Help
Topics
Topics are issues or questions for discussion. They may link to an outside webpage containing a more detailed description of the issue.
Submitting
The submit form for topics has four fields.
- Title: This will be displayed on the hot and new pages where all topics are listed
- URL: The address of an outside page describing the issue up for debate. If left blank the topic will link to itself.
- Tags: Short keywords that describe the topic. Separate each tag with a comma.
- Text: An initial comment by the submitter to start discussion
Editing
The user who submits a topic may later edit it. To edit a topic you have submitted, click on your username in the upper right hand corner of the page. This will take you to your user profile page. Here click on "Submissions" to view a list of all the topics you have submitted. Find the topic you wish to edit and click the "edit" link underneath it. Here you may make changes to the title or initial comment for the topic. Click the "Edit" button to save your changes.
The URL for a topic may not be edited in this fashion. To change the URL, delete the topic and submit it again with the new URL.
Tags
Tags are short keywords that describe the topic. The submitter may add tags at the time of submission. Other users may add their own tags later. These tags may be the same as the ones added by the submitter or they may be different. A unique record is kept of which user added each tag for a given topic. A count of how many users applied each tag to a topic is also stored.
To add tags to a topic that has already been submitted, find the topic on the list of Hot or New topics. Underneath the title, where the tags are listed, click "more" to show all of the current tags as well as the form for adding new tags. Add new tags in the text box shown, separating each tag with a comma. Click the "Add" button to save the new tags.
Comments
Submitting
When viewing a topic, logged in users may submit comments by entering text in the text box near the top of the page and clicking on the "Add Comment" button to submit their comment.
Replying
Users may also reply directly to existing comments by clicking on the "reply" link located underneath each comment. A similar text box will appear. Enter reply text here and click on the "Reply" button to submit the reply.
Editing
Users may make changes to comments they have made by clicking on the "Edit" link underneath their comments. A textbox will appear pre-filled with the existing comment text. Make any necessary changes and click the "Edit" button to save them.
Users may also delete their comments by clicking the "Delete" link underneath them. This is a reversible operation and delete comments may be retrieved at any time if desired. However, comments may not be deleted if they have become the basis for arguments.
Arguments
Arguments are a way to have a controlled discussion between two people. Users may take issue with any of the comments on the site and propose an argument to the author. If accepted, the argument will begin and will be listed on the New arguments and Hot arguments pages.
Only the two participants of the argument may post in the argument threads, though the arguments may be viewed by anyone. After a participant posts a rebuttal, he may not post to the argument thread again until after his opponent has replied.
Argument threads will remain active for seven (7) days. After seven days, the votes will be counted and a winner of the argument will be declared (or a draw if the votes are even).
Starting
To propose an argument with a given comment, click on the "argue" link below it. In the form that appears, enter a title for the argument and state your case in the textbox provided. Greaterdebater will send a message to the author of the comment on your behalf with a link to your proposed argument. The comment author will then have the option to accept or decline your challenge to an argument. A message regarding the author's decision will be sent to you. If your argument is accepted, a link will be provided to view the author's rebuttal and respond.
Voting
Users not involved in a given argument may cast votes to determine the winner. Voting will remain active for seven days. During this time votes may be changed at will. The final vote count at the end of the seven days will determine the outcome of the argument.
Draws
During the course of an argument either participant may offer a draw during his turn. The offer of a draw consumes one turn during which the offeror can explain why a draw should be accepted. His opponent will then have the opportunity to accept or decline the offer. If the opponent declines, it will be his turn and he can continue with a rebuttal. If the draw offer is accepted the argument will end with no points awarded to either side.
Conceding
Each participant will have the opportunity to concede the point during any argument. The conceding participant loses the argument and his opponent gains one point, just as if he had won the argument on votes.
Profiles
To access your user profile, click on your username in the upper right hand corner. From this page you can see your current score. There are also several other links to view various aspects of your account.
- Settings: Reset your password
- Messages: View system messages regarding the status of your current arguments.
- Arguments: View a list of all arguments you have participated in.
- Submissions: View all of the topics you've submitted
- Comments: View all of the comments you've made
You may also view the profiles of other users, with the exception of the settings and messages pages, by clicking on any of the user names attached to comments, arguments or topics on the site.
