by Arigatomina » Mon Jun 02, 2003 9:13 pm
It isn't much at all to ask for common sense from newbies, so long as they're asked before they're given a chance to face the consequences of not using that common sense. There is no 'rules' for forum posting ettiquette. It doesn't exist. There is no prerequisite reading telling a newbie how to behave. It doesn't exist.
On the otherhand is it too much to ask that flamers use a little courtesy? Newbies, or at least *I* have been asked to use courtesy, but what about them? If I'm being uncourteous in this thread, then what about the people out there having general thug-fests? I'm not turning the blame from newbies to the flamers, I'm saying newbies are screamed at for their bad manners, their ignorance, and non-newbies aren't screamed at for anything unless they're fighting amongst themselves and someone who's been here for a long time decides to mention the argument to the moderators. That's all, I'm just pointing out the different 'acceptable' levels of behavior for newbies and non-newbies.
As for posting in the right thread, or the idea of having off-topic discussions in the middle of a serious discussion - look around, that's everywhere. And, yes, the happy newbies are partaking in it, but usually the drift away from the topic is started by someone who is not new, someone who is not 'ignorant' or 'discourteous.' I'm not pointing fingers at non-newbies and yelling at them for flaming because I want to hide the newbies who are flaming - the newbies aren't flaming. I'm not turning the blame because the only newbies to blame for cussing people out are the ones who were first attacked and then stood against that attack. All I'm asking is for some fair treatment. We are expected to act according to 'rules' of proper behavior, but there don't seem to be any rules governing the actions or posts of the non-newbies. Why? It doesn't matter why, look at their posts, look at any thread longer than 3 pages and unless it's a sticky post or one in a moderator section, halfway through it's going to turn either into nonsense or a private flaming between two or more members. That's fine, let them argue amongst themselves. I just don't think they should turn their boredom, frustrations, distaste, on newbies or to think that because a person is new that makes them free game for flaming.
I'm trying to be courteous, and to stay on-topic (something I have rarely seen kept going on a single thread, maybe I can start a trend) but I'm not going to take back my belief that flaming should be curtailed. I'll use sense, other newbies - once they figure out the forum - will learn what it is to use common sense (according to this forum's definitions). But I think common sense dictates you say something of importance and meaning besides 'you fucknuts' 'idiot of the forum' and whatever other slandering uncalled for flames get thrown about. Tell me those are done in a playful manner. Some, maybe, but not the ones I'm complaining about.
I don't know how to argue that I'm not trying to take pressure off newbies, but I'm not. They *should* follow proper forum rules, they should know what to do and what not to do. But in order for them to know someone is going to have to tell them, or a thread is going to have to be found so they can read it for themselves. No one comes into a new place knowing the rules. Before they can follow those rules they have to be pointed to them and understand them. There is plenty of deserved pressure on the newbies. But there is also undeserved pressure.
And there is *no* pressure on the non-newbies. I don't want to turn the tables, I want to even them out, at least a little. If you know the rules you'd think you'd be able to show the newbies how to act by being courteous yourself. But flamers are not courteous. And yes, there aren't that many flamers, there are about five or six constant ones, though, and when they jump on newbie posts to attack them - knowing they can - then it becomes a problem. It's a problem only to the newbies, though, and only those who it bothers. So what do I know. I just state what I see.