In our society today, being civil and showing respect for others cannot be overemphasised. Since everybody is unique with very contrasting views of life, there is need for a system of tolerance and respect to promote organisation, hence, the laws. In the online community, there are rules of etiquette that users are bound to abide by. It bothers around users being civil and respectful even when online.
The basic written and unwritten rules of life apply online as well. Don't issue personal attacks or be abusive, don't post threatening, harassing, offensive images and language. Be kind, be honest. We are well aware of this.
These rules of etiquette (netiquettes) are part and parcel of the Terms of Service of discussion boards. Although it is impossible to have a set of rules to cater for certain behaviours, these are general guidelines that promote politeness and responsibility on any discussion board. There are:
• Do not practise cross-posting. This means posting a single message on different discussion boards, it reduces quality and unnecessarily increases the discussion traffic.
• Do not use ALL CAPS. It is equivalent to screaming and is difficult to read.
• Review messages before posting. Typo errors are confusing and create a lot of misunderstanding.
• Quote what you are replying to, it keeps the conversation alive.
• Email instead! Personal information is privileged. Also, there is an option to email the author instead of posting directly on the discussion board, use this generously. Some comments and replies better off done in private.
• Read before posting. Browsing the board for a while before posting first message is highly recommended. Before joining a discussion for the first time, take time to familiarise with the demeanour of the board. Not only will cold and hot topics be obvious, the key participants also stand out and you can contribute more meaningfully to the discussion and just butting in.
• Most forums including discussion boards have more specific guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Taking some time to browse through these might make your experience on any discussion board more wholesome.
Dennis enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Off Topic Discussion and Discussion Message Board. You may visit for more details.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Moore_Hopkins
