These guidelines are subject to amendment at any time, without notice, by the administration of this site as they determine necessary for the good of the site and its membership. Nothing in this faq shall be construed to constitute any contractual obligation to users of this site. This site is being run and managed entirely at the discretion of its administration.

What is Linkfilter?
Who posts these links?
What kind of links can I post here?
What are all these stats?
How does the point system work?
How do I post a link?
Can I post a link to my own site?
What is Not Safe for Work (NSFW)?
What are the four little icons in the lower right hand corner of my link box?
What's a New Comment Scan?
Why don't I have an icon or a journal? And why can't I post a poll?
You mentioned Levels?
Ok. so the site may be "run by the users". but who *really* runs it?

What is Linkfilter?

Linkfilter is more than the name implies: a link filter. It is also a community.

It is a weblog in which any user can contribute. Each user has the ability to post links, vote on others' links, comment on links, chat, keep a journal, post a poll, and a bunch of other neat things. Everything you do earns you points. The more points you get, the more special features you can unlock.

Who posts these links?

You do. So do the rest of the members of the Filter. It's your blog as well as ours. Use it courteously.

What kind of links can I post here?

The idea of Linkfilter is to allow community members to bring interesting things on the web to public attention here. We like to think that there's a little something for everyone on our site. However, there are some links that we frown upon here.

First, everyone's seen Yahoo!, CNN, and all the other standards but 99% of the sites on the Internet get little to no attention. That's where we come in. Don't post something we've all seen before and chances are that if it is on Yahoo! CNN or the front page of the paper we have Be sure to search before you post to find out if someone has already submitted the link (or a very similar one). If you post a link that has already been posted, it will be deleted.

Second, we're all adults here, and we try to act that way. We'd like you to do the same. While we support rational, reasoned discussion about issues presented by the links, avoid posting links which would be considered "unreasonably abusive" to another member. If you have an issue with your link being deleted you need to first take it up with an admin in private. A link challenging someone's belief system is welcome, but a link to a page titled "beaglebot is Dumb" is not. No matter how dumb beaglebot may be.

While no one, not even the Supreme Court, can define porn, we all know what it is. And we all know where to get it. And, while we like it as much as the next person, we don't need it linked on the filter. We've all seen boobs. If you haven't, you shouldn't be here in the first place.

Do not link directly to posts on other linkblogs. If you find a link on another LF-like site, you should post directly to the site and mention the site on which you found the link in your description. For example, if you find a link to www.bigbadturtle.com on www.dudepostslinks.com, please link directly to www.bigbadturtle.com and mention that you found it on www.dudepostslinks.com in your description. In addition, please refrain from copying the description you found on www.dudepostslinks.com. There's nothing wrong with quoting from the site you're linking, but please don't repost other linkblog text to LF.

Finally, ensure that your link has a proper description. If you're unsure of how to write one yourself, read the descriptions of other links to get an idea (or ask someone in Chatter). See the How do I post a link? section for more information. Links that do not have a proper description may be edited or removed depending on the whim of the moderator. A little mystery can be fun but if you can't get the jist of what is coming when you click the link then the description needs work.

What are all these stats?

We rate links on a scale of 1 to 10. Here's a basic rundown of how it all works:

How does the point system work?

Everything on Linkfilter is based on a point system. You gain "XP" ("experience points") over the course of your time here, and you spend "CP" ("contribution points") over the course of the day to perform actions on the 'filter.

CP: Contribution Points, or CP, are Linkfilter's currency of choice. You need CP to do virtually anything, and once you spend them, you can't get them back until the next day. The cost of CP varies depending upon what exactly you are doing.

XP: Experience Points, or XP, are exactly that - points for your Linkfilter experience. We like people to stick around. and we reward that kind of commitment. You gain XP for virtually everything you do here, even clicking on links. As you gain XP, you advance through levels. Each level brings with it a new name, and some levels grant you special powers. So how do you earn XP? Nothing in your life has ever been this easy!

A quick breakdown of CP costs and XP gains:

Clicks: Once you've posted a link, you can sit back, relax, and watch while the rest of Linkfilter's users and visitors check it out. Every time a person clicks your link, you earn points. If you're lucky, the link will get picked up by another blog, and your hits will soar. For each hit you get, you gain 1 XP.

Rating: As users click on your link and check it out, they'll have an opportunity to vote on the quality of the link. Users are asked to rate links based on the quality of the link - length of content, personal interest in the article, etc. Be warned, just because you find something interesting doesn't mean that everyone else does. A link that is a 10 to you may be a 1 to someone else. Vote on the link itself, don't make it personal.

