Message board guidelines


Don't issue personal attacks, use profanity, or post threatening, abusive, harassing, or otherwise offensive language or images. You also may not impersonate another individual or communicate under a name that you are not entitled to use.

Do not post chain letters or advertisements

Chain letters are never appreciated in the online community. Advertisements are just about as unwelcome. You may place advertisements only in areas designated for that purpose. Unsolicited advertising is not allowed.



guidelines for polite and responsible interaction on message boards:

Read the message board for a while before participating

It's best to read a board for a while before you post your first message. Read a couple of week's worth of messages the first time you visit a board, then read new messages for another couple of days. You'll see what topics are hot and which are cold, you'll get to know some of the key participants, and you'll become familiar with the demeanor of the board. Each one is different.

Communicate clearly

Write clearly when you compose a message. Review your message carefully before clicking the Send button. Remember, if your message can be misunderstood, it will be.

Refrain from using ALL CAPS

Typing in all capital letters is frowned upon; it is the equivalent of screaming at everyone. It also makes your message more difficult to read.

Don't post meaningless messages

Posting messages that say nothing more than "Me too" is a quick way to irritate other members. If you agree with a posting, either enjoy your consent by yourself or reply with an informative comment about why you agree. Imagine how dull a board would get if it contained nothing but hundreds of "me toos."

Consider sending a reply by e-mail

Some replies are better sent as e-mail, rather than posted to a board. Personal messages and especially critical comments are more appropriate when sent directly and privately. There's a Send Mail link on every message board post.

Refrain from cross-posting

Cross-posting means posting a single message to several different message boards. It is almost never appropriate. Such posts tend to reduce the quality of the discussion and needlessly increase the traffic on the board. Find the best place for your post and confine your message to that board.

Quote from the post you're replying to

Include a small section of text from the post you're replying to so others will have a quick reminder of the topic.

Be careful when posting personal information

Be careful about including private information about yourself, such as phone numbers and street addresses. Private information of that nature is better sent by e-mail.