To start out, I realize there is an etiquette section in the rules that were posted in the announcement on this page, but this includes a tad more, so I decided to post what I know.
Computer forums and chat lines are great ways for you to share information and ideas, meet new people, and have a lot of fun to boot. With the information superhighway becoming more and more a part of our lives, a new kind of community is forming. Swapping messages in forums and chatting live online are no different from sending letters or talking with a group of peopleat a party. There are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. No one likes someone who interrupts, hogs the conversation or changes the subject, or who isn't tolerant of other people's opinions or mistakes. So you don't come off looking like a total noob, here are some expert tips to make yourself welcome on computer forums.
1. Listen before you leap.
Plunging into a forum discussion is like trying to jump in while your buddies are turning the jump rope. If your timing is off, you'll get all tangled up, and no one will have any fun. Take some time just to read a lot of the messages on the message board before sending any of your own. Just listen in on the conversation for a while.
2. Get your FAQs straight.
Before askingtaking up other people's time with a question that's been asked a billion times already, check to see if the forum has an FAQ file that answers to the basic questions everyone has. If it does not contain an answer, you should feel free to post the question.
3. Don't send test messages.
There's no need to waste time sending messages like "Hello! Just testing to see if this works." It is better to go ahead and say what you want to say. When you get a response, you'll know the system is functioning.
4. Stay on topic.
Post your topics on the correct forum, and do not change the subject of a person's topic.
5. Think twice; Post once. Once you've sent a message, you can't take it back. Sure you can edit it or delete it, but that doesn't change the fact that you voiced it. Read over what you've written. If there is any chance that it might be misunderstood, that it might hurt someone's feelings, or that it might make you look like a total idiot, erase it. It is that simple.
6. Watch your "tone of voice."
If you call your best buddy a dweeb outside of a chatroom, he'll know from your smile or that playful punch in the arm that you're just joking around with him/her. Online, though, you don't have that luxury. Words on a computer screen don't carry the joking or teasing tone of the voice that was intended. If a post might be misinterpreted, make good use of the smileys. as a side-note, do not overuse smileys, it can be annoying.
7. DON'T USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS WHEN YOU WRITE OR POST.
It looks like you're shouting, and that's what people will think you are doing. But in the case that you are shouting and want people to know, try to just say your comment in a more controlled manner. It's polite, you know? And it is just plain annoying to read something in all caps.
8. Watch your temper.
There is a great temptation to act snotty or rude to people whose faces we cannot see or names we do not know. If someone makes a goof or says something clueless, it's all too easy to say "What an idiot!" or much worse. This is known as flaming, and it all too easy turns into a large pointless argument. These wars are a waste of time. If you MUST make a strong comment, consider a PM or an instant messenger conversation, so you do not muck up public forums.
9. (You may be surprised by this one, or you may strongly disagree, but I find to have a good point.) Don't correct other people's grammar or spelling.
Nobody's perfekt. Some forum users are better typists than others. Other people are in a hurry to post their comment and will send messages without bothering to clean them up. Remember, too, that online services let you talk with people from all kinds of places and backgroiunds. Some people may not even be from your country and may not be as adept at using English as you. Be tolerant of other user's errors, and hope that others will be tolerant of yours.
10. Do correct your own spelling or grammar!
I don't think I need to explain this one. Just do it.
11. Don't believe everything you read.
Some people use forums to create new identities for themselves. They pretend to be smarter, older, younger, richer, or better looking than they really are. Forums are open to everyone, and unfortunately that means a few creeps and losers will be hanging around.
12. Don't be a spoiler.
Don't ruin endings to movies or books that you assume that everyone has already read. Everybody counts, so for those few that haven't read that harry potter book, or seen that Lord of the Rings movie, don't post spoilers. If you GOTTA say something, give out a warning by saying "SPOILER" a few lines before your comment.
13. Share what you know.
After a few weeks at the forum you will be able to answer many questions, help out with many situations, and guide newbs to be regulars. If you see messages from people who are struggling to catch up, help out. Maybe you've discovered a new way to solve a difficult problem. Try to be as helpful as possible, you were a newb once too!
You may not agree with some, or most, of these comments, and you may be thinking "duh, I already knew all of that", but I'm posting this for those who don't know. Those who need the help, and those who just want to have fun on the forums and help out. And I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, but this is for noobs, experts, and inbetween.
