Where do topics go? & Locking threads.

[Kobuk]

For a very long time, I, as well as the rest of the staff, have watched as topics have been posted on the forums in the right areas as well as the wrong areas. And when topics are posted in the wrong areas, we've had to place those topics in the most appropriate forum where they may fit.
Staff have also had to lock topics for various reasons too.

This thread here is to give helpful advice to members on where their topics should go, as well as to explain why topics are locked by staff. What follows is a brief explanation of what all the forums are for.

ADMINISTERIAL ROARS AND WOOFS - This is where the Administrators post announcements about the goings on here at Furtopia.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=1.0

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MEET THE MODS AND STAFF - This is where each staff member has their own topic and where you can get to know the staff a bit more on a personal level.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=92.0

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GENERAL FURRY DISCUSSION - For regular discussion about anything furry related that might not fit within any of the other forums.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=12.0

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FURRY DEBATE CLUB - A special forum where you can post and discuss debateable and controversial subjects. Members who wish access to this forum must read the pinned topic which describes the rules before access can be granted.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=101.0

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FURRY GREETINGS - New here? Feel free to introduce yourself in this forum.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=34.0

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FURRY CONNECTIONS AND CONTACTS - Trying to find other furs in your city, state, country, LJ, AIM, etc., etc.? Then this is the place to go.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=99.0

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CONVENTION TALK - Going to a furry con? Anything con related goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=10.0

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FURRY LIFESTYLERS - Do you take your furry interest a bit more seriously? Does it encompass your whole life? Talk about it here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=13.0

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FURRIES ON FURRY - Discuss what furry means to you and others.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=48.0

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FURRY LITE - For furry topics a bit humorous or not as serious as those that would be posted in Lifestylers or Furries on Furry.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=71.0

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POLLING BOOTH - For where you can post a discussion topic and a poll to get statistics. http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=77.0

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GENERAL NON-FURRY DISCUSSION - If it's not furry related, then it goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=69.0

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LIFE PROBLEMS AND HELP - Exactly as the title of the forum says. Got a life problem, then this is where you can discuss it and get advice.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=70.0

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ARTWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS - Post here to share furry artwork you drew yourself and to get feedback. http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=8.0

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ARTWORK TECHNIQUES - Need help in drawing something or want to offer tips on shading, coloring, etc.? Then this is the place to go.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=9.0

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FURRY FICTION - Got a story to share or need advice on how to write something? Then all fiction goes here. http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=16.0

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FURSUITS AND PLUSHIES - Anything fursuit or plushie related goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=11.0

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PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO - Topics of a photographic or video matter go here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=68.0

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POETRY - Anything poetry related goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=14.0

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SHARING & ARTISTRY - Have a special art piece, story, etc. that has a special meaning to you? Or found something that has special meaning to you? Then this is the place for it.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=19.0
Also read here: http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?topic=25.0

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SINGER'S GROOVE - Anything furry or non-furry music related goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=15.0

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ADULT SECTIONS - These sections are closed to the general public/members. Access can only be granted via here:
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php/topic,35800.0.html

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FURRY ROLE-PLAYING - Want to start a furry RPG? Then this is the spot.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=32.0

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WORD GAMES - A forum where members can enjoy simple word games to pass idle time. Please be advised that post counts have been deactivated in this forum.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=76.0

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GAMING DISCUSSION - Talk about comp, RPG, card, miniature, and other games here. http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=91.0

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FURTOPIA SERVICES SUPPORT - Need help with your Furtopia hosted website or need help on any of the other services offered here? Talk goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=2.0

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WEB DESIGN SUPPORT - Need help creating, designing, and maintaining a website, then talk goes here. http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=3.0

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TEST FORUM - This is where members can test different functions of the forums such as how to quote something, signature sizes, posting in different text colors, etc.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=17.0

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ARCHIVES FORUM - This is where old and disused forums and sub-forums go. They are readable only and cannot be posted in.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=104.0

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SUGGESTION FORUM - Got a suggestion on how to improve Furtopia or need a clarification on something, then talk goes here.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=33.0

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ARTISTS, AUTHORS, & MUSICIANS - Please see this link here: http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?topic=42277.0

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COMMUNITY GROUPS SUB-FORUM - Please see this link here: http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?topic=42278.0

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REGIONAL GROUPS SUB-FORUM - Discontinued. Now located here within the Archives Forum: http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=100.0  Please see/use the Furry Connections & Contacts Forum instead further above.

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RPG's SUB-FORUM - Discontinued. Now located here within the Archives Forum: http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?board=95.0

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Please note that some forums may tend to overlap one another. For example, You might want to talk about a computer issue. That issue could either go in the General Non-furry Discussion forum, or it could go in the Furry Tech Talk community in the COMMUNITIES sub-forum. If any member is unsure where something should go, then please PM a Mod or Admin and we will help you out.

SPECIAL NOTE: When posting any type of topic in any forum, please try and do a search first to see if there is already a topic started on the same subject. Doing this will greatly help in preventing too many duplicate topics and having topics locked. HOWEVER......Please also be aware of Rule # 15 here about gravedigging:
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php/topic,20851.0.html

If topics are locked for any reason, it is mostly due to the following:
1. Topic was in the wrong forum and a re-direction notice was posted.
2. Topic was closed because we already had a same and/or similar topic that could be continued.
3. Topic was locked due to a rules violation(s), flaming, etc.

If anyone has further questions about where a topic might go when posting or why something was locked, or if a similar topic already exists about something, then please PM a Mod or Admin and we will help you out.

Adding another post to this thread as I forgot to mention a few things.  

In regards to the "Special Note" I had written above. It is preferable if members could do a search first to look up a topic that can be continued before making a new duplicate one.
The Search function is located here:
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?action=search
.
For help on using that feature, you can PM a Mod or Admin for help, or use the Search Help tutorial here:
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?action=help;page=searching