8 replies to this topic

[CmdrSpider]

I'd like to make the following suggestions to our community regarding forum postings.

• Take some time to put your thoughts together as to what you want to say.
  
• Give your post a brief concise title that tells your readers what your posting about.
  
• Compose your Post on the word processor on your computer and use the spell check function before copying for transfer
  
• Take time to read your post out loud. This will help you to make sure your actuallly saying what you intended other's to read.
  
• There are four basic types of post, consider the following when making them:
  
  • I Have a Problem – In this type of post state your problem, but be concise. Then take the time to give your reader’s your thoughts on how to correct the problem. Others are more likely to take an interest if they see your seeking a solution.
    
  • Complaint – Similar to the “I Have a Problem.” The problem with just complaining is no one really wants to listen. My suggestion, just don’t do it. Instead think about what’s bothering you and turn it over to the community in the form of “I Have a Problem.”
    
  • Does Anyone Know – These types of post can be repetitive in nature. Individuals should take the time to research whether others have already posted the same question. When searching a topic try using descriptive words, but don’t forget to try alternate words if search engine doesn’t succeed in finding what you’re looking for the first time.
    
  • Did You Know – Everyone loves to share good news, bad news or things that they think are interesting. Be sure though that what your sharing is not just some rumor or gossip. The community doesn’t need more disinformation, so check your sources and confirm what you’ve heard. If you can’t its simple just don’t post it. When posting factual information including the site where you got your information so other can check out the details for themselves.
• After you’ve posted you may receive some personal feedback in your mail. Take the time to read what others have to say. Personally I like to thank those who appreciated what I wrote or who gave me constructive criticism’s even if their view point disagrees with mine. After all can’t we all just agree to disagree sometimes.

I look forward to reading your post in the future.

Edited by CmdrSpider, 05 July 2012 - 09:23 AM.

[Fire for Effect]

I find your faith remarkable but somehow I fear that will not happen.

[RedDragon]

This is good and sound advice. The problem is this: People who would read a topic like this already tend to be smart enough to actually know all this. After all, it's mostly just common knowledge. Everything you list here is either common sense or documented and advised on every single bulletin board in the internet.

People who don't use the search function and/or the spell checker and/or don't use proper punctuation etc. are just too lazy, too ignorant or maybe sometimes even too dumb to do it. In this case they won't read this topic either, just as they didn't read the general forum rules and the sticky topics.

Sometimes I really wish one would need a driver's license for the internet...

[Mchawkeye]

What about posts that want to be positive, suggestions and ideas?

[Helmer]

This is an excellent post, and I would love to see this in practice


Cheers.

[CmdrSpider]

RedDragon, on 05 July 2012 - 11:24 AM, said:

This is good and sound advice. The problem is this: People who would read a topic like this already tend to be smart enough to actually know all this. After all, it's mostly just common knowledge. Everything you list here is either common sense or documented and advised on every single bulletin board in the internet.

People who don't use the search function and/or the spell checker and/or don't use proper punctuation etc. are just too lazy, too ignorant or maybe sometimes even too dumb to do it. In this case they won't read this topic either, just as they didn't read the general forum rules and the sticky topics.

Sometimes I really wish one would need a driver's license for the internet...

They say ignorance is bliss, I 'd like to know who they are I'd fill them full of AC rounds. I agree full heartily with your sentiments, but disagree about common sense. Common sense refers to the idea that we have shared something in commmon (i.e. a computer class teaching us how to use spell checker or have participated in forums before). If this were the case then yes common sense applies, but if we don't have this common back ground then why would we expect it to make sense to others.

My attempt to help, was for those who want to do what is right and who will activily take the time to do so. I would be a good example of the very person I'm speaking about. This is only the second forum I've ever been on in which I did anything more than read what was being posted about. For the newcomers there's so much that is strange and new. Imagine someone putting my grandfather in a Mech and telling him to pilot back to his house, he wouldn't have a clue. But you and I now we just might actually be able to accomplish such a feat if we were given the chance. If nothing else perhaps I will have helped someone else learn a little quicker than I did.

Thanks for the input.

Edited by CmdrSpider, 05 July 2012 - 02:44 PM.

[CmdrSpider]

Mchawkeye, on 05 July 2012 - 11:55 AM, said:

What about posts that want to be positive, suggestions and ideas?

Mchawkeye,

I did miss this one and thanks. Yes positive post are probably one of the best ways to let someone know you appreciate what they've done or are doing. Simply put keep your praise short and sweet. To often someone tries to lift some one up and they go overboard and it ends up having the opposite effect of what was intended.

As to positive idea's now that always subject to one own opinion and opinions are as numerous as LRMs flying off a Catapult. So the first thing when making a suggestion is let everyone know that its simply a suggestion. Then stand back and let others tell you what they think. Don't let your feelings be hurt if others don't see it your way or agree. Ultimately if a suggestion has true merit then change will be forth coming, if not it willl just dissappear. Personally I never worry about what other's might say if I was working towards something I thought might help others.


Thanks,

Edited by CmdrSpider, 05 July 2012 - 03:02 PM.

[Mchawkeye]

CmdrSpider, on 05 July 2012 - 02:50 PM, said:

Mchawkeye,

I did miss this one and thanks. Yes positive post are probably one of the best ways to let someone know you appreciate what they've done or are doing. Simple put keep your praise short and sweet. To often someone tries to lift some one up and they go overboard and it ends up having the opposite effect of what was intended.

True that.

[RedDragon]

CmdrSpider, on 05 July 2012 - 02:40 PM, said:

They say ignorance is bliss, I 'd like to know who they are I'd fill them full of AC rounds. I agree full heartily with your sentiments, but disagree about common sense. Common sense refers to the idea that we have shared something in commmon (i.e. a computer class teaching us how to use spell checker or have participated in forums before). If this were the case then yes common sense applies, but if we don't have this common back ground then why would we expect it to make sense to others.

My attempt to help, was for those who want to do what is right and who will activily take the time to do so. I would be a good example of the very person I'm speaking about. This is only the second forum I've ever been on in which I did anything more than read what was being posted about. For the newcomers there's so much that is strange and new. Imagine someone putting my grandfather in a Mech and telling him to pilot back to his house, he wouldn't have a clue. But you and I now we just might actually be able to accomplish such a feat if we were given the chance. If nothing else perhaps I will have helped someone else learn a little quicker than I did.

Thanks for the input.

It's a noble goal and I hope that at least some new players will read this and take it to the heart.
But I'm quite realistic about such things.
It has nothing to do with being new in a franchise (in this case Battletech/Mechwarrior). It has to do with general behaviour on the internet and in life in general.
I'll just take a definition from wikipedia (doesn't matter, the definitions are always quite the same):

Quote

Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts."

That means if a new guy has at least a tiny bit of common sense, he will know that in a forum with as many threads as this one, it's highly likely that most (especially basic) questions have already been asked and that he just has to search for them.
Same goes for proper spelling and punctuation. If you post 3 sentences without any periods or commas, and read it again before posting, you WILL notice that other people will have problems understanding what you want to say.
Problem is, people don't give a damn about it. They just don't care if you have to read their posts 3 times before getting their meaning.

So why don't people post "the right way"?

Either they are completely new to the internet (highly unlikely, and even then those skills are basic rules in every day life, it's not only on the internet that you have to talk in an understandable fashion...)

Or they are just lazy and/or ignorant.