Computer forums and chat lines are great ways for you to share information and ideas, meet new people, and have a lot of fun to boot. With the information superhighway becoming more and more a part of our lives, a new kind of community is forming. Swapping messages in forums and chatting live online are no different from sending letters or talking with a group of peopleat a party. There are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. No one likes someone who interrupts, hogs the conversation or changes the subject, or who isn't tolerant of other people's opinions or mistakes. So you don't come off looking like a total noob, here are some expert tips to make yourself welcome on computer forums.
1. Listen before you leap.
Plunging into a forum discussion is like trying to jump in while your buddies are turning the jump rope. If your timing is off, you'll get all tangled up, and no one will have any fun. Take some time just to read a lot of the messages on the message board before sending any of your own. Just listen in on the conversation for a while.
2. Get your FAQs straight.
Before askingtaking up other people's time with a question that's been asked a billion times already, check to see if the forum has an FAQ file that answers to the basic questions everyone has. If it does not contain an answer, you should feel free to post the question.
3. Don't send test messages.
There's no need to waste time sending messages like "Hello! Just testing to see if this works." It is better to go ahead and say what you want to say. When you get a response, you'll know the system is functioning.
4. Stay on topic.
Post your topics on the correct forum, and do not change the subject of a person's topic.
5. Think twice; Post once. Once you've sent a message, you can't take it back. Sure you can edit it or delete it, but that doesn't change the fact that you voiced it. Read over what you've written. If there is any chance that it might be misunderstood, that it might hurt someone's feelings, or that it might make you look like a total idiot, erase it. It is that simple.
6. Watch your "tone of voice."
If you call your best buddy a dweeb outside of a chatroom, he'll know from your smile or that playful punch in the arm that you're just joking around with him/her. Online, though, you don't have that luxury. Words on a computer screen don't carry the joking or teasing tone of the voice that was intended. If a post might be misinterpreted, make good use of the smileys. as a side-note, do not overuse smileys, it can be annoying.
7. DON'T USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS WHEN YOU WRITE OR POST.
It looks like you're shouting, and that's what people will think you are doing. But in the case that you are shouting and want people to know, try to just say your comment in a more controlled manner. It's polite, you know? And it is just plain annoying to read something in all caps.
8. Watch your temper.
There is a great temptation to act snotty or rude to people whose faces we cannot see or names we do not know. If someone makes a goof or says something clueless, it's all too easy to say "What an idiot!" or much worse. This is known as flaming, and it all too easy turns into a large pointless argument. These wars are a waste of time. If you MUST make a strong comment, consider a PM or an instant messenger conversation, so you do not muck up public forums.
9. (You may be surprised by this one, or you may strongly disagree, but I find to have a good point.) Don't correct other people's grammar or spelling.
Nobody's perfekt. Some forum users are better typists than others. Other people are in a hurry to post their comment and will send messages without bothering to clean them up. Remember, too, that online services let you talk with people from all kinds of places and backgroiunds. Some people may not even be from your country and may not be as adept at using English as you. Be tolerant of other user's errors, and hope that others will be tolerant of yours.
10. Do correct your own spelling or grammar!
I don't think I need to explain this one. Just do it.
11. Don't believe everything you read.
Some people use forums to create new identities for themselves. They pretend to be smarter, older, younger, richer, or better looking than they really are. Forums are open to everyone, and unfortunately that means a few creeps and losers will be hanging around.
12. Don't be a spoiler.
Don't ruin endings to movies or books that you assume that everyone has already read. Everybody counts, so for those few that haven't read that harry potter book, or seen that Lord of the Rings movie, don't post spoilers. If you GOTTA say something, give out a warning by saying "SPOILER" a few lines before your comment.
13. Share what you know.
After a few weeks at the forum you will be able to answer many questions, help out with many situations, and guide newbs to be regulars. If you see messages from people who are struggling to catch up, help out. Maybe you've discovered a new way to solve a difficult problem. Try to be as helpful as possible, you were a newb once too!
You may not agree with some, or most, of these comments, and you may be thinking "duh, I already knew all of that", but I'm posting this for those who don't know. Those who need the help, and those who just want to have fun on the forums and help out. And I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, but this is for noobs, experts, and inbetween.
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