The rating scale is 1-10 and here is a rough guideline for voting:

1. Lowest common denominator of the Internet. Should not be on LF.
2. There are worse links out there, but not many.
3. Meh, it's not horrid.
4. Ok link - slightly below average.
5. Average, same kinda thing you find down the block.
6. An interesting link.
7. A good link for Linkfilter
8. A great link for Linkfilter
9. Well above average (thought provoking or very entertaining).
10. What I come here for, the kind of thing I love to see. Bookmark-worthy.

The higher the rating of the link, the more XP you gain from your link. The link rating becomes visible once three users have voted on the link. As an added bonus for really good links, if more than 12 users rank your link at an average of 8 or better, you get a refund of all of the CP you spent on the link. The goal is to post good links which get rated well. That way you can keep getting refunds, and keep increasing your level.

How do I post a link?

If you're a brand new user, you'll have to gain some XP before you can post a link. Take this opportunity to get acquainted with the site. Click on some links that you think are interesting (or search for some topics that interest you), comment on a link that gets you thinking, and vote (fairly) on a few links. In a few minutes, you'll have leveled up for the first time and you'll be able to post your first link.

On the upper left hand corner of your browser window, you'll see the Linkfilter logo, followed by a bunch of options. Select "Post a Link" and a new browser window will open with a blank form. It's pretty straightforward. First fill in the URL field (make sure you include the http:// !). Then, give it a title (use the title of the page/article you're posting, or invent your own).

Now you must come up with a description of the link. Think of it as a basic outline of what someone will find at the page if they click your link. Some people copy and paste a paragraph or two from the linked site. Look for an "About the Site" section for a ready-to-paste description. Or, you can just write your own summary. Whatever you do works, as long as you give the link an informative description. If you'd like to express your opinion about the link, please post your thoughts as a comment - not a part of the link description! If your description isn't adequate, a moderator will either edit your link and fix the description, or delete your link entirely. That's no fun for anyone, so please take the time and do it yourself. (If you're not sure about how to write a good description, read the descriptions of other links or ask someone in Chatter for help.)

When you're coming up with a title and a description for your link, please keep in mind that a lot of our users browse Linkfilter from work. Some of us work at places with very Draconian policies regarding coarse language. The links are also the first thing people see when they visit our site, and they are what is sent out though the RSS feeds. Regardless of your stance on whether or not users should be using corporate time for recreational web browsing, we ask that you keep descriptions and titles clean and polite.

Once you're done, choose a category for the link from the drop down list under the summary box, and then hit "Preview. " Your link will appear in your browser window, exactly the way that you wrote it.

The final step is to make sure everything looks right, check to see if anyone has posted the same link already, and if everything looks good afterwards you click post!

Can I link to my own site?

Yes, but there are a few additional guidelines to keep in mind. First, you need to have posted at least 15 links that wre not deleted before you even think about posting your own site. You need to disclose that it is your site (in the link description). Any updates to your site need to be made as a comment on the original link - not a brand-new link. If you have more than one site you can make more than one link, but you have to keep at least one month between self promotional posts (and each post needs to be to a differnt site). You can, and should, make "update comments" as often as you make like, however. Links to SEO sites will be deleted with maximum prejudice. If you have a commercial link that is yor own you should get admin approval before posting

What is Not Safe for Work?

Users who are at level 10 or higher have the power to post links that are "Not Safe For Work." This should be a self-explanatory label, but we'll spell it out for you. If your link contains anything that would be considered inappropriate for the workplace, i. e. nudity (photographic or otherwise), graphic violence, excessive bodily fluids, loud noises, etc. MARK IT. If your workplace is either forgiving or oblivious, use this rule as your guide: if you wouldn't want to view the page with your grandmother, you should mark it NSFW. There's a check box at the bottom of every link that will tag the post as NSFW. When in doubt, check the box. We don't want anyone to lose Internet access (or their jobs) because of the Filter.

A few words about NSFW in journals and comments:

Your journals are yours. Your comments are yours. Admins will not, ordinarily, edit them for content. NSFW is the exception here. Because journals and comments are accessible to all users, any NSFW visuals must be linked, rather than placed directly in the contents of the comment or journal. If the Admins feel that you are abusing your ability to post images by posting NSFW content, they reserve the right to revoke your image posting rights or your entire account. We don't like to be mean... but don't test us.

What are the four little icons in the lower right hand corner of my link box?

Comment - comment on a link.
Bookmark - save a link to your list of personal bookmarks.
Statistics - view the statistics for a link's hits and votes.
Edit - edit a link (only available to the user who originally posted the link)

What's a New Comment Scan?

