Common Internet Message Board Etiquette

[WoodWrangler]

Found this on the 'net and thought I'd share ... I don't know about you, but personally I can't stand it to read posts with bad titles that tell you nothing about what the message contains (like "Please help me!". It's so common on public forums ... and unfortunately can have huge negative effects on the website over time. Almost to the point that it makes the forums near useless with time because there becomes too much data with too many bad titles that no one can easily get through the data efficiently when looking for something.

So ... here's my post in hopes that North Carolina Woodworker can avoid this problem.

Common Internet Message Board Etiquette

Read the message board for a while before participating
It's best to browse a board for a while -- just reading -- before you post your first message. Read a couple week's worth of messages the first time you visit a board, and then read new messages for another couple of days. You'll see what topics are hot and which are cold, you'll get to know some of the key participants, and you'll become familiar with the demeanor of the board. Each one is different.

Communicate clearly
Write clearly when you compose a message. Review your message carefully before clicking Send; typos are confusing. Remember, if your message can be misunderstood, it will be.

Refrain from using ALL CAPS
Typing in all capital letters is frowned upon; it's the equivalent of screaming at everyone. It also makes your message more difficult to read.

Don't post meaningless messages
Posting messages that say nothing more than "Me too" is a quick way to irritate other members. If you agree with a posting, either enjoy your consent by yourself or reply with an informative comment about why you agree. Imagine how dull a board would get if it contained nothing but hundreds of "me too's."

Consider sending a reply by e-mail E-mail is typically a one-to-one communications system.
Some replies are better sent as e-mail (or Private Message), rather than posted to a board. Personal messages and especially critical comments are more appropriate when sent directly and privately.

Refrain from crossposting
Crossposting means posting a single message to several different message boards, and it is almost never appropriate. Such posts tend to reduce the quality of the discussion and needlessly increase the traffic on the board. Find the best place for your post, and please confine your message to one board.

Quote from the post you're replying to
Include a small section of text from the post you're replying to, so others will have a quick reminder of the topic.

Be careful when posting personal information
Be careful about including private information about yourself, such as phone numbers and street addresses. Private information of that nature may be better sent by e-mail.

Follow the forum guidelines
Check the message board area for specific Forum Guidelines, such as rules concerning which topics should be posted in which folders, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. These guidelines are often labeled READ THIS FIRST or GUIDELINES.


Abbreviations

ADN - Any Day Now
AIGF - All In Good Fun (another way of saying "meant as a joke")
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
B4N - Bye For Now
BBS - Bulletin Board System
BRB - Be Right Back
BTA - But, Then Again (another way of saying "on the other hand")
BTW - By The Way
CU - See You
CUL - See You Later
F2F - Face To Face
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FWIW - For What It's Worth
FYI - For Your Information
GAL - Get A Life
GIWTIST - Gee, I Wish That I'd Said That
GMTA - Great Minds Think Alike
IC - I See (another way of saying "I understand")
ILY - I Love You
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IMO - In My Opinion
IMNSHO - In My Not-So-Humble Opinion
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
IOW - In Other Words
IU - I Understand
JIC - Just In Case
JK - Just Kidding
L8R - Later (another way of saying "talk to you later")
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
OT - Off Topic
OTOH - On The Other Hand
POV - Point Of View
ROTFL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing
SIWAH - Smack It With A Hammer (computer industry acronym, used to define a computer glitch which has resisted all known methods of correction. Pronounced "see-waa" as in "See-waa the *&$#(#@ thing!")
TWFM - That Works For Me
WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get
WWER - Woodworker
YAQW - You Are Quite Welcome


Emoticons

:-)     Smiling
8-)    Smiling with glasses
:-))    Laughing
;-)     Winking
:-p    Sticking tongue out (also means fatigued)
:`-(    Crying
:-|      Bored
:-o    Amazed
:-(     Sad or Frowning
:-c    Really Sad

[Steve D]

I AGREE,


Jeremy,

Thanks for the helpful tips. One of the great things about this board is that veterans are very tolerant of newbies here. It's great to share this type of information so that people who aren't familiar with forums can get some input on posting. There is nothing more frustrating for someone new to post a question and receive no reply or have someone jump down their throat for not searching first. We've worked hard to avoid that mentality here and members are good about posting links to previously discussed topics instead of chastising the person asking the question.

