When I first thought to add to this thread, I couldn't decide whether to put it in here, or split it off into the Campfire area. Although I thought I'd like this to be topic for a discussion, well, I figured this is Netiquette for Scouts (and Scouters), not the other way around... So, I'll leave it here... We can talk here, too. That being said...
Please understand, this thread is NOT about dictating the rules for this board. This post is for Scouts and Scouters to learn about and discuss Netiquette.Theory: "Boy Scouts" (adults and youth) are not "skilled" in this particular method of communication. Netiquette is definitely NOT what I'd call a "Scoutcraft" skill. <g>
FACT: Moderators try to look at it (every post) from both sides. It's easy to for a Moderator to step in and rebuke an outright "flame" or "troll." Really, it is.
OPINION: It is important to learn about and inculcate to others the use of netiquette. The Moderators on this board really do try to guide users in positive ways, of which, proper use of netiquette is only a part. If we don't, then some of our users whose online personalities are not as strong, will stop logging on; they would simply fade out or fall back, never bothering to post anything for fear of being misinterpreted, flamed, etc.
FACT: Moderators make mistakes, too. (Sorry.)
Bob's 10 Tips for Message-boarding, aka, MB-101:1. Try to be thick-skinned about it. IOW, if you're "put off" by somebody's post, but there's the slightest inkling that you might've misinterpreted it... you did. So, let it go.
2. If you want to "show" (humorous) sarcasm, use a little "smiley face" or something. Then, everybody will see the humor, without question. "Emoticons" can be a good thing; I don't much care for them, but I must admit, a little "
" goes a long, long way at preventing misunderstandings and even more so, hurt feelings.
3. Speaking of feelings, some people just don't have any. And worse yet, some just don't care about yours... and they never ain't gonna care neither. So, don't bother getting upset; it won't do ya' no good.
4. PLEASE, NO "ALL CAPS" -- IT MAKES PEOPLE THINK YOU"RE YELLING AT THEM! (CAN YOU HEAR ME, NOW?)
5.a. If you can "Spell Check" your work, do so. Otherwise, don't sweat it too much, especially if you’re on the reading end.
5.b. A little slang is okay. But, doan git so fer n2it, da we cant rel8 cuz we ain ur peeps.
6. Tips "5.a" and "b" do not to imply, in anyway whatsoever, that... if you're a student in middle school, high school, college student, whatever... you don't have to worry about grammar, punctuation, etc.... you're dead wrong. If you don't know how to spell it, define it, or relate it to similar words, I have only one thing to say to you... GO LOOK IT UP!
7. Don't talk at us. Don't type at me. Talk to me. What do I mean by that? Type as if I am right there, listening to you. It may be grammatically incorrect, but the meaning will come across closer to what you actually want us to see (in our minds). After reading this comment, you will forevermore notice the striking "format" or "style" of words in a GOOD novel. It ain't nothin' like what we got in school when I was a kid. (See what I mean?)
8. If you really want to know about netiquette, go read the 10 tips on [url=http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/netiquette_101.html[url]<Yes, this is a Link.>[/url] Netiquette referenced above. I promise, it'll save a lot of grief, for lack of a better word.
9. No cursing. Nuff said. It simply ain't necessary (in here) to get your point across.
10. If you hurt somebody's feelings, apologize.
.I usually never bother to check spelling, but I'll do it now