Member Guide

Forum & Discussions Guide

What is the Forum?

SpiritDAO's forum is a discussion platform where members can:

Forum Structure

Categories

Threads

Posts

Browsing the Forum

View All Categories

  1. Go to Forum page
  2. See list of categories
  3. Each shows:
    • Category name and description
    • Thread count
    • Latest activity
    • Access requirements

View Category Threads

  1. Click on category
  2. See all threads in that category
  3. Threads show:
    • Title
    • Original poster
    • Reply count
    • Last activity timestamp
    • Pinned status

Filter Threads

Search Forum

  1. Use search bar
  2. Search across:
    • Thread titles
    • Post content
    • Usernames
  3. Filter by category
  4. Sort results by relevance/date

Creating Threads

Step 1: Choose Category

  1. Go to Forum page
  2. Click on appropriate category
  3. Or click "New Thread" and select category

Step 2: Write Thread

Title:

Body:

Tags (Optional):

Attachments:

Step 3: Choose Permissions

Public Thread:

Pod-Only Thread:

Leadership Only:

Step 4: Post Thread

  1. Review your post
  2. Preview formatting
  3. Click "Create Thread"
  4. Thread goes live immediately
  5. You're subscribed to notifications

Posting Replies

Reply to Thread

  1. Navigate to thread
  2. Read original post and replies
  3. Click "Reply" button
  4. Write your response
  5. Click "Post Reply"

Reply to Specific Post

  1. Click "Quote" on that post
  2. Original text included
  3. Add your response
  4. Clear context for others
  5. Click "Post Reply"

Formatting Your Post

Markdown Basics:

**Bold text**
*Italic text*
[Link text](https://url.com)
![Image](https://image-url.com)

# Heading 1
## Heading 2

- Bullet point
1. Numbered list

> Quote block

`code inline`


**Mentions:**
- Tag users: @username
- They receive notification
- Use for direct questions
- Don't overuse

**Emoji:**
- Supported! 🎉
- Add personality
- Express emotion
- Keep professional

---

## Forum Etiquette

### Do's

**Be Respectful:**
- Treat all members professionally
- Disagree with ideas, not people
- Stay constructive
- Assume good intent

**Stay On Topic:**
- Keep posts relevant to thread
- Create new thread if diverging
- Use appropriate categories
- Don't derail discussions

**Provide Value:**
- Share knowledge and experience
- Answer questions helpfully
- Give thoughtful responses
- Link to relevant resources

**Search First:**
- Check for existing threads
- Read FAQ
- Use search function
- Avoid duplicate threads

### Don'ts

**No Spam:**
- Don't post repetitive content
- No promotional links (unless relevant)
- One thread per topic
- No bumping old threads unnecessarily

**No Personal Attacks:**
- Criticize ideas, not people
- No name-calling
- No harassment
- Report abusive behavior

**No Off-Topic:**
- Stay focused on discussion
- Don't hijack threads
- Use appropriate category
- Create separate thread if needed

**No Misinformation:**
- Verify before posting
- Correct mistakes promptly
- Link to sources
- Don't spread FUD

---

## Forum Moderation

### Who Can Moderate?

**Pod Leaders:**
- Can moderate pod-specific forums
- Delete inappropriate posts
- Lock/unlock threads
- Pin important threads
- Ban members from pod forum

**Forum Moderators:**
- DAO-wide moderation
- Same powers across all forums
- Enforce community guidelines
- Handle reports

### Reporting Content
1. Click "Report" button on post
2. Select reason:
   - Spam
   - Harassment
   - Off-topic
   - Misinformation
   - Other (explain)
3. Submit report
4. Moderators review
5. Action taken if valid

### Moderation Actions

**Warning:**
- First offense usually
- Notification sent
- Post remains visible
- Tracked in system

**Post Deletion:**
- Removed from forum
- Author notified
- Reason provided
- May be reversed on appeal

**Thread Lock:**
- No new replies allowed
- Existing posts remain
- Used for:
  - Concluded discussions
  - Heated arguments
  - Outdated topics

**User Ban:**
- Temporary or permanent
- From pod forum or DAO forum
- Serious violations only
- Can appeal to leadership

---

## Advanced Forum Features

### Thread Subscriptions
**Auto-Subscribe When:**
- You create thread
- You post in thread
- You explicitly subscribe

**Notifications For:**
- New replies
- Mentions of you
- Thread status changes
- Moderation actions

**Manage Subscriptions:**
1. Go to profile settings
2. See "Forum Subscriptions"
3. Unsubscribe from threads
4. Change notification frequency

