On the receiving end of a negative review from little old me? Read the appropriate section before sending me an angry WTF? message. (Seriously, I've had so many that yes, I've resorted to this.)

-Content Guidelines citation -Strange jumble of nonsense/unrelated quote -Sheer mocking -Unfounded assumptions

-Content Guidelines citation
-Strange jumble of nonsense/unrelated quote
-Sheer mocking
-Unfounded assumptions

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

Strange jumble of nonsense/unrelated quote Sheer mocking Unfounded assumptions

Content Guidelines citation

I never understand why people get upset/offended/confused when I leave them reviews like, "Posts consisting entirely of author's notes with no story content included go against the Content Guidelines and are not allowed." I mean, a) you really can't say it any clearer than that, and b) why would it be offensive? It's an entirely neutral review, perhaps THE most neutral review possible. How could it be otherwise? There's no writing to deem good or bad anyway!

It's simple. You know that link they make you click before you're allowed to start posting a story? It looks something like Yes, I have read and agreed to the content guidelines. Clicking this link and affirming an understanding of the statment is REQUIRED to post the first chapter of any story. It's an agreement to follow site rules, or as they are officially called, the Content Guidelines. So if you do something listed as not allowed, something AGAINST the guidelines, you are BREAKING that abovementioned agreement.

Not hard, is it? If something is against the rules, don't do it. But because FF.net is an awesome site that allows complete creative freedom and depends on users to report site abuse, there's always rule-disregarding going on. So I usually leave reviews stating, in as many words, that they're doing somthing against the site rules. Usually they weren't aware of it - as many actions, especially the author's notes thing, is very common. Or they just don't care.

Whatever the case, I leave the review, and usually follow up on it a few later. If the matter has been resolved by the author, I leave it alone or possibly leave an actual review. If not, I usually report site abuse.