Tippmann Forum

The Tippmann Forum is the official internet forum on the website of Tippmann Sports. It is one of the largest paintball-related forums on the internet, with over 35,000 members. Here, ideas and questions regarding paintball can be discussed and answered.

The forum has been through several iterations since its inception. During the early years, it was informally known as "mother" by its members, and is still referred to by this name by very senior members.

While the forum is hosted by Tippmann Sports, the discussion is not limited to Tippmann, or indeed paintball. In fact, the most popular sub-forum is "Thoughts & Opinions," the off-topic section. Many members are not even Tippmann product owners, merely remaining for the community.

History
The forum was originally started in 1999,when Scrumsguy, commonly known as Jesus in most religions, saw fit to create it.

The forum underwent a substantial reorganization on June 10, 2002, and all members were required to re-register as a result. There are therefore no members with registration dates earlier than June 10, 2002, despite having been members for years prior to that date.

Ranking System
There are several ranks a member of the forum can have, designated by a number of stars that appear after their name, which include:
Member (one star), Gold Member (two stars), Platinum Member (three stars), Moderator (four stars), and Administrator (five stars).

In the past, members could move up in rank only if promoted by a Moderator based on that person's contributions to the forum. However, after a recent software update, rank became based on post count alone, thus rendering the star system effectively meaningless. (Except in the cases of Moderators or Administrators.)



Organization
The forum has twelve sub-forums:

Tippmann Forum Announces Forum Update
The "Tippmann Forum Announces Forum Update" forum is self explanatory, however, only Administrators can post there. It has not been updated since the initial post in that forum.

Tippmann Technical Info
The "Tippmann Technical Info" forum is information from Tippmann Engineers, and only Administrators can post there. This forum is updated only on rare occasions.

New Player Forum
The "New Player Forum", which is for beginning players to post their questions, doubles as the forum for all things paintball that do not fit into any other forum.

Marker Gallery
The "Marker Gallery" forum is where players post pictures of their markers and other interesting things. The simple rule of "no pic no post" is strictly enforced here - only threads with pictures are allowed.

Paintball Ideas
The "Paintball Ideas" forum is where people post ideas for new paintball products, or improvements to existing products, or ideas for new games, or other paintball-related ideas. It is a standing joke on the forum how there will consistently and frequently be posts suggesting paintball shotguns, paintball knives, or paintball bayonets. Posts along these lines are usually met with ridicule and flaming.

Upcoming Events
The "Upcoming Events" forum is where members can post about upcoming scenario games, tournaments, or other events of interest.

Thoughts and Opinions
The "Thoughts and Opinions" forum, or "T&O" for short, is the most popular of the forums. It is the off-topic forum, and paintball-related posts are generally frowned upon here. Asking for thoughts or opinions about a particular barrel in this forum will not be welcomed. Discussions here range from the very frivolous ("what I had for lunch today") to the very serious - lengthy discussions regarding politics and religion are quite common.

Tippmann Regulars
The "Tippmann Regulars" forum is restricted to Gold Members and above. This forum is a general use forum, although it tends to be mostly non-paintball as well. Posting is generally slow in this forum.

Which Gun is Best
The "Which Gun is Best" forum is where questions are posted regarding marker selection. As with the rest of the forum, questions are frequently asked and answered here with regard to markers other than Tippmann markers.

Upgrades and Customizing
The "Upgrades and Customizing" forum is where questions are posted regarding upgrades and accessories for paintball markers, including masks, pods, and similar items.

Gun Maintenance and Repair
The "Gun Maintenance and Repair" forum is where questions are posted regarding technical difficulties with markers and other paintball gear.

Moderator Forum
The "Moderator Forum" is invisible and inaccessible to all users except Moderators and Administrators. It is used primarily by Moderators to impound inappropriate threads and to keep a record of disciplinary actions taken.

It was initially a lonely place, as Pepprdog was the only moderator for several years.

Frowned Upon Subjects
There are many subjects on the forum that many consider to be inane and are also normally met with sarcasm and flaming.

Sniping in Paintball
Sniping in paintball is one of the most argued topics on the forums. Due to its controversial nature, it is asked that the subject isn't even mentioned. The views are varied, and most forumers that argue either way will not change their opinion anyway. The topics can go on for many pages before being dropped, closed or (rarely) settled.

Buying the Hellhound
The Tippmann Hellhound was the factory modified paintball "tank." It consisted of multiple guns, including a gatling gun, and a grenade launcher. It is often asked by the newer members how much said tank costs. It was sold to Dave, owner of Hell's Survivors field in Pickany Michigan, where the Tippmann Challenge is held every fall.

Bumping older threads
Normally, if a thread has hit the second page, it is best not to bump it, for it is considered a dead topic. Exceptions can be made for the Thoughts and Opinions subforum, as this is a fairly fast paced section. When a thread from months or years ago is bumped however, members will tend to get angry about it.

Buying, Selling, or Trading
The Tippmann forums are NOT a market place. Links to eBay auctions, advertising for products, selling products, asking to buy products or trading products will not be tolerated. The Tippmann forum, however, does not monitor personal messages (PMs), and cannot be held responsible for any transactions that are made in this manner.

Asking to Become a Moderator
One cannot simply become a Moderator . Please don't ask, the position will not just fall onto one's lap like that. Besides, that would just be silly.

Requesting/Telling Tippmann to Change their products
Very few Tippmann employees read the forum. It is operated solely by the Moderators . Requests will go unanswered, and may even attract sarcasm by other members.


Tippmann Effect Tryouts/Registering
No known Tippmann Effect (official Tippmann team) players participate on the forum, so any questions regarding this will go unanswered, and may also be met with flaming.

Internal links
*Tippmann Pneumatics
 
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