A Quick And Easy Guide To Using Online Forums And User Groups
The first rule regarding using forums is to just slowly try to
integrate yourself into the community. Follow these rules
closely and concisely so that you do not offend anybody:
1. Do not spam the forum with your problems. If you have a few
things that you would like to discuss you will probably get
help, but do not try to hog all of the assistance for yourself.
For one thing, most of your questions have already been
answered, believe it or not. There is generally a "search"
option. Always use this before posting your problem.
2. Do not "Flame." Flaming is a term used among forum dwellers
to describe the behavior of "yelling" at people via the forum.
This is generally associated with cursing, constant argument,
typing in all caps to try to convey anger, and dismissing other
people's posts in an undignified fashion. There are other
problems that are included in flaming, but I have given you the
jist of it.
3. Never take a post off topic. If there is something that you
would like to discuss that was inspired by a post on another
topic, post a new topic in the appropriate board and explain
where the topic was conceived. You may still want to reply to
the post just to let people know that the topic has been created
so that somebody else doesn't take it off topic.
4. Do not "bump" your thread (or post). Bumping a post is when
you reply to your own post in hopes of getting a response
sooner. The only time that this is acceptable is if your thread
has laid dormant for about a week. Bumped threads are very
annoying to most forum users. Bumping posts on a regular basis
will probably lead to a lack of interest in your posts and will
probably contribute to a lack of support in your ventures.
6. Be friendly. There is no reason that you can't be completely
polite when posting on a forum. You will get very good response
if you are simply polite in your post. Politeness in the world
of forums includes making sure that you have communicated your
problem carefully so that people attempting to help you can
understand and provide answers to the best of their abilities.
7. Join in on the community favorites. Many forums now include
"games" which are occasionally pretty fun. They are pretty much
just there for if you are bored and waiting for a response to
your other posts, but they are enjoyable if you keep up with
them as many forum dwellers are quite articulate and funny.