### Pinned Threads
**Purpose:**
- Keep important threads visible
- Always at top of category
- Announcements and rules
- FAQs and guides

**Who Can Pin:**
- Pod leaders (in their pod)
- Forum moderators (DAO-wide)

### Thread Templates
**For Pod Forums:**
- Predefined thread structures
- Ensure consistency
- Guide discussions
- Examples:
  - Proposal discussion template
  - Weekly update template
  - Project kickoff template

### Polls (If Enabled)
**Create Poll:**
1. Create thread as normal
2. Click "Add Poll"
3. Enter question
4. Add 2-10 options
5. Set duration
6. Allow single or multiple votes

**Vote on Poll:**
1. View poll in thread
2. Select your choice(s)
3. Click "Submit Vote"
4. See results immediately
5. Cannot change vote

**Poll Results:**
- Live vote counts
- Percentage breakdown
- Who voted (if public)
- Closes automatically at deadline

---

## Connecting Forum to Governance

### Proposal Discussion Threads
**Best Practice:**
1. Create forum thread first
2. Gather feedback
3. Refine proposal based on discussion
4. Link thread when creating on-chain proposal
5. Voters can see full context

**Template for Governance Threads:**

Proposal: [Title]

Summary

[One paragraph overview]

Problem

[What needs solving]

Solution

[Your proposal]

Implementation

[How it will work]

Budget (if applicable)

[Costs and funding source]

Timeline

[When it happens]

Discussion Questions

  1. [Question 1]
  2. [Question 2]

Please share your thoughts below!


### Linking to Proposals
- Include forum link in proposal
- Include proposal link in forum
- Cross-reference in both places
- Makes context accessible

---

## Pod-Specific Forums

### Access Requirements
**Pod Members Only:**
- Must have membership Hat
- Automatic access when approved
- Lose access if removed
- Clear in/out permissions

### Creating Pod Forum
1. Pod leader deploys Forum module
2. Category auto-created for pod
3. Name matches pod name
4. Members can post immediately

### Pod Forum Features

**Private Discussions:**
- Only pod members see
- Coordination and planning
- Internal announcements
- Sensitive topics

**Leadership Threads:**
- Leaders-only section
- Management discussions
- Decision-making
- Member reviews

**Public Threads in Pod Forum:**
- Optionally make some threads public
- Share pod work
- Transparency
- Collaboration with other pods

---

## Best Practices

### For Thread Creators

**Write Good Titles:**
- Specific and descriptive
- Avoid clickbait
- Include key terms
- Make searchable

**Provide Context:**
- Don't assume knowledge
- Link to related threads
- Explain acronyms
- Give background

**Engage with Responses:**
- Reply to comments
- Thank helpful responses
- Clarify misunderstandings
- Mark best answer (if Q&A)

**Keep Updated:**
- Edit original post with updates
- Mark resolved if question
- Close thread when concluded
- Reference outcome

### For Responders

**Read Full Thread:**
- Don't just read title
- Scan existing replies
- Don't repeat others
- Add new value

**Be Helpful:**
- Answer questions fully
- Provide examples
- Link to resources
- Share experience

**Stay Constructive:**
- Critique ideas, not people
- Offer alternatives
- Explain reasoning
- Be solution-oriented

**Follow Up:**
- Check back for responses
- Answer follow-up questions
- Acknowledge corrections
- Build conversation

---

## Forum Tips

### Finding Information

**Use Search:**
- More effective than browsing
- Try multiple keywords
- Use quotes for exact phrases
- Filter by category

**Check Pinned Threads:**
- Often contain answers
- Updated regularly
- Official information
- Save time

**Browse Recent Activity:**
- See what's being discussed
- Stay current
- Discover new topics
- Engage in live discussions

### Building Reputation

**Quality Over Quantity:**
- Thoughtful posts matter more
- Be known for helpful contributions
- Don't spam for visibility
- Value-add consistently

**Establish Expertise:**
- Answer questions in your domain
- Share knowledge generously
- Cite sources
- Become go-to person

**Be Consistent:**
- Participate regularly
- Follow through on commitments
- Build relationships
- Earn trust

---

## Troubleshooting

### "Can't Create Thread"
- Check if you're logged in
- Verify category permissions
- Pod forum requires membership
- May be locked category

### "Can't Post Reply"
- Thread may be locked
- Check permissions
- May need specific role
- Contact moderator if issue

### "Post Not Appearing"
- May be under review
- Check spam filter
- Wait 30 seconds
- Refresh page

### "Notification Not Received"
- Check notification settings
- Verify subscribed to thread
- Check email settings
- May be delayed

---

**The forum is where community happens. Join the conversation! 💬**