Forum Etiquette

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:43 am

I know most of us have been on other forums too, so what I would like to have a little fun with, is to find out what it is that YOU view as good or poor manners in a forum. You know.....from the 'oh hell no!' to the 'well.....thats all right then.'

Being from the states, my first forum 'horror' was being called a daft cow by a brit. LOL!! For pete's sake! I just asked an innocent question! I made the mistake of asking what a scone was! :wah:

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:04 am

i dont like any kind of personal attack, i moderate on another forum & had that been said there the member concerned whould have been issued a warning, in my opinion thats downright rude

Post by **spot** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:08 am

You didn't know what a scone was? Daft cow!

OK, what I find difficult is the different sense of humor between nations. I can see, from the context in this thread, that it's blatantly obvious I don't mean "daft cow!" in that sentence, but I have little confidence that everyone on FG would recognise that. I did the same some weeks ago addressing Valerie as a bimbo, after she'd put on a ditzy bimbo act in a post. I got the most sickening hypocrisy thrown at me for that, though I suspect the people concerned were actively looking for an excuse and that was the best chance they felt theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢d see. It has made me wary, since, of trying to inject any further humor into my tone here, which is taking a while for me to overcome.

Good manners would be trying to get toward central ground that can be agreed on, rather than barking out formulaic positions as though everything up for debate here were being said over the SALT table at the height of the Cold War. LetÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s treat the Garden as a Ã¢â‚¬Å“walk in the woodsÃ¢â‚¬ venue, to break the obvious deadlock of ideologies that weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re all faced with.

As it happens, this is the only forum IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve ever posted on, I have no idea how atypical it may be.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:19 am

ROTFLMAO!!! :yh_rotfl

No I really didnt know what a scone was! But having sampled the delectable morsels (with clotted cream) I'm now in the know!

I must admit, that was my first forum, as well as my first computer!

I'm now convinced that it isnt so much as a not understanding the humor, but more, it's a different terminology! Americans dont, as a general rule of thumb, go around saying bollocks! :yh_laugh

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:24 am

buttercup wrote: i dont like any kind of personal attack, i moderate on another forum & had that been said there the member concerned whould have been issued a warning, in my opinion thats downright rude
Briefly, we had our own forum going. I've found that you can only get just so personal before it goes into stalkdom. For some reason, emotions flare higher in a cyber setting than in face to face relationships. Do you find that as well?

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:24 am

as you say spot its how you say it & how well you know the person & if it can in fact be delivered as fun, always tricky with new members, was the person being rude or were they having fun? hard to say, dident see it

if a comment upsets a member it has to be looked at

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:28 am

Raven wrote: Briefly, we had our own forum going. I've found that you can only get just so personal before it goes into stalkdom. For some reason, emotions flare higher in a cyber setting than in face to face relationships. Do you find that as well?

yes, have had my fair share of weirdo's to contend with

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:31 am

Yet on the whole, it's been some of the best fun! Whats that saying??!! LOL!! :wah:

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:20 am

Well.. since I have disagreed with spot upon occasion here, as well as other in the forums, I really try to abide by the no blood, no foul rule. I do try not to insult a persons intelligence, or attack them personally. And if the debate ever gets to standoff point.. just agree to disagree. I do feel that discussing issues is an opportunity to learn, both about the opposite side of the discussion, as well as other cultures and people..

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:08 am

If I sign up on a site, I must plan on posting there. Therefore, I try to always remember to introduce myself. People who join a forum just to advertise a site then never come back irritate me.

On the forums I admin, and the ones I moderate, I will not allow bashing. Noone wants to join a site and wonder if they will be called names, told their spelling sucks, etc. I try to treat people the way I want to be treated. If someone makes me mad, I can call them on it without calling them names.

cars · Post by **cars** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:20 am

Raven wrote: I know most of us have been on other forums too, so what I would like to have a little fun with, is to find out what it is that YOU view as good or poor manners in a forum. You know.....from the 'oh hell no!' to the 'well.....thats all right then.'

Being from the states, my first forum 'horror' was being called a daft cow by a brit. LOL!! For pete's sake! I just asked an innocent question! I made the mistake of asking what a scone was! :wah:

Forum Etiquette is just nothing more than manners, if people don't have manners in real life, they won't have it in a Forum either! But in a Forum, it also sort of points to their lack of savvy. They should know that they are conversing with people all over the world who have different customs, sayings & expressions.

Everyone cannot & does not know each others ways, & or even their culture!

Not allowing or acknowledging for these differences on a International Forum, shows their lack of savvy & class! :-2 (oh yeah, and manners)

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:43 am

I agree with spot in tht the biggest problem is the difference in humour. most british poster spot a pisstake but I find you have to be careful with americans as they seem oftentimes take things literally, friendly insults such as jokes about welshman and sheep get mistaken for real insults.

