In order to try and help improve the board and make it more usable I thought it would be worth creating a sticky that would provide some useful information for all members, new and old. As I said in my other thread, this forum should be the best on BigSoccer because of the breadth of its scope and its draw for all members. In the past we have had the pleasure of some truly stellar posters and amazing threads. My aim is to return it to that position. It's not going to happen on it's own though. For all the good intentions of moderators what the forum needs is quality discussion and for users to invest time into producing well-thought out threads and replies. All that we can do is encourage users to do so and actively contribute ourselves. Please feel free to PM me with further suggestions for this thread. Below I have set out some operating guidlines for this forum, listed some classic threads from the forum's past that should be of interest to many and also provided links to many of the recurring questions that crop up on the board. So, some Forum Guidelines (with thanks to Nicephoras) 1. The problems in the forum that originally necessitated a guideline thread are thankfully behind us. This forum is largely quite peaceful now, and perhaps the greatest problem we face is over multiple threads which cover paths that have been trodden before many many times. So if you think that there should be a thread for something obvious, there probably already is one. Spend the short amount of time required looking to see if a thread already exists before creating a new one (including looking in this thread at FAQs). Where threads very closely mirror each other or a large number touch on the same topic I will merge them. 2. This board is intended to be for intelligent discussion about football. It is unique in that it has no set parameters beyond this. However, please note that new threads should be football related. While some long running threads have found a permanent home here, this should not encourage you to start threads that have nothing to do with the game. Such threads will be moved. 3. Moderating these boards is a privilege. We do it because we enjoy helping run this site and fostering intelligent discussion. However, moderating can be a difficult job (and no, we don't get paid) and sometimes moderators can move in "mysterious ways". If you have a question as to a moderator action or an opinion as to something regarding moderation, do NOT bring it up on the boards. Use the Private Messaging function to ask us, or, if you believe the situation calls for it, take the matter up with an administrator. Your friendly neighborhood moderators. Classic Threads Draft of Drafts Arguably the greatest ever thread on BS as the great and the good of the BG forum sought to pick 5 all-time teams. All Time XI Discussion This takes a while to get going, but has posts from most of BigSoccer's best, and a series of posts by tpmazembe unlikely to be bettered. BigSoccer Profiles Thread A series of profiles of some of the game's greatest ever players, all accompanied by a statistical overview of their career. BigSoccer Complementary Profiles Thread A truly magnificent contribution from Gregoriak who provides profiles for over a thousand of the game's greats. The All-Time Draft Some of BigSoccer's best come together for another draft selecting the best players of all-time. The 100 Greatest Games of All Time Gregoriak provides a listing from 11 Freunde magazine of the best games ever which members debate. The 6th Best Player in History Discussion on who comes next after Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano, Cruyff and Beckenbauer. Also questions the legitimacy of those famous five. Is Football In Terminal Decline? A discussion over relative greatness across eras and a consideration of why we don't consider many of today's greats to be all-timers. Greatest Players Ever by Position Polls A thread collating all the greatest ever player polls put togther back in 2005. FAQs Use of the word "Soccer" Pele v. Maradona