Once you become a Linkfilter user, you'll never have to miss a thing that goes on here at the Filter. We keep track of the last time you logged on, and when you perform a New Comment Scan, you'll be able to access all the comments and threads that were posted while you were gone. Think of it as your up-to-the-minute source for all the excitement and intelligence that the Filter has to offer.

Why don't I have an avatar or a journal? And why can't I post a poll?

Linkfilter is designed to reward user activity. The longer you're a user and the more XP you gain, the higher you climb through the ranks. As you continue on to higher and higher levels, you gain special rewards-avatars, journals, and the ability to post polls are all rewards that you have to earn. It's how we make sure you'll enjoy your stay.

You mentioned Levels?

Few words get a Linkfilter user's heart racing more quickly than "LEVEL UP!" Not only for the new powers and the bragging rights that come with leveling up, but also because of the sheer number of amusing Photoshopped "Level Up" images that you might receive.

Different things come at different levels, and if we told you about the special powers you'll receive, that would take all the fun out of it. Just check out all the things that people on the top users list can do. With time and a little focus, you can do all that stuff too.

Here are the levels and the XP required to reach them:

Ok. so the site may be "run by the users". But who *really* runs it?

Questions? Suggestions? Comments? Concerns?
Direct all correspondence to justin@Linkfilter.net or beaglebot@Linkfilter.net

What makes a good link?
Why isn't anyone clicking on my link?
Why hasn't anyone voted on my link?
Why do I have all high votes and one 1 vote?
Why do I have so many low votes?
How do I cheat?
What happens if I cheat?
Can I be kicked off of Linkfilter?
My link got deleted! Why?
What is the chatter?
Why is some text in my chatter bold?
What special features can I use in the chatter?
What are the text colors available in the chatter?
What about Journals?
What are Bookmarks?
How do I find specific stats that aren't on the preferences page?

What makes a good link?

Aside from the above technicalities, there's a ton of subjectivity that goes into a good link. While the ideal link is something both you and everyone on the site is interested in, we can't always please everyone. A good link is one that grabs the interest of anyone who visits Linkfilter. Obviously there's no formula for 100% success, but we recommend you put some thought into what you are posting before you post it.

For instance, nature lovers may want a link to the ever classic documentary on the dung beetle, while sci-fi fans may want to read the latest news on the Star Wars franchise. A good quirky news piece is always welcome, and current events, politics or entertainment news or otherwise is a good, quick read that may get discussions going in your link's comment section or in the chatter. Just remember to do a search for your URL before you post, as links that have been posted before ("reposts") will be deleted (When previewing a link before posting, you'll be notified of any other links which have a similar title or URL on the 'filter to help you make sure you're not reposting. Use the site search to look for similar subjects. This is where a good desciption in the title really comes to play. Make sure to look over these before you post.)

What constitutes a repost is subjective. It's much easier to know on hard science compared to politics.

The link description is just as important as the link itself. Give users a reason to click on your link. Make it catchy. Make it fun. Make it attention getting, just make sure it's truthful. Read the How do I post a link? section for more information about how to write a proper link description.

Why isn't anyone clicking on my link?

First, give it time. People will start clicking in a few minutes, maybe a few hours. Sometimes it's just slow, and no one is around to check out your link. Wait a bit, and the clicks will come. But there are some tricks to getting clicks.

People at Linkfilter are picky. The longer you're here, the better judge you'll be of just what kinds of links will be great successes. Sometimes the link just won't be as interesting to everyone else as it is to you. Don't sweat it, you'll have the chance to post lots of links in your time on LF.

Why hasn't anyone voted on my link?

Maybe your description didn't get the people interested or they may have seen it before and are just tired of the subject. But most links do get votes - just give it some time.

Speaking of which, when was the last time you voted? Everyone's voice matters, so choose to use yours. Vote your own vote however, don't let other users high or low votes change the vote you give a link

Why do I have all high votes and one 1 vote?

You have all high votes and a single vote of 1 because Linkfilter is a community and, like all communities, we have... diversity. There's not much point in complaining about it unless you already have very credible information on who did it, because figuring out if you were unfairly targeted and who might have perpetrated the crime takes a degree in rocket science. Unless Fluffy has some free time. He might do it for you. beaglebot checks one votes on a regular basis and there are other automated checks for user activity, so you're afforded at least some protection.

Why do I have so many low votes?

Because people didn't like the link. LF members have very refined taste, so maybe your content just wasn't up to par with what we like to see here. Or perhaps the content of the link wasn't very informative, interesting, or accurate. Or it could be that we've all seen it before.

How do I cheat?

