~*Kate*~
04-02-2009, 05:16 PM
When you are first starting out on a forum, it can be intimidating to jump into a conversation. It's hard to know what is appropriate. Here are some guidelines to help you feel more comfortable at MLW.
General
Don't type in all caps. It looks like you are yelling and is considered rude. Save the capital letters for emphasis only.
Read, reread and REREAD your posts before submitting. Sarcasm and jokes are harder to detect online, and what you think is funny may come across as rude or downright mean. Ask yourself, "Would I say this to a person's face? Would my expression be what kept them from being upset by it?"
We've all done it-- If you post something that is misunderstood, just explain and apologize. Everyone understands that it's harder to communicate online. If it keeps happening, reevaluate the way you are posting. Ask someone else to read your post first if you are unsure about its tone.
Be respectful. Remember that not everyone shares your opinion. On any topic. Even the ones you think are blatantly obvious. This doesn't mean you can't post your opinion, it just means that acting like people who disagree are idiots is a bad idea.
Don't be afraid to ask for help-- but don't be afraid to use the extensive help references and good 'ole Google, either.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's the number one rule that MLW adheres to, and we expect our members to do the same.
Another reason not to be offensive online, from this source (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/rule1.html), which has lots of good advice:
When you communicate through cyberspace -- via email or on discussion groups -- your words are written. And chances are they're stored somewhere where you have no control over them. In other words, there's a good chance they can come back to haunt you.
Safety
DO NOT give your address, phone number or other information to someone you meet online until you are absolutely certain they are who they claim to be-- and that who they claim to be is someone trustworthy.
Use caution when clicking links that lead off of MLW. While our staff makes every effort to ensure that content posted here is safe, we cannot guarantee that every link is safe. Hover over links first and note the address that shows up in your browser. If it looks untrustworthy, don't click it!
Click here (http://www.mustloveweddings.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4237) for more info on internet safety.
Journals
Don't be shy! Many of the members at MLW have known each other for years and it can be intimidating to jump into a conversation, but they will welcome you if you do. Everyone was a "newbie" once.
You have to be a friend to make a friend. If you have a journal and no one visits, it probably means they don't know it's there. A link to your journal in your signature helps other members find you more easily.
If you want people to post in your journal, be sure that you return the favor by posting in others. When people do post, be sure to respond to them, even if it's just a "thanks" or "hi Jane!" If people feel ignored, they'll quit trying.
Complaining that you have no visitors usually has the opposite effect than you intend. If you are honestly concerned that you've said something in your journal to drive people away, by all means ask. But don't complain just to get attention. It drives people away.
General
Don't type in all caps. It looks like you are yelling and is considered rude. Save the capital letters for emphasis only.
Read, reread and REREAD your posts before submitting. Sarcasm and jokes are harder to detect online, and what you think is funny may come across as rude or downright mean. Ask yourself, "Would I say this to a person's face? Would my expression be what kept them from being upset by it?"
We've all done it-- If you post something that is misunderstood, just explain and apologize. Everyone understands that it's harder to communicate online. If it keeps happening, reevaluate the way you are posting. Ask someone else to read your post first if you are unsure about its tone.
Be respectful. Remember that not everyone shares your opinion. On any topic. Even the ones you think are blatantly obvious. This doesn't mean you can't post your opinion, it just means that acting like people who disagree are idiots is a bad idea.
Don't be afraid to ask for help-- but don't be afraid to use the extensive help references and good 'ole Google, either.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's the number one rule that MLW adheres to, and we expect our members to do the same.
Another reason not to be offensive online, from this source (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/rule1.html), which has lots of good advice:
When you communicate through cyberspace -- via email or on discussion groups -- your words are written. And chances are they're stored somewhere where you have no control over them. In other words, there's a good chance they can come back to haunt you.
Safety
DO NOT give your address, phone number or other information to someone you meet online until you are absolutely certain they are who they claim to be-- and that who they claim to be is someone trustworthy.
Use caution when clicking links that lead off of MLW. While our staff makes every effort to ensure that content posted here is safe, we cannot guarantee that every link is safe. Hover over links first and note the address that shows up in your browser. If it looks untrustworthy, don't click it!
Click here (http://www.mustloveweddings.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4237) for more info on internet safety.
Journals
Don't be shy! Many of the members at MLW have known each other for years and it can be intimidating to jump into a conversation, but they will welcome you if you do. Everyone was a "newbie" once.
You have to be a friend to make a friend. If you have a journal and no one visits, it probably means they don't know it's there. A link to your journal in your signature helps other members find you more easily.
If you want people to post in your journal, be sure that you return the favor by posting in others. When people do post, be sure to respond to them, even if it's just a "thanks" or "hi Jane!" If people feel ignored, they'll quit trying.
Complaining that you have no visitors usually has the opposite effect than you intend. If you are honestly concerned that you've said something in your journal to drive people away, by all means ask. But don't complain just to get attention. It drives people away.