We are lucky to have MFN as a melting pot of like minded fishos to share knowledge, make friends and a place to voice our concerns for the angling state in our side of the world. We have a lot to thank our webmaster Vincent for setting it up, paying for the hosting and bandwidth and not forgetting the arduous task of maintaining this site for us.
However, (blame it on our landlord’s leniency?[8D]) we sometimes forget our manners and has misused the board. This brings me to what I wish to discuss with fellow forumers –
Shouldn’t we have exercised some self-censoring to make this a better place for all?</font id=“green”>
When we participate in a public forum, even though it is not explicitly spelled out, there is certain etiquette that we have to observe. When we are in a public forum, what we write/post is for the world to see. In doing this we are projecting an image of ourselves good or bad to the world. The latest statistic of MFN shows 3 million hits from all over the world. Do we want to project a negative image of Malaysian anglers to the world? If you think you can hide behind a nickname and do as you like, think again.
Forum Etiquette is something that is NOT forced upon you but you voluntarily do as a courtesy to other forumers. Respect these rules and each other - you are actually choosing to exercise your right in getting the same treatment as well.</font id=“blue”>
et•i•quette : (noun) rules governing socially acceptable behavior</font id=“blue”>
For a start:
- LURK FIRST Lurk (anonymously observe) before you leap (post). When you join a forum, do not post any comments right away. Try to read and catch up with what is going on and observe what people are saying. After you feel comfortable and think you are ready to add useful information/comments to the conversation, please do so. If you are looking for certain information, you may find it has already been posted on the relevant forum so have a look through the recent topic titles. Consider using the forums' search facility - located via the top menu bar. At the very least, please read the Latest Topics page before posting - you may find your question/information has already recently been answered/posted.
- POST ON THE APPROPRIATE FORUM There are a number of different forums on these message boards - the full list is on the 'All forums' link (just below that small fishing guy pic). Please use the appropriate forum when starting a new topic.
- KEEP ON TOPIC Do not start "private" or non sequitur (look it up [;)]) conversations in someone else's thread. Again, it's not polite. Do try and keep to the topic of the thread. If you want to raise a new issue then consider whether a new topic is more appropriate. Replies should be answers to the original question. Try not to create sub-conversations in a thread as it complicates reading and really doesn't belong in the thread. If you have a discussion topic that was generated from reading a thread, just start a new thread.
- PERSONAL TOPICS Personal topics are threads that, whilst posted in public forum, are intended for a discussion between only a few members. Public posts should be open and inviting to all members. Personal discussions among a select group of users should take place in private message - click one the users nick and from the profile page u can send him an email
- BE CONSIDERATE TO OTHERS It should go without saying that you should treat others as you would like to be treated.
- RESPECT OTHER USERS Sometimes people can write something that you may find offensive. Before launching into a public condemnation though, please consider that the person may not have intended to cause offence. It is very easy to misinterpret a post on forums. There is absolutely no need to resort to insults. Respect others' views even if you disagree with them.
- BE CIVIL No personal attacks. If you feel the need to flame someone, please do it in private e-mail. Do not feel compelled to defend your honor in public. Use common sense when posting. We are a public, global forum. We are frequented by people of all ages and nationalities. What you find humorous others may very well find crude or offensive. Keep in mind we are primarily a angling forum, people don't come here expecting to be confronted with offensive material or foul language of any sort.
- PERSONAL DISPUTES Do not use these forums for personal disputes, heated debates, flame wars or a personal crusade for fame (you could become notorious instead) etc. You are expected to treat each other with respect in the forums and take any personal disputes to a private mode of discussion off the forums. If you should find that your discussion is becoming too heated or someone is becoming far too passionate about their argument, please take the discussion to private message or email.
- CRITIQUES: Some thread call for critiques from members on a particular subject. This is a wonderful learning tool if handled properly. This is a learning process. If criticism is too harsh, someone may be dissuaded from presenting his or her opinion. If criticism is not honest, no one will learn. Both extremes defeat the purpose of the forum. If you are being critiqued: Do not take criticism personally. Evaluate it and decide if you can use it. If you can't, then put it totally out of your mind. If you are critiquing: unless you can offer an improvement or substitution that you feel would benefit the subject, do not comment. (Others will.)
- NO TROLLING What is a troll? It's a person who posts something which is bound to stir people up and then sits back and watches as dozens of people jump in and start arguing. Sometimes trolls get their friends to join in or post under different names. Generally they will do anything it takes to get attention. If you see a message like this, please try and refrain from replying to it - it may well be deleted or locked anyway.
- The basic guide to etiquette is this: be polite, be mature, keep your language clean and respect the opinions of others (even if you disagree).
- Post your opinion in appropriate threads and do not side-track to other issues.
- Most of all, enjoy meeting new people on the net who have the same interests that you do.
- Make friends not enemies. After all, they will love meeting you – you are SO POLITE!! [:)]
(Of course our beloved MFN Trash Talk is in a different league as it displays humour and wit, done in good taste [8D] [:p]. Actually at times it shows the close rapport amongst the forumers despite all the thrashing done. Plus on no account has trash talking infringe upon personal attacks below the belt and definately NOT toilet hole smelling mouth displaying their vocabulary [}:)])</font id=“green”>
Please give me a big AIYEEE on this. Thanks for reading such a long post.</font id=“blue”>
Regards,
LaPala
]
Jam
