If you use the internet on a fairly regular basis, or mainly just have a pulse, then you’ve probably participated in a message board discussion of some type. We all know how they work, so I’m going to skip the generic explanation of what a message board is and how it works. Ok, back on task. Message boards can be a hot bed for hot-headed hooligans to hassle otherwise happy forum patrons (I couldn’t think of a synonym for patron that started with an h). Also, they can be a nightmare to try and scrounge information out of if not probably organized and maintained.
As both of you know, I run a completely unsuccessful local gaming website and we have a message board as one of the only amenities for our users. Just today I received an email notification that someone had posted a reply in a thread I was subscribed to. In all of my forum searching days, this was by far the worst forum post I have had the displeasure of seeing. It broke every forum etiquette rule in the book. Don’t worry, the post has been deleted to protect the stupid.
Inspired by stupidity, (that happens alot, but that’s another post) I decided to compile a short list of forum etiquette rules that should be followed at all times. They are short, simple and very easy to follow:
- Caps Lock is shouting! Use the html tag <strong> to show emphasis.
- Before you post to a thread, read all of the previous posts.
- Do not reiterate what has already been said, if you would like to elaborate on a specific comment posted, then be sure to use the quote feature built into most forum software.
- Stay on topic. Do not submit posts that are loosely related to the thread topic.
- Of course, as always DON’T SPAM!!! (yes I meant to shout).
If you can’t follow these simple rules, you don’t deserve the internet. I’m sure I left some out. Feel free to leave your additions in the comments.
December 8th, 2005 at 9:00 am
Hmmm…
Can’t wait to hear the rest of this story.
As far as etiquette goes, I might add that a 900×300-pixel avatar (or “sig”?) is probably a necessity if you plan on pissing me off. I see that a lot on the thousands of forums I frequent…
December 9th, 2005 at 8:56 am
And you deleted it??? I heart stupid people, especially when they don’t know they are stupid. Was it Genital Joey??? It was huh??? Tim luvs him
December 9th, 2005 at 11:54 am
No, It wasn’t Genital Joey. It was Dirk, of course. He seems to be on his only level of stupidity. That’s why on Monday we will all be discussing proper forum etiquette in the club meeting. Why does that kid annoy me so much?
December 9th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
Probably because you are HOT for his old woman in her awesome sweats! I’m not shocked that it was Dirk. Whenever I see him I still think, “DirkaDirka” He;s a retard
Now Tim, he is not a retard. He is KEWL like you Jeff…kewl like you
December 9th, 2005 at 4:09 pm
I feel like I should take that as an insult…