/

Making Avatars for Use on WC!: The mystery of Avatars, also known as "tinyheads", is unveiled by Artie's guest writer (hlee) showing how easy it is make and upload your own with the freeware programs readily available on the web!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/5712/554/

Where Should I Post My Art? -- Guide to the Forums: Confused about where you should post questions or your art? Here's where you can learn about the various forums on offer, learn how to get a critique, cross-posting, and the three-strikes rule.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/506/

Using the Private Message System: Wondering how to make contact with other WetCanvas! members? Check out Artie's step-by-step instructions to the Private Message System, and soon you'll be in touch, too!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/504/

Personalizing WetCanvas!: Want to create your own 'look' for your posts at WetCanvas? There are lots of options and, best of all, it’s easy! Join Artie for a tour of the MyWC! options!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/505/

Making an Animated Avatar: Making an avatar that moves is actually very easy with a little bit of know-how. WC! member hlee shows you step-by-step how to create a simple animated avatar from some boring still snapshots using Adobe Imageready.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/5712/567/

Using the WetCanvas! Article Publisher: Have you found the Article Publisher to be confusing? Cori Nicholls untangles the confusion with an Article aimed at helping members to take advantage of the opportunity to share their knowledge with the rest of us through published articles.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/47843/569/

6 Steps to Registering Your Account!: Been lurking long enough? Want to join WetCanvas! and get in on all the neat benefits of membership? Well, it's easy and it's free, so just check out this 'how-to' article and you're on your way!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/501/

How To Rate Threads: Artie is at it again with helpful hints for New Users in this Article on How To Rate Threads! Ever wonder how some threads get those little stars? Step-by-step, you'll find out how!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/500/

How to Chat at WetCanvas!: Want to chat with other WetCanvas! members? Here's a step-by-step introduction to the Chat System, affectionately known as the Cafe Guerbois Chat!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/498/

How to JOIN a Project, CHAT & UPLOAD Your Work!: Bobby Aquitania, resident chat nut and cartoonist, asks Leo, Remy, and Vinnie how to join a project, upload work and enter the WC! chat room where members discuss their work.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/3278/415/

Anything else?
Llis has all the answers....
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45109

[Rosic]

Helpful info for us gathered by Rose Queen...

Originally Posted by Rose Queen

Dear Fellow Guides and Moderators,

We are moved to send out this PM to all of you because we cruise enough of the various forums here at the site to see even long-time members hitting the same stumbling blocks and making the same mistakes that new members make. In the New User forum, we have developed a number of articles and stickies to help people get their arms around some of the more commonly used features of the site, as well as a few of the more arcane. If you don’t already know about these, you should because they can help you help your forum’s members get more out of WetCanvas and keep from having to repeat yourself over and over when the same problems crop up. Here are some links that we hope will help you all!

Opening an Account at WetCanvas
Avatars:
Making Avatars
Making Animated Avatars
Images: Posting Images
Resize Images using free software
Resizing tutorial for Photoshop
Creating a Signature Banner
Personalizing WC! (setting options and preferences)
Using the Article Publisher
Where to post your work (a guide to the forums)
Private Message system
The WC! Award System
Rating Threads
The Chatroom/
The Art Project System
Gallery Manager
Overview of commonly used Features
Help for Mac Users

We hope you’ll find this PM useful and save it somewhere that you can find it! If you find anything that needs updating or you know of subjects we haven’t covered that we should, please feel free to let New User forum moderators Rose Queen or Marty C know!

Cheers,
The New User Team

[Rosic]

Wet Canvas Art School...

Beginner's Guide to Oil Painting

Wet Canvas Articles Index...
Click link above and scroll down to Oil Painting where you can click on each one of the articles listed below:

Oil Painting

- Painting Is A Miracle: The virtue of painting has more to do with what happens to us when we make the painting than the painting itself.

- Painting The Luminous Skin: Achieving convincing skin tones is one of the most challenging tasks the artist must confront. This brief article shows the work of three artists, with tips in their own words for achieving the luminous skin. Although the examples and tips are for oil painters, the principals are the same for any of the color media.

- Make Your Own Damar Varnish: Making your own damar picture varnish and retouch varnish is both cost-effective and easy. This step-by-step tutorial by Robert Roberts removes the mysteries of oil painting's most frequently used varnish.

- Canvas Production, A Low Cost, Good Quality Way: Chris Spangler demonstrates a way of creating your own stretched canvases with excellent step-by-step photos and tips on cutting costs - not quality!

- Glazing With Oils: Have you been wanting to try your hand at glazing but just didn't know where to start? Join Bill Martin as he shares his glazing techniques in this step-by-step process.

- CANVAS STRETCHING MADE EASY: Like to stretch your own canvas, but don't have a clue how to start? Use this step-by-step lesson and images to guide you along your way.

