====== Getting Help on ipcops.com ======
A few points to remember BEFORE posting to ipcops.com.
  - **We’re all Volunteers Here.** 
  - **The Noob attitude.** Just because you are a noob, newbie, or what ever you want to call yourself, you are not excused from proper forum etiquette. I blame this on the Ubuntu craze. We are not here to baby you.
    * **Not reading the documentation.** Time was taken to write the documentation and despite what most novice people think, it does contain answers to common questions.
    * **Not searching the forum.** This forum has been around for a long time. Many times you can find answers to your questions just by searching the forum.
    * **Posting duplicate topics/questions.** This follows point 2b. Not only does it show that you are a novice, it shows you don’t have any respect for this forum or the people here.
    * **Expecting your question to be answered in five minutes.** This forum is completely provided by the community. Most people have a full time job and post when possible, which might be once every few days.
    * **People who can’t seem to spell.** Use a spell checker and don’t write in texting (IM) slang.
    * **IPCOPS.COM is NOT IPCOP.ORG.** This is a community support forum, not the developers project page. If you want to make a suggestion to the developers, then:
                * You might want to post your ideas on the developers mailing list:\\ http://ipcop.org/index.php?module=pnWikka&tag=IPCopSupport
                * Or the feature request tacking list:\\ http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?atid=428519&group_id=40604&func=browse
    * **Format for effect only.** Post is in all **BOLD** AND/OR CAPS are inappropriate.
  - **Lack of details.** Without details, the posts you get will just be guesses. It wastes everyone’s time if you don’t give details. I have had previous posts where I kept asking for one piece of information and when it was finally provided (4 posts later), the problem was quickly solved.
    * **Network Diagram.** A picture IS worth a thousand words, so provide a network diagram with all the details (IP address, subnet mask, gateway, dns, etc.).<code>            Example of acceptable Network Diagram:
            Internet – Cable Modem – Red (DHCP) [IPCOP]
            ..............[IPCOP] Green (192.168.1.1/24) – Switch – LAN Computers
            ..............[IPCOP] Blue (192.168.2.1/24) – Access Point – WLAN Computers
            ..............[IPCOP] Orange (10.1.1.1/24) – Switch – DMZ Computers</code>Where 192.168.1.1 is the Green Nic address, 192.168.2.1 is the Blue Nic address, etc.
    * **Provide ALL the details.** How many times have problems dragged on and on thru several replies only to finally discover they have another Router somewhere that they didn’t describe with the original post.
    * **Subnet and Subnet Mask are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.** When asked for the subnet, you are being asked for the IP address AND subnet mask associated with it.
    * **Provide configuration files and log details.** Providing your configuration files (such as port forwarding settings) and logs details (such as firewall logs) can show if you have incorrectly configured your settings (i.e. port forward the wrong port).
  - **Asking for custom programs on/for IPCOP and get angry when asked why you need the program.** Sometimes there is an easier way to do exactly what you are looking for, so don’t get angry when you are asked why. As the old saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat.
    * **Try the suggestions.** Time and again we go thru 30 posts to finally solve the problem with a suggestion that was made at post 4 or 5. If you don’t won’t to try the advice given - why are you posting at all?
    * **Custom addons and support after IPCOP updates/use of addons on untested versions of IPCOP.** Some addons created for IPCOP are kernel dependent. Many updates to IPCOP do not change kernel version, but on occasion they do. If you are using addons, read the change log BEFORE updating IPCOP. The makers of addons to IPCOP make the addons when possible. Thus, updates will not be available as soon as IPCOP updates are released. Upgrade with caution.
    * **Attempting to make IPCOP a ’Swiss Army Firewall’.** A firewall is designed for one purpose, protecting your network. Adding services to IPCOP which open security holes (such as SAMBA) are a BAD idea.
  - **Stay focused.** Focused posts make troubleshooting quicker and helps everyone help you.