We have high standards in these discussion boards. The best way to start a discussion is to contribute to it. So if you want to start a new thread of discussion it helps if you have done a spot of research of your own. We love messages that explain a company's products or business, particularly when members are sharing their special expertise. And of course, analytical research work is always a bonus, like earnings estimates, or analysis of the balance-sheet information. Always keep in mind that you are more likely to draw responses and additional help when you provide some information yourself.

Nobody likes a message if it:

• offers little or no information;
• contains emotion at the expense of reason;
• hypes an investment opportunity;
• attacks another person.

This one for example, manages to do all those things in just two lines:

"XXL, this Ones HOTTT! BUy before monday!
Should Double in 6 Mths!!!! anyone who disagrees is an idiot."

The exclamation marks in the above post, the use of just an EPIC code, the complete lack of any financial information, and of course the over-celebrated hotness of the stock will only repel the thoughtful reader, whether novice or advanced, whose time online has just been wasted by reading such a post. We are generous here at the Fool. We assume the best of every participant and new members are given a certain amount of "benefit of the doubt". However, a person posting in the style above would have used up at least one unit's worth of benefit of the doubt.

This is not to say, either, that you have to always write a lengthy message providing elaborate information about a company about which you want to ask a question. Just that we want the reading of our discussion boards to be time well-spent for everyone, and that means providing as much information, thought, and help as possible.

Needless to say, each company discussion board is limited to posts about that particular company. Clearly if you want to post about a different company, you should do so on the appropriate board or in the "All UK Shares" discussion board, or in the appropriate sector discussion board.

Reading Guidelines

1. Can You Trust What You Read Here?

Posting Guidelines

2. Make Your Posts Informative
3. Civil Discussion for Mutual Benefit
4. We Cannot Give Advice by E-mail
5. Make it Readable and People Will Respond
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9. No Touting, Hyping or Other Disruptions
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