- Knife Painting Oil Landscape Demonstration: Challenge yourself to paint more loosely with oils....join Jack Schuller as he shares his knife painting techniques in this demonstration of Old Baldy, a mountain landscape.

- Painting in the 21st Century: In this day of the pixel, the artist's tool box has become bigger. Mike Callahan shows how he deals with the creation of a painting using real oil paint on real canvas, but in the twenty-first century - utilizing digital tools to make the task less arduous, allowing for more enjoyment in the doing of the painting. Using the camera and the computer as a layout tool, Mike shows why he believes the end result is better for it.

- How to Make a Wet Canvas Carrier: Oil painters are always seeking new ways to transport wet paintings from the field or workshops. Watch as Wetcanvas! member, Lorelou, provides a unique at home construction lesson for a wet-canvas carrier!

- How to Varnish an Oil Painting: Learn how to varnish your oil paintings with a traditional Damar varnish in this article by WetCanvas! member, JamieWG.

- Underpainting - A primer for the new painter: This article discusses underpainting as a tool to learn value and how to represent a realistic 3d impression on a 2d surface. Specifically, the article covers the verdaccio underpainting method. It is geared to painters who want to paint in a realist manner.

- Melvin the Hound: For those wishing to consider an alternative approach to oil painting that is very forgiving of the time and steps required, step inside the world of Dave (Iconoclast) Dowbyhuz, as he shows you his step by step creation of a portrait of his Basset Hound, Melvin.

- New Gamblin Oil Painting Medium: Gamblin introduces Neo-Megilp, a new oil painting medium based on Turner's 18th century secret. Come get the scoop!

- Painting An Oil Plein Air Scene- Armstrong Creek: Catch the excitement. Take on the sun! Shed winter's cabin fever in an early spring oil plein air session with Larry Seiler. Covering- your scene options; the set up; and getting it done!

- Oil Painting Demonstration - Book Club: Scott Burdick extends a special invitation for you to view a still life oil painting demonstration by his wife Susan Lyon.

- Oil Painting Demonstration - The Letter: Join noted artist, Scott Burdick, as he demonstrates a new oil painting: The Letter, a scene from China!

- Free Gamblin Paint for Artists in April: Gamblin Artist Colors Offers New Paint Color - Torrit Grey 2001 - for free in April.

- John Hagan begins an interesting discussion of painting roses - don't miss it!

- Join John Hagan as he creates a "cyberscape", painting something contemporary using past techniques. Can he make something as uninteresting as a map of the world into something to turn heads? Don't miss it!

- Join noted artist Scott Burdick on a remarkable journey as he creates a stunning portrait entitled "Portrait of Ruth".

- Gamblin Conservation Colors now in use at museums globally

- Join noted artist John Hagan for an insightful (and entertaining!) lesson on painting friends and relatives!

- Join John Hagan for his latest lesson, "How to get the sparkle into painted eyes", or "The Grape, the Cherry, and the Eye"!

- Join Associate Editor, John Hagan, for a discussion on painting for money. Add some commercial appeal to your work!

- Utrecht announces a new line of oil painting mediums, including Damar Varnish, Retouch Varnish, Gloss and Matte Varnishes, Copal, Japan Drier, and an Alkyd Glazing medium.

- Do words like chroma and emulsion confuse you? Not to worry! Pierre Labeau is back with a new beginner's art glossary.

- The cantankerous Pierre Labeau is back from vacation, serving up some nifty tips for cartooning!

- Join noted fantasy artist and surrealist Michael Csontos for an exciting new lesson which focuses on his wash techniques for oil painting as applied to surrealism and fantasy art!

- An artist's bread and butter ... the Golden Mean or the Golden Triangle?

- Join Pierre Labeau as he provides tips for seascapes in his latest QuikTip!

- Join Pierre Labeau for his latest QuikTip entitled, The Anatomy of a Tree!

- Resident cantankerous denizen, Pierre Labeau, provides an excellent overview of various types of trees in his latest QuikTip!

- Join Pierre for a short, but useful QuikTip on Drawing Horses!

- Join John Hagan as he presents his revised collection of intro and advanced painting lessons. Painting with John Hagan is a now fully integrated within ArtSchool Online!

- Daler-Rowney offers free oil painting video: Understanding Oils.

- Winsor & Newton announces Winton Oil Colour Soft Mixing White.

- The Oil Painting Guide has been updated with Maimeri's new web site at www.maimeri.it and product information.

- See two different approaches for drawing a jaguar in Pierre's latest QuikTip!

- English paint maker Daler-Rowney has updated its line of Georgian Oils.

- Join Pierre for his latest QuikTip - this time, he doles out some useful tips on painting rocks!