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:34 am

Far made an excellent point, flame privately in PM's. As well I think if your going to attack someone only attack that person, do not insult members of their family or friends. Euuuwwww Rave how could you bring up that "other" forum bleck I thought we buried them all hehehehehe

other politeness's

-no stalking

-keep appropriate posts in appropriate threads

-keep cross overs to a minimum

-pay attention to threads and try no to duplicate them

-treat the mods with respect and abide by their rules, because without them the forum just falls apart.

All in all we have a great forum, the best I have seen (I have trolled around a few to see if others ran like ours and you know what, no not many have the comraderie like ours does)

The other thing that I think is great about this place is if there becomes a conflict the mods are pretty cool at letting members settle it without immediately jumping in and banning people Praise to them for that, because there is nothing worse than random house cleaning when it is usually just a minor conflict.

Good work Mods and Members Round of applause.

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:46 am

flopstock wrote: and please...no nude posting. It's better for all concerned that we imagine each other with our slippers on at least!

In light of what has gone on in the pub lately Flopp I think you have an excellent post there ahahahahahaha

Another rule, Have a good sense of humor yucka yucka yucka

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:13 am

Korbin Dallas wrote: Can anyone tell me what stalking is when applied to posting on a forum.

And when you say comraderie do you mean camaraderie?

Welcom back K. Ok sorry my bad spelling, it bites me in the @ss every time you are correct.

My stalking term was kind of a loose term for someone who has a beef with one member and follows them all around the forum just to put them down at every chance they get. It isn't a standard term of use just my term. And we don't have any stalkers here and as with most of my posts, take it tongue in cheek.

BTW you are from the UK yes? If so, I hope you, your friends and family were not affected by the bombings. We were trying to keep track of all our UK members.

hotsauce · Post by **hotsauce** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:17 pm

do unto others...

oh however that saying goes...

yeah...do that!

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:24 pm

hotsauce wrote: do unto others...

oh however that saying goes...

yeah...do that!

Hey girl good to see ya again, nice reply hehehehehe You are sounding like the creature i just spoke to on the phone, Jr. Minks, she just now at 3:22 pm got herself out of bed.

hotsauce · Post by **hotsauce** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:26 pm

tsk...tsk...to be young again!!

thanks....always good to see you...my minks!!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:18 pm

yes, have had my fair share of weirdo's to contend with

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is about me isnt it ?

I said I was sorry !

Im not a weirdo.................I prefer "unusual" thank you. :wah:

Post by **spot** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:23 pm

1humanbeing wrote: Im not a weirdo.................I prefer "unusual" thank you. :wah:/Spot trots up to the ever-lengthening queue and sits patiently waiting for his turn./

It's nice out, isn't it!

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:29 pm

spot wrote: /Spot trots up to the ever-lengthening queue and sits patiently waiting for his turn./

It's nice out, isn't it!

Ahahahahahaha spot speak up go on, this is a safe place honest

Post by **spot** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:16 pm

minks wrote: Ahahahahahaha spot speak up go on, this is a safe place honest ;)Without wishing to scare the children or anything, you'll notice the lead? the choke collar? the tennis ball? the whistle?

nuff said, nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean, eh. See that halo? There's four of them, but they only come into the more advanced variations.

I'd hate to tell you what the box of pins is for.

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:22 pm

got ya, you play well with others, but if they cheeze you off you make a voodoo doll and well um the rest is history riiiight????

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:05 am

hotsauce wrote: do unto others...

oh however that saying goes...

yeah...do that!

Do all over unto others, before they get to do all over you!!!

(Ha-Ha-Ha, or something like that)

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:40 pm

cars wrote: Do all over unto others, before they get to do all over you!!!

(Ha-Ha-Ha, or something like that)

Ohhhh Cars that is a knee slapper I need that today hehehe

dogmom · Post by **dogmom** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:40 pm

This is my first forum, as well as my first computer, so I still have difficulty when it comes to typing what I want to say and not having it come out all wrong. I guess I became so dependent on tone, inflection and facial expression that I have not yet mastered the "cold call" so to speak.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:48 pm

Hi can I be your "official critiquer" ?

Ill follow you around and whatever you say or do that seems questionable Ill point it out to you.

Think of it as oh I dont know.................your own personal pain in the arse. :wah:

(kidding):-6

dogmom · Post by **dogmom** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:09 pm

Sure! Should I leave a trail of breadcrumbs?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:22 pm

You could but Id just eat them

(love croutons)

where was I going with this ?

oh ok Ill just tail you and when you need a good straightening out Ill be right there !