Cheating is many things to many people. To most of us, cheating is creating multiple accounts and using those accounts for any purpose. Maybe you just wanted to be incognito. You're cheating. Maybe you just needed a few extra points to level up. You're cheating. Maybe you wanted to comment on your links to draw attention to them. You're cheating. Maybe you wanted to see if you could trick your significant other (also a LF user) into flirting with your on-line alter ego, thus proving they're not good enough for you. You have issues, and you're cheating.

What happens if I cheat?

If you cheat, you will no doubt be called out. Darkstar and beaglebot keep track of stats, but generally before they notice anything's up, our resident linguists and mathematicians take care of business and out you in a journal. Then you will be hounded mercilessly by the community at large, until you apologize and make reparations. Most often, this means that beaglebot will rollback your points, and you've got to start over from square one. If you were a really big cheat, life on the filter will cease to be fun for you. If you push it, you just might get kicked off. If, after being publicly humiliated you are STILL compelled to cheat you will receive "the boot" and have your account deleted. Maybe this will help you to avoid the temptation to cheat: you can not trade in your XP for naked pictures of Bea Arthur or a plastic whistle.

Can I be kicked off of Linkfilter?

Yes, you can be kicked off the filter. You can be kicked of for cheating, unfairly targeting a user for low voting, personally attacking another user, and repeatedly breaking the "no flaming" rules. The rules are pretty simple, it's basic human interaction. Don't be quick to offend and don't be quick to take offense.

You may get fair warning before you get banned but there are situations that will result in your account being immedietly locked. Administrators will ussually follow a course of action similar to this (but will change it if they feel it is in the best interest of the site.): First offense = warning, second offense = 24 hour cooling off period where your CP is set to a very large negative number, third offense = account locked. Making a new account to get around a two day ban or your account being locked is A Very Bad Idea and may lead to your ip being banned.

Is there an XML (RSS 0.9) version? A plain version?
Are there any Linkfilter Add-ons?
What's this "Search URL" field on the link post/edit form?
I tried to add a search, but the URL didn't have a "?" or the word Linkfilter in it.

Is there an XML (RSS 0.9) version? A plain version?

You lucky dog. There's both.

You can use the skins feature to put Linkfilter links on your site or use Linkfilter in your XML-enabled application. It's very simple, just take a query that you would like to use and add a 'skin=xml' or 'skin=plain' to it.

Some examples:

Hot links in XML:
http://Linkfilter.net/?skin=xml&sort=points

Links posted by potatono in plain HTML:
http://Linkfilter.net/?user=potatono&skin=plain

There's also a pre-rendered RDF:
http://Linkfilter.net/Linkfilter.rdf is the same as /?skin=xml but faster.

If you include Linkfilter somewhere, drop us a line and we'll do our best to promote you too.

Are there any Linkfilter Add-ons?

One of our more industrious users, Bear, invented a neat little gadget called the Linkfilter Toolbar. It's a wild piece of free software that sits in your Netscape, Mozilla Suite or FireFox  browser window, and it allows you to post any page that you happen to be on. It's so smart, it actually fills in the URL window on the posting page for you. What's more, if you click on a link and have the Linkfilter Toolbar installed, you can vote while you're actually on the link itself. Can we just say "Wow"? Much of its current state is due to deathburger who took over the project.

Deathburger has also made Greasefilter, a Linkfilter greasemonkey script for the same browsers listed above. It adds some pretty neat features.

What's this "Search URL" field on the link post/edit form?

Higher level users can add a site search to any link they've posted by filling out the "Search URL" field. It is one of the most misused functions we have. If you don't understand what it is don't use it, you don't gain any points for it and when done incorrectly it creates work for the Admins. Creat enough work for the admins and you will get "special attention"

If you want to use it correctly here's how:

Go to the site you've posted and search for Linkfilter. It probably won't find anything, but the URL field should have everything we need to add the search to Linkfilter. Make sure you see a question-mark and the word Linkfilter somewhere in the address field of your browser.

Copy the URL from the browser and paste it into the "Search URL" field. Click post to save the link and you're all set. Now go to your Linkfilter user preferences and you should find your link in the list of available searches. Check the box and hit save. The search should appear in your searches pull-down list.

I tried to add a search, but the URL didn't have a "?" or the word Linkfilter in it.

The site you're trying to add the search from may be using a POST form rather than a GET form. This means that the things you've typed into the form's fields are hidden from the browser. If you know some HTML, you can view the source and piece the fields together and make your own GET URL. If you have no idea what we're talking about, e-mail mailto:beaglebot@Linkfilter.net and he'll help you out.