The following is mostly opinion, read it if you want...
There's a lot of complaining about what goes on in this list, but in
comparison, we have it good. I've been on USENET a lot recently, in
"rec.motorcycles", trying to get information about the bike we just
bought. We here have NOTHING on that newsgroup when it comes to vile
language, off-topic posts, and personal attacks. At our worst, we
would probably look like a tea party to the posters there.
As far as posting here goes, the most important rules-of-thumb
I've found are:
1) The less often you speak, the more more likely people are to
listen to you when you do decide to offer your input.
2) Edit your language as if every one of your posts was going to be
forwarded to your mother, and edit your grammar and spelling as if
your posts were being forwarded to that 400-pound English teacher you
had in elementary school. We're not writing master's theses here,
but right or wrong, it's much easier to be dismissed if you type in
all capital letters and spell every third word incorrectly.
3) Don't pick sides in an argument, and don't fan the flames just to
watch the fireworks.
4) Don't complain about something that doesn't affect you directly.
If your mail reader can delete entire threads, don't gripe about
off-topic posts. If it truly bothers other people, let THEM
complain.
5) How important can your opinion be if you're posting with an
assumed name and list a fake e-mail address like "f**kyou@eatme.net"?
Note--This is more of a USENET peeve of mine. We're all big enough
boys and girls here to let people know our REAL names, but you'd be
surprised what goes on elsewhere.
I could probably go on, but why? I suspect I'm preaching to the
choir, since this list is really pretty good, but maybe someone can
spread the word to the USENET heathens.
Scott
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