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Please note that it will be assumed that any registered party has
read the rules and guidelines for proper posting etiquette.
Posting Guidelines:
Let's start with general posting and communication before delving
into things more specific to the board. What I mean is, these are
things that translate over to any form of written communication,
such as emails, IMs, and any message board postings. And
remember, asterisks (*) mean check the note down on the bottom
for clarification on the point.
First, there's written word. IM speak really only belongs in IM
chats. This means that things like "idk", "lol", "omg", and "brb"
(and I know there are others) should not be used within message
boards and emails*. Writing out your words also eliminates the
awkward moments of people having to ask for clarification on what
some of the abbreviations in your posts mean. It also cuts down
on misconceptions, as "idk" could mean "I don't know" or "Illusions
dominate kings."
Secondly, there's capitalization. WRITING A SENTENCE LIKE THIS
IS ESSENTIALLY LIKE YELLING IN A FORUM, IM, OR EMAIL*.
Capitalizing a single WORD or PHRASE is emphasis, but
sometimes can be seen as overly critical or snobby. Context of the
sentence, coupled with the message as a whole, helps someone
determine what you're getting at.
Which brings me to my next point. Reread what you write before
you post and/or send it. Once it's out there in writing, it can't be
taken back. Because I like using TV examples, in the NCIS
episode "Twisted Sister," Sarah McGee emailed her ex-boyfriend
threats to kill him, which comes back to bite her when he actually
is murdered. Granted, this is an extreme case, but it highlights the
point.. Once you say something, it can't be taken back.
Also, rereading your message helps you to not offend people.
While you may say, "Shut up!" to a friend and it be benign, writing
"Shut up!" in a forum is taken as rude and offensive. No matter
how well you know the members of the forum, you never know how
they're going to read what you wrote. Written words are read
differently by everyone who reads them. While you may not think
your post is offensive and your joke is tasteful, other people may
not.
This brings me to my next area- getting along with others.
Everyone has a different view on things, and a different way of
reading things. You're not always going to read everyone's post
the same way. If you have an issue, please talk to that person in
private rather than calling them out. The only way to make a
slightly uncomfortable situation worse is to make it a mainfare. Try
talking things out, because it could be as simple as not reading
the emotion behind the post right.
As we say with critiquing, reading things out loud can help you
understand how other people may read it. If you read it aloud and
can see how someone would interpret it with an attitude, make
changes so as to not offend people. It's all about being respectful
in your posts.
Respect. The golden word. The golden rule- do unto others as
you would wish to have done unto you- applies to messages just
as it does to everything else in life. If you wouldn't want someone
saying it to you, don't say it to someone else.
Remember your audience. Not everyone comes from the same
background, so use discretion when posting. Especially with this
forum, where we have some younger posters, watching your
language is extremely important.
Speaking specifically with this forum, I want to go back to respect.
This is the most important thing with this group: respect. We all
take turns displaying our stories, our prides and joys, to our peers
to be evaluated and critiqued. Respect is key in this. Saying
something like, "your story sucks" is highly disrespectful. If you
wouldn't want someone to say that about your story, don't say that
about someone else's story.
Feature etiquette: Posting with features is expected. That's why
they're there. But posts with a bunch of emoticons, three videos,
seventeen colors, and 34 links is just a little excessive. Use the
features in moderation.
The most important things to remember are respect, consider
your audience, and rereading your messages. Emotion is not
conveyed through the written word, but through the interpretation
of the written word, which means everyone reads into it to see
what you're thinking. Misunderstandings happen because
everyone interprets the tone of a post differently, as they try to
understand what you're thinking. And, lastly, remember that these
work for all forms of written communication, not just here on this
particular board. These can help you with your everyday written
communications everywhere.
*Some of these depend on what you're doing. Personal emails
between you and your close friends have a different etiquette to
them than emails to professionals and companies.
