Post by Mayleng on Nov 13, 2008 18:50:31 GMT -5
Please read before posting. Below are standard Netiquette that all Forums expect of their members. We will be using these as our guidelines and rules here. And remember this site is manned by all volunteers who give of their time and expertise freely.
We do not allow advertisements or self promotion on this site
Be Positive as much as possible
We know it is difficult to be positive all the time especially when you are having problems or complaints. You can still post to threads in positive manner. These responses will help others later who may have the same problem or question. Try not to turn the board into a negative depressing place.
No soliciting of monies, sponsonship or charity allowed
We do not allow soliciting for funds for any reason on this board. You do not know the members here well, please do not send monies etc. We cannot vouch for any individual on this board and their stories. Please use common sense.
Be civil and respectful
Remember your face doesn't show. Words alone cannot 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.
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.
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.
It’s okay to disagree. To attack someone personally is always frowned upon and could possibly get your forum account suspended. If you resort to name calling and personal attacks don't be surprised if your account is terminated.
In person at social situations, you may say or do something out of character or perhaps lash out or hurt someone's feelings, but that incident can be quickly forgotten or only remembered by those who see it.
In an online forum, that type of an incident is there forever, and anyone can see it, or worse, stumble upon it weeks or months later and dredge it up again. Ask yourself before posting whether what you are about to say is something you will want read a month from now. If it's not, don't type it, no matter how tempting it may be at the time. Remember, everything you put out on the internet can come back to haunt you.
Avoid Trolling
A troll is someone who posts topics on message boards with the sole purpose of instigating argument or debate. It is definitely an etiquette no-no and will earn you the disrespect of everyone on the forum and you could easily wind up with a suspended account.
Ignore Trolls
Netiquette guidelines are very specific where they're concerned. If you engage in conversation, it'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.
Let sleeping dogs lie
It's tempting to revisit controversial decisions you disagree with, but it's rarely productive to do so, since it almost always results in the same heated, lengthy, and time/energy draining discussions leading to the same conclusion that was reached in the last round.
Therefore, for issues already raised, discussed, and decided upon, reopen the discussion only if you have significant new information that would reasonably prompt reconsideration of the original decision.
Post in the Proper Forum or Thread
Internet forum posting etiquette says to place your post in the appropriate forum/board. It doesn't matter if one board is more active than another, you should always use the appropriate board/forum or thread for your content.
Avoid Hijacking a Thread
Hijacking involves posting a new idea or topic on someone else's thread. Sometimes, if the topic is related, it is okay, but try to post new threads if you need to start a different discussion. People who are interested in your topic can go to your thread and you won't offend anyone else this way.
Stay on Topic
It’s important when you are responding to topics you stay on topic. If you slant a discussion on another topic your post maybe ignored. It’s important for discussion purposes you stay on topic as best as you can. If you have another topic that needs to be addressed start a new topic.
Don't bump your own threads
It is unfair to bump your own threads when there is no new information, as you will bump other people’s threads off the page.
Help as Much as You Are Helped
If you come into the forums to ask questions, post a thread, and then disappear and never respond to anyone else's threads, questions or comments, chances are the forum members will be less likely or willing to help you in the future. You don't have to personally thank everyone who responds, but you can definitely respond with thanks to all who answered and make an effort to help others if you can answer their questions too.
Never Use ALL CAPS
It is very hard to read, and it amounts to yelling on the Internet.
Take Personal Issues Off the Forums.
Internet forums and message boards are for public discussions which bear relevance to more than a few people. If you have a personal issue with someone else, take it off the forum and use the Private mail system we have here.
Respect the Moderator
If and when a moderator tells you not to do something, whether you agree with them or not, don't do it! Forum posting etiquette says you are coming into someone else's forum, you play by someone else's rules. If you don't like it, you're welcome to find another forum with different rules. Remember, the moderator usually has the power to suspend your posting privileges or ban you from the forum.
We do not allow advertisements or self promotion on this site
Be Positive as much as possible
We know it is difficult to be positive all the time especially when you are having problems or complaints. You can still post to threads in positive manner. These responses will help others later who may have the same problem or question. Try not to turn the board into a negative depressing place.
No soliciting of monies, sponsonship or charity allowed
We do not allow soliciting for funds for any reason on this board. You do not know the members here well, please do not send monies etc. We cannot vouch for any individual on this board and their stories. Please use common sense.
Be civil and respectful
Remember your face doesn't show. Words alone cannot 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.
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.
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.
It’s okay to disagree. To attack someone personally is always frowned upon and could possibly get your forum account suspended. If you resort to name calling and personal attacks don't be surprised if your account is terminated.
In person at social situations, you may say or do something out of character or perhaps lash out or hurt someone's feelings, but that incident can be quickly forgotten or only remembered by those who see it.
In an online forum, that type of an incident is there forever, and anyone can see it, or worse, stumble upon it weeks or months later and dredge it up again. Ask yourself before posting whether what you are about to say is something you will want read a month from now. If it's not, don't type it, no matter how tempting it may be at the time. Remember, everything you put out on the internet can come back to haunt you.
Avoid Trolling
A troll is someone who posts topics on message boards with the sole purpose of instigating argument or debate. It is definitely an etiquette no-no and will earn you the disrespect of everyone on the forum and you could easily wind up with a suspended account.
Ignore Trolls
Netiquette guidelines are very specific where they're concerned. If you engage in conversation, it'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.
Let sleeping dogs lie
It's tempting to revisit controversial decisions you disagree with, but it's rarely productive to do so, since it almost always results in the same heated, lengthy, and time/energy draining discussions leading to the same conclusion that was reached in the last round.
Therefore, for issues already raised, discussed, and decided upon, reopen the discussion only if you have significant new information that would reasonably prompt reconsideration of the original decision.
Post in the Proper Forum or Thread
Internet forum posting etiquette says to place your post in the appropriate forum/board. It doesn't matter if one board is more active than another, you should always use the appropriate board/forum or thread for your content.
Avoid Hijacking a Thread
Hijacking involves posting a new idea or topic on someone else's thread. Sometimes, if the topic is related, it is okay, but try to post new threads if you need to start a different discussion. People who are interested in your topic can go to your thread and you won't offend anyone else this way.
Stay on Topic
It’s important when you are responding to topics you stay on topic. If you slant a discussion on another topic your post maybe ignored. It’s important for discussion purposes you stay on topic as best as you can. If you have another topic that needs to be addressed start a new topic.
Don't bump your own threads
It is unfair to bump your own threads when there is no new information, as you will bump other people’s threads off the page.
Help as Much as You Are Helped
If you come into the forums to ask questions, post a thread, and then disappear and never respond to anyone else's threads, questions or comments, chances are the forum members will be less likely or willing to help you in the future. You don't have to personally thank everyone who responds, but you can definitely respond with thanks to all who answered and make an effort to help others if you can answer their questions too.
Never Use ALL CAPS
It is very hard to read, and it amounts to yelling on the Internet.
Take Personal Issues Off the Forums.
Internet forums and message boards are for public discussions which bear relevance to more than a few people. If you have a personal issue with someone else, take it off the forum and use the Private mail system we have here.
Respect the Moderator
If and when a moderator tells you not to do something, whether you agree with them or not, don't do it! Forum posting etiquette says you are coming into someone else's forum, you play by someone else's rules. If you don't like it, you're welcome to find another forum with different rules. Remember, the moderator usually has the power to suspend your posting privileges or ban you from the forum.