Those of us that use computers everyday, and have for years, need to realize that there are a lot of people that really struggle with the technology and Internet lingo. Helping to educate them makes them more effective using the technology and keeps us from running off people that might over time become valued contributors.

[lwhughes149]

I don't consider myself a newbee however I couldn't help notice your post. "I give up" "Need some advice" and "Please help me" should never be considered negative or called a bad title. That is only an opinion. The purpose of the site for me has been to go there and gain information and to read of other's situations. It is also a place where we should be able to relax and know that is ok to agree with a fellow woodworker and say "I Agree." If we make our sentence understood then we shouldn't have to worry that we have misspelled a word. I personally find abbreviations difficult to understand when I am not familiar with them but bypass them and continue with the subject. It is good of you to post them here so I say thank you. Maybe that list could be posted somewhere on the site for others to be able to go to when they wish to familiarize themselves with them. Maybe I am being sensitive but when my post requesting help is called negative or a bad title then surely others have felt the same. I would hate to see just one person stop posting or visiting the site because someone was watching for their improper spelling or how they requested advice. Just my opinion, thought I would voice how I feel. As for now, I am headed for the shop to continue working on that chest I damaged. I thank those who were willing to look at my post and reply.
Signed Please help me

[WoodWrangler]

Hey Lorraine, et al

Forums are 'casual' places (as is the Internet as a whole), and this had no intent of offending

Good titles only take a second longer to type, but make the thread so much more meaningful to those of us that don't have time to read every one. A title that says "I need help" isn't quite as clear as "I need help with my lathe!".

Internet Etiquette really applies to everything-Internet. It's not about how YOU or I want it, but about how it will help EVERYONE.

So ... please don't take the post personally, it (for the most part) was copied and pasted from another website that I found fairly accurate ...

Signed Better Titles Make For Better Forums

[lwhughes149]

So noted, I will try and do better in the future. This site has been an inspiration to me and a great source of information. I rely on it greatly. If the post stung me I just hate to see it send someone else packing. I don't think it is proper to point someone out. I would have gotten the message. Have a good day. No hard feelings here. Lorraine

[DavidF]

I think getting upset about something is a very personal matter and nothing that has ever been posted on this site has had any personal affect on me what so ever in a negitive way. As has been mentioned, this site is very different from others out there and reflects the relaxed atmosphere that we have been trying to create. If something annoys you then just forget it; if it offends you then try being more tolerant, but most of the time if you can't say something nice then don't say it; it works in life and it works on the internet. Just my opinion

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

I really don't think that Jeremy was pointing anybody out or saying that anybody here is not polite. That whole message has appeared on other boards in various forms or parts.

It is just coincidence that someone here had a similar title to one in the message.

I think it is nice to be reminded that new members come and go and we should all try to make things easy for them as well as forgetful old timers like me.

I am sure he didn't and no offense was taken. Some of the tips were aimed at making things work better and these are fine, but some were meant to stop postings anoying people; I for one couln't care less if someone leaves the "caps lock" on. if bad spelling and capitols is all we have to worry about then things are looking good

[SteveColes]

I guess I probably should have jumped in here, earlier. I just skimmed it when it was first posted.

North Carolina Woodworker is not like a lot of other boards. We do things a bit differently and that is why, while we are small, we have a very faithful community.

When I read Jeremy's post, I see not a set of standards but a set of suggestions. Some of which I agree with and some I don't. One of the things that I want to see here is that people don't have to feel self-concious.

Anyway maybe this is a good thread to discuss some of the points made byt Jeremy's list. So here's my opinions, not so much as webmaster, but as a person who reads quite a few posts and sometimes has to moderate.

