How to Use Proper Forum Etiquette

[IrishBlonde]

Internet etiquette, or Netiquette, has its own set of rules, as any cyber Miss Manners will gleefully point out. When you join an online community forum, it's a good idea to mind your manners if you don't want offend others and incite troublemakers into giving you a hard time.

Step1


Read the forum rules. Even if you're excited to be a member of a new forum and can't wait to join in, take the time to find the group policy page and read it thoroughly. Some forums are fussier than others about Internet etiquette.

Step2

Lurk a little before you dive right in. Read a number of posts, or check out the group's archives. Get a feel for the tone of the forum so you can participate accordingly.

Step3

Remember your face doesn't show. Words alone can convey sentiment, but without benefit of inflection or facial expression, they can be misconstrued. Use descriptive wording, emoticons or .gifs to ensure your meaning is clear. By the same token, don't jump to conclusions about another person's intent in posting an unclear comment. When in doubt, ask for clarification.

Step4

Type in lowercase or standard case, not in all caps. By the rules of netiquette, all caps equates to shouting. If you type with all caps, you will annoy and possibly offend other forum members.

Step5

Say online exactly what you would say in person. In other words, if you wouldn't say it to the person's face in front of your Grandmother, you shouldn't type it into a forum.

Step6

Be respectful. Internet etiquette is similar to standard etiquette in this area. Appreciate that your opinion is one of many. You can disagree with another person without being disrespectful or rude online.

Step7

Ignore Trolls. Netiquette guidelines are very specific where they're concerned. If you engage in conversation, you'll raise your blood pressure and empower the Troll. You can't win a flame war, and you can't sway a Troll's opinion. Often, they don't even care about the subject; they live for the conflict and nothing more. Trolls are common and not worthy of your time. Ignore their posts—no matter how inflammatory—and eventually they'll get bored and move on.


Anyone elso want to add any?

Actually I posted this for fun, but I do like 3 - 7 !

[annadrose]

Respect other peoples' opinions that's how we learn and grow.

Please read your post before you hit submit. Sometimes I have thought I was being funny and it sounded rude or stupid when I read it back.

[kathytheshopper]

Oh yes, if you disagree with what someone says please don't resort to NAME CALLING. Just ignore that person!!

[rose13]

Great ideas! I would like to add a very small point....

Please read the original post carefully and then please read all the posts in a thread...or at least skim them.
So often a new post in a thread is made asking a question that has already been asked and answered. Or they misunderstand a point simply because they did not read carefully.

Goodness I sound like my high school teachers when they handed out a test, lol.

[Penny]

Originally Posted by annadrose

Respect other peoples' opinions that's how we learn and grow.

Please read your post before you hit submit. Sometimes I have thought I was being funny and it sounded rude or stupid when I read it back.

I agree with this! Everyone has their own opinion on things, most of us are not going to change our opinions based on postings on a message board, it can be enlightening to hear other people's opionion's even if we don't always agree with them. Can we all just agree to disagree?

As far as thinking before posting, many times I will type something out and then go back and decide I don't want to submit it, most recently in the alcohol thread, I refrained 5 or 6 times over the last couple of days from posting. Sometimes it is just not worth it.

[sunsetbeach]

Originally Posted by Penny

I agree with this! Everyone has their own opinion on things, most of us are not going to change our opinions based on postings on a message board, it can be enlightening to hear other people's opionion's even if we don't always agree with them. Can we all just agree to disagree?

As far as thinking before posting, many times I will type something out and then go back and decide I don't want to submit it, most recently in the alcohol thread, I refrained 5 or 6 times over the last couple of days from posting. Sometimes it is just not worth it.

You are not the only one that refrained from posting on the topic.

[dollydeal]

Easy Etiquette for the exhausted brain.
Just be yourself.


Peace!

[devinmom]

Let's try to limit ourselves to responding to the topic on a particular thread - try NOT to rehash old, unrelated stuff associated with OP. For instance, if the original poster asks what we think about a certain brand of wart remover, let's not remind the OP that we haven't forgotten that OP doesn't like cell phones...

Some people here seem to have to be *reminded*of past posts and threads, and can't get involved in new topics without someone dredging up the old stuff. It seems like new post should equal fresh perspective...

[cjs216]

Dang D, you're taking all my fun away!

[littlejo]

try to use at least a little proper grammar.
dont blast everyone who replies in less favor of what you want.
opinions are like a$$ holes, everyone has one. lol

[truble2301]

Originally Posted by cjs216

Dang D, you're taking all my fun away!