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:23 pm

You could but Id just eat them

(love croutons)

where was I going with this ?

oh ok Ill just tail you and when you need a good straightening out Ill be right there !

Youll be sorry

jasmund · Post by **jasmund** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:07 pm

Rudeness and insults, seriously, if you dont like the topic dont clik on

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:18 pm

what ?

is that directed towards me ?

theia · Post by **theia** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:55 am

dogmom wrote: This is my first forum, as well as my first computer, so I still have difficulty when it comes to typing what I want to say and not having it come out all wrong. I guess I became so dependent on tone, inflection and facial expression that I have not yet mastered the "cold call" so to speak.

I know what you mean dm. It's a whole new set of skills. I certainly haven't mastered them yet but I imagine that everyone does, in time.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:09 am

dogmom wrote: This is my first forum, as well as my first computer, so I still have difficulty when it comes to typing what I want to say and not having it come out all wrong. I guess I became so dependent on tone, inflection and facial expression that I have not yet mastered the "cold call" so to speak.

Welcome dogmom, enjoy your stay here in our Garden, you will like it!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:29 am

i have a question about forum etiquette...would like opinions....is it "polite" to post 9 or 10 new threads in a short interval, all copy and paste stuff, consequently bumping off all the other threads?

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:43 am

New threads do keep forums going.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

No LC: That's bad manners. While it's true that new threads are needed to keep a forum strong, "Thread Blitzing" is rude for exactly the reason you stated. It bumps ongoing threads and monopolizes the board for one person's views.

A better idea is to slowly start those ideas one at a time to let all the members get in on the thread. Stretch it out. Also, when I've seen thread blitzing in the past, most of the threads started were similar, and shallow. No content and not much chance for discussion. It's more like just trash posting to see your name up in lights dominating the "new posts" page.

I personally think that any "copy and pasting" thread without some kind of opinion expressed by the thread starter is kind of trolling. I mean, this is a place for people to express their opinions, not just propogandize and advertise. I got into it with Koan on that just the other day. She posted an anti-American "copy and paste" without any statement as to why she thought this was important for us to read or how she felt about it.

To me....that's like giving a person a rude gesture in traffic, then driving off.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:14 pm

flopstock wrote: I also think that when news stories are put up they should require a time/date stamp so that folks aren't reading something from the civil war period and thinking it happened yesterday afternoon...

LOL! Now that's one I hadn't thought of!:wah:

Porpoise · Post by **Porpoise** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:59 pm

Good Manners:

1) Reading the FAQ's/Rules several times immediately after signing up.

2) Obeying the rules. For instance, many sites prefer you to introduce yourself when you are new here. There are sites though that find that very irritating. Knowing when it is appropriate/inappropriate to do so will make your visit a lot of fun.

3) Making concise posts.

4) Being polite to everybody, especially those who are new.

Bad Manners:

1) Spamming up the forum to get attention/intentionally disregarding the rules.

2) Getting mad at one because they don't know everything. Hey, we are not all from the same place. Not everybody is going to be really smart. Stay calm. When you get mad, it's YOU who is going to look like the jerk.

3) Typing in netspeak. Netspeak is hard for ANYONE to read. Please take the five minutes or so to actually type out your post. It may take longer, but you will be respected more if you do this.

4) Using racial slurs or deragatory terms towards others. That is extremely disrespectful.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:57 am

lady cop wrote: i have a question about forum etiquette...would like opinions....is it "polite" to post 9 or 10 new threads in a short interval, all copy and paste stuff, consequently bumping off all the other threads?
LOL! I thought I was the copy/paste queen!:wah:

actionfigurestepho · Post by **actionfigurestepho** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:01 am

In the three days I've been here I haven't seen anyone doing this, but I hate the overzealous moderator type. They respond to every post (not every thread, every POST) with some sort of comment such as "maybe this would be better in x" or "we answered this question in January 1986, if you would bother to use the search function" or even something non-related, just so you know that it's THEIR board and that THEY'RE in charge...I don't know if it's rude, but it's certainly irritating!!

As far as insults, etc, it can be really hard to determine what's sarcasm and what's not unless you're acquainted with a person. This is the internet, it's not like we can see a deftly raised eyebrow, but we can learn each others' manner of posting. I think calling someone a "daft cow" is OK as long as you "know" them and you don't make a habit of sarcastic insults. I certainly wouldn't call a stranger a bloody fool, but if it were my best friend...heck, I call her that all the time : )

actionfigurestepho · Post by **actionfigurestepho** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:02 am

Oh, and btw, if anyone sees me doing anything irritating or annoying, please pm me! My forum style is to just jump right in. Forget that small talk stuff.

That brings another good point. Corrections made in PM are always easier to handle than public ones!