(Drafted by: Racefh853629)
Please note that it will be assumed that any registered party has
read the rules and guidelines for proper posting etiquette.
Posting Guidelines:
Let's start with general posting and communication before delving
into things more specific to the board. What I mean is, these are
things that translate over to any form of written communication,
such as emails, IMs, and any message board postings. And
remember, asterisks (*) mean check the note down on the bottom
for clarification on the point.
First, there's written word. IM speak really only belongs in IM
chats. This means that things like "idk", "lol", "omg", and "brb"
(and I know there are others) should not be used within message
boards and emails*. Writing out your words also eliminates the
awkward moments of people having to ask for clarification on what
some of the abbreviations in your posts mean. It also cuts down
on misconceptions, as "idk" could mean "I don't know" or "Illusions
dominate kings."
Secondly, there's capitalization. WRITING A SENTENCE LIKE THIS
IS ESSENTIALLY LIKE YELLING IN A FORUM, IM, OR EMAIL*.
Capitalizing a single WORD or PHRASE is emphasis, but
sometimes can be seen as overly critical or snobby. Context of the
sentence, coupled with the message as a whole, helps someone
determine what you're getting at.
Which brings me to my next point. Reread what you write before
you post and/or send it. Once it's out there in writing, it can't be
taken back. Because I like using TV examples, in the NCIS
episode "Twisted Sister," Sarah McGee emailed her ex-boyfriend
threats to kill him, which comes back to bite her when he actually
is murdered. Granted, this is an extreme case, but it highlights the
point.. Once you say something, it can't be taken back.
Also, rereading your message helps you to not offend people.
While you may say, "Shut up!" to a friend and it be benign, writing
"Shut up!" in a forum is taken as rude and offensive. No matter
how well you know the members of the forum, you never know how
they're going to read what you wrote. Written words are read
differently by everyone who reads them. While you may not think
your post is offensive and your joke is tasteful, other people may
not.
This brings me to my next area- getting along with others.
Everyone has a different view on things, and a different way of
reading things. You're not always going to read everyone's post
the same way. If you have an issue, please talk to that person in
private rather than calling them out. The only way to make a
slightly uncomfortable situation worse is to make it a mainfare. Try
talking things out, because it could be as simple as not reading
the emotion behind the post right.
As we say with critiquing, reading things out loud can help you
understand how other people may read it. If you read it aloud and
can see how someone would interpret it with an attitude, make
changes so as to not offend people. It's all about being respectful
in your posts.
Respect. The golden word. The golden rule- do unto others as
you would wish to have done unto you- applies to messages just
as it does to everything else in life. If you wouldn't want someone
saying it to you, don't say it to someone else.
Remember your audience. Not everyone comes from the same
background, so use discretion when posting. Especially with this
forum, where we have some younger posters, watching your
language is extremely important.
Speaking specifically with this forum, I want to go back to respect.
This is the most important thing with this group: respect. We all
take turns displaying our stories, our prides and joys, to our peers
to be evaluated and critiqued. Respect is key in this. Saying
something like, "your story sucks" is highly disrespectful. If you
wouldn't want someone to say that about your story, don't say that
about someone else's story.
Feature etiquette: Posting with features is expected. That's why
they're there. But posts with a bunch of emoticons, three videos,
seventeen colors, and 34 links is just a little excessive. Use the
features in moderation.
The most important things to remember are respect, consider
your audience, and rereading your messages. Emotion is not
conveyed through the written word, but through the interpretation
of the written word, which means everyone reads into it to see
what you're thinking. Misunderstandings happen because
everyone interprets the tone of a post differently, as they try to
understand what you're thinking. And, lastly, remember that these
work for all forms of written communication, not just here on this
particular board. These can help you with your everyday written
communications everywhere.
*Some of these depend on what you're doing. Personal emails
between you and your close friends have a different etiquette to
them than emails to professionals and companies.
(Drafted by: Racefh853629)
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