How about deleting an entire thread just because you've been called out on it is just chicken excrement?

[heatherr]

If someone gets on your nerves, use the ignore button. I have several people here on it.

[usnamom]

If you post something that might be considered contriversial and say you have facts to back it up, please cite such facts. Another thing might be, if you post something that is contriversial, please be ready to defend your stance. That is what debate is all about. Pick a side but be willing to not only support it but also be willing to hear the other side. If you don't want people to consider your past posts in their views of you,, don't post them.

[Toonces]

And, don't forget the most important thing...

If you can't say something nice........Come sit by me!

[Cuthie]

I'd say to type your piece and then reread it before *deciding* whether to hit the post button. Sometimes, it can be healing to do that and then not post for the 'world' to read.

I agree with the poster who said to read ALL of the posts in a thread before replying. Sometimes, I think people read ONLY the first post and then reply. Wow, is that confusing when the next visitors are reading the entire thread!

[jaded]

My #1 - USE PUNCTUATION! I refuse to read a post that has no punctuation.

[MsMiser]

Indeed it is often difficult to decipher some of the posts. But, please keep in mind, some people have learning disabilities. (Such as dyslexia, just to name one.) I have no personal knowledge regarding any MC members, but it's possible that some of the posts we see here are typed by someone with a learning disability. That doesn't necessarily mean they don't have anything of value to offer. Should they be cut off from the rest of the online world because their writing skills are seriously lacking? I'm sure they're doing their best. No one person is perfect at everything, maybe they excell in some other aspect.

.

[freer]

MsMiser...I do agree that maybe some people have a learning disability and cannot write or type well. However, I also think that some people are lazy or prefer to just type random thoughts. I'm with jaded...I do not read any posts that are long and rambling with no punctuation. It drives me crazy and actually makes me feel grumbley inside.

[truble2301]

Originally Posted by MsMiser

Indeed it is often difficult to decipher some of the posts. But, please keep in mind, some people have learning disabilities. (Such as dyslexia, just to name one.)

Learning disabilities don't come and go, though.

[CaddyLisa]

Originally Posted by Cuthie

I'd say to type your piece and then reread it before *deciding* whether to hit the post button. Sometimes, it can be healing to do that and then not post for the 'world' to read.

I agree with the poster who said to read ALL of the posts in a thread before replying. Sometimes, I think people read ONLY the first post and then reply. Wow, is that confusing when the next visitors are reading the entire thread!

Cuthie...Don't you mean type your "peace"???...LOL I'm sorry. I couldn't resist! I know that my dot dot dots just aggravate the hell out of some people...including my own family. I also tend to type in small letters only...ee cummings style. I used to be a software editor for McGraw-Hill too...you think I would type the proper way by now! I got into a bad habit and just continued it I guess...Although, I think through my editorial work, I don't make that many typos...which is a good thing. ~Lisa

[Cuthie]

.................................................

[IrishBlonde]

...........................

I use them also. Cause I like them.

[KellyJef]

Originally Posted by freer

However, I also think that some people are lazy or prefer to just type random thoughts. I'm with jaded...I do not read any posts that are long and rambling with no punctuation. It drives me crazy and actually makes me feel grumbley inside.

Me, too.

You shouldn't have to struggle to read a post because it has no punctuation

[MsMiser]

Originally Posted by truble2301

Learning disabilities don't come and go, though.

Regarding posters that use punctuation in a "come and go" fashion - When they do use punctuation..... Do they use it correctly? Or, for the most part, do they use it incorrectly? If it's often incorrect when they attempt to use it, that may be due to a learning disability. Maybe using punctuation is a real struggle for them, so they frequently just skip it all together. Don't get me wrong. I agree that it's very annoying and frustrating trying to read a post with no punctuation. (But, it doesn't make me feel grumbly inside, like freer. LOL) I just tend to assume they're incapable of using punctuation correctly, for whatever reason (be it a learning disability or some other mental limitation), and therefore it's less apt to irritate me as much. I hope that doesn't sound condescending, I'm sure I don't always use punctuation (or spelling & grammer) correctly myself.

.

[Brendasm1]

My keyboard sticks sometimes...could be the chocolate milk ds spilled on it....I try to re read and correct mistakes, but it was several days before I realized my "z" didnt work, and some other keyboard type issues

[dnj51]

Great thread, OP! Some really good comments from everyone!