- What artist can avoid painting florals? You can't!!! Join Pierre Labeau for his latest QuikTip which deals with painting a bunch of roses!

- Having trouble painting trombones, rings, or other items made of metal? Be sure to take a look at Pierre's latest QuikTip entitled The Trouble with Trombones!

- Pierre shows you the ins and outs of painting the proverbial "green bottle"!

- Pick up some quick tips on painting a burning candle in Pierre's latest QuikTip!

- Doing reflections in a drinking glass aren't tough at all. Be sure to see Pierre's latest QuikTip!

- Spend your 4th of July with Pierre learning how to paint water droplets!

- Joine Pierre Labeau as he shows you the easy way to paint a bunch of grapes!

- All artists are asked to paint a rose at some point or another - well, learn the basics from Pierre in his latest QuikTip!

- Join Pierre Labeau for another exciting QuikTip! This time, he tackles working with kinetic motion - he paints a burning matchstick!

- New Article: Pierre Labeau's QuikTips #1: Painting Ice Cubes

- Winsor & Newton announces a new series of Artisan Brushes for use with water-soluble oil paints.

- Cadmium Red Hot Product Review! Johnnie Liliedahl's Gardenias and Rosebuds video oil painting lesson!

- New consumer comment: Sennelier Extra Fine Artists Oils

- Admiral Cowdisley Shovel: The first lesson in a new series for beginning oil painters.

- Product Review: Johnnie Liliedahl's Landscapes of France, oil/landscape video lessons

- Product Review: Johnnie Liliedahl's The Forked Path, oil/landscape video lesson

- New Oil Painting Tutorial: Painting a Simple 8x10 Vase in Still Life

- New Product Review: Walter Foster's Oil Painting, A Complete Kit for Beginners

- Oil Paint Drying Times: Did you know that different colors dry at different rates of speed? Yep - come take a look!

- Painting a Simple Vase: A simple step-by-step demonstration for absolute beginners!

- A Simple Landscape Project: Another simple, step-by-step demonstration for beginners!

- Simple Summer Foliage: Painting foliage is always a challenge - come see a simple approach for beginners!

- Still Life with Legumes: Join noted artist Diana Lee for an amazing step-by-step still life in oils!

[Rosic]

There is a great deal of information buried in threads within the forums - many topics are discussed repeatedly. There is a search facility available, but making best use of it requires knowing a few tricks.

Near the top of each page there is a search menu - if it is clicked on, it will give you a dropdown box, like this:



you can type in a word or phrase, or you can go to the "advanced search" (also at http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/search.php? )

This gives you much more control over your search.

Now the biggest trick in doing any computerised search (here, Google, whatever) is to realise that you have to choose the right words with which to search, in order to get the best results - for example, you're a beginner and you want to know which paints to buy - "oil paints" would be a useless search term - first of all, "oil" with only 3 letters, is too short to be searched at all at WetCanvas - and secondly, "paints" is a term which is probably used in a substantial proportion of all the posts across the site! - and not just oils, but in watercolours, acrylic, and so on. So let's find a term which is more selective - such as "brands" or "manufacturers", and restrict the search only to the Oils Forum. It may be necessary to try the search with different terms, to see what turns up each time.

Another topic people frequently ask about is what are the differences between whites, and what are their best uses - again, searching for "white" will produce very large numbers of posts, in most of which people will only be listing their palette, in passing - but if we want to be more discriminant, to find technical comparisons between the different whites, then we can search specifically for posts using several terms for the different whites.

For example - searching for "titanium cremnitz zinc" in the "oil painting" forum gives you a two page list - if you fill in the Advanced Search form like this:



In more detail - let's say wWe want to specifically search just the oil-painting forum and its subforums for threads with the word "brushes" in the title



In "advanced search":
1. brushes is your keyword here.
2. "search titles only"
3. "show results as threads"
4. click on "Oil Painting" to select the forum, and put a tick in "also search in subforums"
5. hit "search now"

If you do a search set up like this one:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/sear...= 0&exclude=&

-click the link, and then "search now" - you will see there are numerous previous discussions about brushes.



Dave

[Rosic]

Some guidelines on taking a digital photo of a painting:

1. get a tripod, and put your camera on it - it needn't be expensive, but it's much better than hand-holding it - make sure that the camera is square-on to the painting, and the painting fills as much of the frame as possible - most digital cameras show some barrel distortion of images on the wideangle settings - it is a good idea physically back off somewhat, and zoom in to at least mid-range optical zoom so that a square looks square, not like it's had too much to eat! (but not to the extent that digital zoom kicks in - for most purposes digital zoom is worthless, as it's just resizing the image up from part of the imaging chip)

2. turn off the flash, and choose manual camera settings - turn off auto.

3. digital cameras will work in low light levels, but the results will be bad - illuminate the painting from the sides, or better yet, take it outside and use daylight - overcast days with diffuse light are best.

