The Army Rumour Service

From ARRSEpedia


The Army Rumour Service is the premier British Army community on the internet. For getting started you may like to examine the Ten Basic Things that all new Users should know.

Your Problems Solved

Answers to the most common support request emails received by us.

ARRSE Common Problems and Answers

The 10 Basics

10 things the new ARRSE user should know; forum etiquette, joining, avoiding being wound up, what private messaging is all about etc.

The 10 Basics **** INCLUDING HOW TO REGISTER ****

Aims

The aim of ARRSE (in so far that it has one) is to provide a useful, informative and amusing site for people with an interest in the British Army. Contrary to duty rumour we are not promoting the overthrow of HMG, nor do we exist to toe the party line. Users can expect to find both reasoned argument and complete ARRSE within our pages. It exists for all.

The 'official' version of ARRSE is called ArmyNet.

Site Policy

Principles

  • Although we have no issues with challenging the "official" viewpoint we do not wish to bring the wrath of the authorities down upon the site. If is worth noting that several senior officers unofficially endorse ARRSE as both a pressure vent for the British Military Community, as well as an extremely valuable sounding-board for identifying the issues and concerns of all ranks, whether full-time Regular Army, part time TA/OTC, or Army-affiliated organisations, such as the ACF and CCF
  • We wish to avoid attracting those with extremist views or personal agendas to the site. Usually the rather robust and forthright responses they generate from ARRSE members result in them deciding that another BB might be more suitable and less dangerous for them.
  • Ultimately we would like the site to make some money but would settle for having our costs covered in the interim! Plans to relocate ARRSE HQ to the Bahamas are currently on hold - Benbecula is looking good, though.

Functionality

The site offers a variety of functionality including:

Posting Standards

The following describes acceptable posting in the site, which is split in to three levels of "seriousness", starting from the liberal end of the site. Please observe the regulations - they are to ensure that there is something for everyone. A varied and large user group is in the interests of all. Obviously regulations in the NAAFI also apply to the next category up and so on.

The NAAFI (also applies to the Gallery)

The NAAFI is designed to allow our users to conduct the pointless bickering, personal vendettas and utter drivel that is the mainstay of any web site. We strongly discourage anyone who is under 18, easily offended or with liberal tendencies from entering this forum. That being said, it is still moderated and the following is totally unacceptable:

  1. Breaches of Operational Security (OPSEC).
  2. Use of real names other than those in the public domain.
  3. Hardline extremist views and racism in particular.

General Boards

These are the bulk of the site and consist of everything not included in the Serious Boards and the NAAFI. Banter, obtuse posts and ignorant comment are often the norm but we will moderate (ie police) against:

  1. Thread hijacking where an argument/slagging match is carried over from elsewhere.
  2. Totally pointless points.
  3. Extreme swearing and abuse of other users.

Serious boards

Current Affairs, Finance, RHQ, Staff College, Military History, Charities

Our serious boards are heavily moderated as we aim to keep them sensible and relevant for those who wish to engage in serious discussion. The following are not tolerated:

  1. Taking thread off topic
  2. Moderate swearing / abuse of other users.
  3. Non-contributory posting ie pointless ranting.

ARRSE International

ARRSE International covers the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, South African and Zimbabwe issues.

Moderation

The site moderators exist to ensure that the site is managed in accordance with the policy detailed above. They are to decide how the policy is implemented in their own forum and may wish to post details of their moderation policy. Please repect the moderators' decisions, but if you have any complaints about moderation policies, write to admin@arrse.co.uk or to one of the "COs" using the site Instant Message system.

Sponsors

ARRSE does not endorse any of the products advertised on the site. Additionally advertisers are aware that they may receive negative comment in the forums. Our policy is not to give advertisers any editorial control or protection however users are requested to bear in mind that they pay for the site and we would prefer to retain their goodwill. Any strong negative comments about an advertiser should be directed to admin@arrse.co.uk. Sponsors can be recognised by the medals next to their user.

History

ARRSE came into being in early Jan 2002 and was created using MS Frontpage. It soon became apparent that this wasn't up to the task and this was soon replaced by YaBB (Yet Another Bulletin Board). This was a significant improvement and supported the rapid expansion of the site. Unfortunately it was based on a flat file structure which created vast numbers of individual files that soon made backing the site up a nightmare.

The next upgrade to the site in saw it move to a fully fledged Content Management System named PHPNuke. This operated on a Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP system and gave a significant improvement in functionality, reliability and speed. Unfortunately PHPNuke also had a reputation for poor security and this led to the site being hacked by some Brazilian hackers in May 2004. After almost a week of downtime the site was restored and since then security has been the number one priority of the COs.

The drive for increased security led to a further change of software to CPGNuke, an offshoot of PHPNuke.

Current Incarnation

The latest version of ARRSE operates using DragonflyCMS version 9.6.1 We also use the following Open Source projects for other parts of the site:

Media Wiki- you're using it now!