Rules for Posting on The Tomkins Times

The Tomkins Times is best viewed as a ‘club’; a private members’ club, if you will. (Only without the cigars and plush leather sofas/naked dancing women, depending on which type of private members’ club you relate to.)

Like a private members’ club, you pay for the privilege of admission. And like a private members’ club, you are expected to behave in a way that the management expect, and failing to do so will mean being escorted from the premises.

You might be used to more confrontational forms of debate, and while that may work well at times elsewhere, it’s not welcome here. It is meant to be an exchange of ideas, not a pissing contest.

This is not intended to be a bog-standard forum. Indeed, the site was originally intended purely as a vehicle for my writing, to help finally get some kind of financial stability. Therefore, the forum aspect of it is a bonus that has grown and grown since its inception.

Rather than extremist views, I am looking for people who share my central philosophies, so that we can debate the issues we agree and disagree on, rather than polarised opinion with no common ground. I want cordial debate amongst allies, not a flaming turf war. I’m not into Wife Swap-style opposing views; that’s what 99% of the internet does.

The most important rule for posting on TTT is ‘it’s not what you say, but how you say it’. But be warned that a lot of posters are tired of hearing excessively negative views on the club; ‘we’ may well be defensive on such issues, which is why arguments need to be well constructed.

Respect for other posters is essential. Using text-speak is forbidden. Swearing is fine, but in moderation; save it for effect. (Unless you have Tourette’s.) I reserve the right to expel anyone who isn’t helping the atmosphere, as I’d rather lose a few quid to keep the standards as high as possible.

Village Elders

I have compiled a list of ‘village elders’ – those site members who, over a period of time, have consistently fitted in with the site’s ethos. These are there to set an example to new posters, who may be unsure as to how things work. They are not necessarily the best posters – although many may be – but they are the ones who set a good example. There are some other excellent posters who occasionally overstep the mark, and as such, I wouldn’t recommend following their example, but they do add quality to the debate. (Anyone who frequently oversteps the mark, and anyone who occasionally oversteps the mark without adding anything constructive to the debate, will be asked to leave.)

Leaders

Monarch – Paul Tomkins – (Obviously – well, it’s my site)

Prime Minister – Chris Rowland (Editor)

Minister of Technology & Infrastructure – Anu

The Cabinet

Minister of Statistics and History – Graeme Riley

Minister of Information – Dan75

Minister of Ancient American Wisdom – Jeff

Minister of Opta – Beezdog (BassTunedToRed)

Minister of Chalkboards – Mihail Vladimirov

Minister of Edits – damienp

Minister of Corrections – arisesirrafa

Minister of Optimism – Rox

Minister of Slow-Motion Replays – el_Suarez78

Minister of Sagely Wisdom – MikeB

Minister of Astute Posts – Jon Bon Jovanovic

Minister of Getting To The Point – seanxxp

Minister of Astuteness – CrowdGoBananes

Minister of Common Sense – matthewyoung

Minister of Referees – Simon G-Fear

Minister of Match Previews – Gary Fulcher

The Backbenchers

Minister of Silly Walks – JoeP

Minister of Socialising – SW4Cougarrr

Minister of Astronomy – Ispahan1

Minister of Forks and Handles – fourcandles

Minister of Internet Terrorism – ErinMc66

Minister of Kit Kats – Leeberolf

Minister of Potatoes – garythespud

Minister of Barcelona – Taskin

There are plenty of other excellent posters, but these sprang to mind. The list will be updated, as and when changes are necessary.

Guest Writers

While I don’t necessarily agree with every last thing that the guest writers contribute to the site, I do look for them to fit in with the tone of the site, and the overall ethos of my approach.

Sharing Content of The Tomkins Times

While spreading the word is important, I’d appreciate it if members respect other paying members and do not post whole articles on forums. A couple of paragraphs is perfectly fine, however, and those who regularly translate my work into other languages may do so with my permission. Constant posting of entire pieces will lead to a cancellation of your account. Articles marked ‘Free’ are free to all to read and distribute.

I assert my authority as the owner of the copyright of all articles posted on this site.