Thread/Post Titles
Wow could we debate that. I do know that "I give up" sure got my attention.

Read the message board for a while before participating
Nah, jump right in. Go to the who we are forum and introduce youself. We don't want a culture, except to be polite, considerate and helpful.

Communicate clearly
Well, can't go wrong with that. It should be a goal. But if you read my posts, that rarely happens. I try

Refrain from using ALL CAPS
Yep, good idea

Don't post meaningless messages
Not sure how to define that. Me too and I agree can sometimes be important to get a sense of what is a good idea. Sort of an informal poll.

All the rest are good ideas, but good judgement in general is the best guidline.

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by DavidF

but most of the time if you can't say something nice then don't say it; it works in life and it works on the internet. Just my opinion

Just re-read my post - this comment was aimed at general forum users and NOT Jeremy's thread - Sorry if it looked that way.

[SteveColes]

Originally Posted by DavidF

Just re-read my post - this comment was aimed at general forum users and NOT Jeremy's thread - Sorry if it looked that way.

It didn't

[lwhughes149]

Would "Please help me" get your attention. I was in a state of panic and put the first thing that came to my mind knowing someone out there could help me. I will try to do better in the future. This has given me something to think about.

[Gofor]

I would like to state that I think this is the most informative and least offensive forum that I currently visit or have visited. Personally, I first hit "New Posts" and go through as many as I have time for. I don't always say "Happy Birthday" or "Way Cool" even though those are my thoughts, but I am not the least offended by those that do. Positive strokes are great, and some are better at giving them, and some need them to get through a bad day, or just to motivate themselves to attempt a bigger challenge. The title of the post doesn't influence me unless I am short of time, which is when I get selective. "I need help" or "Does anybody know" does get my attention, because even tho I am limited in some areas, I have had over half a century of experience and I want to help if I can, to repay all the help I have received here. I do not feel my time is wasted if its about something I have no expertise in (did I mention being limited in some areas?!) because I always learn something new. The openness and positive attitude of this forum are what make it what it is. There are a variety of personalities and life situations represented here. I personally am not going to change my approach because someone else is in a hurry, and I do not expect them to change their's because I am not. But, the reality is that you can't make all the people happy all the time, and all the technology of the internet is not going to change that.
I really enjoy the "family" atmosphere here, and like all families, not everyone is living in utopia all the time. And "etiquette" is the front you put on for company. I do sense a heightened sense of tension lately, and I am not sure if its because some are feeling pressured to do more, or that other influences in their lives or world events are having their result. I would just like to ask everyone to relax, grab the beverage of their choice, and just enjoy the best Forum on the internet!

My $0.000002


go

[DaveO]

Go, this may not follow proper etiquette but that was very well stated and I agree with you thoughts 100%

Dave

[D L Ames]

Very well said Go.


D L

[WoodWrangler]

An interesting response ... and variety of responses ... to this thread thus far.

While I do appear to have been "quoted" for the copy/paste on etiquette -- I really don't deserve any of the credit -- someone else wrote it.

Some people have taken the etiquette suggestions in this post personally -- it should not be taken that way. Just as in woodworking, we can all learn something ... so take this as a learning experience. I didn't make up the etiquette stuff ... actually this primarily from AOL (you know, the biggest internet name this side of the Atlantic ocean!) and is for the Internet community (not their internal geeks) ... so it's not just fluff, but rather a suggested way to conduct yourself on the Internet for the good of all humanity (okay, maybe not that far).

In short the message I wanted to get across was originally ... if you can spare the extra three seconds when making a post, please make the title more descriptive. As a working professional who sneaks on during the day to check the latest posts, I'd like to help those that I can. Unfortunately I don't have enough time to read every post (especially as the forum gets more popular) ... I have to rely on those dang titles. So ... you (as the poster) may get a better response if you have a better title. And if you don't have time, or just don't want to bother, then don't do it ... that's the beauty of the Internet!

That's it ... my two cents (worth nothing really).