DiscoveR8 is a user-driven website dedicated to the dissemination and intelligent discussion of life science news, discoveries, hypotheses, and procedures. Our users are our sources, editors, and peer reviewers.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

What is "R8"?

R8 is short for "rate." Articles on DiscoveR8 are sorted by value, which is determined solely by registered users. Registered DiscoveR8 users can give intelligent, relevant, or otherwise desirable posts greater visibility by rating them up. Similarly, undesirable posts and comments can be rated down.

How do I get started?

Any visiting user can browse and search articles, topics, and keywords. To rate articles or post a new recommendation or comment, however, users must join the DiscoveR8 community. There is no fee whatsoever. Click the "sign in/register" link in the top-right corner of the browser window to register. You will find more detailed instructions in our "online" tutorial.

What sort of things should I post on DiscoveR8?

Post discussions of any news article, discovery, hypothesis, or new procedure in the life science community. You may recommend either your own original work or a published article. At present, we only accept original work in PDF format.

How do I post an article or idea on DiscoveR8?

To create a news post, register for a free DiscoveR8 account (or DiscoverID). Then click the "Recommend a New Article" button on our main page. For our purposes, a "Recommended Article" is anything that has already appeared/been published in some medium with a valid web link (URL). For "Original Work," we accept any unpublished paper, hypothesis, protocol, proposal, or other idea. If your original idea is brief, a half-page or less, then you may post it in the description area. Otherwise, please upload it as a PDF file.

How does the rating system work?

If you think a given post is original, interesting, or newsworthy, then hit the button. This will increase it's DiscoveR8 rating and make it viewable by more readers. If you think someone's post is unoriginal, irrelevant, or spam then rate it down. Leaving comments also increases a user's score. Once a post receives enough rates, it will be promoted to the front page for many of DiscoveR8 visitors to see.

How can posting on DiscoveR8 help my research or business?

Directly and indirectly. Posting and reading industry news can open a company up to new products and techniques that can increase productivity and diminish problems. On the side, however, who knows what ideas one person can get from a lively community of contributors?

Does posting on DiscoveR8 interfere with my copyright?

Somewhat. By posting your own content on DiscoveR8, you grant us a non-exclusive right to publish it. That means that you can publish it elsewhere, if you see fit. You must either be or have permission from the copyright owner of any original material that you post on DiscoveR8. You may remove your content from DiscoveR8 at any time by clicking here.

Most professional scientific journals do not accept articles that have been published elsewhere first, but we do. Some users may prefer to post articles not intended for professional publication, articles that they were unable to publish, or articles that have already been published.

My own article was published recently. Am I allowed to recommend my own published work?

Yes. You may recommend any article with a valid web link. Recent articles are preferred.

Am I allowed to post my company's new press release? Does it count as an article or as an original work?

Yes. New products and services are news. Please link to your press release or newsroom article by using the "Recommend an Article" button. Please do not disguise advertisements as news releases.

May I post an advertisement for my business on DiscoveR8?

If you would like to purchase advertising space, please write to admin@discover8.com.

If your company has published a paper or been mentioned in a news article, please make it available for discussion. Please do not solicit customers or request donations in the post or comments.

Is there anything else that I should NOT post on DiscoveR8?

For more detail, see our terms of use.

Please do not post verbatim copies of recommended articles on DiscoveR8. Write your own description, even if it's only two words long.

Actions not allowed on DiscoveR8 include illegal, obscene, and slanderous posts, harassment, spam, and commercial posting.

Is there any etiquette that you'd like me to uphold?

On DiscoveR8, the users set the tone. We know as well as anyone that the line between "intelligent discussion" and "screaming match complete with biting and hair-pulling" can get blurred from time to time. However, we expect our members to think and post respectfully and maintain a level of decorum commensurate with what we estimate to be their IQ (that being high).

OKAY: That doesn't sound like a good idea. Here's why--

NOT OKAY: You are a dork-moron monkey spelunker. Here's why--

One good thing to remember is that not everyone posting on DiscoveR8 will be from the same country or speak English as a first language. The potential for misinterpretation is quite high. We also might get some kids looking for school project material. No, you don't have to keep everything clean, but please do not bring down the wrath of the Lawyer Parents from Hell.

I see an area where it could be improved.

Thanks! Try feedback@discover8.com.

I'm not a member of the life sciences community or professions. Can I still join DiscoveR8?

If you wish to discuss the science news, then this is the place.