The title pretty much says it all, but first I'll give a little bit of background. All of you folks of EN World are an enthusiastic and intelligent bunch. Most of the time I feel as if my opinionions have very little merit. I just would like to see if you folks could give me advice on how to handle myself on these boards, and on how to avoid coming off like a jerk...
OT-Trouble with online discussions
- Thread starter Protean
- Start date
BigFreekinGoblinoid
First Post
Hey Protean!
Just have fun with it and don't get caught up in worrying about other peoples perception of your posts too much. If people only posted scintillating comments, we would have some pretty bare threads around here. And some users with high post counts would have no posts at all
My most intelligent or thoughtful posts/replies often receive no responses at all.
(! that one time - oh, you missed it?) Whatever.
If it makes you feel good to share your thoughts with others, by all means do so, but don't expect external verification, for you are sure to be dissapointed.
Many threads ask for ( directly or implied )opinions. Don't be afraid to post yours - it all makes for interesting reading. And you just might make a friend or two.
edit: You can always walk away from someone who flames you, if that ever happens - never respond in anger if you get worked up. Take a few minutes off before composing that reply and see if your perspective has changed. Usually it gives you a chance to let go of the ego a bit. This is usually pretty trivial stuff we discuss here.
second edit: Your spelling will ocassionally be made fun of, especially if you are too lazy (like me ) to use the spell checker
Just have fun with it and don't get caught up in worrying about other peoples perception of your posts too much. If people only posted scintillating comments, we would have some pretty bare threads around here. And some users with high post counts would have no posts at all
My most intelligent or thoughtful posts/replies often receive no responses at all.
(! that one time - oh, you missed it?) Whatever.
If it makes you feel good to share your thoughts with others, by all means do so, but don't expect external verification, for you are sure to be dissapointed.
Many threads ask for ( directly or implied )opinions. Don't be afraid to post yours - it all makes for interesting reading. And you just might make a friend or two.
edit: You can always walk away from someone who flames you, if that ever happens - never respond in anger if you get worked up. Take a few minutes off before composing that reply and see if your perspective has changed. Usually it gives you a chance to let go of the ego a bit. This is usually pretty trivial stuff we discuss here.
second edit: Your spelling will ocassionally be made fun of, especially if you are too lazy (like me ) to use the spell checker
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shilsen
Adventurer
Few simple suggestions:
1) Don't be afraid to express an opinion.
2) Don't get upset if everyone else doesn't think said opinion is great.
3) Be appreciative when people give you helpful tips or comments (after all, a complete stranger was just nice to you).
4) Don't mind if people say something that gets your goat (I did say they were complete strangers, right?).
5) Enjoy yourself and welcome to the boards.
1) Don't be afraid to express an opinion.
2) Don't get upset if everyone else doesn't think said opinion is great.
3) Be appreciative when people give you helpful tips or comments (after all, a complete stranger was just nice to you).
4) Don't mind if people say something that gets your goat (I did say they were complete strangers, right?).
5) Enjoy yourself and welcome to the boards.
Desdichado
Hero
I regularly come off as a jerk. Quite likely, I really am a jerk.
However, I keep plugging along, and occasionally someone finds something I say interesting. Now and again.
However, I keep plugging along, and occasionally someone finds something I say interesting. Now and again.
Piratecat
Sesquipedalian
By the very act of asking, you're miles ahead of most people.
If you stay as polite to people as you would at a dinner party - i.e. ignore the rude ones, hang out with the fun ones, and don't barf on the furniture - you'll be just fine. My two big pet peeves?
- People who state opinions as immutable facts. ("Dwarves suck" as opposed to "I think dwarves suck" - no one can argue with the latter)
- People who post deliberately in the wrong forum in order to get attention
In any case, it's a pleasure to have you here. Hey, speaking of "wrong forum"... we're off to Meta-land!
PS we turned off html in the sigs. If you need help translating the livejournal link to VBB code, give a holler.
If you stay as polite to people as you would at a dinner party - i.e. ignore the rude ones, hang out with the fun ones, and don't barf on the furniture - you'll be just fine. My two big pet peeves?
- People who state opinions as immutable facts. ("Dwarves suck" as opposed to "I think dwarves suck" - no one can argue with the latter)
- People who post deliberately in the wrong forum in order to get attention
In any case, it's a pleasure to have you here. Hey, speaking of "wrong forum"... we're off to Meta-land!
PS we turned off html in the sigs. If you need help translating the livejournal link to VBB code, give a holler.
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Crothian pretty much summed it up. Common courtesy, the Golden Rule... or look at a few people that come off as jerks and do the opposite of what they do. Most often the reminders from moderators are gentle enough... at first. Of course repeated jerkiness can lead to undesirable consequences, not the least of which would be a lot of people talking about trolls and ignoring you. Best of luck, be yourself and hey, have fun, that's what this is all about!
