There should be some similar topics and I may sometimes repeat something said in "Board Rules" topic. However, this guide is based on personal experience with the intention of dissuading new members from making topics that are condemned to be closed and lead to unwanted warns. Since almost all topics that end up closed are written by new members, I think this topic can help. Nevertheless, I am also aware that new members won't read this before posting since they don't even read rules in general. However, if you made it here, then you are already on the right track.

Anyway, let us start with the basics:
Q: What is a warn?
A: A warn is basically a note permanently attached to your profile with either positive or negative implications.

Q: What types of warns are there?
A: There are two Types

* Positive warns are given for misbehaving (i.e. breaking board rules). They show up in your log as "Added to warn level" followed

by a personalized description as to what rule you broke.
NOTICE: positive warns DO NOT decrease all by themselves.
* Negative warns are awarded for good behaviour and helpfulness. There is no distinct way to get them as they are given at the discretion of the board staff. They look similar to positive warns, except they show up as "Removed from warn level" followed by a description as to what you did right so to speak

Q: How can I view my warn log.
A: In your profile or from any posts you've made, you will see something that will look something like this (0%) IPB Image. Simply click the underlined percentage to view the log.

Q: Can anyone else see my warn log?
A: Only you and moderators (and higher of course) can see your log. Do not worry about other members viewing it and criticizing you.

Q: How do warns affect me?
A: Besides being a measurement as to how good a member you are, warns also affect the conversion rate from Gps to Dps. This ensures that well behaved members can obtain roms easier than rule breakers. In addition, extremely high warn levels puts you at risk of being banned and extremely low ones may make you eligible for a promotion.

Q: Anything else?
A: You now have a firm understanding of HCG's warn system, below are some tips/pointers on how to avoid positive warns and get negatives.

How to avoid positive warns
First stage: 1-3 months

* The first thing that every new member has to do is to read the board rules. Since "I didn't know..." is not acceptable here, be sure to have read all of them before posting.
* It is quite typical to be very enthusiastic when you first join. Hence, you may want to either express your opinion or hear other peoples' points of view. In any case, your first instinct will be to open a new topic but please DO NOT DO IT. Instead, start by posting in existing topics and preferably on easy one whose topics you are familiar with like the common "is X or Y better?" threads. Express your opinion by making sure that you make a complete sentence. One of the major causes of warns is the famous "overly short post".
* As you progress here, you may try to reply more difficult topics. I am not saying that you are "stupid" and cannot reply in serious topics from the beginning. Rather I am saying that in these types, it is quite easy to break some rules that you may not have read or remembered. When replying in that sort of topic, make sure that you "stay on topic" and never lose your temper whenever people express different opinions from yours.
* If you decide to post in a topic in which the topic starter has requested help, read through the rest of the topic before responding. Often, a problem may have already been solved, or the solution you have in mind may have already been proposed. Please note that sometimes there is not enough information to solve the problem and a moderator may issue a warning to those whom continue posting knowing full well that they can't give a definite answer.
* If you have an urgent matter to ask (it can happen) or you think of a brilliant idea for a thread, be sure to use the search function first to see if a similar topic exists. If you are unsure whether a topic was already created and/or you can not get the search to co-operate, post your thread in the "Spam Center". Your responses will be significantly lower quality, but at least you'll avoid having your thread locked and/or getting warned.
* Repeat that process during several months (more is always the better) and then you will accumulate experience about what kind of subjects and topics that are already made.

Second stage: opening topics

If you survived until there, then you have grown and are no longer considered a "new member" (on the paper), but probably still such in reality. You may post new topics but do be careful. Personally I open my first topic when I became a Dragon (i.e. at least 500 posts) and though I got flamed by a sentinel, I believed I was still "too new" at that time to have posted such silliness. Anyway, make sure to follow this advice:

* Don't open your first topic in the Support & Suggestions forum thinking that you have some bright idea that will change the site. Only a few of you (us) will have genial ideas.
* Always search before opening a new topic (and if you are unsure, make your topic in the spam center). This is written in the rules and repeated many times by moderators (I've mentioned it before as well because I wish to stress its importance).
* Try also to report "rule-breaking posts" and whenever possible to help members by solving their problems.