4. read your manual, and find out about white balance settings - don't just leave your camera on "auto" - you need to either use custom if your camera has it, and set it by filling the field of view with a white sheet under the same lighting - or choose the preset value which is closest to the colour temperature of your light source ("auto" is set to balance correctly for the distribution of colours of typical snapshot photography - the more your painting diverges from this, the worse a job it will make of it.)

5. Some cameras with auto-focus have difficulty on finding the focus for flat surfaces - if this is so, if the camera finds focus by half-depressing the button (as many do), find something else at the same distance as the painting, focus on that, and holding the button to keep that focus, swing the camera back to the painting and photograph it.

6. If your camera is bleaching out light colours to pure white, or giving you greys instead of blacks, read the manual about "exposure compensation" settings, and use them (If you want to photograph showing a surrounding area, a neutral mid-tone is technically better than black or white - as they will force auto-exposure settings up or down respectively)

7. Take several photos, varying the white balance and exposure compensation settings, if unsure - at least one is likely to be usable.

8.In general, take photos at higher resolutions and resize them down in the computer. Be prepared to find your way around your graphics software!!

9. If you get odd banding patterns across the painting in the photo (particularly when resized down) do a slight gaussian blur, just sufficient to blur the canvas grain in the larger photo, before resizing down. After resizing down to wetcanvas-compatible sizes, it's often helpful to do a slight sharpen.

10. If you are still unhappy with the photo, you either need a better camera (though any digital camera with more than 2megapixels is likely to be well-enough made to give acceptable photos for posting here, used carefully, with the advice above) - or a decent piece of graphics software in which you can adjust colours, (eg using levels, curves, and channels)

Dave

[Rosic]

Make sure your original image is in jpg format, and not larger than 600 pixels in height, nor 500 in width. You can adjust this in any image editor, Photo Shop for example. And place the image in a folder on your local computer which you know how to find.

UPDATE! - Check out the New Image Uploader... Doesn't get any easier than this!


Bernie

..and for those occasions where you need to use the older uploader facility (still available) -

Matt posted instructions on using the uploader - I've added illustrations to those instructions so hopefully now it's even clearer

In the thread or post you're writing, click on the button "Quick links", found up to your right in the blue tool bar - A drop-down menu will appear, and at the bottom of that you'll find "Image uploader". Press it.

(If you are using a Mac, and can not get the drop-down menu uploader, you can access the Image Uploader through this link: http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/Uploader/popup.php? )




A new window will appear on your desktop:


Press "browse" to locate the image you want to upload.

Another window opens - Locate the image of your choice and double click on it, alternatively you can highlight it and press "Open".


Now you will be redirected to the image uploader window, where you can see the path to your image in the search field


now press "Upload Image".

after a moment, another window appears -In this window, called "File upload complete" you will see the sourcecode for your image. Press "Copy" to copy these lines of text.


press "close window" - BUT, if you wish to post more than one image in your thread/post, leave this window open.

Now you find yourself back in your original post. Place the flashing text marker where you wish your image to be placed, right-click your mouse and choose "paste". Done!



Now if you want to add more images, go back to the "Image uploader" window and repeat the procedure.

Dave

[dcorc]

Polls

One of the features that the site offers is the ability to do polls. However, putting together a good, useful, poll is not quite so easy as it might first appear.

We'd like to introduce a few guidelines on the issue, as there are some aspects of polls which can be problematic.

Firstly, please check that there is not already a similar poll in the forum - if there's been a previous survey on an issue which has generated a clear answer, then in most cases there's not much point in running a further poll.

If a numerical breakdown of members views on the options is not likely to be useful, then please simply survey opinions in a thread without setting a poll. We only need a poll where putting numbers to the spread of opinion achieves an added insight.

One of the issues relating to threads containing polls is that each time someone either votes in the poll or posts on the attached thread, the poll thread gets "bumped" to the top of the forum - this can result in polls "hogging" the front page of the forum for prolonged periods of time, disproportionate to their actual importance - or lack thereof - and displacing other threads. And furthermore, potentially very old polls/threads doing so, where members then vote/comment, not realising its old. Consequently, we would ask members to set polls to close at 60 days or sooner, and in general, if that's not set, we will do so, or earlier where the poll gives a clearcut answer with a reasonable total number of votes, or where we feel the poll isn't likely to generate meaningful data.

Please ensure that the design of the poll - the question asked, and the options given, are likely to give useful information. We would prefer it if members contemplating running polls contact the contact Mods/Guides in the forum (by PM) for help in making polls well-designed (We reserve the right to amend or close polls we consider not to be informative in their design).

If we're going to run polls, let's all do our best to make them informative! Thanks for your cooperation in this.

Dave