FORUM REALITIES 101 – A REMINDER

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rda1964


First: Grammar, spelling, punctuation and typographic attention are NOT OPTIONAL. This is a written medium. Clear expression of ideas and points require standard english. How much respect should I, or anyone, have for careless illiteracy? In my view none at all.

I think that most people view these forums as a pretty casual place to post topics and generally chat without people getting anal about grammar. Save the grammar corrections for obviously incorrect posts, or the MLA forums (that's the Modern Language Association for those of you who aren't in high school) Also, how would you like it if you were posting on a board that was in a different language that you weren't completely fluent in and people thought you were a moron for "careless illiteracy"?

QUOTE:
Second: Topical structure is not a suggestion. It is a rule of the forum. Abide by it or go elsewhere. Saying, "If you don't want to read my post don't read it", is the logical equal of saying, "If you don't like the rubbish I leave on the street take a different route." Its intentional bad manners.

The last time I checked, these forums promoted free speech. If the topics were all restricted to train topics, it would get old pretty fast. While I think that people should generally stick to railroading topics, I have no problems with others “hanging out” or chatting with acquaintances from this forum. I intend to support the principle of free speech, provided that what is posted is respectful and not deliberately trying to offend me.

QUOTE:
Third: The idea all forum posters are deserving of equal respect is, to me, silly on its face. Here all anyone knows about anyone is between the margins. Forums are a pure meritocracy. If what is written over the signature is ill expressed, off topic, poorly spelled, ill puncutated and tendentious what should I conclude other than the poster is a hopeless AND lazy twit? And weight his views accordingly.

You think whatever you want about that person. I’ve already made up my mind about you.

Also, while typing this post in my word processor, it automatically found quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes that you made. I would say that that is kind of ironic, wouldn’t you?

[Anonymous]

Excellent point mabruce.

However, many of the recent heat has been by three or more different "users" on various topics. None the less, yes there is the inherent chance that they are the same person, but the debate that raged was real none the less.

If you are referring to some of the more recent hot topics... all I can say is that most of the heat was pointed at views that were not acceptable by some of the more moderate posters. Some posts and replies were even downright hostile towards people that we read posts from. People that are routinely positive and helpfull were hurt by the posts or replies unfairly.

As a result, many of the people that "jumped" in, were doing so out of support, or out of outrage at the treatment of people they have come to respect. Even others were merely trying to state their view of the topic or issues so that we have a well rounded discussion of WHATEVER comes up.

To suggest that we skip it, means that wether you are young or old, you do not get to see differing viewpoints. This is the ultimate reason to be here, albeit we should be doing so on train topics, not social topics.

But if a social or personal topic comes up, and we are here in the forum, it is sometimes better to respond to an issue that moves you, or risk belief that that issue does not carry your viewpoint or belief.

ALL extremes are usually bad, but I believe most of the posts were not from extremist people. They were from people who banded together over a fundamental idea of fairness to see to it that bully's do not run unchecked in our forum.

Think about it, if a person attacked you (even if it was you,) should someone who disagrees with the argument not speak up?

Or, are you suggesting that there is really only one person actually on the forum and I should stop arguing with myself and stop wasting time writing myself all of these messages to help me on my layout that I could be building instead of wasting time "chatting" here with all of my alternate personalities?

Man.... I think I need my medication....

[Anonymous]

Hello Train-Master,

There we go. I read Randy's post and after tripping over the grammar and spelling I started to chuckle, I assumed that the entire post was satire what with the insults and the post ending with the admonition to 'speak softly'. It made me laugh,
Do I have a warped sense of humour?
Does Randy?

[Anonymous]

mdemt - Well put.

LightBender - I think we are all a little warped.

After reading this post it has become obvious that there are only two "actual" users on this forum, and that all the other usernames are aliases of one same person who is playing some demented game with me. That, or there is only one person making posts and he/she has created their own little word in this forum like The Sims, in which everyone (including me) is only a characters created for one persons enjoyment. Or maybe I just forgot to take my prescription to suppress my paranoia.

[Anonymous]

At least one reader got it.

Randy

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rda1964


At least one reader got it.

Randy

Uh Randy uh um you spelt wooden wrong on one of the other threads

Shame on you!!!![:(!]

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mdemt



Think about it, if a person attacked you (even if it was you,) should someone who disagrees with the argument not speak up?

Or, are you suggesting that there is really only one person actually on the forum and I should stop arguing with myself and stop wasting time writing myself all of these messages to help me on my layout that I could be building instead of wasting time "chatting" here with all of my alternate personalities?

Man.... I think I need my medication....

Maybe MR should be called "Matrix Railroading"

[Anonymous]

Well, we're gonna have to give up this thread, as we are forgetting what one of me has said what! My grammar bad. Speling hard! Like trains.

Bob Forum

[Anonymous]

Good reminder. Have seen that happen on computer forums I moderate. But the actual percentage is low but as the "pen is mighter tan the word" (who said that?), it has a far reaching consequence.

If we take the responsibility for our actions and words there usually is not a problem.

And another thing I have noticed on this forum is the respect given one another overall. Makes it enjoyable to be here.

Not one of us knows it all and by sharing we learn and save alot of time in doing so.

In closing - those with fictitious identities must be pretty lonely people looking for something. I for one am not hard to find. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Hello Mister Anderson.

[Anonymous]

Greengoose, I am slow, however, wasn't that really the pen is mightier than the sword, and not word?

[Anonymous]

deschane,
Oops I just made the first mistake of my life. [ :D] You are correct on the "sword". Thanks for catching that. [:D]