4. Other recommendations

* If you do not know whether something is against the rules or has been done before, PM one of the forum leaders or staff members as they will likely be able to guide you to existing topics or otherwise assist you in solving your problem. As said above, breaking rules (even unknowingly), may result in warnings.
* If you receive a warning and believe that it is unfair, do not flame the staff member whom gave you that warning. If you wish, you may send a POLITE PM asking why the warning was given and possibly state your reasoning as to why it was unjust. The key thing is: "do not be rude". If a staff member receives an impolite PM, the first thing he or she will do is to ignore you. Depending on the severity of the matter, other consequences may follow including warnings, suspensions, and even bannings (if the situation is serious enough). Note that staff member decisions are final (though a higher-ranking staff member may overturn decisions made by a lower-ranking ones). Generally, if a rule has been broken, the warning will most likely stay. Just accept it and move on. Be a good member and your warning may be removed one day (more on that later).

5. Conclusion

If you managed to reach the "Dragon" or above posting rank without getting any positive warns and/or getting a negative warn level, then

Congratulations!

How to get negative warns

One of the most recurrent questions that appears very often concerns the possibility and the way to get negative warns so that I decided to compile the fragmented answers from different threads to make a single unique explanation that deals with all the means for getting a precious negative warn.
NOTICE: Before getting a negative warn, it is first necessary to avoid getting positive warns. This part has already been covered above.

Here are the different methods I know that can lead you to a probable negative warns.

A. Reporting breaking rules posts

This is the most basic way. When you see someone breaking a rule (including an oversized sig), don't hesitate to report him/her using the report button under every post. It is also a means to make yourself noticed by moderators. However, please read this post about abusive reporting. Reporting may be a sure way to get a negative warning but in general, it takes much time before moderators decide you have earned it so that you have to be patient.

B. Helping members

When you see members in difficulty concerning a technical (or non-technical) question, grasp the occasion and try to help him/her solve his/her problem. Being a helpful member is also a good way to get noticed by moderators since they are the first to help people. However, beware of abusing your willingness to answer. You have to know that quality should be put before quantity. In other words, when you don't know what to answer, do not post meaningless answers like "re-download the rom" or any variation of "I want to help you but I don't know". There again, you have to be patient and contribute a lot before getting a negative warn.


C. Finding duplicated topics

When you see a topic that has been done before, you can search for the original thread and put the link on the duplicated one. Please do it only if you have the original link and also report the duplicated one. Please do it only if you have the original link and also report the duplicated topic so moderators can be aware of its existence as soon as possible.


D. Posting interesting replies

As djnforce9 said in one of his numerous posts, high quality and interesting posts are the opposite of spams.


E. Reporting mass spammers

When you notice a member that is mass spamming, report him at once using the report button. Some moderators will give you a negative warn for this.

F. Writing helpful guides

If there is a recurrent question that whose answer is fragmented amongst other posts, you can try to summarize the entire problem and the solution.
Example: here

G. Staying out of trouble

Some people got a negative warning for staying out of trouble for a long time but they are not very numerous.

H. Random act of kindness

Some members also got negative warns for quite unusual reasons such as awsomeness (zanzoken) or just a "random act of kindness" (Ody). But since the sentinel Duce isn't there anymore, these sort of things will no longer occur so frequently.

I. Other recommendations

Please be kind (as well as correct) in your replies regardless of how annoying a member appears. Flaming others by saying something like "Stupid Noobs!!" is not helpful, causes the recipient feel worse, and can make some moderators angry (especially when your reply is not any smarter).
Example: see all posts by molh394 for a perfect example of politeness in replying.

Lastly, a word of conclusion. Firstly, never ask anyone for a decrease. Negative warns are not easy to get and require hard work. It can take months sometimes. However, do not think that your contribution is being ignored if you do not get one quickly. It is just that moderators don't think you have contributed enough or have not noticed yet. So have patience, keep on being a good member, and also be helpful for you will eventually be rewarded. Please bear in mind that moderators (and above of course) are the only judges and therefore, they have the final decision. What you or others (me included) say won't change their mind.

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